Weird behavior

[mmmim256]

I was grooming whiskers and my dog walked in and whiskers started acting really weird. She started bitting me and giving this death crip with her claws, my question is can hamsters tell and try to communicate with their owners when they feels really scared about a certain animal in a room with them??

[Emanon]

Dogs are a very scary animal to hamsters. Dogs can, and will eat a hamster if given the opportunity. I'm certain the behavior was a response to the dog in the room.

Hamsters, being very small animals, must feel safe and secure. They burrow in the wild to avoid such large animals and they forage in dim light and darkness to avoid birds of prey.

If possible, ensure your hamster's home is out of the reach of a dog or other large animal. Do try not to handle the hamster with a dog or cat in the room if you can. Stress is not good for any animals and despite what cute cartoons and children's shows might suggest, these animals are not friendly.

[cathface]

hamsters are prey animals and have a very good sense of smell - the scent of an unknown possible predator in the room is more than enough to make a ham panic, though often they just freeze ("if I don't move that animal won't be able to see me"). I'm not sure if Whiskers were trying to 'communicate' more than blind panic to be honest, but it's possible.

I agree with Emanon, I would keep Whiskers away from your dog, and not get her out when your dog is around. I know some people on here seem to be convinced that their dogs won't ever ever harm their hams, but there is that natural instinct in some dogs (especially terrier breeds as they were intentionally bred to hunt rodents) that could always potentially override their training, so I just wouldn't risk it!

[mmmim256]

Yeah I keep her away from my dog cuz one of my previous hamsters died because of my dog so I'm very aware of him being in my room. Last night he just was creeping up on her though and it seemed like she was telling me to get him away