How much do they understand

[Lynternette]

You can aways tell when I've got nothing better to do. Do you think hamsters are clever enough to know what you say to them, like a cat or a dog or is it luck. Dusty comes to me when I call his name, seems to respond to peanuts and goes to his food place. What do you think?

[louisbs]

I think they are more intelligent than what people think.
I have seen mine methodically work out problems.. for example.. Bonio from bin to cage through tube.. bonio too wide for tube..

[sakuraheart]

I agree.....I say kiss to Sherlock and he flicks that little nose to mine.

[Keflan]

I dont know. I just think, because they have heard a noise they will investigate.

Not sure they understand much commands, possibly their name if you talk to them alot they may understand, but Im guessing because they hear a noise they just respond even if they dont understand.

[GemmasMom]

I think they respond more to tone than actual words. When I have my "excited" high pitch voice like when I'm saying hi to them or how much i missed them or love them, they come out of hiding. However, when I'm scolding them for fighting, they stop where they are and stare lol

[gutterglitterxx]

I like to think they sort of understand. If I hold Cheeto up to my face and say "kiss", she lightly puts her paw on my lips. It's like favorite thing ever.

[GemmasMom]

Originally Posted by gutterglitterxx

I like to think they sort of understand. If I hold Cheeto up to my face and say "kiss", she lightly puts her paw on my lips. It's like favorite thing ever.

Gem gave me and her daddy kisses. We'd say "kisses" and make a kiss noise, and she would put her nose on our lips..... so precious

[HamstersOfHell]

I can say kiss to Jack and he will put his nose on mine, Ruby did it as well I tend to call Judas Judy, so if I say it in a really excited voice he will come to the front of the cage and wait to be taken out, be given food etc.
I definitely agree in that hamsters are more intelligent than people realize

[gutterglitterxx]

Originally Posted by GemmasMom

Gem gave me and her daddy kisses. We'd say "kisses" and make a kiss noise, and she would put her nose on our lips..... so precious

Awwww very cute! I love their little antics.

[Hammymad]

I say "kiss" to Rambo and he puts his nose to my lips bless him.I think they are intelligent,I too have watched Cookie try and fit down the tube with something,then she stopped looked abit baffled and then turned the object round and push it down the tube and follow it down and when it fell out the other end she'd pick it up and take it to her food stash xx

I always chatter to my hams like another person and my OH thinks I am crazy haha,m not denying that I am abit but they respond to my voice and I know they enjoy listening to me lol xx