Hamsters are often stressed enough in confined settings and the last thing they need is housing in cages they hate. Getting your pet rodent’s cage right in terms of size, setup, and components is non-negotiable as a hamster parent.

This article answers the question “How Do You Know If a Hamster Likes Its Cage?” by revealing the common signs of contentment in domesticated hamsters. We also reveal the best ways to make rodent cages cozy so hamsters can be more comfortable.

How Do You Know If a Hamster Likes Its Cage?

Hamsters that eat and drink well, engage in physical activity, and look unbothered while going about their day-to-day activities often like their cages. Good temperaments, no climbing up of their cage wires, and lack of agitation are additional signs of cage contentment.

It’s important to maintain good conditions in the cage environment so hamsters continue being comfortable. A drop in standards such as failure to clean the cage regularly may force pocket rodents to hate the same space they once loved.

5 Signs That Your Hamster Loves His Cage

Here are the top signs that your little guy loves his cage and feels content in there. These clues can be proof that you’re getting something right.

1. High Physical Activity

Hamsters are extremely physically active animals that spend the majority of their wake periods on their feet. From eating, using the toilet, and self-grooming, these little guys engage in lots of activities. When hamsters like their cages, they tend to be highly expressive of themselves.

If your little guys are engaging in normal physical activity with no signs of distress, that could be evidence of happiness in that environment. It is not uncommon to see them picking up and putting chewable toys in their mouths, running through tunnels, and staying in their cage hideouts.

Pet rodents also spend a lot of time running on exercise wheels when they like their cages. They often run as fast as they can, taking short breathers when exhausted, and having another go after recovery.

2. Happy to be Left Alone

When a hamster is happy to be left alone, that may be a clue that he likes the cage and is comfortable in those settings. Hamsters can be attention seekers when they get comfortable with you and may clamor for you to pick them up from their cages from time to time.

However, they can get so immersed in cages they find comfy that they forget about you and concentrate on doing their own thing. It is one of the most foolproof signs that they’re having a good time and don’t want any interruptions from you or other members of the household.

Just concentrate on supplying the right amounts of food and water so they can stay healthy and happy while keeping the cages clean from time to time.

3. No Aggression to Cage Mates

Unhappy hamsters often show signs of aggression by fighting with shared cage mates. While this may be common in Syrians, even Roborovskis and Dwarf breeds can exhibit similar signs when they get tired of their cages.

If your hamsters are living peacefully in pairs without showing signs of aggression, that could be evidence that they like their cages or like you. To be sure, conduct physical examinations from time to time to look for signs of physical injuries.

Finding none means they’re happily co-existing which is only possible when they’re content with the cage environment. Don’t forget to look out for holes created from chewing the cage bars and patch them up promptly.

4. No Climbing of Cage Wires and Hissing

When hamsters hate their cages, they make it obvious by climbing the cage wires and making loud hissing noises to draw the attention of their owners. This is often a cry to get them out of there before they lose their minds.

At other times, they can get so desperate to get out of those cages that they may even attempt to chew the cage wires.

Hamsters that love their cages often show no such signs. Instead, they stay contained within the walls of the cages and go about their daily activities without drawing attention to themselves.

5. No Cage Rage

Cage Rage is often non-existent when hamsters like their cages. Signs such as excessive guarding of their territories, lunging at you every time you open the cages, and attacking other cage mates without provocation are often eliminated when your furry pals are housed in cages they’re comfortable in.

Hamsters that are content with their cages also preserve personal items such as exercise wheels and running tunnels instead of deliberately destroying them. Attention-seeking noises are usually rare when you approach hamsters in cages they enjoy staying in.

How to Setup Cages Your Hamster Will Like

Pet rodents often behave well in environments they’ve fallen in love with. Here are tips for setting up cages your hamsters will feel comfortable in.

Floor Space

The size of the cage is the first step to creating an environment hamsters will like to stay. It is vital to purchase a cage offering the right floor space for the little guy to roam, play, and hide. The space should also accommodate bells and whistles like food and water bottles as well as hideouts, toys, and sandbaths.

Factors for choosing the right cage size include the breed of hamsters and how many are intended to be housed together. If you prefer breeder tanks, make sure to choose the right size for optimum comfort for the little guy.

Hamster Toys

Hamsters require a wide range of toys to play with and their absence can make them bored and annoyed, resulting in undesirable behaviors. Exercise wheels, running tunnels, chewable toys, bendy bridges, and lava rocks are a few options that may keep these pocket rodents entertained.

The more hamsters are entertained, the higher the probability that they’ll enjoy staying in their cages which can make everyone happy.

Food and Water

Hamsters need a constant supply of food and water to stay happy wherever they find themselves. This is because they need to eat well and hydrate throughout the day. Making sure their water and food bowls are always filled can enhance their moods and increase the chances of falling in love with their cages.

The result is healthier and more content hamsters that go about their daily activities without problems.

Burrowing Material

Hamsters in the wild burrow to hide from predators and this survival instinct is retained even when domesticated. Filling up the cage with a thick layer of burrowing material is one of the best ways to provide contentment for caged hammies.

Bedding material should be at least 10 inches thick and derived from Aspen or Timothy Hay since they tend to be gentler on the little guy’s paws.

Temperature

Hamsters like cages with optimum temperatures i.e. 65F to 75F. Making sure that the temperature in the cage stays within the stipulated range regardless of what time of the year it is can ensure maximum productivity in your pet rodents’ life.

They’re more likely to enjoy their time in such cages and should be able to go about their daily activities without issues.

Conclusion: How Do You Know If a Hamster Likes Its Cage?

Hamsters behave well in cages they like and this is often visible from just observing their demeanor and appearance. They’re not afraid to make their disdain for certain environments known without ambiguity.

Are your hamsters calm and going about their daily activities without clamoring for attention? Are they making no disturbing noises like squeaking or squealing? These situations are only possible in cages they like.

There are several ways to set up your little guys’ cages to guarantee comfort for them and getting the size right is always the first step. Also, make sure to provide burrowing material as well as regular food and water supplies while keeping temperatures within the optimum range.