Hamsters require a regular supply of food and water to enjoy normal, healthy lives. Starvation can lead to many repercussions and that is why one of your main responsibilities as a hamster parent is to feed them on schedule.
This article answers the question “What Are the Signs of Hunger in Hamsters?” by listing the numerous clues that can help you spot when your pet rodents are starving.
We also look into how long these creatures can go without food and reveal vital information such as ways to figure out if your hamster is eating the right quantity of food.
Table of Contents
What Are the Signs of Hunger in Hamsters?
Hungry hamsters show signs of lethargy, run towards your hands when you come close to the cage, and struggle to sleep during the daytime. Starving hamsters also empty their cheek pouches, scavenge their cages for leftover food particles, and may desperately consume hay and bedding material.
Unusual signs including physical aggression and even cannibalizing cage mates are also possible when hamsters starve for long periods of time.
Acting quickly after spotting any of the clues above can help thwart danger because extended periods of hunger typically only make things worse in your pocket rodents.
17 Common Signs of Hunger in Hamsters
Here are the 17 popular clues that may indicate that your hamster is starving and needs food urgently before disaster strikes.
1. Lethargy
Hungry hamsters become lethargic due to the lack of energy from food sources. They spend more time lying in one spot with seemingly little interest in getting up unless they can sense some food somewhere in the cage.
Lethargy typically becomes apparent after they’ve been starving for a couple of hours and may continue until some food arrives.
2. No Picky Eating
Hamsters are likely to consume any food that comes their way on the spot when hungry. This is quite uncharacteristic as food often remains in their designated bowls for extended periods before they touch it.
However, after starving for a couple of hours or days, they quickly “attack” any food that comes their way without delay like every other hungry animal. This is often common in abandoned hamsters enjoying their first meal after rescue.
They typically eat whatever is provided immediately due to the extreme hunger they may have suffered for days even though hamsters are traditionally picky eaters.
3. Insomnia
Hamsters are nocturnal pets that are more active at night and sleep throughout the daytime. However, hunger can trigger disruptions to this natural sleep cycle as they typically struggle to nap when their tummies are empty.
If your hamster is awake during the daytime instead of sleeping, there’s a high probability that it may be due to hunger. Getting access to food should put the hammy back to sleep within a short period.
4. Less Physical Activity
Hungry hamsters hate engaging in physical activity due to their low energy levels. While these creatures often spend the majority of their wake periods running on their wheels, going through running tunnels, and spending time in hideouts, such activities may cease due to hunger.
If your hamster has refused to go near his toys for an extended period and showing no signs of illness, chances are he’s starving and a good supply of food will be appreciated.
5. Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss can be a clue that your little guy is starving. This is often more obvious in Syrian hamsters known for being physically larger than other breeds. Starving for a day or two may result in significant weight loss in this breed of pocket rodents.
If you constantly weigh your hamsters each morning, a drop in their body weight can be a sign of a lack of food and water. Hunger-induced weight loss is often temporary and the little guy should be back to his previous weight levels within a few days of getting enough to eat.
6. Scavenging for Leftover Food Inside the Cage
Hamsters typically eat from their food bowls after finishing whatever food items have been pouched. Once they deplete those food supplies, hunting continuously for leftovers across every corner of their cages becomes the next logical step due to the extended periods of hunger.
This is often a desperate measure to find something to eat and becomes apparent when hamsters have been starving for at least a couple of hours.
7. Emptying their Cheek Pouches
One of the most important survival instincts in wild hamsters that is retained by domesticated breeds is food hoarding in cheek pouches. These little guys typically keep excess food in their cheeks to consume later.
An empty cheek pouch is often a sign that your hamster is starving. He may have instinctively emptied and consumed whatever was stashed in there after first running out of food. Once those supplies get depleted, and no new food arrives, hunger becomes inevitable.
They typically hoard even more food after extended periods of food deprivation as their own way of counteracting possible hunger in the future, according to studies. (Source)
8. Chewing Hay and Litter
Hamsters do not naturally like the taste of dried grass unlike rodents such as rabbits and guinea pigs. They’d rather use it as bedding material but hunger is often associated with desperation. When your hamsters are suddenly consuming hay derived from Alfalfa and other grasses, that is typical evidence of hunger.
Even bedding materials such as Aspen shavings may not be spared when hamsters are starving and desperate. However, they quickly discard the bedding after hamster pellets, fruits, or vegetables arrive in their food bowls.
9. Chewing Toys
Hamsters naturally chew certain toys in their cages even when they’re well-fed. These chewable toys are typically added to the cage setups to keep the pocket rodent’s teeth from overgrowing which is often associated with loads of problems.
But, if your hamster seems to be chewing every single toy in his cage indiscriminately, that could be a sign of hunger. A quick glance often reveals chew marks on toys including exercise wheels, running tunnels, and even wooden hideouts hamsters may have stayed clear of in the past.
10. Chewing Their Cage Wires
Are your hamsters consistently chewing their cage wires? That could be a result of suffering extreme hunger. Hungry hamsters may chew at anything due to the desperation and frustration of their situation.
Cage wires are often not spared as they attempt to munch on anything with the hope that it might turn out to be food.
11. Squeaking
Hamsters typically squeak when they’re unhappy about some situation in their environment. Hunger is one of the common situations that trigger loud squeaking in these little guys and the sounds can go on for extended periods.
If your hamster is squeaking loudly with seemingly no end in sight, it could be triggered by hunger.
12. Fighting Cage Mates
Hunger can turn gentle breeds such as Dwarf and Roborovski hamsters into super-aggressive creatures that fight with cage mates at the least provocation. If super calm hamsters are fighting consistently all of a sudden, it could be a sign of hunger.
Hungry hamsters may become more assertive in the cages, marking their territory more than usual and engaging in different kinds of physical confrontations.
13. More Aggression
Hungry hamsters in independent cages still display signs of aggression when hungry. They typically look more agitated and angrier when the stress associated with starvation kicks in. Attempts to hold them can lead to aggressive fightbacks in the form of bites.
Even the look in their eyes can be scary unlike in previous times when they were happy with your presence.
14. Escape Attempts
Are your hamsters consistently trying to escape from their cages? Do they clamor for you to get them out of there? That could be a sign that they’re starving and need the freedom to hunt for food on their own. Hamsters often want to escape when there’s no food in their cages because they believe they can find their own food to survive.
Their natural foraging instincts kick in when hungry and they become desperate to be allowed to get out of the restricted space in a bid to find something to eat.
15. Quick Dash to Your Hand
One of the main signs of hunger in hamsters is a quick dash to your hand every time you come close and try to open their cage doors. They run towards your hand quickly in anticipation of food because they’re probably used to their food bowls getting a refill every time you open their cage doors.
While disappointment is inevitable if they don’t end up with food, they’ll still repeat the process every time you open their cages with the hope that they might get lucky.
16. Loss of Interest in Surroundings
Starving hamsters typically lose interest in their surroundings at some point when no food is forthcoming. This may be a combination of physical weakness from their low energy levels and loss of hope that they’ll be getting food to eat.
Once they lose interest, these hamsters begin to ignore whatever may be going on in their surroundings and simply remain in one corner. You could mention their name out loud or even slam doors near the cage and they still won’t flinch.
17. Cannibalism
Hamsters may eat each other as a last resort when hungry for extended periods of time. This is often more common when Syrians are caged with weaker breeds such as Dwarf hamsters but it can also happen in cages with only Dwarf hamsters.
Baby hamsters and the physically weakest members of the cage are usually targeted initially to meet their food needs. However, it can get to a time when adults fight to the death with the winner cannibalizing the loser.
How Long Can Hamsters Go Without Eating?
Hamsters can survive 3 to 4 days without eating depending on their state of health. Sick hamsters may die sooner due to weaker organs and a generally lower ability to withstand the declining energy levels from the lack of food.
Is My Hamster Eating Enough?
The average hamster ingests 1-2 tablespoons of food daily depending on circumstances such as age, breed, type of food, and state of health. If your hamster’s food consumption rate is within the stated parameters you can safely assume that he’s eating enough.
How Often Should I Feed My Hamster?
Feed your hamster no more than once a day for the best results. These pocket rodents typically stuff their cheeks with leftover foods for later consumption so feeding more than once a day can result in wastage.
You may either feed the little guy at night just after he wakes up or immediately before he goes to bed at dawn.
How Often to Give a Hamster Treats
Healthy hamster treats should be provided daily but make sure each individual treat is offered only once a week. Avoid treats that can cause problems for your little guys such as sugar-laden sweets and fatty animal protein.
Conclusion
Hungry hamsters exhibit several signs including lethargy, aggression, and loss of interest in their surroundings. They may also chew cage toys and wires, make squeaking noises, and cry for help to be taken out of their cages.
Starving hamsters typically make a quick dash to your hand whenever you open their cage doors and may continuously scout the length and breadth of their cages for leftover food. Hamsters may even eat each other when the starvation continues for extended periods.
Provide food and water quickly when you spot signs of hunger in your little guys to prevent the situation from getting out of hand.