The sound of your hamster chattering his teeth at you can be confusing especially if you’re not sure of the underlying reasons. Are you in trouble with your hamster? Is he angry at you for some reason? These questions can linger on the mind as you seek answers to your pet’s behavior.
Many folks log onto hamster forums and other rodent resources online to seek answers. Others may contact experienced hamster owners to explain the situation with the hopes of getting clarification.
Why is my hamster bruxing? Loud teeth chattering by hamsters is a sign of irritation or aggravation and could also be a warning of an imminent bite. A more relaxed degree of bruxing may indicate that your hamster feels relaxed and content with you.
Always look at the circumstances and how loud the chatter is to determine whether the bruxing is negative or positive feedback from your hamster.
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Why is My Hamster Bruxing?
The circumstances under the bruxing occurs can determine whether it is a sign of happiness or irritation. Also, paying attention to the little guy’s reactions and other behavior at the time of the teeth chatter may provide more clues.
While hamsters may not be the loudest, they can still exhibit evidence of their state of mind in many ways. As long as you pay attention to the unfolding situation, figuring out whether your hamster is in a good or bad mood should be easy.
When Your Hamster Bruxes In Anger
There are instances when hamsters grind their teeth and make clicking noises to register their displeasure at their owners. If you’ve just been spending more time with another hamster, for instance, a rival hammy could brux as a sign of jealousy after smelling the other hamster’s scent on you.
Loud teeth chattering can also be your hamster’s response to being woken up abruptly from a deep nap. Here are additional signs hamsters may display to show their irritation at your actions or inactions.
- Loud teeth grinding and clicking noises
- Restlessness
- Pacing around the cage
- Climbing up the side of the cage
- Biting the cage
- Smelling your bed, couch, or another area where a rival hamster may have previously been
- Unsettled appearance
Hamsters rarely get angry especially the Dwarf breeds so when they lash out through bruxing, it is time to take notice. If you have a good rapport with your hammy, picking him up can be a great way to provide some comfort.
Also, stroking the hamster’s body gently can be reassuring. Finally, check his cage to ensure everything’s in order because sometimes the loud teeth chatter can be due to an empty food or water bowl.
Once the problem gets sorted, the hamster should be happy again. Uncomfortable cage temperatures, lack of ample floor space, and boredom are other common reasons that could make hamsters lash out via loud bruxing.
When Your Hamster Bruxes in Delight
Hamsters usually brux when irritated and this may be characterized by loud teeth grinding and clicking as previously stated. However, they also brux softly as a sign of happiness.
Happy bruxing in hamsters is often easy to identify as it typically happens as a response to something good you may be doing.
For instance, if your hamster starts softly clicking his teeth while you’re playing with him, this could be due to happiness. The pocket rodent often snuggles up in your palms or gets close when in a happy mood.
When hamsters like their cages, they often show numerous clues of happiness including gentle bruxing.
Hamsters may also brux happily when you stroke their little forehead with the tip of your finger. Since they enjoy this, do not be surprised to hear some minor teeth chattering which is a common clue that your hamster is in deep ecstasy.
When Your Hamster Bruxes in His Sleep
There have been a few instances of hamsters grinding their teeth and making clicking noises while sleeping. This often happens when hamsters are dreaming and need no disturbance.
Picking your hamster up at this point can be a bad move. It could result in a deep bite that may turn bloody. The sudden interruption could be misinterpreted as a form of attack so do not be stunned when the hamster fights back by biting your hand.
Make sure any potential irritants from the hamster’s cage are removed when you notice loud chattering noises from the small rodent while he’s asleep. Food, bedding, and substrates could be potential irritants so try to remove them one by one to identify the source of the problem.
When Your Hamster Chatters His Teeth in Fear
Teeth chattering can be a sign of apprehension in hamsters. This situation usually occurs when two males of an aggressive breed such as Syrians are in conflict. The bruxing is often followed by physical aggression that could leave one or both injured.
Two Syrian hamsters should never be housed in one cage at a time. However, if you’re forced to do that due to uncontrollable circumstances, always look out for potential signs of aggression such as teeth chattering.
Do not hesitate to separate the Syrians from one another immediately bruxing is heard to mitigate any tragedies.
Hamster Bruxing Due to Sickness
Does your hamster make bruxing noises all day every day? This could be a sign of an underlying health problem. Your vet will be the best resource to diagnose the specific condition so book an appointment as soon as possible.
Additional signs such as sudden loss of appetite or weight loss can be proof that all is not well
Conclusion
Hamster bruxing may be evidence of aggravation, fear, or stress depending on your beloved furball’s situation. Sometimes, bruxing is also a sign of contentment in hamsters especially if the teeth chattering and grinding seem not too loud.
A quick look at your hamster’s situation may be the best way to speculate the underlying reasons for bruxing. If your little rodent is bruxing as a response to fear or annoyance, picking and petting him can be comforting and reassuring.
If you’re unsure why your hamster keeps making loud teeth chattering, consult a vet as soon as possible. Any health problems can be detected and treated early.