Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Other animals

Why is my hamster trying to escape? These are the 3 reasons

Hamsters are known for being little escape artists, but here's why

Rebekkah Adams
By

Ever opened the door and had your dog or cat make a break for it? Even though they love us, lots of pets try to escape if given the chance. It’s not a very well-thought-out plan though: They have no idea how good they have it in a temperature-controlled, safe, and cozy environment with unlimited access to good food. Yet somehow, they always seem to go for it when the opportunity presents itself.

Nearly all animals realize pretty quickly that they wish to return to their homes the second trouble presents itself. It’s best, therefore, to prevent them from ever getting out in the first place. With that in mind, you might be wondering, why is my hamster trying to escape? Learning the reasons can help you prevent it from happening. 

Related Videos
Golden hamster eats a seed while sitting in his bedding

Why does my hamster try to run away?

It might take a minute to discover your pet’s rationale, so you should have a look at each of these reasons to figure out which is the most likely. Remember, it could wind up being a combination of a few factors rather than just one thing. Here are the most common motivators for your small pet to want to escape.

He’s bored

Hamsters are nothing if not active. This little rodent loves to work out, so he needs lots of opportunities to get his daily exercise. That means you should provide him with a hamster wheel as well as tubing, ladders, and any other accessories that will make his space interesting and engaging. In addition to the gymnastics, your pet will want to chew his way through anything and everything. You should give him lots of items that encourage him to chew with those (surprisingly sharp) teeth so he doesn’t go hunting for prey. 

His cage is too small

Don’t be fooled into thinking your little guy will happily live in a small space. Hamsters need lots of room, both on the ground floor and on the upper levels. Many owners opt for multiple-level housing or add tubes to give their pets more opportunities to roam. When your hamster keeps trying to get out, it’s often because he’s sick of staying in. Work on broadening his housing no matter what size cage you provide, but ensure it’s at least 2oo square inches on the bottom.

Something frightens him

The world looks very different to a hamster than it does to you and me. When thinking about his space, imagine everything through his eyes. Get down on his level — literally — and check out the area. Note any weird lighting, drafts, or smells if you are able, keeping in mind that his sniffer probably works better than yours does. Other pets, like a dog who sniffs or barks at the cage, will frequently stress out your little guy — that would terrify anyone who weighs less than half a pound. Separate his location from other furry inhabitants of your home so he can feel completely at peace there. 

White hamster peeks out of his enclosure

How do I stop my hamster from trying to escape?

Your miniature fuzzball could be rushing out the door for any of these reasons, and although it might indicate some deeper unhappiness, many small pets are just curious. It’s possible there isn’t anything you can do to temper his love of freedom (or the idea of it anyway). If you’ve already addressed the main possibilities, look to anything that may grab his attention outside the cage. Perhaps his motivation is less about leaving his confines and more about finding something exciting over the horizon.

Lastly, make time to play with your pet outside his cage in a pen or other safe environment. Never leave your hamster unattended, even if you don’t think he could make it very far. Because they are burrowers, slipping away is instinctive for these lil’ fellas.

You might not ever truly know the exact reason your pet wants to run, so instead, you should work to keep him as happy and healthy as possible. That includes giving him lots of room, playthings, and enough food and water. If he gets hungry, he might go in search of a meal. Since hamsters are nocturnal, some of these Houdini-like tricks could happen at night, so you’ll want to ensure he’s well-protected at all hours. And don’t take it personally if he keeps at it no matter what you do — it’s just his wandering spirit.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Check these 3 things immediately if fish are swimming at the top of the tank
Here's what might be causing fish to swim at the top of their tank
Fish swim around in a tank with a bubbler

Diving into aquarium ownership means learning all sorts of fun new things about fish — how to feed, clean, and decorate for starters. On the flip side, you need to know what to look for to determine if something's wrong. Unlike with a dog or even a hamster, you can't get a good sense of a fish's feelings from petting him. Instead, you have to pay attention to the tank as a whole and think of it as one ecosystem with lots of different pieces. That means keeping track of fish, plants, water, and filters.

If you find your fish swimming at the top of the tank, you should take action right away. Here's what to do when your fish spend too much time at the surface.

Read more
Wondering what to feed baby birds? Here are 5 things you should never offer them
Don't add these foods to your baby bird's meal plan
Hatchlings in a nest begs for food

Even though baby birds look like little dinosaurs, they aren't quite as tough. Since they're not actually velociraptors, you can't throw just anything down their gullets. Chicks have very specific food needs that will change as they age and also vary from species to species. While it can be tricky to manage your brand-new birdie's diet, we're here to tell you what to feed a baby bird. When choosing your avian's menu, avoid these five foods that may harm the little critter.

What can you feed a baby bird?
In the wild, newborn birds eat basically what their mamas and papas do, only all chewed up. You probably shouldn't go through the regurgitation process, but you'll replicate this type of feeding in your home without the ick factor. The tiniest of birds eat formula when they live away from their parents. In addition to being their favorite food (well, actually their only food), this will help you bond with your pet.

Read more
Why do birds sing in the morning? There are 2 clever reasons for it
Are the birds waking you up every morning? Here's why
Bird sings from a perch in a pine tree

Who doesn't want to wake up to the playful chatter of birds in your neighborhood? While we admit it might start a little too early on the weekends, catching the famous dawn chorus will brighten the start of your day, and it has many benefits for the singers as well. Avians sing for a few reasons and they give their best and loudest performances in the early morning for strategic reasons.

Of course, you might hear the occasional soloist at any old time. But if you want the best show, look for that classic AM serenade coming from your yard. But why do birds sing in the morning? There are a few reasons for this, but here are the main ones.

Read more