Hamster Standing Up and Staring – What does it mean?
Amid playing or running, you might find your hamster standing up frequently. It happens because of mental and behavioral change, but there are specific reasons too.
So why is the hamster standing up and staring unusually? It’s probably because your hamster is too curious about knowing what’s happening around them. Since they have poor eyesight, they depend on their other senses to realize incidents in their surroundings. They take time and stand up curiously which appears as they are unusually staring off into somewhere. However, there can be some other reasons, like they could be too happy, excited, or scared.
Although it’s usually nothing to worry about, you should still investigate further if this phenomenon is noticed too often. Here you have a complete guide regarding the matter and obvious reasons your hamster stands up. And after reading till the end, you’ll surely know, “why does my hamster keep standing up?”
Why is the Hamster Standing Up Unusually?
![Why is the Hamster Standing Up Unusually](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Why-is-the-Hamster-Standing-Up-Unusually.jpg)
What does it mean when a hamster stands up? Your hamster standing up too frequently is not something to take lightly. There are reasons you should not worry about, but at the same time, the reasons can be pretty critical.
As per the behavioral studies of hamsters, they stand up mainly for four reasons.
- When they are curious
- When they are excited
- When they need attention
- When they are threatened or in fear
Some of the reasons can be well neglected and overcome like you won’t have to worry about when your hamster is curious, or it needs attention. All you have to do is to spend some time with it or let it play inside the hamster’s running ball. But other causes may require close attention, so let’s check them out in more detail below.
Curious Hamster
Your hamster being curious is not something you would be worried about. Because most of the time, they tend to stand up whenever they hear a noise or something breaks or falls in the room.
Also, their eyesight is not much enhanced. Due to this poor eye-sight, they remain confined to knowing what happens around them. Once they are assured of the ecstasy, they can rest.
Excited Hamster
Excited hamsters never give bad vibes. Instead, this is the phase where they seek and enjoy entertainment from the surrounding.
Hamsters can stand up for a while out of excitement, especially after their running session. You’ll notice them in the posture mostly after they play with balls or run on the running balls. This probably indicates they are taking a break and planning their next move.
Attention Seeking Hamster
Like most other pets, your hamster will always want your attention. Like, you are too close to your hamster, and after a specific time, you become busy, and the attention towards your hamster is derived elsewhere.
That’ll make your hamster sensitive, and do whatever it takes to bring your attention back.
You’ll even notice your hamster jumping in the standing posture when you are around. That’ll grab your attention towards it, right?
They are clever and calm. But, they won’t have any harmful impact on you for the same reason, that’s for sure.
Threatened or In-Fear hamster
But, the topic becomes crucial when the hamster feels threatened, or it is in fear. If your hammy is feeling threatened or scared because, for some reason, you’ll find it standing on its hind legs or turning on its back. They may also show their teeth, hold the ears flat/forward, and vocalize in that posture.
Then, you have to make room for your hamster to make him calm, distracted, and busy. Why not get a walk with it to a confined area? At least it will reduce the fear towards you. The animal will feel more secure as you come closer to him.
How to Know the Behavior of a Hamster Standing Unusually?
![How to Know the Behavior of a Hamster Standing Unusually](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/How-to-know-the-behavior-of-a-hamster-standing-unusually.jpg)
Your hamster can be stressed sometimes or even happy or excited as well. But most of the time, their portrayals remain identical. You won’t be able to differentiate much.
Maximum observation will find them standing when they are stressed or excited. It becomes your duty to catch what your hamster is going through.
Activities of a Stressed Hamster
If you’re worried that your hamster stands up and stares because it’s stressed or unsettled, look for other symptoms associated with it.
The majority of the time, your hamster will go through hyperactivity. It won’t remain calm or steady or behave normally inside the cage or confined area.
When it gets nothing satisfactory, it will start to bite the cage or any biting object nearby. It will make scratches on the ground or the wall if not available.
Apart from behavioral changes, you might notice that the hamster will undergo hair loss. It is because of their constant excitement and lack of self-relaxation.
Even their running will have an impact. Due to muscle rigidity, you won’t find them running as much as they used to. If you notice they’re overly active or unsettled, try to calm them down. Pet them, take them in your palm, and make them go for a nap.
Activities of an Excited Hamster
The excited hamster will bring you no bad vibes. It has to be the nature your hamster should bear all the time. So there’s nothing to be worried about when they’re standing up due to excitement. But beware of what they do in such a state of mind.
Even if they are locked in a cage, an excited hamster will try to climb or play with the cage. It might even do exercises or stretching inside the cage.
You’ll see them generating more speed than ever when you keep them in the running wheel. Yes, an exciting hamster loves to run and will hardly stop unless they run out of its total energy.
Apart from that, any source of toys or rolling devices will become great entertainment for them. You won’t have to pay attention once you give them their enjoyment stuff. They’ll do whatever it takes, all by themselves.
The main thing, they’ll always respond positively to you. Whatever you do, clap hands, make noise, etc., you’ll find your lovely hamster reacting superbly to that.
Unusual Behavior From Hamster- What To Do?
![Unusual behavior from hamster](https://caringtinypets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Unusual-behavior-from-hamster.jpg)
Abnormal behavior doesn’t come to your hamster usually. If you suspect your hamster is standing up unusually, you can look for other symptoms that can indicate their physical or mental issues. Some of the symptoms of your hamster’s abnormal behaviors are:
- Heavily breathing
- Not eating
- Vomiting
- Sneezing
- Laying down most of the time
- Change in routine for sleeping, eating, and other activities
- May skip running frequently
- Bodily changes like ear swelling, losing weight, or tumors may be noticed in the body
What to do, then?
If you notice your hamster’s frequent standing is accompanied by some other serious symptoms, take the following measures based on its condition.
- Give proper medications by consulting any doctor
- Try to reschedule the routine of the hamster
- Make sure your hammy is taking meals properly
- Serve green and nutritious vegetables
- Allow your hamster to breathe in the open air outside
- Frequently but slowly allow your hamster to run on wheels
- Provide proper attention to your pet
FAQs
Let’s check out some commonly asked questions and answers on your hammy’s standing posture.
Should I worry if my hamster stands up and stares when it gets surprised or becomes curious?
No, it’s normal for them to take time, stand up, and use their senses to realize what’s happening around them.
Does a hamster have good eyesight?
Hamsters originally lived all their lives in caves. Because of it, their eyesight is comparatively weaker than most other animals. But, when you go closer to them, they’ll see you. Poor eyesight is one reason why they stare at something unusually.
Can hamsters recognize their owner?
Hamster can recognize their owner after a certain span of time. Also, it depends on how attentive and loveable the owner is towards the hamster.
Why is my hamster sleeping standing up?
Although it’s rare under normal conditions, one possible scenario could be when the hamster doesn’t have enough room to sleep in the cage, it may sleep standing up. It might be seen in pet stores where sellers are not generally caring about their animals.
Final Words
Now you probably know why you find your hamster standing up and staring. It is simply because it’s curious. However, you have to be mindful of whether or not other behavioral changes accompany it. We have discussed how you can figure out if it stands up like this due to excitement, happiness, or fear.
Unless it’s for fear, you can ignore the standing and staring posture of your highly curious furry friend. Cannot blame the hammy; the little buddy cannot see well. So it waits and stares to realize what is happening using its other senses.
References:
https://be.chewy.com/the-language-of-hamsters/
https://blog.omlet.us/2019/05/17/how-to-understand-your-hamsters-body-language/
https://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-hamster/behavior-body-language/