Hamsters may look tiny and delicate, but you’d be surprised how high they can jump and how much they can rough house with their cage mates. This doesn’t mean that your tiny fur companion is resistant to injuries, especially when they fall. The last thing any hamster owner wants to experience is their pet falling, but realistically, hamsters can generally handle falls from six-inch heights without injury. To keep your pets safe, let’s delve a little deeper into how high a hamster can safely fall.
Heights Hamsters Can Handle Without Injuring Themselves
Whether the tiny dwarf variety or the larger Syrian hamster, these pets love to climb, run, and explore their environment with little to no fear. But their bravery could be their downside when they decide to launch themselves off the sofa, edge of the bed, or kitchen counter! Hamsters can safely fall from a height of six to eight inches without getting hurt. Some owners have reported their hammies falling from a whopping 36 inches without injury, but it’s not wise to test this! If they’re climbing over their cage and happen to fall and land on their backs, there’s a high risk of fatal injuries, even at short heights. Landing on their feet is always better.
How High Can a Hamster Jump?
Depending on their overall size and weight, hamsters can jump as high as 10 inches. While modest compared to other rodents’ jump heights, these tiny explorers tend to leap from one surface to the other, most times without warning. There are also a few stories of hamster owners being shocked by their hamsters’ sudden leaps. Unfortunately, not every story has a happy ending, as some pets sustained serious back injuries due to twisting or landing upside down.
If a hamster is determined to reach something, they will climb and jump until they get it. This may motivate them to jump further than what they’re capable, but the highest jump for a hamster is around 15 inches. Inside their enclosures, raised areas should not be higher than 12 inches to prevent unwanted injuries if they jump or fall.
How to Prevent Your Hamster from Falling
Every hamster is a tiny explorer, and they love to climb, run, and jump, whether across your shoulders or inside their cages. When they’re allowed to roam, it’s almost impossible to stop them from activities that could lead to falling. The best you can do is create an environment that minimizes severe injuries. Before you let your hamster out of its cage, the room should be free of hard or sharp objects that could hurt them. Keep hammies off high counters and surfaces where they’re most likely to jump or slip and fall.
Handling your pet is another important factor because hamsters can easily escape and fall when you least expect it. Always hold your hamster in both hands and move them by supporting their bottoms to avoid disorientation. Because hammies are escape artists, their cages must be secured. Believe it or not, a hamster can use its long teeth to snap open latches and get loose!
My Hamster Fell. What Now?
If your hamster happens to fall, gently pick them up with both hands and place them in a secure area, such as their cage. Determine whether your hamster can move normally or is limping. Hamsters that cannot move after a fall could be in shock, but this may also be a sign of spinal damage. Squealing or attempting to bite when touched are indications of injuries that should be examined by a professional veterinarian. Do not try to move your hamster’s body if they are in distress or cannot walk, as it could make their injuries much worse.
Hamsters in shock should be left in a quiet and safe spot where they can relax. If they’ve fallen from a height of less than 10 inches and have landed on their feet, they should be fine. However, it is important to observe their behavior for signs of pain and injuries. If your hamster is bleeding, nonresponsive, or struggles to move, consult an emergency vet.
Safe Activities for Pet Hamsters
It’s difficult to control your pet hamster when they’re on the move, but you can introduce other activities to keep them stimulated. A hamster exercise ball is a fun way to have hamsters run around inside a protective, plastic sphere. Provided they remain on the floor, there’s no risk of jumping or falling. A popular toy for exercise is the hamster wheel that is installed inside the cage. Pet hammies can move onto the wheel and run as they desire, providing regular and controlled exercise. The downside of using a wheel for exercise alone is that hamsters don’t get the chance to explore their environment, which is what they love most!
Should you choose to give your hamster the freedom to move around a room or your home, be sure to supervise them. Handle them with care and secure their cages to prevent them from escaping and leaping from fairly high places. Creating a safe space and keeping an eye on your pet hamsters will allow you to offer the longest possible life for these short-lived rodents.
