Hams and storms

[Ralph the hamster]

Are your hams scared of loud thunderstorms? We're having our first big one of the season tonight and since Frank is still pretty new I wonder if I can do anything to help him not be stressed. He's in a room that's very sheltered from anything outside, but you can definitely still see and hear the storm. What do you guys do for yours?

 

[Maz]

It's always a concern. Some hamsters aren't noticeably affected but may stay in their nest. Others, if they are quite new and jumpy with noises, might be. There isn't much you can do but one option is to play soft relaxing music. It won't drown out a thunderstorm completely, but it'll be soothing. It's also an interesting time to find out what music your hamster likes Ours have always liked things like gentle childrens songs (Over the rainbow is a favourite) or old fashioned things like 1950s crooner music I did try Mozart once but really couldn't tell if that went down well or not.

 

[elusive]

I find mine have tended to stay in the nest if it’s really loud, although some don’t seem that bothered by it, if they stay in the nest they come out when it’s over & don’t seem stressed at all.

 

[RainbowBrite]

My hamster loves storms. He seems to find them exciting. Maybe your little one will too.

 

[Member ID2]

I love thunder storms but a decent one is rare in the South of England where i live.

I watched the hamsters behaviour at fireworks night and there is a thread on that subject on here with advice.

If i remember right, they weren't worried and carried on as per usual.

 

[Ralph the hamster]

It's always a concern. Some hamsters aren't noticeably affected but may stay in their nest. Others, if they are quite new and jumpy with noises, might be. There isn't much you can do but one option is to play soft relaxing music. It won't drown out a thunderstorm completely, but it'll be soothing. It's also an interesting time to find out what music your hamster likes Ours have always liked things like gentle childrens songs (Over the rainbow is a favourite) or old fashioned things like 1950s crooner music I did try Mozart once but really couldn't tell if that went down well or not.

That's funny; I sing him little kids songs as I walk in the room so I don't startle him

 

[Ralph the hamster]

I ended up going down there to talk into the cage in case he was nervous, and put a blanket over the end of the cage where the lightening would be visible. When he emerged at 2 AM he seemed to have no issue absolutely crushing all of his food so maybe he's meant to be a storm chaser.

 

[Maz]

He was probably - what's all the fuss about human?! It's interesting though - they are highly alert to very small noises - perhaps larger noises further away are less threatening. Whereas small noises in the vicinity may kick in their alertness due to being prey animals. Also higher frequency noises. Sometimes when they get spooked and freeze you wonder if they heard something that's out of our hearing frequency.