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Can my hamster swim?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 06, 2026

Hamsters swim and are good at swimming. In their natural wild environment, these small rodents will hardly be seen around water bodies or swimming in water. Hamsters try their best to stay dry in warm areas and resist getting wet. If hamsters get wet, the body wash could bring changes in their body temperature.

Can I let my hamster swim?

Since these animals live in such a warm and dry environment, many people wonder if they know how to swim. The short answer is yes. Your hamster will be able to swim if it encounters water. However, there are several considerations before you should add a small swimming area in your hamster's cage.

Is it OK if my hamster gets wet?

Risks When You Get Your Hamster Wet

if your hamster is exposed to (cold) water he may develop acute pneumonia, a disease that can be lethal. exposure to water can give stress to your hamster, this may lead to your hamster biting you. your hamster can get a disease called “wet tail” that can become lethal.

Can hamster touch water?

So, to summarise, yes, hamsters can swim. But that doesn't mean they should. It's very bad for their physical and mental health and you should avoid putting your hamster in water whenever possible.

Can hamsters get Covid?

Most of these animals became infected after contact with people with COVID-19, including owners, caretakers, or others who were in close contact. We don't yet know all of the animals that can get infected. Animals reported infected worldwide include: Companion animals, including pet cats, dogs, hamsters, and ferrets.

37 related questions found

Do hamsters like being in water?

Hamsters swim and are good at swimming. In their natural wild environment, these small rodents will hardly be seen around water bodies or swimming in water. Hamsters try their best to stay dry in warm areas and resist getting wet. If hamsters get wet, the body wash could bring changes in their body temperature.

How do hamsters see us?

Hamsters see in black and white and shades of green. They have poor eyesight beyond a few inches similar to a human with 20/400 vision. Objects beyond 3-4 inches appear as fuzzy, blurry blobs to a hamster. Hamster eyes have 97% rod with only 3% cone receptors which explains the lack of color vision.

Should I bathe my hamster?

Hamsters are fastidious groomers and do a good job keeping themselves clean, baths, as we tend to think of them, are not necessary. However, it is possible to spot-clean them, if they truly need it. It is especially important to check their bottom as sometimes bedding can stick after going to the bathroom.

Do hamsters have periods?

Once a female hamster reaches the age of reproductive maturity, she becomes fully capable of mating and carrying young. Although mature female hamsters do not menstruate, they do go into "heat" or "estrus" cycles every several days. If you notice your pet bleeding, a veterinary appointment is definitely in order.

Why does my hamster smell like pee?

3 The sick hamster may stink too :

If your hamster stinks it's because he may be sick, his fur is probably soaked with his stinking urine if he has a bladder problem (infection that makes the urine smell bad) or his watery stools if he has diarrhea or even more serious wet tail.

What is wet tail?

Wet tail is a term used to describe watery diarrhea in hamsters which may have a variety of causes. The exact cause of proliferative ileitis is not known, but it is thought to be caused by a variety of intestinal bacteria such as Campylobacter, and Lawsonia intracellularis.

Do hamsters know their name?

Hamsters are intelligent creatures who can even learn their name. If you talk to your hamster and use their name frequently enough to get them used to hearing it, they might even learn to come when called. A hamster's teeth are constantly growing.

Can my hamster hear me?

A Hamster's Hearing. What hamsters lack in eyesight, they make up for with incredible hearing. Their ears are quite powerful, capable of picking up on frequencies unheard by human ears.

Do hamsters need a night light?

Hamsters typically eat their meals at night, and they also typically get their exercise at night. Darkness makes them feel energetic and ready to conquer their "days." Because of that, hamsters need to have the lights off at night.

Why do hamsters yawn?

Stretching and yawning: yawning is often a sign your hamster is feeling comfortable and relaxed, rather than being very sleepy. If your hamster stretches as he yawns, this is even more proof that he is a very relaxed hamster.

Do hamsters like to cuddle?

Much. Cuddling. Hamsters are cute, tiny and notoriously afraid of humans. But you can actually train your little hammie to enjoy your snuggles which, face it, is kind of your goal in life.

Should I release my hamster to nature?

You should never release a hamster outside. Since your hamster is a domesticated animal, it lacks the survival instinct to feed and care for itself. It will die. You won't be releasing him into the wild - you'll be sending the little critter out to certain death.

Do hamsters see color?

Hamsters do not have good eyesight, they are nearsighted and also colour-blind. Hamsters rely on scent to find their way. They have scent glands which they rub on objects along a path. Syrian hamsters live 2 – 3 years in captivity, and less in the wild.

How do I know if my hamster is happy?

Normal Hamster Behaviors

  1. Being Active at Night. If your hamster is awake and running around their habitat at night, have no fear—this is a sign of a happy hamster. ...
  2. A Whole Lot of Chewing. ...
  3. Stuffing Their Cheeks. ...
  4. Burrowing and Hiding. ...
  5. Hibernating. ...
  6. Lethargy. ...
  7. Not Eating or Drinking. ...
  8. Not Chewing.

Do hamsters know when your sad?

A new tool to assess moods in the furry little rodents can tell if they are optimistic or depressed. Hamsters can experience happiness, optimism, sadness and depression much the way that we do, suggests a new study that describes a method for determining the feelings of these cute and cuddly popular pets.

Should you kiss your hamster?

The common cold or an upper respiratory infection can be passed to hamsters from humans. Because these infections are usually spread through respiratory droplets, kissing your hamster is a big no-no.

Why does my hamster stare at me?

Curiosity Sometimes Causes Hamsters to Stare

They just want to get an idea of what is going on with you. So a hamster might choose to look intently at you for a little while. It could be that the hamster wants to get your attention as well. Hamsters bond with their owners and they like spending time with them.

How often should a hamster be out of its cage?

Most hamster owners release their pets from their cages on a daily basis, and many experts recommend that they be permitted this freedom at least once a week. Much like humans, hamsters allowed to move about freely outside their steel-enforced homes tend to be happier and healthier overall.

Is it OK to wake up hamster?

You can wake up a hamster, but you should only do this occasionally to keep stress low. If you do need to wake your hammie, it is important you do it gently, as to not scare them.

Do hamsters poop out of their mouth?

Conversation. Today I found out that it is normal for hamsters to pull out their poop and put it into their mouth to see if it has any missed nutrients.