No matter how big or small, all the animals in your household are a part of your family! Realistically, losing a hamster can become extremely scary and devastating, especially if you have any cats or dogs in your home. So, it leads you to the question: what should you do if your hamster gets out of its cage?

 

Here is a quick list of what you should do:

 

• Look for your hamster in the evening time
• Look for your hamster in dark spaces
• Leave seeds and nuts out
• Set up humane hamster traps
• Open the cage door
• Catch their tracks with flour or cornstarch
• Lay some foil on the ground & listen
• Set up a bucket trap

 

This article discusses each subject mentioned on a deeper level. Finding your tiny fluffy friend is imperative, especially before something terrible happens.

Although things can be stressful when you lose a pet, the best thing you can do is remain as calm as possible. That way, you can have a clear head on what to do. Without further ado, let us discuss what options we have available.

 

How to Find Your Hamster That Escapes the Cage

 

 

There are many ways you can find your hamster. However, some methods will help you catch your hamster much quicker than usual. Because hamsters are small, they can easily fit into tiny spaces, making them hard to find, especially if you live in a bigger home.

Sometimes, hamsters return to their homes, especially when hungry. In that case, keeping their door open overnight would be wise. Given that information, let’s get down to safely getting your hamster back!

1. Look for Your Hamster During the Evening Time

 

Hamsters are nocturnal animals so that they will be active at night. Although we typically do not sleep until the evening, searching for your hamster during their waking hours is imperative.

2. Look for Your Hamster in Dark Spaces

 

Dark and enclosed spaces will often make your hamster feel safe and secure. Because of this reason, it is imperative to search for them in these places. Make sure to look in places where you will least expect it. Here are a few examples:

 

• Inside cabinet drawers
• In the pantries (especially since there is food there)
• In closets
• Underneath crawl spaces
• Inside the vents
• In holes and cracks in the walls
• Under pillows, blankets, clothing, etc.
• Underneath appliances, radiators, and water heaters
• Inside any backpacks, purses, bags, etc.
• Inside the bookcases, shelves, drawers, etc.
• Look in all the boxes
• Underneath any furniture, including chairs, sofas, and beds

 

It is a wise choice to begin at the center of the room before looking.

3. Leave out Seeds and Nuts

 

Nothing says come here like a hamster’s favorite treat! Ensure to leave out any seeds and nuts, especially since they may not have access to food and water. Something else that might help is putting peanut butter on a stick or your finger so they can smell it easily.

4. Set up Humane Hamster (or Mouse) Traps

 

Consider setting humane hamster traps like these all over the house. This will give you a much higher chance of finding your little furry friend, especially if you set out their favorite snacks. Make sure to check the traps each day.

5. Catch Their Tracks With Flour or Corn Starch

 

What better way to catch a hamster than with flour or cornstarch? Not only are you tracking where they are going, but you can find out what room they remain in. It can also help you tell whether or not they are still alive, which is very reassuring!

6. Open Their Cage Door

 

Opening the cage door is one of the best ways to capture your hamster back. If your hamster is not stuck somewhere, like inside the air vents, it will more often than not make its own way back home. After all, it knows it just like it knows the backs of its hands!

7. Lay Down Some Foil and Listen

 

If you listen quietly enough, you will hear your hamster, even more so while placing foil down. For example, you can set food on top of the foil in the middle of the room and wait. If you hear the foil crack, you know your hamster is nearby! It would be a wise idea to immediately close off said room and use a towel to block the bottom of the door or any floor vents. This might be easier said than done if it is anywhere else but the kitchen or living room, but it is worth a shot, either!

8. Set up a Bucket Trap

 

Suppose you do not feel like waiting for a humane trap to come into play. In that case, make your own using a bucket! You will also need a towel and tasty treats for this trap to work.

 

• Step 1: Turn the bucket right-side up and place the towel over the opening. Make sure the towel is large enough to drape over the mouth of the bucket entirely; otherwise, it will not work properly.

 

• Step 2: Place any treats your hamster loves on top of the towel. Peanut butter, seeds, or nuts are best, but whatever treat is safe for your hamster to eat is good, too.

 

• Step 3: Wait patiently.

 

The whole purpose of this specific trap is that your hamster will jump onto the towel to get the food and essentially fall into the bucket.

To hold the bucket down, it might be a wise idea to tape or glue it to something to ensure it will not knock down. This is especially true if your hamster decides he wants to have a midnight snack while you are sleeping. Another thing to note is that doing this trap should not hurt the hamster, but it is merely bringing him back safely home!

 

How Do Hamsters Escape From Their Cages?

 

There can be a few reasons why your hamsters can escape their cage. For example, if you recently purchased a plastic cage, it is safe to say your hamster was smart enough to bite through it. However, other factors may come into play.

For example, suppose you have a hamster cage with enough space to crawl through, like a piece of wire bent in some specific area. Another example is that the cage lid was not tight enough, or there was nothing heavy on top of it.

Lastly, a rare possibility might be that the hamster figured out how to open the cage directly. Hamsters are very clever creatures, so do not underestimate their ability to do so. If this is the case, getting a lock with a key or combination will be a wise idea to ensure nothing like this occurs.

 

Why Do Hamsters Escape Their Cages?

 

There are three reasons why your hamster may escape its cage:

 

• The enclosure is not big enough
• It is curious
• It might get scared of something

 

Let us discuss them a bit down below.

 

1. Their Enclosure Is Not Large Enough

 

Hamsters may be tiny, but they also need a lot of space. Suppose you gave them the smallest enclosure you required, and they were happy as babies. However, now that the hamster is an adult, they find said enclosure not as satisfying.

In that case, it is wise to get the largest cage possible. Hamsters love to burrow and hide, so make sure you provide them with plenty of space to do so. They need at least 10 inches of space so they can dig deeply.

 

2. They Are Trying to Explore

 

Hamsters are brilliant, curious, and energetic furry creatures. They are constantly wanting to explore new things. Sometimes, people even make hamster mazes because the hamsters love them so much!

Unfortunately, your hamster might escape and search for something new because of how they are. This is most likely due to their mood to do so. Also, if you are worried about your hamster escaping while playing with them outside, put them in a playpen like this one.

 

3. They Are Afraid of Something

 

Hamsters can easily get afraid and wind up hiding somewhere. For example, suppose your TV is extremely loud. In that case, they might be frightened and attempt to hide anywhere other than near the TV.

Another example is when someone or something comes into the room your hamster is in and scares them. In doing so, they might accidentally get out, especially if the cage door is left open. To that end, keep the door closed to ensure they remain safe in their enclosure. It is also a wise idea to regularly check their cages to ensure it is not broken anywhere.

Is It Common for Your Hamster to Escape the Cage?

 

Yes, it is relatively common for your hamster to escape, especially if they are not given enough space to roam around.

Think of it like this: would you be happy or miserable if you were stuck in the room for the rest of your life? Although some people are perfectly content being alone, many will say it is not a purposeful life. In this case, a hamster will feel the same way and want to find something to do as entertainment and more space for them to live in.

Getting a larger cage or enclosure might be wise so they feel more content. Also, allow them some time outside of the home to ensure they have plenty of stimulation throughout the day.

 

Will a Hamster Come Back If It Escapes?

 

If your hamster escapes its enclosure, it will usually come back. However, that is not always the case.

In one particular instance, someone lost their hamster for over two months and occasionally placed food on the ground for it to eat. However, when this person looked back, they would find the food gone and assume their dog had eaten it—until one day, they discovered their precious hamster!

You never truly know if your hamster will return 100%, so it is imperative to ensure there is something heavy above their cage lid so that escaping is less likely to happen.

 

How Long Can a Hamster Survive After Escaping?

 

Once your hamster escapes, they can survive 3 to 4 days without food or water, so make sure to place some out if they escape. Since hamsters have a good sense of smell, they will most likely find the food, especially if they get hungry enough. Make sure your hamster also has access to water as well.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Losing your hamster can be scary, especially if this is your first pet or you recently got one! However, with the help of this trusty article, you can find them in no time! If you need help with your hamsters, check out our other articles for more information. Until next time!