Do cats eat hamsters?

Yes, cats do eat hamsters. Cats are carnivores, and they are born hunters. Further, rodents are one of their favorite prey, and hamsters are a part of it. A hamster is nothing but a juicy meal that makes a perfect snack in a cat’s eyes. Once a cat sees an opportunity, it will pounce towards a hamster with no doubts.

But what can hamsters do? How would they defend themselves? Are hamsters always in danger with a cat?

Let’s go into it further!

Would a cat kill a hamster?

Yes, a cat would kill a hamster. The ‘hunter’s instinct’ in cats makes them capable of killing these tiny and cute animals on sight.

Unlike dogs who can restrain themselves from hurting animals, cats still have that wildness in them. No matter how much they behave indoors, they can’t promise to pounce on a hamster once they see one. The same goes for any other small animals.

Cats have a weak spot for moving objects or animals, as they intend to play with and catch these.

Both domestic cats and their wild counterparts are dangerous predators for loose hamsters.

Can cats smell hamsters?

Cats have enhanced senses, and they can smell hamsters with ease. These enhanced senses make them capable of hunting even in the middle of the night or in dark places.

Even so, cats won’t smell hamsters in most cases. It is because hamsters usually live as pets. And, their owners would always have them in their hands.

From the cat’s perspective, it will recognize only the scent of a family and won’t harm the hamster.

Still, it’s not okay to be complacent about it.

Where do hamsters live?

Before they live in cages and houses, the first hamsters started in the wild, and there are still hamsters who do.

Hamsters were initially from Syria. This place is where humans first discovered hamsters. Some hamsters also live in Greece, Belgium, Romania, and Northern China.

Wild hamsters prefer warm, dry areas. Thus, they like to live in steppes, dunes, and in the edges of deserts.

The first hamsters in the United States came from Syria. These eventually became the first domesticated hamsters.

Thus, with hamsters being pets in local houses, cats see them more often and even tempted to snatch one on sight.

Related Articles:

• Do cats eat chickens?
• Do cats eat bats?
• Do cats eat snails?
• Do cats eat ferrets?

Cats or Hamsters: Which is faster?

Hamsters should be in cages rather than loose, as cats will outrun them.

The average speed of a running hamster is 3-6 mph. Their catchers, the cats, can bolt up to 30 mph. Thus, even with a long-distance gap, a cat will catch a roaming hamster.

A single pounce of a cat may be enough to get close and bite a hamster.

Can a hamster survive a cat bite?

A cat bite can be fatal to a hamster.

Cat bites and scratches usually get very much infected. Almost all animals that suffer a cat attack gets killed.

Thus, a bitten hamster should get checked by a veterinarian. The little animal will receive medication like antibiotics or surgery in worse cases.

Without antibiotics, a bitten hamster will likely die.

Can a cat scare a hamster to death?

Hamsters, like any other rodents, have this weakness. All rodents have tiny hearts, and they can get scared so easily.

A regular heartbeat of rodents is faster than an average heartbeat rate. For this reason, suffering from extreme stress and fear can lead to their death.

In the jaws and paws of a cat, a hamster may die of fear even before bitten and killed.

Do hamsters cry?

While hamsters get scared too much, they don’t cry like infants. Instead, they scream, squeak, or squeal in fear.

They usually do these reactions when they are suffering from stress or in pain or fear.

With a cat in front of them, they are likely to freeze or squeal. This reaction may be an alarm, calling for either the parents or the owners.

Are hamsters afraid of cats?

Hamsters are natural prey, which is why it’s usual that they are afraid of cats.

These little animals are weak-hearted, and they get scared so fast. With a cat’s intent and aura, seeing cats pouncing towards them will make their hearts pump.

For this reason, hamsters should always be in a cage and far from the sight of a cat.

How do hamsters protect themselves?

If a hamster faces any threats, they may stand on their hind legs with their front paws in a protective stance.

An active and aggressive hamster will roll onto his back and show his teeth. His legs will be on standby, ready to push away against anything he perceives as predators who wish to hurt him.

Even so, with protective measures, a hamster doesn’t stand a chance against a hunting cat.

Even with all its might, a hamster’s chance only lies on its owner or the cage’s security.

Can I have a cat and a hamster?

Both cats and hamsters are excellent to keep as pets. But, keeping them together in the same area or house invites potential danger.

Cats can behave in an owner’s sight. But then, the wildness in them is not something a hamster owner cannot be complacent about it.

Any cat will see hamsters as potential prey more than a friend.

While a cat can play with a hamster, these naught animals always tend to pounce and bite.

If you own both pets, consider securing the hamster in a separate room where the cat can’t reach and even see it.

Once a cat sees a hamster, it may try to find a way to reach for it. Thus, it’s best not to let your cat see your hamster.

How do I protect my hamster from my cat?

The best way and the most possible one to take care of both pets is to separate them as much as possible.

Below are some steps you can take to ensure that your cat and hamster may live in peace.

Get your hamster a cage that is safe from the cat

A cat’s instinct will make your cat treat your hamster as prey or food or object to play and hunt. Thus, you will need a secured area where your hamster will be safe from your cat.

Look for something that can serve as a place for your hamster. It should be closed with no open tops.

The cage bars should be small enough to prevent your cat from reaching and penetrating its paws.

Keep your hamster in a separate room

Even if your cat can’t reach your hamster physically, it may not do good on the side of your hamster.

The sight of a cat for hamsters may cause some stress and fear. With their weak hearts, a roaming predator nearby may cause their death.

Further, if your cat sees your hamster, it may try to find a way to get near and pounce when an opportunity arises.

Think about setting up your hamster’s place in an area away from the sight of your cat.

Place your hamster’s cage in a corner

Placing the cage in a corner ensures your hamster to be safer.

Even though your hamster is safe from the cats most of the time, placing it in a corner makes it even more sturdy.

This way, even if your cat finds a way to get near, this naughty hunter can’t get behind and knock it down.

What other animals eat hamsters?

For hamsters, the world is a scary place filled with predators who wish to eat them.

Aside from cats, the birds of prey, such as owls, come first as hamster-seeking predators. Canids like dogs, coyotes and foxes wouldn’t say no to a hamster for a snack.

Snakes and even wild or feral cats would also love a hamster for their dinner. In some parts of the world, even humans do eat hamsters.

Summary

• Cats do eat hamsters. In a cat’s eyes, a hamster is nothing but a potential prey and an object of their hunt.
• Cats are born hunters. Thus, they would kill and eat a hamster if they see one.
• When it comes to speed, cats can outrun and catch a running hamster. It can give a fatal bite to a hamster and can even scare one to death.
• Hamsters are afraid of cats, and they tend to squeal or squeak due to fear or stress if a cat is hunting them.
• It’s not ideal to have a hamster and a cat in one house, but it is possible by using some safety measures.
• Aside from cats, other animals eat hamsters and would hunt one upon sight.

Did you enjoy learning this about Cats? Then you may be interested in the related articles below:

• Do cats eat chipmunks?
• Do cats eat snakes?
• Do cats eat bugs?
• Do cats eat lizards?