Do Cats Eat Hamsters – How To Protect Your Pet

Hamsters are beautiful creatures that bring joy to their families. They are relatively quiet pets and are decently clean as well. However, if these hamsters live in a house with a cat or cats, they are at risk. So, do cats eat hamsters?

Cats do eat hamsters. A cat is more likely to attack hamsters rather than eat them.  Training your cat or using a cat-proof cage can help protect your hamster from being attacked or eaten. 

While your cat can certainly eat hamsters, it doesn’t have to happen. With proper training and putting a few safety measures in place, your cat and hamster can actually coexist in the same household. Let’s dive into some important information you need to know if you plan to keep your pets together! 

Do Cats Attack Hamsters?

Sadly, yes, cats will attack hamsters. Not everyone realizes that hamsters are technically a type of rodent. Cats prey on rodents and will eat them if given a chance. That’s what cats who live outside do for food. Just because a cat lives inside doesn’t mean that urge goes away.

If you have an indoor cat and a hamster, your cat will want to prey on your hamster. It’s in their nature. Keep the two animals separated and keep your hamster in a cat-proof cage.

When you take your hamster out for playtime, put your cat in another room. If you let your hamster and cat be in the same room, keep your hamster in a protective enclosure like an exercise ball. Never let your cat be alone with a hamster that isn’t in a protective ball or cage.

Will A Cat Kill A Hamster

Yes, your cat can kill your hamster. This can happen with little to no effort as cats are naturally stronger and larger than hamsters.

Cats are natural predators. Usually, we only think of house cats preying on things like their toys. Cats prey on feather toys and the like because that is all we offer them indoors. If you put a hamster in their home with them, they will transfer their feather hunting skills back to hunting hamsters. They would hunt and kill a hamster if given a chance. To them, it is the same thing as hunting and killing another rodent.

This is not the rule 100% of the time, however. Some cats out there are lazy and don’t want to put in the time and effort needed to hunt a hamster. Other cats are skittish and will be scared of the hamster and won’t be inclined to chase it. Keep in mind; these cats are the exception to the rule.

Can A Hamster Survive A Cat Bite

It is not likely that a hamster will survive a cat bite. This is because a cat’s bite can contain harmful bacteria that can enter the hamster’s body once bitten. If your hamster is bitten by your cat, you’ll need to disinfect the area and see a vet immediately. 

For the most part, your hamster will need to be on medication to help get rid of any infections and then be monitored. Cat scratches also can contain some of the same bacteria. 

Are Hamsters Afraid Of Cats

Hamsters are small animals and are, by nature, scared of animals bigger than themselves. So yes, a hamster will be scared of a cat.

Some researchers also think that hamsters will recognize cats as a predator, and their instincts will kick in as well. The bottom line, a hamster, will not attempt to engage with your cat. They will try to run away from your cat because they are scared of more giant animals.

Can Cats And Hamsters Be Friends

Anything is possible. But it will require a lot of work on behalf of the owner. The hamster will have to overcome its fear of a much larger animal that it knows is a predator. The cat will have to override its natural hunting instinct and learn that this rodent isn’t one that he or she should hunt.

The key to having cats and hamsters be friends is how the two are introduced and integrated. Never leave your hamster alone with your cat without your supervision. You need to be there in case something goes wrong. The best way to start the process is to secure your hamster in its cage and sit with your cat while they observe the hamster.

This gives you a chance to pay attention to their body language. If your cat seems curious or indifferent, you may be able to have the two be friends someday. If your cat exhibits the same body language they do while hunting toys or birds & squirrels that get too close to your home, the chances of these two being friends are not likely.

How Do I Introduce My Cat To My Hamster

It is possible that a cat and a hamster can be friends. However, a proper introduction is a must! As already mentioned, the first thing you will want to do is have the two observe each other with barriers between the two. This will let both parties get used to seeing each other. This is also the safest thing for both parties if the cat has an urge to treat the hamster-like prey. Once it seems like the cat isn’t reacting to the hamster-like prey, you can try some other introductory steps.

Once it seems like you can take the next step, allow the two animals to sniff each other. Animals learn to navigate by scent, so this is quite important. If there is any aggression on the part of the cat or fear from the hamster, separate them immediately and try another day again. This step may have to go extremely slow. That is entirely ok. You may never be able to move beyond this step, and that’s ok too. But if you try to rush an integration, the consequences will be disastrous.

If everything goes well with the two parties smelling each other, you can try to let the two be in the same room without any barriers. This doesn’t mean they should be left without supervision. It only means you can let your cat watch your hamster walk around the room without holding one or both parties. Eventually, both may be able to live without a cat’s predatory instincts kicking in. But playtime should always be supervised.

Tips To Cat Proof A Hamster Cage

When not hanging out with you, your hamster will be in its cage. And while most cages are reasonably secure, cats are highly intelligent and crafty. You have to cat-proof your hamster cage to ensure its safety. The first thing you will want to do is purchase a sturdy and heavier cage. This makes it harder for your cat to penetrate or move it.

You will also want to make sure your cage is resting up against a wall. This means that a cat won’t be able to get behind said cage and push it into the floor. If a cat can push a cage to the ground, they could break it open and leave your hamster vulnerable. You will also want to ensure that the lid to the cage is sturdy and locks into place.

This way, your cat can’t use their kitty skills and pop the lid off. To accomplish this, some hamster owners use an aquarium with a lockable mesh lid. The mesh allows airflow for your hamster, but the lid is too difficult for a feline to remove.

If you opt for a more traditional wire hamster cage, make sure the metal is durable and that the slats are narrow. This works to both make sure your hamster can’t squeeze through the metal, and your cat can’t get its paw inside the cage.

Final Thoughts

While not the easiest fit, a hamster and a cat can live together as friends. This takes a lot of work on the owner’s part to create a positive environment for both pets. The integration process can be relatively slow, and we experience several hiccups along the way. While some cats won’t be bothered by a hamster, others will want to prey on them.

Hamsters are rodents, and cats hunt rodents all the time. It’s in their natures. However, you can help your cat know this rodent is not to be hunted with a lot of work. And you can help your hamster not fear your cat. Make sure you take all the precautions for both the hamster and the cat, and you can help create a harmonious relationship between the two.