When people think of pets, they often think of dogs and cats. Hamsters are often overlooked, but they make great companions. It is true that hamsters make great pets. They’re quiet, good-tempered, and don’t require too much attention. They are great pets for people with busy lifestyles who don’t have a lot of time to spend with their pets. However, it is important to remember that hamsters do not live as long as dogs or cats, but these small animals are known for their playful and energetic nature.
Will a Dog Attack Hamsters?
Some dogs will kill hamsters. Dogs are predators, and they are especially dangerous to small animals like hamsters which cannot defend themselves. If some prey driven dog were to get access to a hamster’s cage, or discover a free hamster to chase, it would easily hurt and kill the hamster, whether through rough play or deliberate attack. Some of the most common ways that a dog can get into a cage is by knocking it over, taking the door off of its hinges, or by climbing into the cage itself. These cases of abuse generally involve a dog that was not properly trained, as dogs that are well-trained are unlikely to do this.
Can I Trust My Dog with Hamsters?
Dogs are considerate of their owner’s property, and will not often bother another pet when no one is home. However, that doesn’t mean that other pets are safe if your dog should get involved with them. Dogs tend to be very territorial, and often attack other dogs or creatures if they think their territory is being invaded. When you bring in a new pet such as a hamster, you must teach your dog to not only tolerate the new animal, but to understand the proper boundaries between itself and your other pets. Otherwise, the dog might act aggressively towards your new friend.
If you have a lot of problems with your dog attacking hamsters, or if you find it too hard to train your dog so that it would leave a hamster alone when no one is home, then it is best not to keep them together in the first place. If you prefer to have both animals but are concerned about the potential danger that they might put each other into, then you should consider keeping the hamsters in a separate room from the dog, or get another pet to keep your dog company while you are gone.
Will Hamsters Always Be in Fear of My Dog?
No, hamsters do not always live in fear of your dog, but they are quick to express their fear when it comes to dogs. They are naturally afraid of dogs because they know that they could easily be harmed or even killed if the dog gets a hold of them. However, training your dog to refrain from bothering your hamsters and letting them get used to each other will help significantly. As soon as you bring home a new hamster, be sure to introduce the two pets to each other and show your dog how much you care for its new friend. This way, the dog will respect both yourself and the hamster and it will understand that the pet is not available for playing with or harming.
Can Hamsters Live Happily with a Dog in the House?
Yes, hamsters can live happily with dogs in the house, especially if the dogs are properly trained to know not to bother or harm the hamsters. You should teach your dog that your new friend is a part of your family and not something to be played with or harmed. Dogs tend to view their owners as equals and they usually do not harm other members of their household, so you should have little trouble getting your dog to leave the hamster alone. Keep in mind that you will still have to train your dog not to bother the hamster when there is no one home, but this shouldn’t be too hard for a well-trained pet like most dogs are.
Some good ways to train your dog not to bother the hamster is to let them get used to each other. Make sure that they have time every day to interact with one another. During this time, you should take excessive precautions in making sure that that the hamsters are neither hurt or killed. Since dogs can be really rough when they play, it’s best not to leave them alone together until your dog has been trained enough so that it won’t harm the hamsters either through rough play or attack.
See Also: Can I Stop My Dog Chasing Cats?
And: What Are the Most Trainable Small Dogs?
How to Train Your Dog to Not Harm Hamsters?
Although dogs will need training, there are some tips on how to train your dog not to harm hamsters in this particular case. You should teach it not to get into trouble with other pets or people when no one is around. This can be done by teaching the dog a command such as “leave it” or “stop now”. Even if your dog doesn’t understand the meaning of these commands, it will respect them and will know that if you say that, then they must not be disobedient.
When it comes to dogs, they usually know what they’re supposed to do right away. Some dogs need more training than others, but most are well behaved when you are home and act properly towards other animals and people in the home.
Conclusion
Many people would tell you that it is impossible for dogs and hamsters to live happily together. That is because the natural instinct of some dogs is to attack anything that looks like prey. However, the truth is that there are many ways to train your dog well, and make sure that they understand not to bother or hurt your hamsters. If you think you will have problems with your dog harming the hamsters, then you should consider putting the hamsters in a separate room, so that there is a secure division and they won’t be harmed by the dog.
