The History Behind Dogs Vs. Hamsters
Charles Darwin described the evolution of the dog, “Our domestic dogs are descended from wolves and jackals and though they may not have gained in cunning, and may have lost in wariness and suspicion, yet they have progressed in certain moral qualities, such as affection, trustworthiness, temper, and probably in general intelligence.”
Perhaps it is out of this evolution of the dog to acquire human morality that we would even consider the likelihood of a dog and hamster in the same home. It is those qualities of trustworthiness and temperament that we have a faith that the dog will be able to coexist with helpless little creatures.
As one historian described dogs, they connect the wild with tame and they join nature and culture. It is a dog’s natural instinct to hunt and to be a predator. The sight, smell and movements of small animals, such as a hamster, make them prey.
Your dog’s basic instinct will be to hunt the hamster. Even though dogs have learned to live with humans, those basic instincts cannot be trusted. Some breeds, especially those of hunting dogs, will not be as trustworthy with other small animals in your home as they were bred to hunt prey. Other more passive companion breeds may be less openly aggressive but they still have that basic instinct to seek small creatures.
The Science Behind Dog and Hamster Interaction
All dogs have an innate prey drive along with the skills to act on that disposition. There are a number of factors that will impact your dog’s prey drive. The science of predatory behavior includes consideration of the breed and disposition of the dog. Four main factors effect the likelihood your pooch will pounce. They are:
– Breed: Some breeds are more likely to hunt.
– Learning: Rewarding experiences makes it more likely the dog will want to hunt again.
– Opportunity: This is the dog’s freedom to act when prey is present.
– Social facilitation: This translates into presence or absence of others to restrict or reinforce the predatory behavior.
The hunt has been described as occurring in two phases: The appetitive phase and the consumption phase. Going back to basic instincts, dogs hunt to eat! Dogs rely on their super sense of smell and memories to hunt their prey. In the wild, dogs would hunt in packs and surround their prey so it can not escape.
Similarly, your domesticated dog may corner small prey. Today’s dogs may vary in their response to locating prey based on breeding and training experiences. For example, a pointer may point to the prey rather than proceed to eat it. A bird dog may mouth prey similarly to how the dog would pick up a bird in a trained hunt. Retrievers, Spaniels, Pointers and Setters are the breeds of dog with the keenest hunting instincts, making them less favorable candidates to live with hamsters and other small animals.
Training Your Dog to Be Calm Around Your Hamster
There are a number of things that you can do to enjoy having both a hamster and a dog in your home. You may hear accounts of dogs and hamsters being best buddies, but that is a potentially dangerous situation for your hamster. You will want to teach your dog to respect your hamster and protect your hammie from harm.
Veterinarians recommend that you do some planning for the health and well-being of both creatures. Begin by considering if your dog’s disposition is suitable for keeping a small pet in the home. Next, you will want to check the health status of both animals to prevent the spread of infections or fleas.
When you introduce the animals to one another, it is best to proceed slowly. The first introduction may be allowing your dog to sniff the hamster’s scent under the door. When you allow the dog to enter the hamster’s room, keep him on a leash and keep your hamster in his safe and sturdy cage – that is located on a table above the dog’s nose. Keep your dog about two feet away from the hamster for a few minutes then take your dog out of the room.
Repeat these short introductions and separate them as they start to lose interest in one another for about three to five minutes, two or three times a day. Reward your dog for remaining calm around the hamster. Always think about safety first. You do not want to place your hamster’s cage in a place where it can be easily knocked over. Some hamsters are good escape artists, so you might keep the door to the hamster room closed just in case he gets out for an adventure.
“Ensuring a harmonious coexistence: The delicate balance between dogs and hamsters”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Be cautious about introducing a hamster to a dog. While they may seem like fun companions, dogs have natural hunting instincts that could put the hamster in danger. Watch for signs of aggression or prey-driven behavior in your dog, such as growling, barking, panting, and raised ears.
2️⃣ Understand the history and instincts of dogs. Dogs are descendants of wolves and have a natural instinct to hunt and prey on small animals. Some breeds may be more prone to hunting behaviors than others. It’s important to recognize and respect these instincts when introducing a hamster to a dog.
3️⃣ Take proper precautions and introduce the animals slowly. Before allowing direct contact, let your dog sniff the hamster’s scent under a door. When introducing them in the same room, keep the hamster in a secure cage and keep the dog on a leash. Gradually increase their time together, rewarding the dog for calm behavior and always prioritizing the safety of the hamster.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. What are some signs that my dog may be too interested in my hamster?
– Signs to watch for include focused staring, sniffing, wagging tail, and following the hamster’s movements.
2. What are some signs that my dog may see my hamster as prey?
– Signs of potential danger to the hamster include growling, barking, panting, raised ears, and excitability or lunging towards the hamster.
3. Why do dogs have a natural instinct to hunt small animals like hamsters?
– Dogs have evolved from wolves and jackals, and while they may have lost some wariness and suspicion, they still retain their hunting instincts. The sight, smell, and movements of small animals trigger their prey drive.
4. What factors affect a dog’s likelihood to hunt small animals?
– Breed, learning (rewarding experiences), opportunity (freedom to act when prey is present), and social facilitation (presence or absence of others to restrict or reinforce predatory behavior) are all factors that impact a dog’s prey drive.
5. How can I train my dog to be calm around my hamster?
– Slowly introduce the dog to the hamster’s scent and gradually allow supervised interactions. Keep the hamster in a secure cage and reward the dog for remaining calm. Always prioritize safety and prevent any situations where the hamster’s cage could be knocked over or the hamster could escape.
