How do hamsters escape from their cages?
It can be stressful to find your hamster running outside the hamster cage when you wake up in the morning. It happens because the hamster has found a weakness in the cage’s build and is now exploiting it.
This is why it’s important to ask, “How do hamsters escape from their cages?” and then implement the right strategy to put an end to this problem.
Hamsters can often escape during the night when given the opportunity to work away at the cage.
This detailed guide is going to put your mind at ease by answering the question, “How do hamsters escape from their cages?” and how to make sure your hamster doesn’t escape.
Best Escape-Proof Hamster Cage (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- Hamster Cage Includes 2 Spacious Floors; First floor is a deep 4.75 height inches to promote playful borrowing w/ a Hamster...
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The Favola Hamster Cage is among the best options available for those worried their hamster is going to escape when given the chance. This cage is compact, chew-proof, and provides a comprehensive set of bars that don’t allow the hamster to squeeze through.
With two floors built into the hamster cage’s design, the hamster can easily run around and stay active without having to escape.
It’s an intricate design that’s perfect for hamsters and will allow them to freely move around throughout the day.
How Do Hamsters Escape From Their Cages?
Hamsters can escape by squeezing between the bars, finding a gap along the edges, or getting through a broken door that isn’t locked properly. It’s recommended to assess the hamster cage’s components throughout the year to find weaknesses before the hamster escapes.
The average hamster is smart and will eventually find these weaknesses when given the opportunity to do so.
As a hamster owner, you have to focus on how the hamster cage is designed and whether or not these weak points are starting to appear. If so, it is time to make a change and look for a new escape-proof hamster cage.
A lot of hamster owners ask, “How do hamsters escape from their cages?” but never figure out what can be done to prevent them from doing so.
It’s important to understand why your hamster is escaping from its cage and what can be done to make things better.
By implementing the right type of solution, you are going to have a far better chance of keeping the hamster in one spot. Otherwise, your hamster will continue to scan the hamster cage for new opportunities to get out.

Tips On How To Stop Hamster From Escaping
Tip #1: Buy the Right Hamster Cage
The first thing a hamster owner should do is look at the hamster cage and its build quality.
A lot of hamster cages aren’t designed to age gracefully. This means their edges start to give out, the bars loosen, and sometimes the latch breaks on the main door! This is unfortunate but it is something you have to be prepared for.
The best course of action is to go out and buy an escape-proof hamster cage for your home.
A simple adjustment such as this is going to keep your hamster under control and it won’t easily escape ever again.
You have to remember, letting the hamster get out means putting them in harm’s way. There are so many things such as electrical wires loose around the house and your hamster shouldn’t be digging into them.
By focusing on securing the hamster cage before your hamster escapes, you will save quite a bit of time and effort later on.
Look to buy a brand-new hamster cage to keep your hamster safe. It will make a difference and let your relaxing knowing the hamster is secure.
If you don’t buy the right type of hamster cage, it’s easy for the pet to get hurt and/or lost. This is when you are going to end up in a state of panic running from one room to the next in search of your beloved pet!
Tip #2: Reduce The Gap Between Bars To Less Than 0.5″
This is a difficult adjustment to make with a traditional hamster cage, especially one that isn’t specifically designed for your hamster’s breed.
However, the idea is to look to tighten the bars and bring them closer together. This will require a bit of work but can be done as long as you work on each bar separately.
If not, you are always welcome to buy a new hamster cage that is escape-proof.
The value of reducing the gap between bars to less than 0.5″ is simple as the reduced gap is going to keep your hamster in one place.
The benefits include:
- The Hamster Can Sneak Between the Bars
- Reduces the Chances of Your Hamster Getting Trapped
- Provides Peace of Mind
If you are asking, “how do hamsters escape from their cages?” this has to be right up at the top of the list!
They will always find a way to squeeze between the bars if the gap is wide. This means you want to reduce the gap, so they can’t contort their bodies and slither through.
Most modern hamster cages are now escape-proof and one of their design elements involves keeping the bars as close to each other as possible.

Tip #3: Keep the Hamster Happy
Is your hamster as happy as it can be inside the cage?
It’s one thing to keep your hamster in a cage and another to pamper them. This is a mistake some hamster owners make because they give the hamster a good home but don’t let them have fun. You have to pamper them a little bit.
How do you go about doing this?
Look to create a positive environment inside the hamster cage that is going to involve quality hamster toys and even a hamster wheel.
Plus, you can always look to invest in a hamster ball, so your hamster has a bit of time to explore.
When they realize you are willing to do this for them, they are not going to try to escape as much. It will become obvious they can explore when the hamster ball comes out.
Unfortunately, a lot of hamsters never get the opportunity to leave the cage, which is why they try to find a way out.
You should look to nip this problem in the bud by investing in the right type of hamster accessories. Otherwise, this problem is going to keep arising as time goes on.
There is never a good reason to let these things fester for too long.
Tip #4: Check the Edges of Your Hamster Cage
A weakness that is often exploited by hamsters involves the edges of a cage.
These are weak points for any cage and will start to break down over time. As a result, the hamster is going to gnaw away at that weak spot until it gives away.
It’s important to note, this doesn’t always happen overnight. It is going to be a gradual process, but the wrong type of hamster cage is eventually going to break.
If the hamster has enough space to get through one of those edges, they will do exactly that.
This is why you have to be vigilant when it is time to clean the hamster cage. Pay attention to these edges and see whether or not they are starting to wear down.
If so, it is time to buy an escape-proof hamster cage, so your hamster doesn’t find the weak spot and breakthrough.
Final Thoughts
How do hamsters escape from their cages?
They find a multitude of weaknesses in the hamster cage’s design and then exploit them. This is normal because hamsters are clever animals and aren’t always going to be eager to stay inside.
There are several solutions a hamster owner can implement, but the best solution is to go with a chew-proof hamster cage that will keep the hamster inside.
This will keep things organized as you hope to get the hamster to stay where it is. If necessary, you can also make sure to add new accessories to the cage as it will allow the hamster to play and stay entertained.
Look to implement changes right away and watch as things improve for the better.
For more on making your hamster’s life better, read through these articles – finding out why a hamster bites its cage at night, why is my hamster not running on its wheel?, and which gloves are the best for handling hamsters?