If you casually and quickly walk by your pet hamster's cage only to hear a high-pitched and faint chirping sound, realize that your tiny rodent is attempting to communicate something -- whether fear, playfulness or anything else. Hamsters often pack a lot of expression into their very compact bodies.
Frightened Chirping
Chirping can be a sign that your hamster is frightened or nervous about something. Whether your hamster is feeling a little unsettled and threatened by the sight of a large spider in the corner of his cage or by the ominous sound of lightning come from outside, he may just express it to the world by giving off a little chirping sound.
Playtime or Perhaps Fighting
If your hamster is in the company of another hammie, a chirping sound may indicate pure spirited playfulness. Hamsters frequently partake in play sessions driven by the quest for dominance. However, these sessions can sometimes change tone, and quickly. Chirping can sometimes signify a serious brawl between the little ones. If the chirping seems prolonged or if your hamsters appear to be getting especially aggressive or violent with each other, put one of them in a different cage immediately. Separation is necessary, as hamster fights can sometimes bring upon fatal results. Be extremely careful as you do the separating, as riled-up hammies sometimes have the tendency to bite.
Attention-Seeking
A hammie may make chirping sounds because he wants a little attention from you. Perhaps you've been busy and haven't had the chance to give him some cozy back strokes, or your sleeping schedules don't allow for much one-on-one time. By chirping, your hamster may just be making a request, or a demand, that you give him some much-needed attention, pronto.
Excitement
Hamsters sometimes chirp and squeal out of simple excitement. If you take your hammie outside of the cage, or if he sees you and thinks that you're about to give him food, his automatic reaction may just be to chirp at you.
Communication
A quiet and solitary chirp may be a form of communication from one hamster to another. If you have multiple hamsters in your household, your vocal hammie may be talking not to you but to another one of your tiny pets.
Pain
A hamster's chirping sounds may be associated with discomfort or pain. Take your pet to the veterinarian to figure out what exactly might be causing your hamster to vocalize so much, whether illness or bodily injury. Even if neither is apparent, you should eliminate illness and injury from the list of possible causes of your hamster's chirps.
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