{"id":1138,"date":"2023-01-18T19:47:15","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T19:47:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/?p=1138"},"modified":"2023-01-18T19:47:16","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T19:47:16","slug":"why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Hamsters Rub Their Faces?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hey there, it&#8217;s Matt! So, let me tell you a little story about the time I had a pet hamster named Fluffy.<\/p>\n<p>Fluffy was the cutest little ball of fur you ever did see, but there was one thing that always puzzled me: every time I would go to check on her, she would be rubbing her face against something.<\/p>\n<p>I mean, I knew <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/hamsters-vs-marmots-whats-the-difference\/\">hamsters<\/a> were clean animals, but this was excessive. It was like she was trying to sandblast her face or something.<\/p>\n<p>I started to do some research and found out that my little Fluffy wasn&#8217;t alone in her face-rubbing tendencies.<\/p>\n<p>It turns out that hamsters have a few reasons for why they rub their faces, and I&#8217;m here to share the info with you.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_66_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#Marking_Territory\" title=\"Marking Territory\">Marking Territory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#Keeping_Clean\" title=\"Keeping Clean\">Keeping Clean<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#Relieving_Itchiness\" title=\"Relieving Itchiness\">Relieving Itchiness<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#Showing_Affection\" title=\"Showing Affection\">Showing Affection<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#FAQ\" title=\"FAQ\">FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#Q_Is_it_bad_if_my_hamster_rubs_its_face_a_lot\" title=\"Q: Is it bad if my hamster rubs its face a lot?\">Q: Is it bad if my hamster rubs its face a lot?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#Q_Can_I_stop_my_hamster_from_rubbing_its_face\" title=\"Q: Can I stop my hamster from rubbing its face?\">Q: Can I stop my hamster from rubbing its face?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#Q_Can_I_use_a_wet_wipe_to_clean_my_hamsters_face\" title=\"Q: Can I use a wet wipe to clean my hamster&#8217;s face?\">Q: Can I use a wet wipe to clean my hamster&#8217;s face?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/why-do-hamsters-rub-their-faces\/#The_Bottom_Line\" title=\"The Bottom Line\">The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Marking_Territory\"><\/span>Marking Territory<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hamsters have scent glands on their faces, and they use them to mark their territory. It&#8217;s like a little hamster &#8220;I was here&#8221; tag.<\/p>\n<p>They&#8217;ll rub their faces against objects in their cage to leave their scent behind, <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/how-can-you-tell-how-old-your-hamster-is\/\">telling other hamsters<\/a> to back off.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keeping_Clean\"><\/span>Keeping Clean<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hamsters are known for being clean animals, and rubbing their faces is a big part of that. They use the scent glands on their faces to groom themselves, keeping their fur clean and their skin moisturized.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Relieving_Itchiness\"><\/span>Relieving Itchiness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes, <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/do-hamsters-feel-pain-when-they-fall\/\">hamsters will rub their faces if they&#8217;re feeling<\/a> itchy. This could be due to dry skin or an allergic reaction, and rubbing their faces helps to relieve the itchiness.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Showing_Affection\"><\/span>Showing Affection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Believe it or not, sometimes <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/do-hamsters-miss-their-owners\/\">hamsters will rub their faces against their owners<\/a> as a sign of affection. It&#8217;s like a little hamster hug.<\/p>\n<p>So if your hamster starts rubbing its face against you, don&#8217;t be offended, it&#8217;s just saying &#8220;I love you, human&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Is_it_bad_if_my_hamster_rubs_its_face_a_lot\"><\/span>Q: Is it bad if my hamster rubs its face a lot?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A: Not necessarily.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s normal for hamsters to rub their faces, but if you notice excessive face rubbing or if your hamster seems to be in distress, it&#8217;s best to consult with a vet to rule out any underlying health issues.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Can_I_stop_my_hamster_from_rubbing_its_face\"><\/span>Q: Can I stop my hamster from rubbing its face?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A: It&#8217;s not a good idea to <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/is-it-bad-if-my-hamster-is-trying-to-escape\/\">try to stop your hamster<\/a> from rubbing its face. It&#8217;s a natural behavior and attempting to stop it could cause <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/do-hamsters-get-stressed-in-balls\/\">stress for your hamster<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Just make sure your <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/can-hamsters-have-kitchen-roll-for-bedding\/\">hamster has plenty of clean bedding<\/a> and a comfortable environment.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Can_I_use_a_wet_wipe_to_clean_my_hamsters_face\"><\/span>Q: Can I use a wet wipe to clean my hamster&#8217;s face?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A: It&#8217;s best to avoid using <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/do-hamsters-die-of-wet-tail\/\">wet wipes on your hamster&#8217;s<\/a> face. Hamsters have sensitive skin and using a wet wipe could cause irritation.<\/p>\n<p>Stick to using a damp cloth or sponge to clean your <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/how-to-make-a-diy-hamster-cage-without-mesh\/\">hamster&#8217;s cage<\/a> and face.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span>The Bottom Line<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So there you have it, folks. Hamsters rub their faces for a variety of reasons, from marking their territory to showing affection.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a natural and normal behavior, so don&#8217;t be surprised if you catch your <a href=\"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/hamster-name-game-do-these-furry-friends-recognize-their-monikers\/\">furry friend<\/a> scuffing its face against something.<\/p>\n<p>Just make sure to keep an eye out for excessive face rubbing or signs of distress, and always consult with a vet if you have any concerns.<\/p>\n<p>And as for Fluffy? Well, she may have been a face-rubbing fiend, but she was still the best pet a guy could ask for. Gonna miss that little furball.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, Hamsters rub their faces for many reasons, from marking their territory to showing affection.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s a normal and natural behavior, just keep an eye out for excessive face rubbing and signs of distress, and always consult with a vet if you have any concerns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hey there, it&#8217;s Matt! So, let me tell you a little story about the time I had a pet hamster named Fluffy. Fluffy was the cutest little ball of fur you ever did see, but there was one thing that always puzzled me: every time I would go to check on her, she would be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1146,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1138"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1138"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1148,"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1138\/revisions\/1148"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hamsterstar.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}