Home » Can Hamsters Break Their Tails? (Kinked + Crooked Tails)
how do hamsters break their tails?
Health

Can Hamsters Break Their Tails? (Kinked + Crooked Tails)

Last Updated on: 28th September 2023, 12:44 pm

All hamsters have tails, but some are so small that you must look hard to find them. Monitor the hamster’s movements and ensure that the tail isn’t causing any discomfort.

A hamster can break its tail because it comprises tiny, brittle bones.

The causes of a broken hamster tail include falling from a height, handling mistakes, getting trapped in tight spaces, fighting with other hamsters, and grooming, which leads to biting through the bone.

A hamster’s tail isn’t expressive, but that doesn’t mean it’s expendable. In all cases, the tail is part of a hamster’s vertebrae.

Is a Hamster Tail a Bone?

All hamsters have tails, but some breeds have longer appendages than others, with the Chinese hamster having the longest tail. A hamster’s tail can be hard to see, so use this table to assist you:

Chinese:The tail will usually grow as long as the body, adding up to 5 inches.
Roborovski Dwarf:Tiny and in proportion, usually around ⅛ of an inch.
Russian:About ¼ of an inch long, proportionate to the rest of the body.
Syrian:Short and stubby tail, typically less than ½ an inch in length. It may be entirely hidden by fur in a long-haired hamster.
Winter White:The same as the Russian, usually about a ¼ of an inch long.

A hamster’s tail can be broken or cracked, just like any other bone in the spine.

As explained by the journal Bone, the already-brittle skeleton of a hamster grows increasingly weak in old age, making breaking a bone in the tail more likely.

How Do Hamsters Break Their Tails?

Here are the most common explanations for a hamster to break its tail:

Falling from Height

Many hamsters love to jump and climb. If a hamster dwells in a cage with bars, it’ll use them as a climbing frame. The hamster may hang from the bars at the top of the cage. This is called monkey barring.

Monkey barring is a sign of boredom and can be dangerous. The fall could shatter one or more bones if the hamster loses its grip. If the hamster lands on its tail, these will be the first bones to crack.

Even if the hamster lives in a habitat with smooth walls, it’s not immune from the risk of falling. Hamsters need to exercise outside their cage, and many will climb to explore from a height.

As hamsters are short-sighted, they commonly run off the edge of a surface without realizing it. A soft carpet to cushion the fall may help, but it’s not always sufficient.

Improper Handling

Part of the fun of hamster ownership is the opportunity to pet and stroke a small animal.

You’ll need to be careful here, as it’s easy to accidentally hurt your hamster by holding it too tightly or applying too much force when petting.

Move the hamster close to the chest and hold it in an open hand to remove the risk of damaging the vertebrae. When stroking, use just one finger and keep your touch feather-light.

Start with the head and avoid applying pressure to the neck or tail base.

Excessive Grooming

Hamsters feel strongly about cleanliness and tidying their fur near-constantly.

If a hamster has a sand bath, it should be able to keep itself clean. Also, grooming can be due to stress in the hamster’s living environment.

If the hamster needs to groom its back, some contortion will be necessary. If the hamster is 12-18 months or older, its bones will be weaker and more brittle.

Can Hamsters Break Their Tails?

Becoming Trapped

Hamsters love to hide and explore tunnels because they mimic their wild environment and behavior.

Check these openings and your hamster’s condition, though. As your hamster grows and gains weight, it may struggle to fit through tunnels.

If a hamster gets trapped and stuck, it’ll grow distressed, making it increasingly desperate to escape. This can lead to broken bones in the back and tail.

An Altercation with Another Animal

Hamsters must live alone, especially males.

As hamsters are solitary in the wild, two males kept in proximity will fight for territory. As per Hormones and Behavior, females will also show aggression toward males during a reproductive cycle.

A hamster fight could be mistaken for play as it resembles a wrestling match. Both hamsters will bite during the conflict, potentially through the backbone, leading to shattered vertebrae.

Of course, it’s not only other hamsters that you need to be wary of. If your hamster runs free around the home, it could encounter other pets, such as dogs and cats.

Signs of a Broken Tail in Hamsters

It may not be immediately apparent if the hamster has broken its tail, especially in a long-haired breed. The hamster’s fur will likely cover any fractures, preventing you from noticing the exposed bone.

When stroking and petting your hamster, be aware of any swelling around the tail. Something is wrong if your hamster visibly winces and tries to get away when you touch the area.

Listen carefully while you’re petting, too. If the hamster has a broken vertebra, you’ll likely hear a light popping sound, which suggests that two fractured bone ends are rubbing against each other.

Of course, the hamster will move gingerly if it has a broken tailbone. Be aware of any changes to your hamster’s routine. A broken tail may be responsible if it has grown lethargic and no longer showing interest in running, jumping, or climbing.

It can be difficult to heal a fracture in a hamster as these bones are so small.

Can Hamster’s Tails Fall Off?

A hamster’s tail won’t fall off; it must be tugged off by force. The tail is part of the backbone and is no more likely to fall off on its own than its legs.

Do Hamster’s Tails Grow Back?

A hamster’s tail is a bone that won’t grow back once lost. The skin may replenish, but no vertebrae can fill out the flesh. The bones of a broken tail may heal, but it’s impossible to replace permanently lost tails.

A hamster can break its tail just as it could shatter a bone in its spine or leg. Be aware of how delicate the bones are, taking appropriate care to avoid mishaps.

A hamster’s tail isn’t prominent, but it’s essential to its anatomy.