Hamster Care

Since the 1930s, hamsters have been popular pets. They are small, furry cute animals that require low maintenance. While you may think this tiny, fluffy creature may be the perfect pet for you, there are somethings about them that you should consider. Although their care is relatively simple, what they do require is extremely important to keeping them happy and healthy. Hamsters tend to have a different lifestyle than other domestic rodents, so make sure their care fits into your schedule. Be sure you're ready to take on the responsibility before its too late. Also, there are a variety of species of hamsters, but only a few types are kept as pets. Be sure to get the right equipment that suits the type of hamster you purchased.

If you want to know more about the history, biology, breeds, and background of hamsters, check out the article on Wikipedia .

Consider Before Getting a Hamster

• They have very sensitive ears and can go into shock around loud noises. Make sure you be able to provide a suitably quiet home.
• Unlike gerbils , rabbits , and guinea pigs , hamsters are solitary creatures and don't do well living with other hamsters. You will need one hamster per cage. If you want a snugly pair of pets, it's better to go to a different species.
• They tend to be a bit more nippy than other domestic rodents.
• They live 2-3 years. You will want to consider if the person you are getting the hamster for can deal with a loss that quickly.
• Dogs and cats may try to attack hamsters, so if you own other pets be sure to keep them a safe distance from your new hamster.
• They have poor eyesight but are able to hear and smell very well.
• They do not adjust well to change in environment, so having a constistant feeding and playing routine is important.
• Hamsters are nocturnal and will bite you if you try to play with them during the daytime. Be sure that having a pet that is up all night will work with your lifestyle.

Hamster Essentials

You need the items below for your hamster as soon as s/he gets home. The traveling containers are far too small and they'll need to get into their new homes as soon as possible. Having a comfortable home for your new hamster will make both of your adjustment to each other much easier. By going through this guide, you can make sure you have everything you need. Having the appropriate equipment is key when caring for a new pet.

Cages   You could go with an aquarium, wire, or connectable cages. Wire cages   are durable, chewables, climbable, temperature-variable, but make bigger messes as litter gets through the bars. Get one with a non-wire bottom so their feet don't get caught. Best for Syrian hamsters. The wires are fun and easy to climb. Aquarium cages are cleaner and give more viewing of your pets, but they have worse ventilation and retain heat well. Best for dwarf and Chinese hamsters. Get a slotted lid for air. Connectable cages let hamsters burrow from place to place, and give you a fun toy to play with. They also mimic a hamster's natural habitat of an underground burrows. However, they have bad ventilation and take up lots of space. Bedding   Aspen wood shavings   and Carefresh bedding   are perfect. Pine and cedar shavings, cellulose bedding, and shredded newspapers are toxic. If you clean once a week and the hamsters aren't sick, nothing should smell. If they smell, use some pet deodorizing spray .  Pile the bedding fairly deep so they can burrow to their hearts' content. Nesting A simple cardboard box   or a store-bought nest   is good to sleep in. Line it with tissue   or soft paper towel .

Water and Food A food dish   should be gnaw-proof, not tippable, and big enough to sit in. Learn more about feeding below. A water bottle   should always have a day's worth of fresh water.	Gnawing Toys   If you have sufficient gnawing toys, your hamsters won't need to chew on their own cages. Wooden blocks   and fruit-flavored chew toys   are tons of fun.	Exercise Equipment   Wheels are not an option, they are an necessity. Hamsters need to run daily and the wheels   allow them to do so. Get gnaw-proof plastic   for durability. Exercise balls   keep them safe outside the cage, as long as they don't go down stairs. Put them in while you're cleaning the cages, but longer than 20 minutes could lead to dehydration.

More Stuff

These aren't as essential, but they might be good fun. Its always a good idea to provide your hamster with some extra entertainment, even if its just a piece of card board they can gnaw on. If the hamster is stuck in a cage for most of the day, these accessories may help with the boredom. Providing some ways for them to amuse themselves will keep your hamster much happier.  Recreation is very important to keep up their health both physically and mentally.

Toys   are for pushing around and playing with. Make sure they're thick plastic or wood. Other materials aren't as good for gnawing and could potentially cause health issues.	Cardboard is cheap and great for gnawing. Paper towel rolls ,  anyone? Anything that they can gnaw on makes a great and entertaining toy.	Ladders ,  tubes ,  and hideaways   give them more places to run and burrow. Be careful, though, these are sometimes too small for adult Syrian hamsters.

Other Accessories

Although hamsters don't need these, they're available. A rundown:

• Bathing salts   can be a fun hygiene tool if you think the hamsters' natural methods are insufficient.
• Dust powder   can be sprinkled on them, as long as you don't get it in their eyes.
• Hamster-safe shampoo   is the only kind to be used and only if you have to. Generally, they really don't need water baths.
• Insecticides   used in the hamsters' rooms should be non-toxic, if used at all.
• Harnesses   for walking the hamsters should fit well. Mostly, though, you shouldn't take your hamster out for a walk on a leash. A leash is meant for larger animals and can be harmful to hamsters.

How to Care for Hamsters

• They have very strong senses of smell and will be able to tell if you've been around another animal or some food. Wash your hands before handling.
• They need to gnaw constantly to keep their teeth from growing too long. If they are gnawing on their cage, they don't have enough chew toys. Get more.
• Keep them in the shade. They're nocturnal and don't need much light.
• Keep the environment 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, please. Sudden temperature shifts could cause respiratory problems.
• Try to hamster-proof your home so that if it escapes, it won't get too hurt.
• Block off open pipes. Move chewable wires off the floor. Keep chemical bottles closed. Block off small crawl spaces.
• If it is ever running around a room, make sure not to step on it or close it in a door. You'll be very sad otherwise.
• To hold your hamster, you can slide it into a jar, slide your hands under it, or lift it by the scruff of the neck. The latter should be avoided if they squirm.
• Establishing feeding, playing, and grooming   routines are always a good idea for creating a happy hamster.
• If their nails seem too long, clip   them. Better yet? Get your vet to clip them.
• If they're biting a lot, something is wrong. Try to figure out what.

Feeding

• Hamsters should eat a diet primarily of hamster food mix   that you change daily. Don't overfeed; hamsters like to hoard.
• A mix with seeds, grains, nuts, pellets, and flakes should give a balanced diet.
• The mix should coordinate with the breed of hamster that you have. Got a Syrian ?  Chinese ?  A dwarf   hamster?
• While there are generic small animal food mixes   on the market, they're not really good for hamsters' unique needs.
• Hamster Hideout says that good treats are: dog biscuits ,  chopped hard boiled eggs, apple, carrot, corn, water chestnut, broccoli, cauliflower, plain oats ,  nuts and seeds, milk products, cereal, bread with a thin layer of peanut butter, and diluted honey fed with a plastic spoon.
• They can have watery vegetables -- romaine lettuce, for instance -- in small doses. They'll help relieve constipation.
• Don't give them other treats, especially sweets and meats.

External Links

• About -- A good intro to hamsters.
• About -- How to find an escaped pet.
• Hamster Hideout -- Tons of information.
• Hamster Hideout -- How to breed hamsters.
• Wikipedia -- The entire background of hamsters' history, biology, and cultural significance.