Owning a hamster can be a very rewarding experience and lead to countless hours of enjoyment – but with that comes responsibility in the way of proper maintenance and husbandry.
Choosing | Cages | Bedding | Food | Accessories | Behavior | Illness | Additional Info
In this comprehensive guide, you can read about topics ranging from picking the right pet, finding an appropriately sized cage, selecting safe bedding materials, choosing healthy food options, treating illness and injuries, breeding and carrying for babies, and much more.
Picking the Right Hamster
There are several breeds and a number of colors and coats to choose from these days. But beyond the pure esthetics or the appearance of the hamster, one needs to select a hamster that they can manage to take care of. Different breeds have different dispositions and different tendencies. If you are a beginner, choose a Syrian or Golden hamster breed; they are probably the most friendly and curious of all the breeds. Some Dwarf species are harder to keep due to their small stature and their skittish and shy behavior. Find out if you are allowed to own small pets in your state.
Selecting a Cage Habitat
There are several options for selecting a cage. Each option has its pros and its cons. The best habitats however are large and spacious. Whether they are made of plastic, metal wire, or glass, the key here is to buy the largest home for your pet that you can afford at the time. Get one that you can add to over a period of time. This will make your hamsters happy and not stir crazy or bored.
Choosing Your Bedding
Choose your hamster bedding carefully. Some bedding performs better than others. You can make your own bedding but its better to buy packaged hamster bedding from a local pet store. These usually stand up well to wear and tear and absorb waste rather well. Avoid using cedar chips because of the combination of urine and cedarwood can be toxic. Pine chips can be toxic too if the wood has been treated with chemicals.
Feeding Your Hamsters Food and Water
Hamsters like a diet that consists of both plants and protein. Like most small rodents, they do mostly eat plants, fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts but they also occasionally like to eat a bug or two. This is the diet they would have in their natural habitat. There are several types of diets that should be considered based on the age and health of your hamster. Some older ones can’t handle all the protein and thus should be fed a lower ratio of protein to greens. Additionally, if a hamster has too many greens, fruits, or vegetables, it can lead to diarrhea. This would then require a reduction in the amount of these types of foods in their diet.
Accessories
Hamsters need a lot of space to be happy and several options for exercise. You could never give your pet a cage as large as its natural habitat, so it’s important to take proper care of a hamster in the way of an exercise wheel, ball, ladders, tubes, and tunnels. With a wide range of accessories to keep it occupied and fit, the hamster won’t become stressed from a lack of exercise or stimulation. Other accessories like a sleeping house will also reduce stress as it gives them a safe place to hide.
Observing Behaviors
A happy and healthy hamster will poke its head up and look curiously at you when you open its cage. If it seems to have no interest or cowers in fear, this could be a sign of an illness or a lack of trust. If it’s sleeping, it’s best to slowly wake it up if you want to handle it. Startling a hamster while it slumbers can be very stressful on it. This could lead to getting bitten. However, the most important behavior to be concerned about is any unhealthy repetitive habit. if it keeps running in circles of constantly gnaws on the cage bars, this could be a sign that it doesn’t have enough stimulation or space to roam.
Treating illnesses
Hamster get sick just like any other living creature. Many of the illnesses are similar to that of what humans can contract. These include things as common as the cold or flu. Treating a sick hamster can require some quality intervention and potentially a trip to the vet. if you notice a change in behavior of your hamster or notice a change in its physical appearance, there’s a good chance your little guy has an illness or injury. Find out more about what might be troubling your hamster.
Spot Signs & Symptoms
List of Diseases
Treat Illness
Hamster Anatomy
More Info
New to Home:
Before bringing home a new hamster, you first need to obtain all the needed supplies to take care of it properly. Some of these items include a cage/habitat, bedding, food dish, water bottle, exercise wheel, and appropriate food
Baby Hamsters:
Hamsters are able to breed at a young age and may have litters up to 12 or more babies depending on the breed. Taking care of these newborns will require special attention.
Lost Your Hamster?:
Hamsters can go missing for several reasons but mainly due to an unsecured cage or a distracted owner. Finding a lost hamster can be done in several ways.
Facts and Stats:
There are over 26 types of hamster breeds within the rodent family, 5 of which and found in the pet trade. The average lifespan is 1.5 to 3 years depending on the breed.
Handling Advice:
Building a bond and trust is the first step to being able to safely hold a new hamster. This is best done over time using patience and a caring hand. The main thing is to avoid stressing your new pet.
Cleaning Tips:
Daily cleaning is limited in scope mainly consisting of food and water refills. Weekly cleaning involves removing soiled bedding and cleaning up other messes. Each month you should thoroughly clean the cage.
Other Hamster Resources:
Reviewed By: Tim Winter
Tim Winter has a strong affection for pets and wildlife. His years of experience caring for various types of pets has led him to share his knowledge with others on the best practices in pet care. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications.