Hamsters are relatively easy to look after, they are quite clean, they don't take up much room and they don't cost alot of money to keep. Hamsters do make great pets. However they still require care and attention, make sure you can provide them with everything they need before you buy.
- Is it's fur clean and tidy?
- Is it active?
- Does it look healthy?
When you are happy with your choice, it's time to take he/she home.
Hamster Care
The first and most important thing you'll need for your hamster is a cage. Hamsters like exercise so you should buy the biggest cage you can afford. The bottom of the cage should be lined with wood shaving's and you should make sure your hamster has plenty of suitable bedding. Your hamster will also need:
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A house
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A water bottle
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A sturdy bowl a ceramic bowl is best these are less likely to be chewed or tipped over. Hamsters like to sit in their food bowls.
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A wheel and or ball for exercise
Make sure everything is gnaw proof as hamsters like to chew.
Cleaning
Hamsters usually divide their cages in to sections - sleeping, eating, exercise and a toilet area. Damp woodshavings should be removed from the toilet area daily and replaced with fresh.
The cage should be cleaned thoroughly once a week and washed in hot water and a disinfectant that is pet safe.
Your hamster will also need a supply of fresh water. A water bottle is the best choice as bowls of water will be spilt and are often filled with woodshavings. Water should be changed daily.
Feeding
A hamster mix is a good main food as it contains all the vitamins and minerals a hamster needs.
Hamsters also like fresh fruit and vegetables. It is important to introduce your hamster to fresh food gradually as too much at once can upset their stomachs and cause them to have diarrhea. Also remember to only give your hamster as much fresh food as they will eat, fruit and veg becomes mouldy very quickly and may make your hamster ill if they eat it.
Just like us hamsters like a treat every now and then. There are lots of treats avaliable at the pet shop. Some treats help to keep your hamsters teeth short by wearing them down. Others just provided your hamster with a sugary treat for them to enjoy. unfortunately just like us if they eat to many sugary treats they will become overweight. So remember to limit the amount of treats you give your hamster.
When you first bring your hamster home leave them alone for a day or two before you start handling them. This lets them settle in to their cage and become familiar with the new surroundings.
After that it's important to handle them regularly. The more they are handled the tamer they will be.
It's also a good idea to remember that hamsters cant see very well, so start off by talking to them to get them used to your voice. don't just put your hand in the cage and grab your hamster take your time. First just put your hand in and let the hamster sniff it. This way they will get to know your smell, stroke them gently while they are in the cage and get them used to your hand.
When you feel confident enough scoop your hamster up gently by cupping one hand under him and one hand over him. Becareful not to drop them as they can wriggle. It is safer to sit down while you handle your hamster.
Remember: Always supervise young children when handling a pet.
There are a number of different types of hamsters.
Syrian hamster
The syrian hamster is the largest of all of them.
They make good pets but are very territorial. They will fight if kept in pairs or groups and may even kill each other for this reason they should be kept on their own. Syrian hamsters are happy to be held once they get used to your hand and being picked up.
Dwarf hamsters
These types of hamsters are very small, skittish and very fast. They may not be sutible pets for younger children as they can be hard to handle. They should be kept in either a tank or a cage designed for a mouse, they can squeeze through the bars of hamster cages.
Chinese hamster
These type of dwarf hamster can be kept in pairs providing they are from the same litter and have grown up together.
Russian
These dwarf hamsters are happy to be held, they are also happy to live in pairs or groups.
Roborovski
These hamsters are very friendly and like to be handled However they are extremely fast and if they were to escape you might find it hard to catch them.