Posts tagged "hamster care"

Hamster Types and Habitats
Hamsters are popular pets -- cute, outgoing, and curious -- and there are several varieties, according to About.com. Syrian hamsters are the most common; they should be kept one to a cage because they generally fight if kept together. Dwarf hamsters are, as you would guess, smaller, and also more social, preferring to live in a pair or small group as long as they're introduced at a young age. Chinese hamsters are also small, but don't always get along with others. Different types of hamsters should never be housed together.

Hamster Grooming
Hamsters are self-grooming rodents -- you won't have to bathe them or clip their nails, but you should keep an eye on them. If a hamster stops grooming, it could be a sign of a serious problem, according to Dwarf Hamster Guide. You'll need to clean out their cages and change their bedding weekly.

Common Hamster Health Issues
While hamsters generally live two to three years, a healthy hamster can live a bit longer. Common hamster health issues include skin abscesses, wet tail (a contagious disease), diarrhea, and skin disease, and if you're unable to take your hamster to the vet right away, you should keep him in a warm spot and see if you can get him to eat (but don't force it), reports HowToDoThings.com. Hibernation is not uncommon, particularly if your hamster is in a cold area; warm him up and he should return to normal.

Hamster Training
Known more for their looks than their brains, hamsters aren't likely to learn a variety of tricks. The main training you'll want to focus on is teaching them to be handled without biting you or urinating, and this should be done from a very young age (although you need to give new hamsters a week or so to adjust to new surroundings, regardless of age), according to About.com. Parents are the best choice for handling a new hamster, and these sessions should be frequent, but short. Use treats (large treats, like popcorn, are easiest to give them) to earn your hamster's trust and love.

Hamsters and Children
Because they're small and agile (particularly the dwarf varieties), hamsters are not always the best option for families with small children; however, some varieties are better than others, according to Pet Web Site. But given that they don't require a great deal of room and are fairly inexpensive, many families might find hamsters to be an ideal pet.

What Hamster Owners Have to Say
Animal lover Ilona Peltz has owned two varieties of hamsters: Teddy bear hamsters (a long-haired version of the Syrian hamster) as well as dwarf hamsters. She says, "I love these little guys. They are so cute, just a chubby little ball of fluff for the palm of your hand. They have adorable little pink paws they use to hold their food -- cute! -- and wash their faces -- CUTE!" However, she's quick to point out that the training period is vital, and takes at least a couple of weeks.

They're small, adorable, furry, and kid-friendly; they don't make any noise and they live in cages. How easy must it be to care for a hamster?

Yes, hamsters are one of the easier house pets to care for, but that doesn't mean they can just take care of themselves. Consult the quick checklist below to find out all you need to know about caring for hamsters.

1. Picking your pet
There are only a few breeds of hamster, but the Golden Hamster is widely considered to have the best overall temperament. Find one that's about four to eight weeks old, which is a good age to domesticate a hamster.

2. Placing the cage
Keep your hamster cage in a spot that's not drafty or overly bright. Hamsters are social, so make sure the cage is kept somewhere that will offer your hamster lots of human face time!

3. Outfitting the cage
All hamster cages should be lined with about two inches of wood shavings or torn-up newspaper; make sure whichever commercial wood shavings you choose, it says "absorbent" and "nontoxic" on the packaging. Your hamster's water bottle should be positioned low enough that the hamster can easily get to it, but high enough that it doesn't come in contact with the wood shavings, which can lead to rot. Your cage should also contain chew toys, a hamster wheel and an enclosed "bedroom" in one corner of the cage, which you can buy or make out of a small cardboard box. If you want to use an aquarium as a cage, make sure that it has a wire mesh top.