Here we can see, “How to Look After Your Pet Hamster”
Hamsters are rather common house pets. These little rodents live for roughly two years and do best when kept alone. Hamsters come in a variety of breeds with varying sizes and characteristics. Know your breed and its full-grown size to buy the appropriate cage and equipment. Because hamsters are naturally nocturnal, be prepared for some nighttime noises and place the cage in an area that works for you and your new pet.
Before You Start
Ensure you have a house set up for any pet before purchasing it to reduce the stress of transitioning to a new home. Hamsters have unique requirements. They require mental and physical stimulation and a well-ventilated cage with a hiding area. Your hamster will also require a varied diet that includes store-bought and fresh food. Check to see what your new pet can (and cannot) eat.
What You Require
You’ll need to provide your pet hamster with a few necessities, such as:
- Cage
- Bedding and nesting material
- Food
- Food dish
- Water bottle
- Wheel
- House or hideout
- Toys
Choosing the Best Hamster Cage
Choose a large enough cage for your hamster that is escape-proof and is simple to clean. While modular cages with tubes are entertaining, they can be difficult to clean and have inadequate ventilation (and the tubes can be too small for some Syrian hamsters). Also, never underestimate a hamster’s capacity to escape, as it can fit through very small gaps and gnaw through plastic walls very quickly.
If you purchase a Syrian hamster, consider that many hamster cages are on the small side. If you purchase a dwarf hamster, keep in mind that they can often fit through the bars of an average-sized hamster cage. Once a week, thoroughly clean the hamster cage. While the cage is being cleaned, safely remove the hamster and place it in a secure spot.
Add Hamster Bedding and Nesting Material
Avoid using cedar and pine-wood chips as bedding for your hamster; the odour might irritate the respiratory systems of hamsters. If you want wood bedding, aspen is a safer option, although many individuals prefer paper or other fibre-based beddings. Hamsters enjoy resting in a nice nest. Cotton nesting materials sold in pet stores are unneeded and can cause difficulties if consumed or wrapped around their toes. Shredded toilet paper or facial tissues make great nesting materials that are very inexpensive. During the weekly cage cleaning, bedding materials can be cleaned and replaced.
Selecting Hamster Food and Containers
Choose a high-quality meal for your hamster. Pelleted feeds provide an excellent nutritional balance and are better for many hamsters than loose food combinations. With a loose mixture (seeds and other items), your hamster may select what it loves and leave what it doesn’t, resulting in a dietary imbalance or an overweight hamster. A pelleted mix can be augmented with additional ingredients, such as fresh vegetables. Once a day, hamsters should be fed. Remove any fresh food that has not been consumed within the last few hours.
As a food dish for your hamster, a shallow, tiny, but substantial bowl (or anything that won’t readily topple over) is great. A tiny ceramic or porcelain crock is a good choice because it is durable and won’t be chewed up. You don’t have to be fancy and buy a specific hamster dish, but whatever you choose should not be eaten the next day.
The most typical water container for hamsters is a little hanging water bottle with a stainless steel spout and ball. A dish is far too likely to be spilled, soiled, or stuffed with bedding. Make sure your hamster has access to fresh water at all times.
Provide Exercise Options
Hamsters enjoy running and require exercise, so get the largest, best-quality exercise wheel you can afford. Ideally, it should have a stable running surface and no cross supports (that might catch a leg or neck). Instead, look for one that attaches to the cage’s side. Because hamsters run at night, make sure the wheel is also quiet. A modest amount of vegetable oil poured onto the wheel axis could help keep the wheel quiet.
In addition to a wheel, your hamster should have a range of chewable and climbable objects. Hamsters require a lot of stimulus and activity, or they will get bored. Bored hamsters begin chewing on everything, with escape as the most likely conclusion. There are plenty of hamster-safe objects available at pet stores, or you can construct your hamster toys out of toilet paper tubes and tissue boxes.
Consider getting a Hamster House or a Hide Box.
Your hamster will appreciate having their sleeping area. A house or hide box can be as simple as a small cardboard box (which will need to be replaced frequently but is inexpensive), a plastic hide box (which may be chewed up), a wooden box (which may be chewed or become soiled and smelly), or other items such as a half coconut shell or a small clay plant pot. If you cut out a door for your hamster, you can use upside-down plastic food storage containers like a butter tub (making sure there are no sharp edges).
Keeping Your Hamster Healthy During Care
Hamsters make excellent pets. The problem is that because the hamster is so small, it will be affected rapidly if something goes wrong. Keep a watch out for a hamster that is not eating, has diarrhoea, hair loss, sneezing, or has watery eyes. Some of these symptoms may be caused by infections or even pneumonia. Keep your hamster warm and hydrated, and consult with your veterinarian about what to do.
Another common problem is hamster escape. If your hamster escapes, keep a close eye on the cage and expand your search to other rooms. Because they are nocturnal, keep an eye out at night and inspect under and behind furniture. Leave the cage open with lots of food if possible so the hamster can return on its own.
User Questions
Is it difficult to care for a hamster?
Some children may find them to be a good first pet. Unfortunately, hamsters do not come with instructions for care. While caring for a hamster isn’t tough, it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of what you’re getting into if you maintain one as a pet.
Do hamsters require baths?
Hamsters are meticulous groomers who do an excellent job of keeping themselves clean; as we commonly conceive of them, baths are not required. However, if they require it, they can be spot-cleaned. It is especially crucial to examine their bottoms because bedding can often become stuck after going to the restroom.
Is a hamster bite painful?
It’s rare for a hamster to be aggressive, and they usually bite only when they’re terrified. Although such tiny fangs may not cause as much damage as other animals, a bite will hurt and should be avoided. Fortunately, you may gradually learn your hamster to stop biting and accept being handled.
Are hamsters stinky?
Hamsters don’t stink, but their cages will if you’re not careful. A hamster’s cage should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week. Please remove all bedding and thoroughly scrub the enclosure with a mild detergent and warm water before re-lining it with new bedding.
Do hamsters poop a lot?
Because they consume so much and are so small, hamsters excrete a lot. Remember to clean the cage regularly and keep an eye on your pet’s pooping habits to ensure that everything is in order.
Conclusion
I hope you found this helpful guide. If you have any questions or comments, don’t hesitate to use the form below.
