Here we can see, “What To Look For When Choosing a Healthy Hamster”
A hamster is a small animal, but choosing a healthy pet is vital regardless of size. Examine the animal’s anatomy and get to know its personality before bringing it home to guarantee it’s a suitable companion for you. At the pet store, look at the hamster’s surroundings as well; the cage should be clean, provide easy access to fresh food and water, and not be overcrowded with other animals. Hamsters kept in good conditions will be less stressed and exposed to less sickness, which means your pet will live longer.
Investigate the Body
Please take advantage of the opportunity to pick up the hamster and play with it for a few minutes. First, examine the hamster’s overall bodily condition: it should be neither obese nor lean, without swellings. The hamster’s coat should be well-groomed, fluffy and smooth, with no bare spots where fur has been taken out. Check for soiling around the back end and moisture on the tail, as these may suggest a diarrheal condition.
The hamster’s eyes, nose, and ears should be clean and free of discharge. Examine the fur around the eyes and nose for dampness, discolouration, or crusts. Although it may not be possible, attempt to inspect the teeth since they should not be enlarged and should be properly aligned. Check for moist or matted fur on the chin as well.
Examine the hamster’s breathing, which should be quiet and not laborious, with no wheezing, clicking, or gurgling. Now, set the hamster down and see how it moves. Again, there should be no symptoms of lameness, stiffness, or unwillingness to move. After you’ve touched the hamster, please pay attention to its breathing and attitude and whether it appears out of breath or lazy.
Examine the excrement in the cage to ensure that it is firm and not watery.
Examine the Personality
Hamsters should be alert and interested, never sluggish. This can be difficult to gauge in a nocturnal animal like a hamster, but with attention—and possibly some very mild prodding—a hamster should wake up and appear interested in what is going on.
Take note of how the hamster reacts to people. Although most will be wary at first, try to choose a hamster that is somewhat calm when approached and comfortable being handled by people.
Advice on Choosing the Best Hamster
- Find out how old your hamster is and try to get one as young as possible—around 6 weeks old is ideal.
- If any hamsters in the same cage—or even in the same store—appear to be sick, resist the urge to adopt from that location. If it is contagious, your hamster may become unwell next, possibly even after you have taken it home.
- Check to see if the store divides guys and ladies. Familiarize yourself with the differences between males and females, and if the retailer does not segregate them or appears unclear about the hamsters’ gender, move on to another store. It is ideal to avoid surprise litter, especially in very young hamsters.
- If the shop won’t let you handle the hamster before you buy it, it’s advisable to move on because it’s always a good idea to handle a possible pet to assess its disposition.
User Questions
Should I acquire a Syrian hamster or a dwarf hamster?
Syrian hamsters are the nicer of the two types of hamsters. They have gentle attitudes, are simple to handle, and bite only seldom. Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, are more readily startled and more likely to nip. Therefore, a Syrian hamster is a better option if you have young children.
What exactly is a panda hamster?
The panda hamster, sometimes known as the panda bear hamster, is a species of Syrian hamster distinguished by its distinctive coat colouration. As the name implies, the hamster variety has a black body with white patches similar to panda bears.
What is a fancy hamster?
A fancy hamster is a short-haired variant of the common Syrian hamster. It is treated similarly to other hamsters and is a popular pet for children. The term “hamster” comes from the German word hamster, meaning “hoarder.” The elegant hamster’s cheek pouches are used to store food for later.
What exactly is wet tail disease?
Wet-tail, also known as proliferative ileitis, is a hamster ailment. It is triggered by stress. The animal has a 48–72 hour survival rate even with treatment. Baby hamsters are even more susceptible to sickness than older hamsters. It is most typically found when the hamster is about four weeks old and is being weaned.
Why do hamsters stare?
Hamsters are readily startled and are highly shy, so they will do this even if you try not to startle them. So, if you wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and go past your hamster’s cage, you’ll discover him staring at you blankly.
Conclusion
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