Be Careful Going in Search of Adventure Its Ridiculously Easy to Find
Hamsters make great pets, especially for first-time pet owners and those with small children looking for a little more responsibility. But, even though they're fairly simple pets to take care of, they do still require a certain level of knowledge to help them live a long, healthy life. That's why we're here.We want to share everything we know about hamsters, to help you give your new pet hamster the best life possible.
A Little Hamster 101
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While there are 19 different breeds of hamsters out there, not all of them make good pets. Of those 19 breeds, only a few of them are kept as household pets. Most commonly, those are Syrians, Roborovskis, and Dwarfs. Hamsters usually live for around two years, which can vary slightly depending on the breed, with Robotovskis (sometimes called "robos") living the longest at potentially up to 3.5 years.
Most hamsters are between 2 and 8 inches long and weigh anywhere from just under an ounce to up to 6. They are technically in the "rodent" category, even though they vary hugely from rats and mice in appearance.
Hamsters are known not only for being adorable but also for their tendency to stuff their cheeks full of food. When full, a hamster's cheek pouches can cause the size of their head to double or even triple in size!
It's also important to note that hamsters are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. This is important when deciding where to keep your hamster's cage.
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Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether or not your child is responsible enough to have a hamster as a pet. Generally, though, most people who are experienced in taking care of hamsters recommend that children should at least be in elementary school before taking on that responsibility. Hamsters can sometimes nip or bite, which can be traumatic for younger children. They are also very delicate, which means that they can get easily hurt if held too tightly or dropped.
Should I Get One Or Two Hamsters?
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This really depends on the breed of hamster that you decide to go with. Some breeds are solitary in nature and can hurt or even kill another hamster if they are put in the same cage. Others are more social and need to be around other hamsters to live a quality life.
Syrian hamsters are a good example of a solitary hamster, as they tend to get aggressively territorial around the time they reach maturity.
Most of the other common pet hamsters, like Dwarfs, can be successfully kept together in pairs as long as they are related to each other (mother/child, littermates, etc.). However, if another unrelated hamster is introduced, there is likely to be a significant conflict.
How Big Should The Cage Be?
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When it comes to buying a habitat for your hamster (or hamsters), the sky is the limit! There are so many different cages out there, from the simple to the spacious and colorful. As far as minimum requirements for giving them enough room to move, experts recommend that the cage is at least 15 inches long and a foot tall. Keep in mind: this is a minimum. If you can provide your hamster with additional space, you absolutely should. And, regardless of the size of the cage that you choose, make sure that you find one that is absolutely escape-proof.
How Often Should I Clean My Hamster's Cage?
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Cleaning your hamster's cage is essential to keeping them happy and healthy. It is generally recommended that once a week is the minimum you should be cleaning it. This not only prevents your hamster from getting sick but may also stop you and your children from getting sick as well. Certain diseases, like lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and Campylobacteriosis, are considered "zoonotic," meaning that they can pass from your hamster to you. They may cause diarrhea, nausea, fever, and even potentially worse complications in the young or immunocompromised.
When you clean their cage, make sure that you throw out any bedding that is obviously soiled. It's a good idea to do a full change at least twice a month as well, because hamsters tend to be genetically inclined to want to hide food. If left for too long, that food can mold and cause a significant health hazard for your pet. Make sure to look for hamster-specific bedding, and stay away from anything that may splinter and injure your pet (aspen, recycled paper, and pine are good options). Also, although it may be tempting, avoid anything that is scented as well.
Ensure that you wash your hands after every time you clean the cage and handle your hamster.
Does My Hamster Need Toys?
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Yes, absolutely. Hamsters, just like any pet, need what is called enrichment. Enrichment activities are the type of activities that make their life more interesting. Imagine living in the same, small cage, doing the same things over and over without any change. You'd get pretty bored, right? The same concept applies to hamsters, which is why enrichment is so important.
One of the best ways to do that is with an exercise wheel. In nature, hamsters are natural runners, which helps to keep them fit. When they are stuck in a cage, they don't have the ability to do that, which leads to boredom and ultimately depression. Exercise wheels come in both metal and plastic, just depending on what you like more. Metal exercise wheels tend to last longer than plastic ones do, but there is also a greater risk of injury. Choose a wheel that is large enough for your hamster to run without having to arch their back too much because that can lead to injuries and discomfort (making them less likely to run on the wheel). The only thing to keep in mind is that some exercise wheels can be noisy, so you may want to check that before keeping your hamster cage in your room (or your child's room).
Another option, possibly even more fun, is an exercise ball. There are even some places that will have hamster races using exercise balls! These big, round plastic balls are made specifically so that your hamster can run around without you having to worry about losing them in your home. Not only that, but they also give you a place for your hamster to hang out while you're changing their cage.
What Should I Feed My Hamster?
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Hamsters actually need a diverse selection of nutrition, but luckily it is relatively easy to achieve that. First and foremost, hamster food is common enough that even most grocery stores carry it. Pet stores are an even better bet, as they tend to have higher-end brands with more nutritional content. Hamsters are actually omnivores, not herbivores like many people think. While they can live a perfectly happy life without eating any bugs or frogs, they need more protein than other small animals. Most veterinarians recommend the hamster chow and specifically the pellets over the muesli (so they can't pick and choose).
While pellets should make up the vast majority of their diet (95% of it to be specific), that other 5% should be healthy snacks and treats. Make sure that you only give them minimal amounts at a time because too much can lead to diarrhea or obesity. Pumpkin seeds, broccoli, lentils, banana, and even chicken or mealworms are good options. Stay away from things like almonds, citrus, and yogurt drops.
You'll also need to make sure that you have a constant source of freshwater available for your hamster to keep them healthy.
Can Hamsters Get Sick?
Just like any other pet, hamsters have a few specific diseases that they are prone to.
One of those is known as "wet tail," which is a bacterial disease that tends to pop up in hamsters that are going through periods of extended stress (like a move). Symptoms of wet tail include loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and failure to groom. Wet tail can actually be fatal in as little as 48 hours, so any health issues should be treated by a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
Other symptoms that may indicate illness are discharge from the nose, eyes, or ears, hair loss or a scruffy coat, an abnormal walk, or a hunched posture.
At this time, no vaccinations are recommended for hamsters.
In Conclusion
We think everyone deserves to enjoy a pet that makes them happy. However, an important part of pet ownership is making sure that you make your pet as happy and healthy as possible. Hopefully, this article helped you learn a little more about what hamsters need and how you can keep them content and boredom-free for as long as you have them.
Sources:
Small Mammals | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC
Hamsters – Exotic and Laboratory Animals | Merk Veterinary Manual
Routine Health Care of Hamsters – All Other Pets | Veterinary Manual
Source: https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/how-to-take-care-of-a-hamster?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740005%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=01b01381-eaac-4fd6-b4b7-de4a9f7cc76d
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