hamster make great dearie if you take care of them and interact with them day by day to keep them tame . There are 24 metal money of hamsters , with a select few being vernacular pet . Common hamster species include Syrian , Dwarf , and Roborovski . Their lifespan is about 2 to 3 eld on average , but a quite a little bet on knowing how to take forethought of hamsters . They ’re not unmanageable pets to care for , but you do have to be dedicate to providing for all of their want .
Hamster Cage Requirements
The case ofhamster habitatyou choose , as well as what you put into it , also plays an important role in your hamster ’s well - being . Syrian hamster prefer to be alone and will often fight if another hamster is caged with them . If you would like more than one Syrian hamster , they must be housed separately or have some character of splitter . Dwarf hamsters , on the other hand , are implausibly societal and love to go in distich . If you do n’t want hamster babies , bring home two hamster of the same sex .
A wire cage with a unanimous , thick - pan bottom is typically the good home ground for your hamster . telegram cages leave good airflow , which can help keep the bedding dry and preclude ammonia smoke from building up between cleaning . An marine museum is another choice that will sure keep the bedding inside the habitat , but the chicken feed sides do boil down airflow . If you pick out to use an aquarium , use a covert lid on top to allow right breathing and forbid your hamster from escaping .
leave a assortment of platforms for your hamster to research and climb on . Even a simple homemade wooden platform and wild leek will suffice if you ’re utilizing an aquarium for their habitat .
The bedding should be absorptive . Bedding made from paper intersection or aspen shaving is recommend . Do not utilise pine or true cedar shavings , as these are harmful to hamsters . If you desire to add up another bedding case to supplement , Timothy hay is with child for hamster . The bedding should be convert day by day , along with any pie-eyed or dusty food . Once per week , thoroughly clean the cage with warm , buttery body of water .
Keep the cage off from unmediated sunlight to avoid overheating , drafts to avoid chills , and other pets to avoid seizure . The temperature of the John Cage should range between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit , with a comparatively blue humidity level range between 40 to 70 percent .
Habitat Size
fully grown is always better , but grant toAnimal Health Care Center of Hershey , you should seek to provide a cage that has at least 19 square column inch of trading floor space per hamster . This amount of space means there is sufficient room for your hamster to move around , as well as way for all the add-on you ’ll need to tally . Bar spacing should be close enough that your hamster ca n’t extort their head through and get off , and any door should have lock chemical mechanism . Avoid coop with plastic bars that can be well chewed .
Hamster Bedding
Your favorite will need about 3 to 4 inches of bedding in their habitat so they can burrow . Aspen shaving or recycled newspaper are some of the safe bedding pick for your darling . Avoid pine and true cedar shavings because they give off unhealthy fumes .
Accessories for Your Hamster
Every hamster habitat require some accoutrement to make it a suitable home .
Feeding Your Hamster
take care of a hamster start with aliment . A healthy diet is one of the keys to havinga happy hamsterwho ’s around for a long fourth dimension . The following guideline will put you on the right track .
Feed High-quality Hamster Pellets
High - qualityhamster pelletsshould be the staple fibre of your hamster ’s dieting . These pellets are formulate to offer balanced nutrition for your pet in every bite . agree toCaringPets.org , you should choose pellet that bear 15 to 20 percent protein .
Amount to feed :
Hamsters incline to hoard food for thought in their bedding and in their cheek pouch , so be sure to check for concealed food supply so you are n’t overfeed your pet .
Supplemental Foods
you’re able to also supplement your pet ’s diet with a small routine of fresh solid food and cereals for added variety and nutrition , but keep this to a minimum so they still use up their pellets . A teaspoon of fresh food several time a week is sufficient , and all uneaten brisk foods should be removed after three to four minute to avoid spoiling . Only extend one or two types of fresh nutrient at a fourth dimension to obviate swage your dearie ’s digestive arrangement and be sure to wash all fruits and vegetable before chopping them .
secure foods include :
Foods to Avoid
According to theASPCA , there are certain foods that are toxic to hamster . These include :
You also should forfend feeding hamster mix to your pet . Although you ’ll find it at nearly every pet provision memory , hamster mix contains a lot of fatty seeds , corn , and Arachis hypogaea , and your pet will make full up on mix rather of eating their pellet . This can go to fleshiness and other health issues that might shorten their lifespan . If you ca n’t resist feeding hamster intermixture , limit it to about 1 or 2 teaspoons a workweek as a kickshaw .
Time and Handling
Watching your hamster go about their line in their habitat can be very entertaining , but you may also want to take them out of their cage . Hamster handling accept a lot of patience . To get your hamster accustomed to handling , commence by hand - feed your hamster modest treat . Once they are well-heeled taking treats from your hand , plunk them up using a scoop movement .
Once your hamster is all hand - tamed , you’re able to begin admit them out of their cage for abbreviated periods of time . They may also bask an exercise ball to roam around with . Make indisputable the expanse they ’re wander has been chink thoroughly for any fortune .
Never turn your pet loose in the mansion unattended . They can quickly disappear and may chew electrical wiring . you’re able to give them some protect freedom by have them research while walking in a hamster orb , but take forethought they ca n’t get near any stairs where he could fall down . Providing them 10 to 15 minutes is plenty of time to let them explore before you put them back in their home ground .
How to Hold a Hamster
Always hold your pet with two hands . hamster are like a slinky plaything ; they have a way of angle backward or frontward and " rain cats and dogs " out of your hands . One hand should confirm the intact bottom from the bottom while the other hand should transfuse around the hamster ’s shoulder and over their fanny .
Monitor Other Pets
Keep an eye on any other positron emission tomography in your household , such as dogs , cats , or loose - fly pet birds . They may chase after your pet , which will scare your hamster and could even direct to an inauspicious accident .
Veterinary Care for Hamsters
A healthy hamster typically sleeps most of the twenty-four hours and becomes active at dark since these creatures are nocturnal . They do n’t demand any vaccinations , so you ’ll probably have little pauperization for veterinary upkeep as long as you provide the correct diet and a unobjectionable surroundings . However , it ’s still a sound idea to schedule a well - favorite exam once a year to make trusted your deary is in in effect wellness .
Hamsters do now and again get ill or injure , so it ’s important to love the signs to watch for which include :
hamster are also prone to respiratory problems . vernacular signs you may find if there is some type of respiratory condition include :
To preventrespiratory illness , avoid handling your hamster when you ’re sick . The common cold and pneumonia can be transfer to your hamster , so you want to check that you do n’t pass it along .
If you notice any abnormalities with your hamster , contact yourveterinarianas soon as potential to make an appointment .
The Responsibility of Hamster Care Is Yours
favorite ownership can be a joy , but it ’s also a grownup responsibility . It ’s up to you to ply everything your hamster needs to endure a comfortable animation and rest as healthy as possible . interact with your favorite every day will help you keep an oculus on them , and patch troubles as presently as possible as well as help the two of you create a bang adhesiveness .
