How to Care for a Pet Hamster

How to Care for a Pet Hamster

In the wild, hamsters tend to live on their own rather than in groups. They are not social by nature and so, apart from breeding purposes, it is best to house them on their own. Allow a minimum area of 625 sq. cm (100 sq. in.) for each hamster (which grows up to 15 cm in overall length); thus, the dimensions of their quarters should be at least 25 cm (10 in) square.

They will burrow into the floor of their cage, so provide a fairly deep layer of bedding material. Be sure that the bedding is not toxic or dangerous in any way. If eaten, unsuitable bedding can cause impaction in the intestines, and this is likely to prove fatal. A metal cage will be strong enough to withstand the onslaught from the hamster's teeth, but over a period of time the urine is likely to attack the metal, causing bubbles of rust at first. This problem will not be encountered in a cage with a deep plastic base or in a plastic fish tank, but the claws of hamsters may scratch its sides.

Provide an exercise wheel for these active rodents, but be sure that it revolves smoothly, otherwise it will become a major source of irritation as it squeaks in the room. Hamsters tend to be nocturnal in their habits and, surprisingly, studies have shown that pregnant females are most active. They can 'travel' 8 km (5 miles) a day, walking on their wheel. Perhaps exercise improves muscle tone in preparation for birth, but even now little is known about the habits of hamsters in the wild.

Although diets prepared for other rodents suit hamsters well, their dietary needs are not yet fully understood. It appears that a protein level of about twenty-four percent is to be recommended, certainly during pregnancy. Interestingly, hamsters do seem to need fruits, especially apple, in their diet. Studies have suggested that hamsters fed on dried diets have smaller litters, with fewer ova actually implanting into the uterine wall. In addition, a higher incidence of cannibalism is likely in females deprived of fresh fruit. As a guide to food consumption, hamsters tend to eat about 15gm (0.5 oz) daily, and can drink up to 20 ml (0.7 fl. oz) of water, particularly when they are being fed exclusively on a dried diet. Be sure to remove any fresh food, however, before it can turn sour.

Visit the author's website for hamsters cages and guinea pig cages that can be used for hamsters, as well.

Getting Yourself A Pet Hamster

Getting Yourself A Pet Hamster

Having a pet can be a great thing for a kid or for any age really, and it can provide both fun and comfort. There are many types of domestic pets out there and the hamster is one of the most popular pets in recent years. But what should you know before getting yourself a pet hamster? There is a variety of information to keep in mind and things you should know before going ahead and buying a hamster.

A hamster can be bought at most pet stores, but before buying one you will need to think about everything needed to take care of your hamster. This includes a cage, food, an exercise wheel, a water bottle, and stuff for the bottom of the cage.

Fortunately, all of that can be acquired at the same time and none of it is very expensive. You can expect to spend less than a hundred dollars for everything. Of course, if you intend to keep your hamster for a long time, then you may want to buy a premium cage or a vivarium for your hamster. This will cost more money but it will last you a lifetime if you take good care of it. Also, remember that while hamsters are cuddly and cute, they can bite, so if you have young children then you must supervise and make sure that they treat the hamster nicely.

There are also other considerations to take. Hamsters are usually quite healthy animals but like any living being they can get sick. You may need to take your hamster to a veterinarian and you must be prepared to pay for the potential bill. A hamster only lives around 3 years so having to break up with it is a certainty at some point in the near future. This isn't like a dog which can live up to 15 years old. They aren't anywhere near expensive but it can still be a shock for a kid who may have grown attached to the animal.

Hamsters are usually quite calm and solitary animals. They can be left alone for a couple of days if you need to leave for a holiday. However, they are very good at escaping their environment and finding ways out of their cage. You will also need to clean their habitat, replenish their food and water supplies on a regular basis. Ideally, it is preferable to put the hamster in a calm and quiet environment. Don't place the cage by the television or by a sound system. I recommend that you place your hamster cage on a table of its own in a corner of your room. Since hamsters like to be active at night and sleep during the day, you probably won't want to have his cage right by your bed.

Overall, a hamster is a great pet that is calm, quiet and easy to maintain. Compared with other pets, hamsters are the easiest animals to take care of and the least expensive, besides perhaps a fish.

Jean is an animal lover and has several pets living with him. He is currently helping others to learn how to train a hamster on his dog training website.