Hamsters
Caring for your hamster
Hamsters are the best known and one of the most popular of all the
small rodents kept as pets. They live on average for two to three
years.
The most common and largest type
of hamster is the Syrian hamster, also known as the golden
hamster. These are naturally solitary and will fight if you try to
keep them in pairs or groups - breeders have to be careful to
introduce mating pairs only when the female is in season. If you
want a Syrian hamster, keep one only!
Russian or dwarf hamsters grow to
about 8cm and Chinese hamsters are slightly longer at maturity.
Both types like company of their own kind, so keep a pair of the
same sex and do not mix species. Ideally, your new hamster should
be between four and eight weeks old and bought from a responsible
breeder or good pet shop.
Hamsters in pet shops should be
correctly housed with clean, good-sized accommodation (see Home
comforts) and access to food and fresh water.
Hamsters become sexually mature as young as four weeks, so make
sure that males and females have been correctly sexed and
separated - the breeder or pet shop staff should be able to show
you the difference between the sexes. If they are not confident,
you cannot be sure that you have not bought a pregnant female!
Home comforts
The ideal home for a Syrian hamster is a large wire cage with a
plastic base no smaller than 60cm x 30cm floor space, by 30cm tall
(higher if possible, as they do enjoy climbing on different
levels). Wood should be avoided as it absorbs urine and quickly
becomes smelly and unhygienic.
Russian and Chinese hamsters can
squeeze through small places so are best kept in a tank or
aquarium no smaller than 60cm x 30cm floor space, by 30cm tall.
The tank needs a securely fitted wire lid to allow ventilation and
prevent escape.
Dust-extracted shavings make good
bedding for all types of hamsters, although some people prefer to
use sawdust for long-coated types to prevent shavings getting
tangled in their hair. Hamsters can be litter trained, which helps
keep their cage cleaner. Dwarf hamsters need beds deep enough to
allow them to burrow. You should also provide shredded paper or
dry peat as nesting material. Avoid fluffy bedding that could wrap
round a hamster's limbs and impact in the stomach if eaten. Site
your hamster's home away from draughts, sunlight and direct heat.
Clean out the cage at least once a week.
Food for thought
A commercial hamster mix is a good basis for your pet's diet.
Small pieces of fruit and vegetables, such as a slice of apple or
a small sprig of cauliflower, will be appreciated.
Hamsters hoard food in their beds, so do not give too many green
vegetables as they will rot. Remove all uneaten food on a daily
basis. Hamsters also store food in their cheek pouches (see Health
matters).
A hamster's front teeth, like those of other rodents, grow
continually, so they need to gnaw to keep them in shape. Dog
biscuits make both good hamster treats and teeth trimmers.
Fresh water must always be available from a free-access drinking
bottle fastened to the cage. Check this daily to see that it has
not become blocked and also to change the water.
Health matters
Storing food in cheek pouches can occasionally lead to problems.
If your pet seems to have permanently stuffed cheeks, it could be
because food has become impacted. Similarly, sharp pieces of food
may occasionally pierce the pouches. Always seek veterinary advice
because, if either of these has caused an infection, the hamster
may need antibiotics.
The other common problem needing veterinary help is wet tail,
which is diarrhea associated with stress, especially in newly
weaned babies. Minimise the risk by preparing the cage before you
bring the animal home, and leave your hamster undisturbed, except
for feeding, for the first two or three days. Be careful handling
your hamster whilst you have a cold as it is possible to infect
your animal.
It is useful to know that hamsters have scent glands on opposite
sides of their flanks, which can look like small, dark patches.
These are normal. Similarly, the testicles of male hamsters
enlarge in the spring, so two large swellings at the bottom end of
your hamster are usually nothing to worry about. However, if you
are at all concerned about your hamster's health, do consult a
vet.
Finally, it is worth remembering that hamsters are short sighted,
especially those with pink eyes, so keep a close eye on yours if
let out of the cage.
Exercise and entertainment
Hamsters are most active during the evening and at night so they
are not ideally suited to being kept in a child's bedroom! They
like cardboard tubes to chew and run through and, if you put up a
wooden ledge, your hamster will enjoy climbing on it. Because of
the risk of injury, many experts now advise against using hamster
wheels with spokes.
Solid, wide wheels are safer. Hamster exercise balls should not be
used as hamsters can quickly become exhausted with no means of
escape.
Company
One Syrian hamster will be happy, but two or more means serious
fighting - so keep members of this species alone. Russian (dwarf)
and Chinese hamsters need company and can be kept in same-sex
pairs or small groups. Remember, hamsters can reach sexual
maturity at just one month old! Do not breed indiscriminately and
do not mix species.
Hamsters as children's pets
Hamsters are naturally nocturnal and can become alarmed and may
bite if disturbed during the daytime. Children need to be
supervised when handling hamsters and, as with all pets, an adult
needs to be responsible for making sure the hamster is properly
cared for.
Getting to know you
Hamsters rarely bite if they are used to being handled correctly
from an early age.
Never put your hand into your hamster's bed as the animal may be
asleep and will be startled. If your hamster is nervous, check it
is properly awake then hold your hand in the cage without trying
to touch your hamster, so that your presence and smell becomes
familiar. Soon your hamster will get to know you and become easier
to handle.
Don't forget...
- Keep Syrian hamsters alone as adults will fight. Dwarf (Russian)
and Chinese hamsters should be kept in same-sex pairs or groups.
- Hamsters enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables but bury their food.
Offer tiny portions to minimise the amount left to decompose and
remove uneaten food daily.
- Clean out the hamster house every week to maintain a healthy
environment
- Hamsters do not make ideal children's pets unless there is
adequate adult supervision
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