Dogs or cats may not be appealing to some pet owners. Instead, they prefer smaller, cuddly pets, such as a hamster.
Hamsters are some of the most popular pets among families because of their compact size, adorable looks, and easier pet care compared to larger pets. They’re nocturnal, meaning they are often asleep in the morning and active at night. This adds to their quality of being low-maintenance pets.
Despite these facts, hamsters still require proper pet care as they can also get sick, feel sad, and get stressed.
We’ll cover the essential things you must know to provide the best care for your pet hamster if you already have one or are planning to get one from a reputable pet shop.
Selecting the Right Habitat for Your Hamster
Unlike cats and dogs, hamsters live in their own habitat, much like a fish in an aquarium. This is because they are too small to be running around your home. There’s the risk of people stepping on them accidentally or getting into small crevices in the house that can be dangerous as well.
Different Types of Hamster Cages
The first thing you must consider is the type of hamster care you’ll get for your pet. There are many options to choose from. Your decision may depend on your home’s space and the number of hamsters you have.
Wire Cages
A wire cage probably has the most excellent airflow and accessibility for cleaning among all types of hamster cages. The only problem is that you must make sure that the enclosure is safe enough for your pet. There are pet supply stores that sell high-quality wire cages, or you can have one customized, as long as it’s made to ensure your hamster’s safety.
Aquariums or Tank Enclosures
Aquariums or tanks are not only made for fish pets. They can also be great for hamsters because they can contain bedding well and prevent escapes of small breeds like the Roborovski hamster. The downside of a tank enclosure for hamsters is that it requires extra effort for ventilation. Without it, excessive humidity might build up and could harm your hamsters’ health.
Modular Plastic Cages
Colorful plastic cages are some of the most popular choices for hamster owners. Many pet supply stores have various size and color options as well as additional features that can be added to the cages, such as tunnels. These add-ons are great for keeping them entertained. However, modular plastic cages for hamsters can be more difficult to clean, and the airflow isn’t quite good.
Bin Cages
For pet owners on a budget, do-it-yourself bin cages can be a great option. It can be made from large plastic storage bins, which are more affordable than glass tanks. They’re also customizable with a little creativity, similar to a modular plastic cage. Hamster owners can also add mesh panels to the sides to have proper ventilation in the bin cage.
Wooden Cages
Wooden cages for hamsters can provide a more aesthetic appeal to your home. You can either have one tailored for your space and the number of hamsters you have or buy a pre-made wooden cage from a store. It provides good airflow, but it’s important to carefully examine the wood that is used. The wood must have a non-toxic coating, so your hamster will be safe in case they start chewing it and to prevent damage from moisture.
Considerations When Choosing a Cage
Now that you’re aware of the different types of hamster cages, it’s time to pick out the best enclosure for your hamster. There are several factors to consider when choosing a hamster cage.
First, you must consider how many hamsters you have and their sizes. For example, a Syrian hamster can grow up to be 6-8 inches big. One Syrian hamster needs around 900 square inches of floor space and a cage that’s at least 24 inches high. If you have two Syrian hamsters, double these measurements.
For dwarf hamsters that grow around 2-4 inches big, you only need a cage with 700 square inches of floor space, and that’s 24 inches high for each hamster.
Second, you should get a cage that has proper airflow. Hamsters will be peeing and defecating in the cage, so ammonia can build up if the cage has poor ventilation.
Third, the cage must be secure enough so your hamster won’t escape. Unlike cats and dogs, it’s not ideal for hamsters to be roaming around your home unsupervised. When they escape from their enclosures, there are risks of injuries or getting lost forever.
Lastly, you must have a cage that has enough depth or height. We recommend that cages be at least 24 inches high because you must give them at least 6 inches of bedding in their enclosures. This provides them with enough depth to dig and burrow, a natural behavior in hamsters.
Picking Out the Correct Bedding Type
Another part of a hamster’s home is the bedding. This is essential for their comfort and health. Choosing the incorrect type can cause many health problems in your hamsters and make them feel stressed as well.
Paper Bedding
This might be one of the safest options for hamster bedding. Paper is absorbent and soft and doesn’t create dust. You can buy paper-based bedding in pet stores, but you can also create your own if you have a lot of paper lying around your home and a paper shredder.
However, when creating your own paper bedding, always use blank and unscented paper, as any ink or scents can be toxic to your pet. You can also go for paper towels and tissues as they are softer than usual paper.
Aspen Wood Shaving
Another safe bedding option is shavings from aspen wood. They are free from harmful oils that other woods have, and they’re easily available in pet supply shops.
These are two of the safest hamster beddings we recommend. You might find others in the market that you might want to try out. Before doing so, you must check them carefully and ask your vet for advice if they are safe.
It’s best to avoid bedding that is scented or made from pine and cedar. These woods have natural oils that can be harmful to your hamster’s health. We also advise that you not use cat litter. They may be absorbent and odor-free, but your hamsters might mistake them for food, which can cause digestive issues.
Hamster Cage Accessories
When setting up a hamster cage, you need these essential accessories to help them live a comfortable, healthy, and stress-free life in their enclosure.
A hamster wheel for exercise and entertainment. Bigger hamsters need wheels that are 10-12 inches big, and small hamsters can have wheels that are 6-8 inches small.
A hideout so they can hide themselves to feel safe. This can be made from wood or plastic, where your hamsters can be in an enclosed space in their cage.
A water bottle with a metal spout to prevent contamination and spillage.
Shallow food bowls made from metal or ceramic might still be necessary even though hamsters like to scatter their food.
A sand bath is often given to chinchillas, but it’s also an important accessory to any hamster cage. It helps your pet clean their fur naturally, as it might be extremely difficult for pet owners to groom a tiny hamster.
Chew toys are important for hamsters, as their teeth continuously grow throughout their life. Get wooden chews made from safe wood to prevent teeth overgrowth.
Maintaining a Clean and Comfortable Habitat
After setting up your hamsters’ cage, maintaining their habitat will be your next priority. Since they will live most of their lives in their enclosures, you must ensure their space is secure, hygienic, and comfortable for them.
The best placement of your hamster’s cage is in a quiet room where there aren’t many people going to as it can stress out your hamster. The space must also have a temperature that doesn’t go over or under 18-24°C or 65-75°F. Don’t place the cage near windows to prevent exposure to direct sunlight.
Cleaning Routine for Hamster Cages
While hamsters have lower demands and maintenance than other pets, you must still give time to maintain their enclosure’s cleanliness.
Every day, check and remove any uneaten food and scoop out poop and bedding that has been visibly soiled. Refill the contents of their bottle with fresh, clean water.
Once a week, replace the bedding that you have been scooping out daily, and clean the dirty surfaces of the enclosure with some warm water and mild soap. Make sure to leave no traces of soap, which can be toxic to your hamster.
At least once a month, do a deep clean of their enclosure by placing your hamsters in a temporary cage and removing all bedding and accessories. Scrub all the surfaces to sanitize the cage and wash the other items as well.
The most time-consuming task to maintain your hamster’s habitat is done monthly. This may be easy to schedule every month in your schedule, and it wouldn’t take the entire day to complete.
Hamster Diet & Nutrition
Some pet owners find eating hamsters adorable and loveable, with their tiny quick bites using their strong incisors. While you might be tempted to give them all sorts of foods to see them eat, they require a balanced diet like any other pet.
Hamsters are omnivores, meaning they need to have a balanced meal that contains fresh vegetables, some fruits, protein, and commercial hamster feed.
If you’re a first-time hamster owner, here are our recommendations for your little pet.
Seeds and Pellets
We recommend giving your hamster around 1-2 tablespoons of pellets and seed mixes every day. It’s essential to provide your pet with
Vegetables
We suggest starting with one teaspoon of vegetables for your hamster. Some vegetables you can give them are broccoli, carrots, spinach, and cucumbers. However, keep in mind that you should give your hamsters dark leafy vegetables in moderation because of their oxalate content, as they can cause kidney problems.
Fruits
Fruits must also be given in moderation, just like certain vegetables. This is due to the high sugar content in many fruits, which may cause diabetes and obesity. We suggest feeding your hamster one small piece of fruit every 2-3 days only. Some safe choices include apples, berries, and pears; just remember to avoid seeds and pits.
Protein Sources
Some meat or other source of protein could be given to your hamster a couple of times a week. You can offer a mealworm or a small piece of boiled chicken or egg. Just remember that hamsters like storing their food, so giving them a live mealworm can start an infestation in their enclosure, so it’s best to freeze dry the worms. Also, any piece of egg or chicken must be completely cooked without seasoning and cooled.
There are also some foods that you must avoid giving your hamster, which include:
Chocolate
Onions
Garlic
Citrus fruits
Raw beans
Almonds
MSG or sodium-filled snacks
It’s also important to note that you must provide your pet with a fresh water supply every day. Even when there’s still some water in the bottle, it’s best to replace it with a new supply.
Hamster Lifespan & Health Care
A hamster can live up to 2-3 years on average. Even so, with proper care, you can help extend their life. Some pet owners have shared on different online platforms that their hamsters have lived up to four years.
There are some hamster breeds that live longer than others. But with a proper and balanced diet, daily exercise, and regular veterinary care, you can help your hamster live a long and happy life.
Common Health Issues and Symptoms
Like any other pet, hamsters are at risk of certain illnesses. As a hamster owner, you must be aware of the causes and symptoms of these diseases.
Wet Tail or Diarrhea – This is caused by poor hygiene or stress. Signs of wet tail include weakness, matted fur, and a foul smell.
Respiratory Infections – This type of infection can cause your hamster to sneeze, wheeze, and have nasal discharge. It’s often caused by a poorly ventilated enclosure, dirty bedding, and drafts.
Teeth Overgrowth – When a hamster doesn’t have enough chew toys, their teeth might overgrow. This can lead to them drooling or having difficulty eating.
Skin Conditions – There are various conditions that affect hamsters’ skins, such as mites, allergies, and infections. The symptoms will depend on your pet’s condition.
For any signs of illness in your hamster, it’s important to take your pet to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible. Your vet will be able to diagnose your hamster’s condition accurately and provide the best treatment option.
Exercise & Enrichment for Your Hamster
Hamsters are active pets that need a lot of opportunities to exercise. They need some mental stimulation as they spend most of their time in their enclosures.
The exercise wheel is an accessory that your hamster will appreciate. It helps them burn their energy and keeps them entertained. You can also add tunnels to a connecting cage or have additional hideouts for them to explore.
When you have more free time, you may also consider out-of-cage playtime with your hamster. This involves letting your pet roam around outside the cage. However, remember that you must always supervise your hamster when doing this activity. You may also consider using a playpen for their security.
Handling & Bonding with Your Hamster
Hamsters need your care and attention, just like how you would give time to a cat or dog. You can play with and handle them, but it’s important to do this with care.
Their bodies are small and fragile, so you must handle them correctly to prevent them from being stressed or injured.
Avoid grabbing your hamster from above. This can startle and stress them out. Instead, open your hand and let them approach you.
When they come to your hand, gently scoop them without making any sudden movements or squeezing them.
Only handle them for a few minutes at a time in the beginning. As your hamster learns to trust you, you can increase the time you spend handling them.
Earning their trust will take time and patience. You can offer them small treats from your hand to associate yourself with a good or positive experience for your hamster.
It’s also vital to remember that your pet is sensitive to sound. Don’t speak too loud or make sudden noises when handling them.
Reproduction & Baby Hamster Care
Hamsters can reproduce quickly, so unplanned pregnancies are very likely to happen when you keep male and female hamsters together in a single cage.
Remember that unplanned litters might be a wonderful event, but it can be challenging to manage them as it increases the risk of stress due to overcrowding.
“Unlike bigger pets, it’s extremely difficult to neuter a hamster because of their small bodies and the risks involved. The surgery can be fatal for such tiny mammals. We do not recommend castrating or spaying hamsters, unless it’s highly necessary like in cases of removing tumors.” — Dr. Nenad Misura, Veterinary Surgeon
How to Prevent Unwanted Hamster Pregnancies
Here are some suggestions to prevent unexpected babies when you own or plan on owning multiple hamsters.
Keep your male and female hamsters separate unless you intend to breed them and you’re well-prepared.
Determine their genders correctly before they are able to breed.
Before adopting a female hamster, check whether they are pregnant. Sometimes, new pet owners unknowingly bring home pregnant hamsters.
Responsibly Breeding Your Hamsters
If you are planning to have baby hamsters, you must plan ahead on how to care for them. First, you should provide your female hamster with a safe environment when delivering her young.
Prepare nesting material like shredded paper or tissue in the cage.
Separate the male from the female hamster before she gives birth, as the male might hurt the babies.
Avoid cleaning the cage too often during the final week of the pregnancy so as not to disturb the mother hamster.
Consider adding a little more food and water because the mother will be nursing her baby hamsters.
Avoid handling as much as possible because pregnant and new mother hamsters can be aggressive or easily stressed.
If you’re unsure about how to handle your hamster after birth, you may consult a veterinarian for guidance. You can ask for instructions on what to do or possibly seek assistance when your hamster is ready to deliver her babies.
Handling and Caring for Baby Hamsters
As much as you’d want to touch or handle baby hamsters, keep in mind that touching baby hamsters before they reach two weeks old can lead to their mother rejecting them.
The mother may not feed her young, or worse, she may resort to cannibalism because the babies will have the scent from your hands. Mother hamsters smell their young and may not recognize them when you handle them too early.
After 3-4 weeks, you can separate the young ones to a different enclosure. By this time, they can already eat and drink on their own. This will prevent inbreeding and further increase your hamster population.
Conclusion
Hamsters are small and adorable, low-maintenance pets. It can be tempting to have more than one hamster because they require a small space in your home.
However, caring for hamsters still requires proper knowledge, like choosing the right habitat, feeding them nutritious food, and giving them enough time for exercise and bonding. Also, it’s crucial to know that they can multiply quickly. It’s vital to understand how to prevent this from happening if you are unprepared to care for baby hamsters.
While hamsters live a shorter life than other pets, they still need love, attention, and proper medical care when they need it. Don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian to know how to properly care for your hamster or when you see any signs of illness.
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