How to take care of fancy hamsters
A fancy hamster is a short-haired version of the popular Syrian hamster. It is cared for in the same way as other hamsters and is a popular pet for children. The word hamster originates from the German word hamstern, which means “hoarder.” The cheek pouches of the fancy hamster are used to hoard food for later. They will also hoard it in their cage. A fancy hamster is not at all difficult to care for and will provide plenty of enjoyment for its owner.
Things you’ll need:
- Cage
- Water bottle
- Hamster pellets
- Litter
Quick information
- Kept as: Housepets
- Suited for: Families with kids, seniors, inexperienced owners
- Origin: Unknown
- Are they friendly: Yes
- Personality: Docile, well-behaved, solitary, territorial, reserved with people
- How long do they live: Average lifespan: 2-3 years
- Hypoallergenic: No
- Association/Clubs: None
- Breed standard: None
How big do they get
Size: 4-7 inches, females are bigger than males
Weight: About 5-7 ounces
Height: 6-7 inches
Width: About 7 inches
What do they look like
Color: Cream, gray, cinnamon, black; black-spotted, white, tan, and black-and-white patterns possible
Fur type: Short and soft; paws and tail are hairless
Care instructions
House your fancy hamster in a cage that is made for rodents or in a fish aquarium with a tight-fitting lid. Use shredded paper or wood shavings as litter in the cage. The bedding will need to be at least two inches deep.
Use a water bottle that attaches to the side of the cage instead of a water bowl. A hamster will fill a bowl with litter or food and you will find yourself changing the water multiple times a day. Provide fresh, clean water at all times.
Feed the hamster daily with a high-quality small animal pellet mix. Supplement the pellets with small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as sugarless cereals, whole wheat pasta and sunflower seeds. Any fresh foods that are not eaten within a few hours will need to be removed to prevent contamination.
Change the litter in your hamster’s cage at least once a week to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Remove all old litter and hoarded food and replace with fresh litter.
Handle your fancy hamster often to get him used to human interaction. Check him on a regular basis for signs of illness such as hair loss and dampness around the rear end. This may be a sign of wet tail, which is an often fatal disease.
Brush his short hairs once a week using a soft-bristle brush, spot-clean its coat with a damp cloth when he is dirty, look for signs of illnesses like dampness around the rear, and excessive hair loss.
The fancy hamster tends to shed more in the spring and fall, for which it needs frequent brushing.
Provide chew toys so that he can gnaw on them and keep his teeth in good condition, and offer a box of fine sand that will allow him to burrow in. Being an active breed, he will also enjoy climbing on blocks and wooden ladders.
Tips
- It is best to house fancy hamsters separately as they are territorial and will fight. If a male and female are housed together, they will breed constantly and you will soon be overrun with baby hamsters.
Warnings
- A hamster that is not used to being handled may bite out of fear. Use gloves or a small towel to handle an unfamiliar hamster until he is used to you.
Interesting facts
- The fancy hamsters are identical to their long-haired teddy bear cousins except for their hair length.
- Depending on their color patterns, fancy hamsters are given names like the white polar bear, black-and-white panda bear, tan honey bear, and black-spotted Dalmatian hamsters.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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