Owning a pet hamster
Hamsters are adorable pets because of their lovely small faces, twitching whiskers, and food-filled cheek pouches. They’re actually the most common tiny rodent you can let into your house. They make excellent first pets for your children and typically live for about two years.
What to expect with pet hamsters?
The Syrian (Golden) hamster and the Siberian (Dwarf) hamster are the two main species of hamsters kept as pets. Syrian hamsters are naturally solitary animals. Putting them together once they are 10 weeks old is not advised. They might fight each other to death if you do. On the other hand, dwarf hamsters can coexist with other animals if they are exposed to them while they are young.
As mentioned earlier, hamsters get frightened easily. They may become upset by things like loud noises and unexpected movements. Try not to stress the hamsters by remaining calm in your home or around them. A stressed-out hamster is more susceptible to illness.
The teeth of hamsters continue to grow. You must give your hamster plenty things to chew on. By doing this, their teeth won’t grow out too quickly. Additionally, it keeps them mentally sharp. If the teeth are allowed to develop further, they will eventually begin to hurt and cause other health problems. Take your hamster to the veterinarian if they outgrow it. A hamster with dental problems might not eat anymore.
Always keep a watchful eye on your hamsters. You will be able to tell when they start acting differently while doing this. You might need to call a veterinarian if this is an indicator of sickness. You should only give your ill hamster the medications that the veterinarian has prescribed. Never administer hamsters human or animal medications because they are harmful to them.
Caring for a pet hamster
- Make your house ready. You must ensure that your home is secure and suitable for a pet hamster. Due to their small stature, hamsters could be considered prey by other domesticated animals. They might desire to be chased or eaten by your dog or cat. Make all required preparations to keep your hamster safe from other house pets.
- Hamsters and children. Children are captivated by hamsters because they are adorable. They are sensitive, though. The hamster might be dropped, squeezed, or startled by a kid. A hamster may bite if it is startled or awakened quickly. Because of this, young children should only handle hamsters under the supervision of an adult.
- Hamster diet. Grain, seeds, veggies, and fruits like apples are what hamsters often eat. Feeding your pet hamster rat blocks (rodent chow) and seed mix or hamster pellets are both options. Utilize a seed mixture that is composed of a blend of seeds, pellets, grain, and dried veggies. Don’t forget to provide clean fresh drinking water for your pet hamster. Hamsters eat greens like spinach, lettuce, and carrots.
- Never feed your hamster uncooked beans, onions, candy, chocolate, or junk food.
- Do hamsters get sick? Pet hamsters are susceptible to conditions such congestive heart failure and amyloidosis, a kidney disease. These ailments may result in their death. There is no treatment for either amyloidosis or congestive heart failure. Additionally, hamsters are vulnerable to various microorganisms that can cause diarrhea and dehydration. Since some bacteria strains can transmit to people, you should handle a sick hamster carefully.
- Hamster housing. Pet hamsters need to be kept in a tidy cage with enough room. Give them bedding that has been cleaned of dust. Dwarf hamsters in particular have a propensity towards burrowing. Make their bed deep enough to accommodate this inside a cage. Hamster nesting materials include dry peat or torn pieces of paper. Use bedding that won’t contain materials that could be harmful if eaten.
- To avoid mishaps, avoid using bedding that could encircle their torso or limbs. Keep the hamster’s cage away from heat sources and direct sunshine. Keep in mind to clean the cage frequently.
- Socialization in hamsters. Both among themselves and with others, hamsters are sociable creatures. They will try to communicate with you by using body language and using it to communicate with one other. Hamsters may communicate with others by releasing chemicals through their smell glands. They can distinguish one another thanks to their keen sense of smell.
- Training a hamster. Hamsters are trainable. You can use this to your advantage while trying to keep the cage tidy. To maintain order, litter-train your pet hamster. They frequently store food in their bedding. The cleaning process may be made simpler with the help of litter training.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on food, toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
Waiting for our next post here.
