How To Take Care Of A Hamster

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Frequenly Asked Questions (Answers From Hamsters Fans)

What kind of hamster mix brand makes the best hamster food for my Dwarf hamster?

Mazuri - pelleted form - this keeps hamsters from picking out only what they like and not getting a balanced diet. This is actually manufactured by the same folks who make the lab blocks that most breeders use.

Hazel Hamster - seed mix - add some of this in, so that the hamsters have something to horde and stuff in their checks.

Campbells are prone to diabetes - so pick out the corn in any seed mix you use and feed it to the squirrels. You should also avoid all the cute sweet (molasses laden) treats that they sell.

Can you put a syrian hamster and dwarf hamster together?

Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters are two completely differnt species! They are not compatable at all.

Syrian hamsters are also strictly solitary animals. Both males and females will fight, and kill, if necessary, any animals "tresspassing", whether they are other syrians or other rodents all together. They live alone in the wild, and do not need companionship. Keep him/her in its own cage alone. You might see syrians housed in groups at pet stores, but this is because younger hamsters do not develop hormonally for a couple months, and before that time, have no reason to fight.

Dwarf hamsters are social however. You can get multiple females, or multiple males and keep them in the same cage. Females aren't usually problimatic, but males can sometimes have territorial spats, especially if they are introduced not from birth. For this reason, its always safer to get brothers. You must also consider the fact that you will need a larger cage, plus at least two hides, and water bottles so they never have to share (less reason to fight).

How long should I let my hamster spin in his exercise ball?

I usually kept my hamster in for thirty-forty five minutes. I always made sure to give him a treat first, and see if he used the bathroom because if they stay in there too long they'll use the bathroom and leave trails all over the floor. Also make sure your hamster is careful when he bumps into things. Since the ball is made of plastic it can crack and over time it can crack open and your hamster can escape. So, make sure to check for cracks and clean it after every use.

How can you make your hamster live longer?

Keep her healthy and well fed. If you play with her and keep her fit then she will have a happy life however to me it dosen't matter how long she lives for. But for all of the time she lives, I want to make sure she has a happy life span.

Also, to keep her fit I would suggest different toys such as a hamster ball, a wheel in her cage, some toys for her to chase ect. If you dont want to buy anything then just let her run about on the floor for a certain amount of time. I would suggest about 10-15 minutes. The fact is, she wont die soon if you keep her healthy and happy.

The average life span for a hamster to live is 2 - 3 years. Don't start thinking about death when her life isn't even nearly coming to the end of her life darling. 70% of hamsters die because of old age and because your hamster is only young she will probably live.

How to pick out a healthy hamster?

One thing you have to think about when picking a hamster is age. Hamster live very short lives, around 1-3 years on average. So I recommend picking a young hamster if you want the animal to have a long, happy life with you. From 5 weeks old is the ideal age. Hamsters before this age are too young and shouldn't even be available to buy. A younger hamster is also much easier to tame rather than a older one. Make sure you ask the associates there how old the hamster is.

When looking at the hamsters ask to handle them so you can also get a feel for one you like and also check it over. You should check the hamster for the following:
- Bottom area should be clean not wet.
- Eyes should be bright and clean.
- No scars on the body.
- Fur should not be thinning or bald.
- Ears must be intact not torn.

Avoid hamsters that are quiet or lethargic; hamsters should should be alert, curious, and active. Picking your hamster out in the evening might be a good idea, as they are most active during the night. The hamster's breathing should not be labored or noisy, and the coat should be clean, dry, and free of droppings. If you observe a hamster in the cage with diarrhea or respiratory problems, be very cautious since all the hamsters in that cage may have been exposed to an infectious disease.

The first poster mentioned that you should tap on the glass to see if the hamsters respond. I would strongly recommend that you do not do that. I work in two pet stores right now and not only does tapping on the glass scare the poor things, but it makes it more difficult for the associates to actually catch the animal without being bitten. If the animals are scared, they are more likely to bite, so please don't tap the glass!

How long can a hamster go without food and water?

They can't go more than a day or two without water but they are very smart and chances are he has found a source of food and water in the house by now (bathroom, kitchen, etc). Don't give up hope, I had a hamster that was gone for nearly three weeks before he showed up (and he was just a baby, a few months old). He had gotten inside a small hole at the bottom of our dishwasher and was living there (had access to food crumbs and water under there!!!). One night I went to the kitchen to get something to drink and there he was sitting in the middle of our kitchen floor :0) I just picked him up and put him back in his cage with his siblings...

What can I do to make my hamster stop chewing on her plastic cage?

Hamsters can get incredibly bored, so naturally it often results in cage-chewing. Since your hamster is probably damaging the cage, and it's made of plastic, you have a few options:

1) Get a new cage. Get a wire one where the bars are spaced closed together. This increases ventilation, and allows more opportunities for her to climb. Also, if she decided to chew, she won't be doing any damage.

2) Introduce new chewing items. Try hanging them. Try different flavors and shapes. Try rubbing a little bit of fresh fruit (such as apple) on a piece of safe wood to entice her to chew on it. Try giving her timothy hay or straw to make a nest out of (it will keep her occupied if she likes those materials). Switch things around in her cage...hide treats---keep her entertained.

3) IF she's a Dwarf hamster, get her a playmate. Dwarf hamsters can be kept in same sex pairs (or trios) if they have a large enough cage. A playmate may keep the boredom away.

What kind of fruits and veggies can i feed my hamster?

Some vegetables that are good for your hammy are:
- broccoli
- turnips
- carrots
- chicory
- spinach
- cauliflower (outside leaves and stalk)
- parsley
- cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- lettuce (not iceberg lettuce)

You can also feed pieces of apple, pear, grape, and tomato, all in small amounts only.

What is the average weight of a dwarf hamster?

4.1 ounces for males, 3.8 for females.

What is the best way to transport a hamster?

Get a small cage special for transporting. Make it homy for him, and set it up just like you would his normal cage. Use plenty of shavings, give him food, treats, and water. Make sure he doesn't get cold. He should be fine, don't leave him alone in the car for long periods of time. If you have to use a hotel, sneak him in.

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How To Take Care Of A Hamster

Choosing The Right Hamster Cage

Feeding The Right Hamster Food

Toys For Hamsters

How To Take Care Of A Baby Hamsters

Choosing The Right Hamster Bedding

Is Your Hamster Sick?

How To Train And Tame Your Hamsters

Cleaning Your Hamsters And The Cage

Tips On Hamster Care

Frequently Asked Questions