Your new friend will groom themselves, but it’s up to you to make sure that you keep your hamster’s cage clean. To make this easier you can train your new hamster to use a damp corner. Put some of their damp wood shavings into a little plastic tray and put it in one corner of the cage. Your hamster will smell the urine and go to the spot every time they need to pee. This makes your life a lot easier as you are not having to constantly change the bedding or shavings in the cage. ALL ANIMALS can potentially carry viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases contagious to humans As with any other animal, the suitability of a hamster depends on your own lifestyle. For many people, hamsters make brilliant pets because they’re relatively low maintenance and don’t need as much attention. This also makes them popular first pets for children. If you think your hamster may have a skin condition, be sure to speak to your vet as soon as possible. Bladder stones The first thing to remember about Syrian hamsters is that they should always be kept by themselves; they are very territorial and will fight with other hamsters.

hamster - RSPCA ENVIRONMENT HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR hamster - RSPCA

Let’s think of the hamster car (wheel) as an actual car that seats one. When we go to test drive cars, we take into consideration how the interior looks and feels. One of the main driving forces behind our decision to buy a car is how comfortable we are in a particular car. Things like seat comfort and interior space are at the top of our list of “must-haves” in a car. The best way to start approaching your new pet is as a bringer of treats. Think about it, it’s natural to trust someone that treats you well, and brings good things to eat. Put a treat on the palm of your hand and put your hand in the cage, for the hamster to approach. You should do this in the evening when the hamster is most active. Never disturb your furry friend when they are asleep and never put your hand in their personal area; the space in the cage where they can hide away, or the house you have bought them. If you try and force your hamster, encroach on their territory or disturb their slumber then you are never going to earn their trust. According to the National Hamster Council, a Syrian hamster should ideally have a cage that has floor space of at least 1000cm 2 and a height of 19cm.

Refill their home with toys, hides and plenty of deep bedding, including some of the used bedding that you saved Aspen, spruce or hemp bedding – similar to sawdust/wood shavings but made from hardwood and dust free. However, they aren’t great at supporting burrows, so you’ll need to add a paper-based bedding for extra stability.

How to Care for Pet Hamsters - The Spruce Pets How to Care for Pet Hamsters - The Spruce Pets

Cardboard boxes also make good hides. Several boxes can be slotted together or connected using cardboard tubes. Cut a hole in the base of the box so that your hamster can burrow down from their hide into the substrate bedding. Filling the hide with shredded soft paper, bedding or toilet paper will make it nice and cosy. Activity feeding A hamster has a ton of energy, and with that energy comes a natural need to be constantly in motion. A hamster is born with the innate behavior to be a perpetual runner. This behavior serves as a survival mechanism for foraging and escaping predators. Most pet store owners will be happy to provide as much information as they can about a hamster, so don’t be afraid to ask anything you want to know. If you just stand there and accept the first hamster you are offered then you are unlikely to get the pet you really want. What happens when you bring a hamster home? Wire and plastic cages are both popular forms of housing for hamsters, and they both have their advantages and disadvantages. You should always make sure that the floor of the cage has a covering of at least 4cm depth of suitable bedding as hamsters love to burrow.

Hamster fact file

Hamsters rarely bite if they are used to being handled sensitively and correctly from an early age. When do hamsters sleep? A great deal of a hamster’s health and condition can depend on the environment in which it is kept. It’s not usually a good idea to buy a hamster that has been kept in cramped, dirty or damp conditions. 5. Ask about the age of the hamster

Kaytee Critter Cruiser Pet Powered Exercise Car for Hamsters

It’s difficult to give a definitive answer as to the lifespan of a hamster as there are over 24 different species. Generally speaking, a healthy hamster can usually live for up to two years, although some may live for more. Types of Hamsters Hamsters are fragile and can easily become hurt if they fall from a height, so make sure to hold them close to a surface such as a table, your lap, or their cage. The third most popular breed of hamster also happens to be the smallest. The Roborovski Hamster tend to grow to around 1-2 inches (4-5cm) long and weigh between 20-25g. These tiny little guys tend to be a sandy colour with white bellies and eyebrows.Once your hamster is accustomed to their new home, and you have begun to bond with them, you need to make sure that the tiny rodent is getting enough exercise. If you have bought the right size cage, so there is plenty of floor space for your hamster to run around, then this will keep your pet somewhat occupied; as will the wheel in the cage which is always a favourite. If you decide on a wire cage, make sure to use layers inside, so that if your hamster is climbing along the top of the cage, they don’t have too far to fall if they lose their grip. This stops your pet from hurting themselves. It’s especially important to have regard to this when your hamster is a baby as they can get seriously hurt if they fall from a high level.