Description
About Hamsters
Hamsters are pretty common household pets. These small rodents can be found in many places throughout the world. There are different breeds of hamsters, and they range in size and characteristics. Hamsters are crepuscular and they remain underground during the day to avoid being caught by predators. They feed primarily on seeds, fruits, and vegetation, and will occasionally eat burrowing insects. They are known for their elongated cheek pouches extending to their shoulders, which they use to carry food back to their burrows.
Traits & Behaviour
Hamsters are inquisitive, gentle-natured, and very energetic. They are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk, so they’ll spend most of the day sleeping in a nest. They are the most active at night.
Syrian Hamsters
Syrian hamsters are the largest of the captive hamster breeds and they are often the most popular as pets. They have a lively personality and can be really fun to watch and interact with. If you handle them from an early age Syrian hamsters can be trained well. Syrian hamsters should always be kept by themselves; they are very territorial and will fight to the death with other hamsters.
Dwarf Hamsters
Dwarf hamsters are, as the name suggests, smaller than Syrian hamsters. The Roborovski dwarf hamster is the smallest of the dwarf hamsters. Roborovski dwarf hamsters are very fast and active; they have often been known to run as far as 160km on their hamster wheel.
Winter White hamsters get their name from their ability to turn white in the winter months in their wild Russian habitat. In captivity, they normally retain their dark grey colouring due to the presence of artificial heat and lighting.
Dwarf hamsters can normally be kept in a cage with other dwarf hamsters but you still need to check for any signs of upset or aggression, at which point they may need to be separated.
Environment
Housing: There are many types of cages available in pet stores for hamsters. They all come in different shapes and sizes with different accessories. Hamsters need a large space to run around so get the cage with the largest floor space you can. The bigger the space, the happier your hamster will be.
Many owners will use large plastic tubs or aquariums instead of wire cages to house their little rodents. The large space allows their hamsters to run around freely and allow for more accessories to be placed around the enclosure.
Bedding: High-quality paper-based bedding or wood shavings are recommended. Hamsters love a cosy nest for napping so soft bedding material provides warmth and comfort as they rest and sleep.
Decorations: Hamsters love to run and need exercise. A good quality exercise wheel should be placed in their enclosure. A good exercise wheel should be solid, stable, and relatively quiet when it is spun. Cardboard tubes, PVC pipes, and plastic hideouts provide them with opportunities to run, climb, hide, and tunnel.
There are many different types of toys for your hamster to choose from. There are houses, tunnels, swings, see-saws, ladders, bathtubs, and many more for your hamster to play with.
Accessories: Hamsters need to chew to keep their teeth from overgrowing. An untreated, unpainted piece of hardwood is an appropriate chew toy for them. Avoid anything made of soft plastic.
Nutrition
Staple Food: Pelleted foods offer a good nutritional balance for many hamsters. There are many options of hamster foods available in pet shops so choose your pick! Hamsters can be picky so choose foods that have all-in-one pellets so they don’t pick and choose what they eat.
If your hamster is not picky you can feed them a mix made up of pellets, grains, seeds, and dried vegetables.
Fresh Vegetables: A small, bite-size amount of fresh vegetables and fruit is recommended 2-3 times a week. Appropriate vegetables and fruits include carrots, spinach, lettuce, and apples.
Treats: Snacks like raisins and hay can be given twice a week. Pet shops also sell many hamster snacks with fruits and veggies that you can choose from.
Water: A small hanging water bottle with a stainless steel spout and ball is the most commonly used water container for hamsters. A bowl is too likely to be spilt, dirtied, or filled with bedding. Make sure your hamster always has fresh water.
Foods To Avoid: Do not give your hamster onions, uncooked beans, chocolate, candy, or junk food.
Habitat Maintenance
Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled bedding and refilling their water drinker. Entire bedding should be changed once a week. Remove any leftover food that you find around their enclosure. The entire enclosure should be cleaned every couple of months.
Supply Checklist
Here are some necessary supplies owners will need to keep their Hamsters happy and healthy~
- Appropriate size and well-ventilated cage
- Bedding
- Food bowl
- Water drinker
- Hamster wheel
- Hideaway space
- Toys
- Chews
- Hamster food
- Treats
Important Notes
- As hamsters are more popular with children. Parents should be wary of how they are around the hamster. Hamsters can bite and startle children, causing them to drop the hamster. Avoid too much handling.
- Hamsters are most active at night, do not pick them up or disturb them while they rest in the morning as this can stress them out and can even bite.
- Hamsters will stuff their face (literally) with food and then empty out whatever is in the pouch for some late-night snacking. When cleaning the cage, it’s not uncommon to find hidden stashes of food in the corners.
And you’re set! All the best to you and your pet hamster!
For further enquiries contact us at 03-7733 7469 or drop by our shop and speak to our team!