Where can I get a hamster?
Every pet store has hamsters. They are a very popular pet to have and many kids get a hamster as their first pet. You can also get a hamster from a breeder, which you can almost always find one on the internet. When you first bring home a hamster, it is very important to give him some time to get used to his new cage and surandings. Leave him alone for at least 3 days. Of corse give him food and water, but do not hamdle your hamster. Let him sniff your hand if he pleases. After three days, then start taking out your new buddy for some play and socialization time.
What kind of home does a hamster need?
A hamster can have a wire cage, plastic cage, or a converted fish tank with a screen top. Wire cages do offer better air circulation and won't trap heat inside like a glass tank would. Be careful with plastic cages, as some hamsters tend to chew out of them. Glass tanks with wire tops are great as long as you make sure air cisculation is adequate and it does not get too hot. Whatever cage you get, make sure he can't escape. Hamtsters are excape artists. Do not get a cage with a wire grating floor for your hamster. Wire grates will cause harm and even death to a hamster.
What else do I need for a hamster?
Hmasters are very active little critters during the night hours, so provide them with things to ocupy their time. Some toys and a wheel would be ideal. Make sure you get a safe wheel for your hamster. Wire wheels tend to be noisy and can be dangerous to any small animal. Plastic encased wheels are great. The two wheels below are ideal for hamsters and otrher smaller pets. Run About Balls are also great and helps keep your pet happy and exorcised. When selecting toys, be creative! Bird toys and paper towel rools make great toys for hamsters and other smaller pets.
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Your hamster will also need wood to chew on. Hamster's teeth continue to grow thoughout their life. If not properly grinded down, the teeth can literly grow though the roof of the mouth. A hamster with long teeth cannot eat and will quickly starve to death. Do not use wood found outside due to the fact that they would contain parasites and pesticides that will harm your pet. Any hard wood chews from a pet store are fine.
You will also need to get a hiddy house - an enclosed house where your hamster can retreat to during the day to sleep. Hamsters are nocturnal and sleep thoughout the day. Dwarf hamsters tend to be a bit more awke during the daylight hours, but they are still noctuirnal and this does need to be taken into consideration when purchasing your new pet. It would not be a good choice for a kids pet if the child wants to play with him during the day. Get a gerbil instead. Most hamsters go into a coma-like state, or a very deep sleep, when sleeping, so an enclosed sleeping area is best so they feel secure and do not stress out.
Other important things you wil need include a water bottle, food dish, some treats, and proper bedding. As far as treats go, they are up to you. Hard dog treats make good small animnal treats because they are nutrious and are hard enough to wear down the teeth. As far as bedding goes, NEVER use cedar. Cedar will kill your hamster and other small pets. It is harmful to all pets except for dogs when placed in dog beds. Pine is not very safe either, but better then cedar. I prefer to use carefresh, aspen, or Kaytee Soft Sorbant. I use Kaytee Soft Sorbant for all my pets excpt for the rats and rabbits; they are on carefresh.
ow do I care for a hamster?
The cage should be cleaned once a week. You will need small animal bedding to place on the bottom of your cage. Make sure your hamster has plenty of water at all times and give her fresh food every day. In order to have a friend and tame hamster, take him out every day for some socialization. If you have a hamster that bites, do not give up on him. Take him out every day, but wear a thick pair of gloves. Eventually the gloves will be able to come off and you will have a very social and friendly hamster. Remember, hamsters are prey animals. They feel that everything is out to eat them. Go slow and teach they that they have nothing to fear from you.
Hamsters, like all small pets, have a very sensative upper respiratory system. You must keep your hamster dry and away from drafts. He can get very sick very fast if left in draft or wet. You can bath your hamster with small animal safe shampoo, but dry him well and only bath him in the warm months. Also keep your pet away from direct sunlight and NEVER, NEVER leave the cage by a window or outside. He can quickly get overheated and die.
There may be a time when your hammie needs to se ethe vet. Choosing a worthy vet can be difficult. It's hard finding a vet who specializes in exotic animals. Call around and find out who will see hamsters. It's always best to knwo who will accept a hamster in case of an emergency. You can rush him riht to the vet instead of call ing 20 different places while your hamster is in dire need of some care right away. Wasting time with a sick hamster is a VERY bad idea.
I have other pets, how will they react to a hamster? How would a hamster react to them?
Dogs and cats could learn to get along with your hamster and the other way around. Do not introduce other hamsters and never introduce a hamster to a ferret, mice, rats, or other small pets. Hamsters will kill smaller pets and rats and ferrets may kill your hamster. Always take care when introducing your hamster to another animal, or another animal to your new hamster.
What should I feed my hamster?
A good quality hamster food bought in a pet store is just fine. I prefer to use the Sun Seed line of hamsterr foods. Hagen Hamster Food is cheap, not not very good as a long term diet for your hamster. Remember, pets are not cheap. If you take the cheap route, you will end up with a dead hamster.
How do I pick up a hamster?
Scoop her up from beneath, never by the scruff of the neck. With timid hamsters you could try using a cup to scoop them in, then gently pour them onto your hand. Remember, hamsters are prey animals and are likely to bite if grabed from above. Let them know you are there by talking to them and moving slowly. Never grab a hamster when he is sleeping. Gently wake them by moving the bedding in thje cage, taping LIGHTLY on the cage, and calling their name. Once they are fully awake, then attempt to pick them up.
Do I have a boy or a girl?
It's not always as easy to sex hamsters as one may think. Standard hamsters (teddybear, black bear, ect) are fairly easy. You can usually see a scrotum sac hanging, dragging behind. If not, flip the hamster over on it's back while safely cupped in your hand. If the genital holes are close together, then you have a female. If they are farther apart then you have a male. Hamsters can sometimes tuck their sacs inside, so the best time to sex a hamster is when they are not stressed and just walking about. For any of the dwarf varities of hamsters, the only way to tell male from female is to check the distance between genital holes.
How long do hamsters live?
Unfortunately hamsters only live 3 or 4 years. A short life for a big heart. Dwarf Hamsters can live up to five years. These life spans only apply if properly cared for.
My hamster seems lonely. Should I buy her a cagemate?
No, absolutely not!! Hamsters are not social with other hamsters unless they were together all their lives. Even if you have two and one dies, do not replace him with another hamster! They will fight and most of the time one, or both, don't make it out alive. Even if kept in pairs or groups, some standard hamsters will snap and kill the other. This is not uncommon. Dwarf hamsters tend to be more social and can live out their lives in groups, if they were together all their lives.
I want to bred my hamster, but how do I?
I would suggest buying a book on this one. Alot of Hamsters will eat their young. It all depends on the breed and personality of you hamsters. Just make sure the female doesn't attack the male!! It can be pretty tricky to breed hamsters for the simple fact that they do not like new commers, even if they are the opposite sex. They are highly territorial.
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