How To Take Care Of A Hamster

Hamster Overview

Hamsters are among the most popular small pets worldwide, loved for their adorable appearance, low maintenance, and charming personalities. These tiny rodents are native to the deserts of Syria and were first brought into the pet trade in the 1930s. Since then, they have become beloved pets in households around the world.

With their fluffy cheeks, twitching noses, and curious nature, hamsters make delightful companions for people of all ages. Whether you're a first-time pet owner or an experienced animal lover, hamsters can bring joy and companionship into your life. In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about these adorable creatures, from their different species and breeds to their care requirements and unique behaviors. So, let's dive in and discover the fascinating world of hamsters! This is a general article and it should be stated that every hamster is different and requires different care, so if you're interested in specific hamster care check out the hamster gallery offered by petquickstart.com!

Choosing the Right Hamster

There are 5 breeds of hamsters you can own. There is the Syrian Hamster, Campbell's Dwarf Russian Hamster, Winter White Hamster, Roborovskii's Hamster, and the Chinese Hamster. Each hamster has their own unique personality, but the easiest to take care of and the breed of hamster that makes the best pet is by far the Syrian Hamster. The other hamster breeds aren't difficult, but may not open up to their owners as quickly or at all!

Lifespan

• Hamsters are lovable creatures and great pets, but typically only live for about 2-3 years.

Size

• Hamsters as adults typically reach 2 to 7 inches long!

Habitat

• Your hamster will need a spacious wire cage because they are natural chewers and will chew through a plastic or wood cage. The cage should also be at least 24 by 12 inches and at least 12 inches tall so your little friend has enough room to hide and run around, but getting a larger cage wouldn't upset your little buddy!
• Hamsters love to burrow, so for the bedding of the cage you should opt for aspen or spruce bedding and it should be 2 to 3 inches deep.
• Your hamster will also require a water bottle that hangs from the side of the wire cage so they can drink from it whenever they are thirsty!

Diet

• Hamsters eat a variety of things including:
  • Store pellets
  • Mixtures of seeds
  • Small quantities of greens
  • Cleaned root vegetables
  • Pieces of fruit
• Avoid feeding them grapes or rhubarb as they can be poisonous to hamsters!

Exercise & Toys

• Hamsters love their toys! Your hamster habitat should have the some of the following toys:
  • Running wheel
  • Toilet paper rolls (Just the cardboard - they love to hide in them)
  • Hiding holes / shelters
  • Hamster ball
  • Burrow box
  • And many more...

Cleaning

• You should clean your hamsters cage once a day by removing the soiled bedding.
• You should clean the entire cage once a week or every other week by replacing all of the bedding and washing the bottom of the cage with warm soapy water.

Handling

• Be sure to wash your hands before and after you handle your hamster!
• When picking up your hamster put both hands together in a cupping fashion to avoid them jumping out of your hands.
• If your hamster starts to nibble then simply put them back in their cage and let them chill out a little bit before attempting to pick them up again.

Conclusion

If you're thinking about owning a hamster, it is a good idea to consult a specific guide on how to care for them. Luckily petquickstart.com has a guide on every hamster species you can own, so check those out!