Taking Care Of Hamsters

 

Hamster bedding

Setting up the cage where your new hamster will live will include adding bedding.  Hamsters love to burrow and tunnel, and will often be found sleeping underneath the bedding you have provided.  Most often used types of bedding material is aspen shavings, shredded paper, pelleted bedding material and timothy hay.  Wood chips such as pine and cedar should not be used, as the fumes emitted can be harmful to the hamster. 

Toys for your Hamster

Hamsters are highly active little creatures.  Part of hamster care is making sure that they have the toys they need that will provide an outlet for the energy they have.  Everyone has heard that hamsters enjoy running incessantly on a wheel, and that is no urban legend.  They truly love to exercise.  Hamsters also enjoy burrowing and tunneling, so giving them empty cardboard toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls to climb through will give them countless opportunities to fulfill this need.  Don’t be surprised when they begin chewing on these homemade toys as well!  There are many hamster toys available for purchase as well, but before spending a lot of money on toys, try the makeshift ones first.  You will likely find little need to buy any others.  When hamsters do sleep, they like to curl up in small spaces, so adding small empty boxes with an entrance “door” will be perfect for your hamster.

Handling your hamster

Bringing your pet into its new home may be a bit troubling for the hamster at first.  It may be timid and frightened, and may need time to acclimate to his new surroundings before you begin to hand tame him.  Hamsters have been known to bite when frustrated or frightened.  The most important thing to remember is that hamsters have totally opposite sleeping/waking habits of humans.  Being nocturnal animals, they will be found playing and eating in the evenings and sleeping during the day.  A word of warning:  hamsters tend to be cranky when woken during the day.  Never reach into the cage and pick up a sleeping hamster, as their first reaction is likely to be one of a defensive nature such as biting.  Instead, start by using your hand to make noticeable noise inside the enclosure; move the water dish, food dish, toys and such to alert the hamster to your presence. Hold the hamster close and securely, stroking its back and forehead.  Move slowly when handling, so as not to further frighten the creature.  Speak softly to him, as their ears are sensitive to loud noises.  Initiate hand contact several times throughout the day to accustom the hamster to your touch.  Over time, it will begin to look forward to these times with you.

Feeding your hamster

Pet stores offer a great hamster mix that provides good nutrition for your hamster.  Fresh foods can be introduced every few days, items such as fresh spinach leaves, pieces of apple, shredded lettuce and carrots are enjoyed and provide good hamster care nutritionally.  Resist the temptation to feed your hammy the same foods you are eating; many of them can have serious consequences to their little systems.  Keep the hamster’s water dish replenished daily with fresh water.

Chewing is a big activity for the hamster.  Offer it a dog biscuit or stick of clean wood to chew upon.

Cleaning up after your hamster

Not the favorite part of being a pet owner, but definitely an essential one is keeping your pet’s home clean.  Check the cage for leftover food it may have stowed away before it begins to deteriorate.  Every day, the pet’s cage must be cleaned of waste and uneaten food.  Add clean bedding daily to replace the soiled material you have removed.

Health care of your hamster

Following a regular diet and keeping their habitat clean will generally result in a healthy hamster.  However, watch for dull eyes, loss of appetite, diarrhea and fur matting which indicate a problem.  A visit to the veterinarian should be schedule if any of these symptoms appear.

Hamster care is an important part of being a pet owner.  Ensuring that you and your child know how to care for the new pet will help it to stay a healthy and fun member of your family.