Hamsters should always have clean bedding and plenty of fresh water. Provide toys, tunnels and a treadmill for exercise and entertainment, both forms of stimulation that will add longevity at worst. Don't place the cage in direct sunlight or in a draft. Most teddy bear hamsters will do well on a commercial hamster food mixture.
Pet owners can supplement their diets with leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts. A healthy diet helps ensure a longer lifespan, so avoid feeding foods of questionable nutritious value or overfeeding. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends feeding hamsters only once a day. Hamsters require veterinary care to ensure they stay healthy and live as long as possible.
If you suspect your hamster is ill or you notice signs of illness such as diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss, dull eyes, pale gums, a matted coat or a runny rose, you should contact your small animal veterinarian for treatment options.
Hamsters can go downhill very quickly when they become sick, so it is important to make yourself aware of what is normal behavior and appearance for your hamster. One of the ways by which you can spot One of the best ways to know sensible breeders from mediocre ones is to ask questions, lots of questions.
My advice to anyone considering getting a new pet is to do some research and learn about the pet. You can get reliable information about hamsters from Hamsterlopaedia by Chris and Pete Logsdail. Good breeders keep detailed records of their breeding stock. This makes every individual hamster easily identifiable. The records kept should contain the following information about individual hamsters: Birthdate Sex Color Show wins Medical records Mating and breeding log. The breeding log should record all their matings and details such as the number of offspring and any postnatal deaths while the medical records should detail past illnesses of the hamsters if any and the treatments.
Questions to ask a hamster breeder 1 Why do you breed? Now, I think good hamster breeders usually have a vision in mind which ultimately relates to improving hamsters by establishing healthy lines that have good temperament. These hamsters should be able to meet the NHC show standards which are all about promoting good health and aesthetics. Responsible hamster breeders should not allow their hamsters to end up at shelter homes.
The diet given to hamsters mums-to-be is very important and should be especially rich in protein. Babies and mother hamsters are not supposed to be disturbed for the first two weeks. You should get some information about the care given to hamsters if the breeders keep detailed records. Also, you should ask about the age at which the baby hamsters are available for rehoming.
Baby hamsters are not supposed to be handled until they are 14 days old as this is when their eyes open. After that, the baby hamsters need to be handled regularly. The reason for this is to keep them tame and nice. A good breeder will provide you with all this information and more. Your hamster is only going to trust you if you feed it properly, so this is a must. What Can Dwarf Hamsters Eat?
You should feed your hamster daily, they require fresh food every day. You also need to remove any uneaten food as it will rot quickly. You should feed your hamster with hard treats twice a week.
Hard treats help your dwarf hamster keep his incisors filed down, which is good for his overall dental hygiene. This is similar to dog treats that are used for dog hygiene. You can actually use this, as well — you can let your hamster chew on small dog biscuits, commercial hamster treats, or a small branch taken from a fruit-bearing tree.
You can also feed your hamster with soft treats, once or twice a week. Soft treats include protein sources such as cooked meats; low-fat, no-salt cottage cheese, or a hard-boiled egg. You can also include wheat bread and scrambled eggs for your hamster. Something people often overlook is to keep your hamster hydrated, as well as fed. Buy a hamster-sized water bottle with a stem and ball bearing from your local pet store.
The ball regulates how much water comes out each time the hamster takes a drink. Dwarf hamsters have a really strong and high metabolism, so they need food throughout the day, flawlessly. There is some debate about whether you should feed them in the evening or in the morning, though. It may be best to do both, that way, your hamster will have food all day, every day. Fruits: apples, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, seedless grapes, lychee, mangos, melons, peaches, plums, raspberries, raspberry leaves, and strawberries.
Vegetables: carrots, celery, broccoli, dandelion leaves, cauliflower, clover, kale, bean sprouts, asparagus, chickweed, chicory, cucumber, corn, spinach, watercress, radicchio, romaine lettuce, turnip, peas, green beans, chestnuts, squash, sweet potatoes, zucchini. Nuts, seeds, and grains: pumpkin seeds, peanuts, millet, flaxseed, cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, oats, barley, walnuts, lentils, soybeans.
Other foods hamsters can eat grasshoppers pet food , mealworms pet food , boiled eggs, plain grasshoppers, plain tofu, whole grain bread, codfish with bones removed , low-fat cottage cheese, brown pasta, unsalted peanut butter. The best thing to feed your dwarf hamster with is a hamster food mix. It has natural veggies and fruits to add some variety and improve the nutrient content of the mix.
It has a great choice of seeds, mealworms, and other healthy treats. This food mix is great for all hamsters, and your pet is definitely going to love it. This mix is full of all the nutrients your dwarf hamster needs to keep a healthy body. Take a look at some of the best and tastiest treats for your furry friend.
Tiny Friends Farm Lovelies This is a well-known brand for hamster treats, and you can be sure that all hamsters are going to love these treats. These treats are safe for both Syrian and dwarf hamsters, and your hamster is surely going to find them satiable.
It includes honey in the food, so hamsters naturally love it. Nuts Your hamster will definitely enjoy all sorts of nuts. Natural sources of fiber, such as timothy hay and alfalfa hay, are good sources of fiber. Another thing that you should know is that Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters absolutely love insects, and you should feed them not all insects if you can.
There are insects that are definitely worth considering: mealworms, wax worms, crickets, and grasshoppers. The general rule is that a single tablespoon of the mix is enough, and mix that with a couple of treats. You should also try to keep it interesting for your pet. Provide your hamster with different types of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds on a daily basis.
This way, all uneaten food will stay in the bowl and be ready to get eaten later. They provide a designated area for feeding and they keep all the leftover food clean. Hamsters also have the habit of filling their cheek pouches with secret stashes of food to build secret food stores near their bed.
This is a natural instinct to keep food hidden away from other animals who may try to steal it. If you have more than a single hamster in the same cage, you may even find hamsters hiding food from one another. Buy a ceramic food bowl, as hamsters are likely to topple a plastic food bowl and the mix will end up all over the place.
You should definitely observe your hamster eating — this is a great way to find out what they like and what they dislike. Hamsters, just like humans, have different taste. For example, they can get sick from eating too much watermelon. Hamsters need a single tablespoon of the mixture a day and adding to that the occasional treat and fresh food — that should be more than enough.
Overfeeding your hamster is bad. Dwarf hamsters have very fast and high metabolisms, and they can eat just as much food as larger hamsters can. Hamsters, as a species, can have problems with certain foods. Almonds contain cyanic acid, which can make your dwarf hamster very sick. Seeds can also be harmful, and most often are, so make sure to remove all seeds from the food before you serve it.
Also, you should always remove uneaten food. Something that you should keep in mind is that dwarf hamsters are prone to diabetes. The main cause of diabetes is poor feeding habits and high-sugar treats that are provided by the owner. This means that the responsibility of keeping your hamster diabetes-free befalls exclusively on your shoulders.
You can recognize the most common symptoms of diabetes as your hamster will start to urinate more frequently and it will become quite lethargic. Consult with a veterinarian if you notice this. A poor diet can also cause diarrhea. You will recognize this by a loose stool, and you should, once again, consult a vet. There are also other symptoms to a sick hamster, and take note that all sicknesses can be caused by an unhealthy diet. If you notice your hamster losing weight, losing fur, breathing in distress, having a nasal discharge or skin lesions, you should take it to a vet.
Hamsters can also develop allergies just like humans do. It could also be microscopic dust in the air. If the problems persist, you should contact a veterinarian. The best way to deal with this is to move the cage away from these fumes. To treat an allergic hamster, firstly remove anything that might be causing the allergy. There are also many treats that are good for your hamster, but you should never overfeed them with treats, as they will lose their point — treats are there to reward your hamster after doing something good.
Know that each individual hamster has individual taste, just like people, so you should adapt your food to your pet. You should feed your hamster twice a day, once in the morning, and once again in the evening. Your hamster should get a full tablespoon of hamster food mixture daily — so give your hamster half a tablespoon of mixture each time you feed it. I wish I knew some of these when I first got my Teddy Syrian male hammy. A word from Teddy How to choose your first hamster The best way to choose a hamster is to look both for a healthy one, but also a even-tempered hamster.
Hamsters are skittish and jumpy by nature, but they should be relatively easy to tame, and not very afraid of you. Most of the health checks are obvious and immediately noticeable, like scabs, missing teeth, bald spots, leaky nose, etc. Now hamsters usually have black eyes, but they can also be dark red, red, or even pink, and some look like a very deep dark blue.
However the color should be clear, with no milky or whitish spots. They should not be hazy. Bright, sparkly, bulging eyes are a trait that hammies are known for. No missing teeth It should be obvious, but a hamster should have all of its teeth. That means 2 pair of front incisors, that you should be able to see clearly. They are very long, especially the bottom pair. Hamster teeth are yellow, sometimes even orange.
You should only worry if you see white teeth, or whitish teeth, since those are signs of an illness or deficiency. Broken, cracked, crossed, or even missing teeth are a bad sign. They can come about from poor handling by the caretakers, or it could be a hereditary problem.
You can find out more about hamster dental issues here, and what to look out for. A pair of clean, thin ears is ideal, with no bite marks or missing bits. Do take note that many hammies have harder ears than the rest of their body. No odd lumps Hamsters are this small ball of fur. But they should have no lumps, since that usually means an odd growth, or tumor, or a possible impacted cheek or abscess. None of those are good news. You might see your preferred hammy with a cheek full, or maybe both.
A note to be mindful of Syrian hammies. I wish I knew this about Teddy, because I was afraid he was sick when I first saw this. Syrian hamsters have two black mole-like spots on their hips, with barely any fur around them. Those are normal, and they are the scent glands. You will probably only notice them of the hamster is licking that spot.
Bald spots, and how the fur looks The fur of a hamster should be fluffy, and clean looking. It should not be particularly shiny, unless the hamster was bred for that purpose.
That being said, no bald spots aside from the scent gland or genital area should be present on the hamster. Any bald spot could be an indication of a skin disease, some of which could be contagious. However some bald spots can simply mean that he hamster somehow hurt himself, and managed to rip some fur off of himself. Be sure to check the habitat the hamster is in for other clues. Are there other hamsters with bald spots? Are they actually scars from fighting? Is there a part of the habitat the hamster could have cut himself on?
Discharge in the eyes or nose or ears A healthy, happy hamster should be completely dry. No discharge or liquids from the ears, nose, tail area, or mouth.
SO it could be that your chosen hamster is sick, or is in the incubation phase. Wet tail, or soiled bottom Wet tail is noticeable if the tail is, well, wet or soiled. You can find out more about wet tail here, and the chances your hamster has of getting it and surviving.
Slender hamster A baby hamster — between 4 and 12 weeks old — should be neither skinny nor fat. This is actually how you should keep him as an adult, as well. An obese baby hamster will have a much shorter life span, and have several health issues, including and not stopping at diabetes and joint problems. An underfed hamster will be noticeable if you hold the hamster and feel its spine and leg bones very clearly. The fur will cheat you there, but you should be able to tell if you look at the head and eyes, and how plump the skin is there.
You can find out more about how big a hamster can get, depending on his breed. No weird smells An odd smell coming from your hamster is not a good sign.
Hamsters are actually incredibly clean animals, and they clean themselves regularly, several times a day, very thoroughly. They have no scent that a human can detect, aside from female hamsters in heat.
So if your hamster smells odd, you should check it for any signs of infection as well. It could be that the hamster has an abscess in his mouth possibly because if a bad tooth and that could be the source.
This is what I wish I knew before I got Teddy. You see, I wanted an orange hammy, and that was it. I had no idea about hamster breeds, temperaments, calmness, and so on. In time I saw that my Teddy is a bit of a despot, if you will.
He must know, he must see, he will have his way, and he always has something to object. A bit annoying, but still a lovable ball of fur. Just not what I had in mind when I decided I want a hamster. I wanted a cuddly, friendly hammy, who will sleep on my shoulder and want to play all the time. Again, I knew absolutely nothing about hamsters. Still, you can look at a few things when selecting your new hamster: Is he afraid or just cautious?
He should want to come closer if you reach for him, but not too confidently. Does the hamster run away as soon as it sees anyone? Hamsters are shy, yes, but an extra shy hamster who bolts into his hideout all the time is very hard to tame.
Does he look mostly calm and curious? Hamsters are notoriously hyper, and older hammies are calmer than babies. Syrians are calmer than Dwarf types. Depends on what kind of hammy you want. Might be best to stay away from that one, he will be harder to tame. Is the hamster trying to attack you? Best to leave him be and find a different one. They can be traumatised, however, so be gentle with them. Hamsters are always on the move and are curious about a million things at a time, but still, if you put your hand on the cage, he should notice it and try to come closer.
Your petshop should be able to let you handle the hammy before you walk out with him. Male or female hamster This is up to you, and your preference. Males are generally a bit calmer, and easier to handle than females. Females come into heat every few days, about once a week. They become very irritable and a bit smelly in that period. You can recognize male hammies by the genital openings. In males the genital and anal opening are far apart, and do have fur between the two spots.
Some hamster types may have a scent gland on the abdomen, so it will look like a third opening. Female hamsters have the obligatory and noticeable rows on nipples, and the genital and anal openings very close together. It will look like a bit of a bald spot with two pink dots. This means no surprise, unplanned litters. If your hammy is a pregnant female and you only just found out, congratulations on your new litter!
Which hamster breed to get When it comes to the hamster breed, this is again up to you and your preference. There are two main types of hamsters available — Syrian and Dwarf hamsters. No hamster ever sits in one place for more than a few seconds, but Dwarves are terrible at it.
I have a Syrian male, and I sometimes have trouble keeping up with him. Actually, Dwarf types are harder to handle, and as such are best left as observational pets.
A bit like fish, but cuddly and much faster. Make sure you get home and have his cage set up beforehand. You can read here about the recommended cage sizes for each hamster type, and how to pick one out for your hamster.
Toys and food bowl, should be available and already in place when your hammy comes home for the first time. As well as a running wheel for your hamster, and browsing a nice selection according to hamster breed will be useful to pick out a good exercise wheel. And finally, a bit of food and a treat in his cage will help your hamster settle in easier. This means that the hamster himself will be the last thing you buy when you decide to get this cuddly pet.
The transition from being with his siblings, and then being put in a box, and then put in another box is very disorienting and stressful, and hamsters are very very bad at handling stress. Open a side of the box, and from then on leave the hammy alone.
Talk to him when you walk past his cage, and dedicate some minutes every day to just let him smell you. Do not touch or try to handle him at all for a couple of days.
Is a hamster really the pet for you? This is a question you should ask yourself very seriously. Me included. In this respect, a hamster is more like a cat, if you will. He has a lot of personality, for being so incredibly small. And he can be aloof and hard to read sometimes. And they are definitely not suited for small children, no matter what else you hear. If you want to get a more in-depth view on what owning a hamster is like, and some pros and cons, you need to check this article.
A word from Teddy I hope you found what you were looking for here, and know how to pick out the best hammy.
I know us hamsters can be the cutest things ever, but we have our own personalities. So, make sure you check out the health and personality of your new friend before bringing him home. If you want to know more about us hammies, you should check out the related articles below for more info Table of Contents So do hamsters need their nails trimmed?
When do hamsters need their nails trimmed? Yes, but ONLY in cases of overgrown nails. This is not something you should do regularly, like with your own human nails. Hamsters usually trim their nails by climbing, grooming, digging, foraging.
This is where you, as a responsible hamster owner, will come in and help the hamster take care of himself. Leave healthy nails alone. They should have a bit of length to them, because the hamster uses them for climbing and getting a grip. They might break at some point, and they can and do fall off. Hamsters usually wear down their nails by the usual things they do. Digging a tunnel into the earth, making their nest, foraging for food, running around, grooming themselves, climbing on op of rocks, and so on.
The ones he does do, are on softer material like wood shavings and paper bedding. This means that sometimes, some hamsters get overgrown nails. That can be fixed. After all, no one trims them in the wild. This means that your pet hamster will need your help for several reasons.
First an overgrown nail will curve in on itself and become painful for the hamster. Second, nails too long will make grooming painful for the hamster. When he grooms, he also grabs onto his fur and hold it in place to clean it. Third, overgrown nails, if left unattended will fall off.
But this is never a pleasant ans simple process. So they end up bending over backwards, for lack of a better term. The nail will not simply fall off, it will hang in there for a couple of days, until the new nail grows back. These are all things that can be avoided. Not all hamsters get overgrown nails.
Hamsters are notorious for not staying put, and squirming. Your hamster should first of all be comfortable with being held.
Some hamsters will be okay with being on their backs, some will not. Another could be the hamster just being on all 4 and you holding one of his paws.
If you think you need help, ask a friend to hole the hamster while you trim the nails. Do expect fidgeting, and do expect squirming, maybe even a few protesting sounds. No hamster likes being held for this. Also be aware that even if your hamster might get relaxed enough to let you hold him, the sound of the nail being clipped can spook him. So be prepared for anything. But look at where the nail starts, from the finger. Its very small, and very short, about the size of a couple of grains of sand.
While very small, that little pink cloudy part is crucial. Do not cut into it. It has lots of blood vessels, and cutting into it is like cutting into the neat right under your nail. When you cut the nail part, the translucent part of the nail, make sure you leave at least as much nail as the pink part.
That means if there are 2 grains of sand of quick, then you should leave 2 grains of sand of transparent nail on your hamster. Seeing a vet for professional help Getting your hamster to a veterinarian to help trim his nails is probably the best decision.
Also, in the case of a bleeding accident, he will have a solution to stop the bleeding and disinfect everything. Preventing overgrown hamster nails Preventing is always much easier than treating. But for this we need to look at why hamster nails can become overgrown in the first place. Usually hamsters wear them down with their day-to-day activities in the wild. So you will need to provide your hamster with a few hard, rugged surfaces to walk over or climb onto. For example a few flat stones from your garden rinsed and dried, of course arranged around his cage are going to help.
Try to keep your hamster's cage away from drafty windows. You might want to invest in a heat lamp if it's difficult to keep the room warm. Hamsters are nocturnal. They love to play, eat, and exercise in the dark! Something as simple as your hamster slipping out of your hands and onto the floor can be deadly for your pet.
It's important to be very careful when you, a friend, or a child are handling your hamster. If you allow your hamster to run and explore outside of their cage, make sure you prevent injury and keep them in a safe, enclosed area. For instance, a fall off of a bed could mean a severe injury and a trip to the vet for your pet. Hamsters are inquisitive creatures by nature and love to explore their cages, creating tunnels and hiding beneath their bedding.
While wild hamsters can sometimes hibernate in the winter, most domestic hamsters do not. Hamsters only hibernate if they're in an unusually cold environment. They then move around to find food to eat, water to drink, or if they are scouring for extra materials for their nest. If you think your hamster might be hibernating, there are a couple of tricks to get your hamster up and moving again.
Hamsters prefer warm climates, and if it gets too cold, they can go into hibernation. You don't need a stethoscope for this. Just look closely at your hamster, if they've gone into hibernation, they will be taking very slow breaths.
It may be difficult to see whether or not your pet is breathing. You might need to remove your hamster from their cage carefully. Try not to worry if your hamster feels cold. Hibernation can trigger low body temperature. Apply slight pressure very gently on their chest to feel for a heartbeat. If you are concerned your hamster isn't hibernating and might be sick or worse, dying, it's essential to consult a veterinarian.
There is no way to know for sure, but there are a few telltale signs your hamster might be dying of old age. You might notice your pet's eyes are dull.
Their fur may become thinner than usual. You may notice decreased appetite unrelated to illness, or change in normal behavior such as they might begin to urinate where they nest. Tragically, a hamster's lifespan is only around two years. Hamsters can die suddenly due to old age, even while engaging in normal activities.
Your hamster might be enjoying their favorite activity such as running on their exercise wheel or nibbling away on their favorite snack when they pass away. If you notice your hamster isn't moving and feels stiff to the touch, it is possible your pet has passed away. For many, the loss of your pet is similar to the loss of a family member and a heavy load to bear.
While some people prefer to discuss their feelings with loved ones, others would rather spend time alone while they heal. Remember, your hamster may not be with you for your whole life, but to your pet, you made their life whole. Also, please check 37 Hamster Care Tips that will take you to the next level , your pet might not live as long as you but give them a chance to see you grow by taking care of them. Happy caring! I have had two Syrian Golden hamsters die, each a week after they arrived from different pet stores.
The habitat, food, bedding, etc. It cannot be a coincidence that both hamsters died so soon after arriving. Any ideas? Thank you. I would consult with a local veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets before bringing home another hamster. This could have been a disease transmitted over the gear that you were using. I bought two hamsters from different pet stores as well, and they were fine the day before they passed.
He was 2. He died in my arms. He saved me, he loved me, he got me thru the death of of my black lab of 14 yrs. I will miss him terribly. Thank God he died in my arms, and went quickly. I just picked up his ashes so that he will be with me always. I had to gave my daughters hamster euthanized today… she was over 2 yrs old, developed wet tail…we got her treated with antibiotics from vet and she seemed to perk up for days… then deteriorated and became so lethargic and dehydrated despite me syringe feeding her electrolyte fluids as advised..
She was a beautiful pet, so friendly… we will miss her. RiP Pip. Could of be covid?
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