Hamster Care Sheet

Curious, adorable, and huge personalities!

Average Lifespan: 2–3 years (Oldest Hamster lived to be 7 and was a Teddy Bear Hamster)
Full Grown Size: Varies by Species
Minimum Enclosure Size: About 2 Sq. Feet per Hamster

Introduction to Hamsters

Hamsters are little creatures with big attitudes. Loved for their adorable face and active lifestyle, these pets are often purchased not knowing how to properly care for them. One of the biggest complaints of new owners is that hamsters are nocturnal, so they are most active at night. This means that you don’t get to see your hamster playing as much as you would like and at night they are pretty noisy, which can disrupt your sleep.

Hamsters require gentle handling and need to be held often so they stay social and get used to their owners.

How To Determine Gender

The best way to determine gender is to look at the distance between the genital openings and the anus; on a female this area will be much shorter than on a male. Males usually develop noticeable testicles after about 4 weeks old. Female hamsters also develop noticeable nipples around this time.

Should They Be Housed Alone?

Whether they should be housed alone depends entirely on the breed of hamster. For instance; -Teddy bear hamsters can be aggressive to their own kind and should be kept alone.

-Chinese and Dwarf Winter White Russian hamsters can be kept in same-sex groups or pairs as long as they are introduced at an early age.

Healthy Diet

A well-balanced diet is very important to keep your hamster healthy. Hamsters are omnivores, so they like a variety of foods and need a good variety to keep them healthy.

• Your pet should always have access to clean, fresh water that is changed at least once a day.
• A high-quality pelleted food formulated for hamsters should be offered regularly.
• It is a good idea to always offer Timothy hay.
• Small amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs can be offered once a day.
• Occasional treats such as; nuts, boiled eggs, mealworms, and more can be offered but not in excess.

Proper Enclosure/ Setup Description

Hamsters love big cages with lots of things to do. For a hamster, you will need a big cage with a solid floor. A water bottle with a metal spout should be used in the lue of a bow. A medium-sized food bowl should be placed in the cage, just make sure it is shallow enough for your hamster to crawl out of it.

You should buy a hamster house or nest box for your hamster to hide, hoard food, and feel safe. Chew toys are also mandatory as the hamster will need a way to keep its teeth filed down. Also, a wheel or ball is needed because hamsters need lots of exercise to stay healthy.

Cover wired floors to prevent injury and increase the comfort and stability of your pet. The bottom of the cage should be filled with Aspen shavings or paper bedding. Avoid cedar or pine shavings! The substrate should be between 3 and 6 inches deep to provide your hamster room to burrow.

Signs The Pet Is Healthy

When getting a pet hamster you should pay attention to these things to ensure your new pet is healthy;

-The hamsters’ eyes should be bright and free from discharge.

-Your rat’s coat should be full and shiny. The ur around the nose and eyes should be dry and free of staining.

-Your hamster’s teeth should not be overgrown, misaligned, or chipped. The gums of a rat should not be red or swollen.

-You should not be able to hear the hamsters breathing; look for signs of congestion like wheezing.

-Hamsters should be inquisitive and never lethargic.

Things You Should Keep In Mind When Getting A Hamster

Hamsters do not like water, so to help them keep themselves clean, a sand bath should be offered at least once a week.

Some hamsters do not like to be held and are not a good pet for children, They are fragile, small, and fast. When frightened they may nip.

Make sure to research your hamsters’ breed specifically for temperament.

Photo by Doina Gavrilov on Unsplash