hamster care

Hamster

Some Background

Hamsters are delightful little pets for young and old alike. They're furry, friendly, easily tamed and provide educational enrichment and entertainment for you and your family. They don't need special or hard-to-get foods and they require very little space.
The majority of Hamsters available today as pets are descended from what was once a rare species of rodent discovered in Syria. In 1930, a zoology professor rescued and raised a family of hamsters and they became the source of every golden hamster today.
Because they're a member of the rodent family, hamsters are nest builders and like to nibble. They also enjoy acrobatics and will spend a lot of time playing in exercise wheels, pet houses, and tunnels.

Equipment List
Planning on keeping a hamster as a pet? This is what you'll need to get started:
· 10"x18" cage or 10 gal. aquarium tank
· bedding
· chips
· water bottle
· food dish
· exercise wheel/play equipment
· food

The Hamsters Home

The best way to house your new hamster is in a metal cage or aquarium tank about 10"x18" in size (a ten gallon tank is just about right). The tank or cage should be at least ten or twelve inches high so that there's plenty of room for play. If you're going to use an aquarium, be sure you get a well-fitting screen to fit over the top. This lets in fresh air and keeps the hamsters inside.
Be sure to use litter and bedding material that is not toxic for your hamster. If in doubt, check with your vet. About 1-1/2 inches of bedding is enough. You can add cardboard tubes from paper towel and toilet paper rolls for your hamster to make nests and tunnels. Hamsters are industrious nest builders and will gnaw and shred almost anything soft to make an area for sleeping. Items that are safe for hamsters to gnaw on include clean fabric pieces (natural fabrics) and cardboard.
Other cage necessities are a water bottle, food dish and an exercise wheel or play equipment. For water, just hang a water bottle from the top of the cage or tank so that they can drink while standing up on their hind legs. Exercise wheels, tunnels, houses, ladders and play pieces, all available at Pets Plus should be sturdy and safely designed with no openings to snag your hamster's feet.

Feeding

Feed your hamster daily and about the same time each day. Since hamsters are nocturnal animals, early evening is a good time, because that's when hamsters usually wake up. The basic hamster diet consists of a daily serving of pelletized food designed to feed rats, mice, gerbils or hamsters. These pellets are nutritionally complete and also meet the hamster's need to gnaw.
Hamsters also enjoy treats and hide them in their pouches in their mouths for safekeeping and snacking later. The best treats are pieces of fresh produce from your refrigerator. Small chunks of fruits, vegetables, and cabbage or lettuce leaves will help round out your hamster's diet. They also like sunflower seeds and raisins, but be sure you don't overindulge them, and limit treats to once or twice a week.

Basic Care

You should change the bedding or litter in your hamster's home at least once a week and fill the water bottle as needed with fresh water. Keep your hamster in a room with a temperature averaging 65-75 degrees, and don't subject him to radical temperature changes or drafts, especially if you're using a cage instead of a tank.

Escape

Another concern for hamster owners is escape. You can prevent escape with a snug-fitting top screen for your tank or a secure latch for a cage. If your pet has escaped, immediately close the door to the room. As you search the room, be quiet, calm and thorough. When you find your pet, gently extend your open palm, just like you do inside the cage or tank. Hamsters will also usually respond to a new paper tube and crawl right in. Above all, don't panic or frighten your pet. If you can't find him, you might try leaving the cage door open. In time, he'll probably return home on his own.
In good health, you can expect your hamster to live to be three or more years old. In that time, they can become an enjoyable and educational part of your family and your life.

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Toilet training for hamsters

Hamster in general is a clean animal. Unlike mice, hamsters in their natural lives in holes so their instinct to go to the toilet in one place. All animals can be trained to use the toilet / litter box (litter box). And easier to teach them when young.

there is way to hamster cage how to make the famous "smell" the smell diminished. Believe it or not, hamsters can train themselves to use the toilet / litter box, even though the help of the owner is very helpful. Every modern hamster home should have one litter box / toilet. There are several types of toilets / litter box on the market.

Misuse problems

Often you find that your hamster to use the other toilet. Some use the toilet properly and some are using it as a place to store food, eating and sleeping. The solution is to give the former close the lid jars like peanut-butter and put the dirt in it. Let your hamster eat litter box. Leather remnants seeds left in the toilet showed that hamsters know how the toilet is often cleaned and the remaining grain leather missing .. But do not let your hamster keep anything in the toilet. If you clean the toilets on a regular basis, even if your hamster does not use it, it will make hamsters are interested in creating trash or the remnants of grain husks and pee in the toilet, but no dirt (usually dry and not smelly). Giving more than one hamster in some places also a good idea.


The main problem, you may find them nesting in the toilet. This is not to be changed so try just give an alternative residence. Hiding boxes, tunnels, playhouse. Put the snack food, mats and soft materials can also help.

Placement

Note the placement of toilets in the cage. Placement is very important to the toilet hamsters. Most hamsters will be to the nearest corner with a bottle of water. They usually grooming there. So this place is clearly the best choice. But you must put your hamster where normal urine. Also be helped by putting some powder / base that has urinated by hamster down the toilet as a sign or angler.

Cleaning

For toilet sand, you can buy a hamster toilet articles. Every day or every other day, the dirt must be cleaned with a shovel available. If no, you can use a plastic fork. At the time cleaning the cage, remove all the sand clean toilets and toilets and replace with new sand toilet

In short, to have a modern hamster home, should be complemented with sufficient ventilated toilet. Most toilets are sold with Hamster's scoop. If you can not use a plastic fork. With this toilet training, you can clean the cage is not as often as you did before and the smell was reduced and better than ever.

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Nutrition and Diet for Hamster

Hamster Treat (snack or meal break) could be a special and useful at the same time. Additional fruit and vegetables has been registered, there are several other foods that can be considered to be a treat hamsters, but the dietitian considers materials nutritious dietary supplement. Like:

Eggs: Hamsters love hard-boiled eggs and egg contains high protein. Boiled eggs good for mothers who are pregnant hamsters and children are still young. But somehow, the egg should be given once in a while. Eggs that are not eaten within 24 hours after being given. must be removed from the cage so that the eggs do not rot in the cage.

Fish Oil: Rich in vitamins A and D, a few drops of fish oil that dripped on the hamster food can be given once a week.

Meat: Providing meat for the hamster has been debated for years. Some people believe the provision will encourage the emergence of the meat-eater properties within hamster. However, there are some reports of the breeders who provide the meat regularly and never had (had) a cannibal hamsters. Meat can be given a small piece of beef or lamb meat (avoid giving pork), canned dog food or meal worms, which is a favorite hamster.

Milk: the fundamental problem of feeding the milk should be given in a container, which can be shed. Milk can become stale in a relatively fast if the weather is hot. Because of these problems, milk is rarely given to hamsters. Good milk given to mothers who are pregnant hamsters, hamsters children, and a sick hamster. Be sure to remove the container and wash thoroughly before the milk becomes stale.

Mixed Bird Food: Another ideal supplement it, is the grain sold for canaries and budgerigars. Giving can be done once a week by mixing it with food a hamster or a teaspoon full.

Monkey Food: The food quality monkey was packed with many nutrients such as: corn, basil Gan dung, eggs, yeast to make beer, a variety of proteins, etc.. Like other treats, it is recommended to not give it more than once a week. As for the cat treats and dog biscuits, monkey food is also good to sharpen the teeth hamsters.

Leaven: Rich in vitamin B are beneficial for the nervous system and is useful for reducing stress. (Stress is the main cause that led to hamsters exposed to the disease, his particular wet tail). Provision of yeast once a week, very good to prevent many diseases. Give a handful of nutritional yeast once a week. (Yeast is not nutritious and hamsters bitter taste you will like the taste). As an alternative, yeast tablets that can be found in the pet shop for dogs and cats, can be given once a week. (When providing this yeast tablets, use plain yeast tablets, do not contain garlic, because garlic is too hard for the hamster kidney).

THE CONTAINER OR NOT??

Placed on the floor of the cage or in a bowl (container)? Due to the hamster known as hider (diggers), many opinions that say that his food is better placed on the floor of the cage. Conversely, if you can get used to getting their food in the container, the hamster will see the food in the container as "heaps of food" and they do not feel the need to dig because of the continuous food supply. Mother hamsters are usually brought little food we have provided to the nest for her children and a few hamsters that carry food into the nest as a snack when they sleep all day.

If the food in place in container of food, it will show whether the hamster ate the food or not. But if the food was just put in a cage (without food containers), then we will not be able to tell if hamsters eat food or not. Seeds that do not run out (the rest of the food containers), each day must be discarded and replaced by new ones.

DIET hamsters balanced

Well-balanced diet provides all the necessary ingredients to keep hamsters remained in good health. Some require additional food from other foods so the body can utilize food effectively.

Basic ingredients for a balanced diet are:
1. Protein
2. Carbohydrates and Fats
3. Vitamins
4. Mineral
5. White Water

Protein: It is beneficial for growth and is especially important for pregnant hamsters and hamster kids. A good source of protein is barley's (a kind of grain used for beer), beans, corn, beans, wheat and peas.

Carbohydrates and Fats: Provides energy and body heat, but if consumed in excess will be stored in the body as fat which can lead to obesity, which will cause a problem for breeding and health issues. Sources of carbohydrates include: sugar, yeast, potatoes and milk. Carbohydrate source is also a source of fat include: barley's (a kind of wheat used for beer), maize, and wheat.

Vitamins: Only a few vitamins are needed, but they are required to keep your hamster healthy. Lack of vitamins can cause several health problems.

1. Vitamin A
Source: Carrots, Dandelions (sort of yellow flower of grass), green vegetables, hay.
As a result, if deficiencies: Diarrhea, slow growth.

2. Vitamin B
Source: Bacteria wheat, yeast, meat, liver.
As a result, if deficiencies: Diarrhea, slow growth.
Vitamin D affects the nervous system and the provision of regularly can effectively treat stress. One of the main causes of many illnesses, particularly wet tail.

3. Vitamin C
Source: Vegetables and fresh fruits.
As a result, if deficiencies: skin disease (scabies), the body is swollen.

4. Vitamin D
Source: Fish oil, bacteria, wheat, green vegetables.
Result if the deficiency: rickets.

5. Vitamin E
Source: bacteria wheat, green vegetables.
As a result, if deficiencies: skin disorders, poor reproductive system.
Minerals: Minerals are also needed with only very small amounts. Mineral resources include: milk, vegetables and rice seeds.
White Water: Better put in a hamster water bottle placed in the container compared. Because the water in the container can easily be shed.

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Hamster foods

Many people who want to keep hamsters ask, what is the appropriate food for hamsters? We need to remember that hamster comes from sub-tropical grasslands. Thus, predictable that where she came from hamsters eat seeds. Only by giving one type of feed the hamster is unwise, because the hamster's nutritional needs would not be fulfilled. Here is a suitable feed for the hamsters:


Peanut

Peanuts are high in fat. Peanut important to make a hamster feel full. Fat will be stored for energy reserves. Provision of peanuts should not be too much. It is important to avoid obesity in hamsters. In addition, excess fat can cause heart attacks.


Sunflower Seed

sunflower nut very well liked. Most people identify sunflower seeds as the only hamster food. Yet this is not true. Just give hamsters with sunflower seeds will cause hamsters are malnourished and obesity as sunflower seeds high in fat. Like giving peanut, sunflower seeds given should be limited. It is true that hamsters love sunflower seeds, however, it is wise if we are to control their appetite. Sunflower seeds can also be used to tame hamsters. By providing sunflower seeds using our hands, over time the hamster will get used to our hands and it gets easier to hold.


Soybean

Soybean seeds are rich in protein. Providing good soybean given to hamsters in order to grow and thrive. In addition, dried soy beans good for hamsters because sharpen teeth hard. Please note Word press hamster teeth continue to grow and needs to be sharpened so that not too long.


Green beans

Green beans have lots of vitamins in it. Vitamins are absolutely necessary for a regulator substance in the body. Hard green beans are good for sharpening the teeth hamsters.


Red rice
Brown rice contains many carbohydrates. Carbohydrates as a source of energy needed to perform various activities. If hamsters lack of carbohydrates, energy needs will be taken from fat, so that over time can be a thin hamsters. Red rice is also good for brain development.


Grain

Grains such as rice is the main source of carbohydrates. Providing enough grain to ensure the hamster's energy needs will be fulfilled. In addition, the provision in the form of grain, ensuring a hamster eat grain husk, which is rich in pro-vitamin D.


Concentrate

Concentrate is a mixture of different types of food that was mixed by the manufacturer. Giving concentrate is also important to meet the balanced nutritional needs. Provision must be accompanied by the provision of concentrated drinking enough water because it usually concentrates cause thirst.


Carrot

Carrots are one of the best vegetables for hamsters. Carrots contain substances that can prevent cancer. Carrot carrot offered was a large local and in fresh condition but still young (not woody). Carrots are not recommended because it imports allegedly containing preservatives and pesticides to keep up appearances hamsters. Giving carrots also keeps for eye health, particularly in the albino hamster / red eyes. Hamster-known red-eyed hamsters susceptible to cataracts. If the hamster cages are drinking bottles, food delivery is 1 slice of carrot per cow. If the cage was not given a bottle to drink, giving carrots can also be used as a substitute for drinking water. Syrian hamsters were given for 3 slices of carrots per cow per day. As for mini hamsters, just 2 slices of carrots per cow per day. For pregnant and lactating hamsters, needs to give more. Changing the drinking water with the carrots is not recommended because it can cause continuous hamster cage urine and scent faster. This method may be applied to emergency conditions, for example: broken water bottle.

Tip: to maintain the quality of carrots that are not quickly decay, select a large carrot and smooth. Do not wash carrots. cut both ends of the carrots before storage. Both ends of the carrot is the first point of decay. Store in sealed container (such as jars), and put in the refrigerator. Carrots will not lose its quality.


Bean sprouts

Sprouts are sprouts from green beans. Enough given little sprouts every day. Sprouts contain lots of vitamin K is good for maintaining the fertility of hamsters.


Water

All living things need water. So did hamsters. Although the hamsters from the prairie regions of minimal water, hamsters still need water. Water can be given in a hamster water bottle can be purchased on the market. In the emergency needs, water can be replaced with carrots. Water needs will increase dramatically during hamster pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

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types of hamster

There are many types of Hamsters in the world and almost there in every country, but only a few species are commonly kept as pets.

Syrian

A. Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

was first discovered in 1930 by I.aharoni years, a university professor of zoology habrew, yerusalem.hamster was first found in an eight-foot long hole in the desert of Aleppo, hamsters siria.oleh this because it is known by name of Syrian hamsters (Syrian hamster).

- Age 2 to 2.5 years, when cared for properly.
- Length from 15 to 20 cm when grown.
- Macam2 Syrian hamsters: (short hair, long hair, rex, satin).

Campbell

B. Hamster CAMPBELL (sungoris Phodopus campbelli)
was first discovered in 1905 by thomas yrs campbell.hamster comes from middle asia, particularly common in Mongolian region and northeast China.

- 1,5 - 2 years, if treated decently.
- Length from 9 to 12 cm, when grown up.
- Macam2 hamster Campbell:
(albino, panda, black bear, argenté, opal, blue, etc.)
- Campbell hamster pregnancy from 18 to 21 days.

Roborovski

C. Roborovski hamster (Phodopus roborovskii)
hamster is derived from Mongol and eastern parts of west and north cina.roborovski live in a hole as deep as 50 to 150 cm.

- Ages 3.5 to 4 years if treated decently.
- Length of 4 to 5 inches when adult.
- Macam2 hamster Roborovski: (normal, white face).

djungarian_hamster

D. WINTER WHITE Hamster (Phodopus sungorus sungorus)

was first discovered as a material used in winter white 1770.nama yr-given in this hamster based on coat color changes when there is a change suhu.pada winter, hamster fur will change to white and back to the original color in the summer.
winter white hamster comes from the eastern and southeastern Siberia kazakhastan.

- 1,5 - 2 years if treated decently.
- Length from 7 to 9 cm when grown.
- Macam2 winter white hamster:
(normal, sapphire, pearl, golden)

chinese_hamster1

E. Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus)

these hamsters come from China and northern regions, including the long-tailed hamster kluarga.

- Ages 2 to 4 years, if treated decently.
- The maximum length can reach 10 cm.
- Macam2 Chinese hamster: (normal, white, berbintik2).

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how to understand your hamster

Hamsters including types of rodents. There are several types of hamsters are spread throughout the world, including Syrian hamsters are the most commonly known and Little Russian Hamster.

He is a nocturnal animal, who slept during the day and is active in the afternoon and evening. Bad eye sight, but smell and sharp hearing.

He has the cheek pouch that can expand, where she kept the food will be brought to the nest.

Syrian hamster comes from the desert in the Middle East where he lived in holes in the dunes is the most common type kept as they may be held by small children with ease. Adult animals measuring 17-22 cm long.

Little Campbell Russian hamster comes from the prairie of Central Asia (Russia, Mongolia and the northwestern part of China).

Adult animals measuring 10-12 cm long, females slightly longer than the males. Average age of 2 to 2 ½ years, although he could live a little longer.

In many countries (especially in America and Europe), the hamster is now a small pet that is very popular.

Maintenance.

Hamsters kept in cages, made of wire or glass aquarium. Because of sharp teeth, wood or bamboo are used inappropriately. Cage floor was covered with shavings need a saw or rice husk can absorb urine. Swatch Swatch-paper can be provided as a nest. He will hoard food and put the baby (if any) in this nest.

Hamster is an animal who likes cleanliness. If the cage is big enough, he will use one corner of the cage as a toilet and another angle as a nest.

Food

Hamster food in general is grains (rice / rice, bread, corn) and vegetables (like carrots, cucumbers and beans). High protein foods such as meat or milk, are also important, especially when the babies or growing in hamster mothers who are pregnant or are having a baby If the food contains enough fluids, drinking water is not needed.

Hamsters have a cheek pouch in which he gathered food. He pushed the food into a bag that will expand and take it to the nest. Here food was issued to the shock. Layer in the cheek pouch is very soft, so that food can hurt him sharp.

Besides, he needs to get extra protein, such as or pellets.

Breeding.

Hamsters have an average baby 8. But she could give birth to 16 babies at once.

In general, he began to give birth after the age of 3-4 months, although sometimes there is also the beginning gave birth to the age of 1 month. Babies can be born every 3 weeks, if the mother's health condition good enough hamsters. Bad food (eg lack of protein) will result in busy looking for additional proteins by eating her own baby (cannibals).

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how to care for hamsters

Here are some common mistakes made by beginners hamster owners:

1.give them vegetables, carrots or fresh corn as the main menu. Believe me this will only hurt you! Digestion hamsters are not designed to digest foods that contain high humidity like this. If you do not believe it, try to carefully state your hamster cage, is it always looks wet and dirty? This resulted from the provision of fresh vegetables that you give every day! Try changing your hamsters diet more in line with the dry hamster food you can find in the pet store or supermarket. In Indonesia are available and some brands such as: Ultra Blend, XtraVital, Vitakraft, Hamsfood, Hagen, Minimal Goods, Hartz, Nutriblocks, and many others. You can just select them in accordance with the financial and your hamster needs.

Additional

2. put sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds as food supplements. "Hamsters I like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, otherwise they would not eat anything else." Perhaps you do not know if you love this act actually even kill your hamster. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds is one of the easier foods preferred by hamsters, but the provision of large amounts of lead several things including: obesity, lack of calcium so that bones and teeth growth becomes inhibited, abnormalities in the birth process (this is due to fat content is too high on sunflower seeds). The most common case is the last place, abnormalities in the birth process. These abnormalities result in miscarriage hamster babies that claimed the soul of the mother and her children. So be careful in feeding your hamster! Love is not "spoil!

3.giving milk powder or liquid for human milk in hamsters. Some people do this and they complain that their hamster fur became thin and fall out. It has not proven clinically but it's better to prevent than to cure. Formulated milk for people to be better human beings should not be given to the animals. Use the special milk for the hamsters! That's much better. Besides giving this milk also does not show impressive benefits but feeding routine is even much trouble you.

4.giving snack too much. Snack should be given only once a week, if too often ... you'll lose've bought hamster food for not fully consumed. Just like a child who was given a choice between vegetables and his favorite cake, hamsters would prefer his favorite snack. But once again we could not feed chocolate cake every day as the primary food for our children right?

Similarly, hamsters! Providing a snack too often will result in nutritional imbalances which had actually been weighed and studied in particular by the experts who have hamster food mix. This would have a negative effect later on, especially when hamsters give birth and breastfeeding. If you feel 'not stand' and want to snack more than once a week, you can weigh the wisdom of snacks that you provide. In accordance with the hamster digestive system is less able to accept the food with high humidity levels choose snacks that 'dry' as beans, bread, biscuits, cereal and others. Was to give fruit once a week. Fourth. Ie drink from the hamster itself. Hamsters get water from vegetables. or as you too often give Prepare specials vegetables hamsters drink bottles sold in the pet store. Oh yes do not forget. Hamster drink water in the cooking water taps do not cation remaining germs. Cleanliness should also cleaned a bottle. Do not also provide human milk milk cation only hamsters. Oh yes the bottle should not leak. home flood again later.
The Fifth.

Other tips.

1. Hamster Never was wet. May still be bathed but do not get wet because the hamster is really very sensitive. if already wet to dry immediately. actually hamster has a way for a bath .
2. Do male and female hamsters in one cage. Was predictable they would fight . Bet! So should be separate . For slowly mating their first might be fight .
3. Any questions leave comments! .
4. List ignorance

1.Hamster dried under the sun. Hamsters are nocturnal animals. They are a nocturnal animal. In the wild they sleep during the day in those holes that can reach depths of 10 to 20 meters below the ground surface and coming out at night to find food. So they do not need sunlight. Few enough ... No need to 'dried'.

2.Hamster washed with water. Hamsters are vulnerable to water and humidity. Hamster comes from the dry desert. If your hamster is healthy and in prime condition may get wet no problem, but if the conditions are affected by declining water can mean death for them. Wet hamster should be dried quickly or they got the flu, then continued to pneumonia and ended in death. So do not take the risk to action this unnecessary.

Hamster parent 3. separates of her babies. It sounds stupid but believe many people who do not intentionally do this because of their fear of the gossip about the 'hamster-eating children'. Mother hamster healthy and quite friendly with humans will not eat children for no apparent reason! So do not separate mothers and babies because the babies would die quickly from cold and do not get milk.

4.Hamster fell from a height. If your hamster is new, try to hold the hamster in a sitting position so if you fall hamster will not be too high. This is the most common mistakes people make. Hamsters of the new arrivals are still feels foreign to you and with the environment and tends to jump suddenly. So you have to anticipate this before

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my Cute hamster

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