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.