|
for a |  Hamster
Hamsters make delightful family pets. They sleep during the
day and become active in the evening, ideal for many family schedules. Most hamsters, including Syrian hamsters, are solitary
and must be kept alone. Occasionally, dwarf hamsters may be social and prefer to live in pairs or groups, however you should
have an extra cage available in case they need to be separated. | General | Most hamsters are easy
to handle once they learn to trust you. Allow your new pet a few days to settle into its new home before picking it up. Offering
food from your hand helps to build confidence. Regular exercise in a safe area outside the cage is important, but wait for
your hamster to wake up on its own, have a snack, and go to the bathroom before you take it out of its cage. Never wake a
sleeping hamster as it may become irritable and bite. | Housing | Syrian hamsters need a cage of about 24 x 16 x 12 in, with
a solid bottom and a wire top. An easy way to provide adequate space is to connect several smaller cages with Habitrail type
tunnels. Add a sleeping house, filled with nesting material like shredded paper or hay, and choose toys such as a solid wheel
(no open rungs), ladders, and ramps. Hamsters love burrowing in a deep layer of safe bedding such as Aspen shavings, or Carefresh.
Avoid aromatic cedar and pine beddings. Dwarf hamsters are safer in a large aquarium or specially designed cage, as they may
squeeze through regular cage bars. | Diet | A healthy diet is based on dry food consisting of pellets
and a small amount of seeds, both freely available at all times. Use lab blocks designed for hamsters rather than pellets
to provide an especially nutritious diet. Provide a handful of fresh vegetables and fruit each evening. Hamsters are omnivores
and though most people keep them on a vegetarian diet, they can also eat foods such as nuts, mealworms, yogurt, cottage cheese,
tofu and lean cooked meat. Fresh water should always be available in a sipper bottle. | Cleaning | Spot-clean
soiled areas daily and wash the cage bottoms, food dishes and water bottles weekly. Always rinse and dry well before adding
fresh bedding. Reusing some of the old nesting material will help your hamster will feel comfy and at home. | Fertility | Separate Syrian hamsters according to their sex by 3 weeks of age to avoid health risks and unwanted babies. Dwarf hamsters
can produce babies every 3 weeks if males and females are not kept apart.
| Health | Be alert
and consult a vet if you notice signs of illness or injury such as: lack of droppings or soft droppings; excessive drinking
or urinating; dirty, wet or patchy fur; sneezing, wheezing or runny nose; limping, cuts or bumps, bleeding from any opening. | Warnings | 'Fluffy' nesting materials can cause fatal injuries to hamsters and should
never be used. |
|
