Hamsters are popular pets, and for good reason. They are easy to care, usually bond well with their owners, and on top of everything else, the are very cute! Learn about choosing a pet hamster, pet hamster care, and providing all the necessities for your hamster in this handy hamster care guide.
1. Is a Pet Hamster Right for You?
Hamsters make good pets, but they are not the right choice for everyone. Learn about the pros and cons of hamster as pets before deciding if a hamster will be the right pet for you. You will also need to consider whether you want a larger Syrian hamster (always keep one to a cage), smaller dwarf hamsters (can be kept together), or even the less common but still lovely Chinese hamster.
2. Choose a Healthy Hamster
Avoid taking home a hamster that shows common signs and symptoms of illness, stress, or other problems. While some problems can be hidden, anybody can do a quick check for some common signs of illness or other problems. While there are no guarantees, avoiding hamsters with obvious signs of problems gives you have the best chance of taking home a healthy hamster. Since many diseases are contagious, it is safest to also avoid hamsters with cage mates that seem ill. As an added bonus, you can also get clues about a hamster's temperament while doing a quick health check.
3. Choose a Hamster Cage and Supplies
Having a cage all set up and waiting for your hamster is a good way to smooth your hamsters' transition to his or her new home. There are a huge variety of cage styles and sized out there, and which one to choose can be confusing. My best advice: don't be fooled by the "coolness" of the cage, and make sure you choose one that is appropriate for the size of hamster you are choosing as well as one that is easy to clean. Also make sure you have cage accessories such as bedding, an exercise wheel, and a cozy sleep hut picked out.
4. Feeding Hamsters
There are also a lot of choices when it comes to hamster food, and not all are created equal. You main choice will be between a pelleted diet and a loose mix (see based) diet, and each has pros and cons. Your store-bought hamster diet can also be supplemented with a variety of healthy human foods and treat.
5. Handling Hamsters
Hamsters that haven't been handled may not be happy about being picked up and may try to bite you. It's important to remember hamsters that bite are not mean -- they are scared and defending themselves the best way they know how. It may take some patience (and possible some treats) to win your hamster's trust.
6. Toys for Hamsters
Hamsters need to be able to chew, and they need to be able to exercise. Hamsters really were made to run, so a running wheel is a must. A hamster wheel must be large enough (many hamster wheels are more appropriate for dwarf hamsters than Syrian hamsters), safe (no wire wheels, please), and for your sanity, quiet. For chewing, a variety of wood structures and toys will help keep your hamster's teeth in shape. Hamsters also tend to like play tubes and tunnels and things they can climb on.
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