Are You Thinking of Getting a Hamster?

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Hamsters are relatively cheap and inexpensive to take care of. They’re nocturnal, so if you want to put the cage in your bedroom, be sure get a silent wheel if you don’t want to hear it squeaking all night. Hamsters are quiet animals and don’t make a noise unless frightened. They are really cute and easy to take care of, so if your are wanting a small pet, get a hamster!

Hamsters are popular traditional pets. There are several types of hamsters, the most common being Syrian, Dwarf, and Chinese. These furry little rodents typically live 2 to 3 years with proper care. Hamsters housed in pairs or groups may fight, so they should be housed alone.

So, you want to get a hamster? Then read on!

HOUSING

There are three types of cages you can get for a hamster.

Plastic:You can get an all plastic cage such as crittertrail. These cages are fun to look at and can have lots of tubes going every which way. The bad thing about these is they are hard to clean and can get stinky real fast.

Wire:Combination wire and pastic cages are a good option. These cages have a wire top and a removable plastic tray on the bottom. They are very easy to clean as you just remove the plastic tray, dump the old bedding, wipe down the tray, and put new bedding in it. The only bad thing about these cages is that if they are multileveled, and the floor and ladders are wire, the hamsters could get their feet caught and hurt. But if the ladders and such are plastic or have a solid bottom, they are fine.

Glass: Aquarium type cages are also an option. A 10 gallon tank is good. You can either get a screen lid for the top or a wire tank topper. You have to be sure to clean these cages often because of the poor ventilation.

FOOD, WATER, and BEDDING

Any type of food from the pet store labeled for hamsters is fine. Don’t bother getting the vitamin drops, though, the food has plenty of vitamins in it already. Hamsters will also need fresh food such as veggies, fruits, and unsalted nuts. Be sure to check online or in a hamster care book to see which are safe for hamsters and which are not. If your cage has a food dish that connects to the wall, use it. If not, be sure to get a ceramic dish that they cannot tip over. Give them fresh food every few days.

For water, just get one of the water bottles in the small animal section of the pet store. 4 or 8 ounces is plenty. Give them fresh water everyday.

Do not get cedar or pine bedding as they cause serious respiratory problems in small animals. Any other bedding marked for small animals is fine. I personally like aspen bedding.

TOYS & HIDEAWAYS

Avoid all plastic toys as it is harmful if swallowed. Wood toys are best because they help hamsters keep their teeth in good shape. A good homemade toy is a toilet paper or paper towel roll. Those cardboard tubes are a favorite of most hamsters. Be sure to rotate toys so your hamster does not get bored.

Also be sure to get a hideaway. It must be big enough that hamsters can get in and out and fit inside without any problems. This provides them a place to hide and a place to sleep.

EXCERSIZE WHEEL & BALLS

The wheel should be 7 or 8 inches in diameter. Get the largest wheel marked for hamsters that you can. Do not get a wire one unless it has a solid floor. Hamsters can easily break limbs in those. The best kind is a mesh one. The balls are usually plastic. Just get one that is marked for hamsters. Be sure to clean it after every use and don’t leave your hamster in it for to long.

• Be sure to clean the cage and give fresh food at least once a week.

• You should bring your hamster out of it’s cage to play at least 2 or 3 days a week.

You should now be ready for a hamster. There is still a lot more you need to know once you have a gerbil, so I suggest buying or checking out (from a library) books on hamsters.