Hamster - types and breeds of hamsters, what to feed, maintenance and care

Hamsters are common pets. They are distant relatives of mice and rats. Their small size and cleanliness make them easy to care for.

Hamsters make good pets for children or beginners. They are affordable pets, but it is important to consider their short lifespan before purchasing.

Syrian hamsters are the most popular pet hamsters. Various dwarf and long-haired hamster breeds are also common. Some types of hamsters may be more suitable for your family than others.

What types of hamsters are there? Photo and title

There are both species of hamsters that are quite familiar to us, as well as very rare and unusual ones. Each of them has its own distinctive features of appearance and habits. Here are the most common and interesting breeds of hamsters:

Djungarian hamster

Perhaps the most popular home species. They are small, but not quite tiny - the body length is approximately 10 cm. In the middle of the back, from the back of the head to the base of the tail, there is a pronounced dark stripe. At the top of the head it turns into a triangle, going down to the nose. The rest of the fur is smoky gray with small white areas. There are also specimens of other colors - with a bluish, pearl or red tint. Dzungariki require careful care. If you don’t tidy up the cage in time, a very unpleasant smell, reeking of ammonia, will spread throughout the apartment. Therefore, ideally, home cleaning should be done daily.

Taken from Wikipredia.com

Posted by Wilson Aniston

Field hamster (wild hamster, forest hamster)

People also call this animal “karbysh”. The peculiarity of this breed of hamster is that it almost never digs minks itself, but takes them away from other rodents like gophers. Having taken possession of the home, the karbysh adds to it a couple of extra entrances and exits and separate “rooms” for the toilet, sleeping and storing supplies. The result can be a real intricate labyrinth up to eight meters long.

The field hamster is quite aggressive towards anyone who potentially encroaches on its place of residence. It will literally fight to the death for its territory, and it doesn’t matter what size the enemy is - often the animals even attack large dogs or people. The animal's teeth are very sharp and grow throughout its life, grinding down as the field hamster gnaws on something. Before attacking, it often rises on its hind legs, snaps its teeth and makes threatening sounds.

The size of hamsters of this breed can vary from 5 to 37 cm, if you do not take into account the length of the tail, and weight - from 45 to 700 grams. They have rather large, round ears, and their paws are always white. Thick fur, combined with undercoat, allows the animal to survive the frosty winter. But, in addition to frost, the animal has many enemies among the animal world - from rooks to foxes. Farmers are also opposed to them, whose crops the animal can seriously damage.

From October to February, the field hamster hibernates, slowing down all metabolic processes. When it gets warm, he does not crawl out of the hole right away, but first eats up all the supplies left over from the fall. By that time, the mating period has just begun, during which this wild hamster is very active.

Author: Adams Moran

Common hamster

The most common representative of the species. Its average body length is 35 cm, and the body ends with a thick, strong tail 5 cm long. The ears are short and dark, the belly is also dark, but the upper part of the body is usually golden. The common hamster lives in the steppe and meadow zones of Europe, rarely rising above 1.5 km above sea level.

The animal's diet includes various parts of herbs and other plants. In the fall, mainly seeds and tubers are used, the same is suitable for stocks for the winter period. Amazingly, this little animal can speak up to 15 kg of food. The most common items collected in the “pantry” are peas, corn, selected cereal grains, potatoes, millet, and lupine. The pantries are always in order, even seeds of different varieties are stored separately from each other.

Author: Aiti Kiperman

Two or three times a year, mainly in late spring, the common hamster reproduces. Usually each litter brings from ten to twenty small animals. Three weeks after birth, they can already switch to adult plant food, as well as some animal food (insects). In October, the rodent goes into hibernation, but it does not sleep continuously; sometimes it can wake up and have a snack when it is warmer than -20C outside.

The common hamster is included in the list of animals protected by the Berne Convention, founded by the Council of Europe in 1976, and it is also listed in the Red Book of the Lipetsk Region. This species is often kept in a cage at home as pets. He can live well at home, but here some nuances should be taken into account. First of all, this is hibernation. Also, an ordinary hamster can significantly damage furniture and wires with its teeth, and in adulthood show inexplicable aggression. However, the animal quickly forgets the insults and becomes peaceful again. It can even be trained, and it reproduces well in captivity.

Author: Misha Fisenko

Angora hamster

This breed is mainly distributed in Central Asia and both American continents.

The hamster's coloring perfectly matches the animal's natural habitat. But the Angora hamster can have absolutely any colors. In the middle of the 19th century, these hamsters began to be bred in captivity; soon breeders managed to breed individuals with long fur, the shade of which ranged from silver to black. So today, anyone who wants to buy an Angora hamster will have a wide choice.

Many sources often confuse the concepts of “Angora hamster” and “Syrian”, claiming that they are one and the same thing. But in fact, the Angora is only a variety of the Syrian, which has only a sandy shade of fur.

Caring for an animal of this breed is not much different from caring for other hamsters; they also need a clean, comfortable cage, good food and water. But there are added concerns about keeping the fur in good condition, otherwise it will quickly become dirty, matted and look unsightly. However, you cannot bathe the animal, it is dangerous for it. Provide him with a sand bath where the Angora hamster can clean his fur on his own. But do not forget to comb the coat regularly to prevent matting.

Posted by: Matthew Kitler

As for food, it should be taken into account that Angoricas are bred at home, which means they are more picky about their diet than their wild relatives. Its basis is grain crops, which saturate the body with fiber, and its addition is nuts, vegetables and fruits, rich in plant protein. The Angora hamster can happily eat flax, millet, tomatoes, and pumpkin. Of the seasonal fruits, it is allowed to give him pears, apples, and grapes. Other products include fermented milk and boiled chicken. The main thing is not to overdo it with unusual nutrition and, of course, all products must be impeccably fresh.

Author: Ivan Odnekovsky

Campbell's hamster

This animal belongs to the dwarf hamsters; it was discovered in 1904 on the border between Russia and China. Externally, the Campbell's hamster can be similar to a dwarf hamster, which is why they are often confused. It has a pleasant amber or sandy fur color and a dark stripe along its back. There is no hair on the paws, and this species does not change its coat for winter. This type of hamster lives shorter than others - on average 2 years.

There are two main types of color that a Campbell's hamster can have. The first is agouti, where the top of the coat may look a little darker as it gets closer to the roots, and there are lines on the sides separating the back from the belly. The second is selfie, when there are no stripes on the back and sides, the color is almost uniform, with the exception of minor spots on the chest or belly. The hamster's fur grows unevenly, as if in clumps, because it is directed at an angle.

Author: Maria Shepova

The Campbell's hamster is so tiny that its weight barely reaches 50 grams and its height is up to 10 cm. Its character is quite complex, and care should be taken not to get bitten by sharp teeth. Due to its size, a small aquarium can be adapted for the life of a rodent. However, if you have a whole family of hamsters, then they need a lot of space - otherwise there will be constant fights. The cage or aquarium should be in a fully illuminated place, but a window sill is not suitable for this - there the animal will be tormented by drafts and direct sunlight, and there is usually a hot radiator under the window.

Campbell's hamster breeds over a period of six months, from March to September. Pregnancy lasts for 2-3 weeks, after which the female can give birth to 3-4 cubs. The babies will grow fur on the fifth day, and open their eyes on the tenth.

Author: Konstantin Abramov

Roborovsky's hamster

This is another dwarf breed that is sure to be loved by those who dream of a small pet. This species is native to Asian deserts, particularly Mongolia and China. In the Russian Federation, it can also be found in the wild in mountainous regions near the Asian borders.

This is one of the smallest hamsters in the world - its length from nose to tail tip rarely exceeds 5 centimeters, and its weight is 25 grams. Round ears are set high on the head, the eyes are slightly bulging. The species is distinguished by its snow-white brow ridges, reminiscent of a mask. The hamster can jump quite quickly due to the fact that the front legs are shorter than the back legs.

Like many desert hamsters, this breed has a sandy coat color, but many other colors have been developed through genetic mutations. But, it should be borne in mind that animals with unusual colors are much weaker in health. In general, these hamsters are very active, they are constantly on the move, literally never sitting still for a second. At the same time, they almost never bite, having a peaceful disposition. But it’s unlikely that Roborovsky’s hamster will allow himself to be calmly held in his arms and stroked while watching TV - this is not in his character. The animal may become frightened and become very stressed.

Despite their tiny size, this breed of hamster needs a spacious cage where they have plenty of room to run and climb. And the more “tenants” there are in the cage, the larger its size should be. It is best to use an aquarium made of glass or acrylic with a wall height of at least 20 cm for keeping the animal. However, the glass can fog up. So you can consider another option made of plastic. A cage with bars is unlikely to be suitable - the nimble rodent can get through even very small holes.

Posted by Kasandra Nikson

Author: Eduard Agapov

Sungur hamster

It differs from its relatives in that it stays awake a lot during the day, giving the opportunity to fully communicate with it. It comes from desert and steppe areas of Asia and Western Siberia. In the wild, this hamster can cover vast territories in a day in search of food and a burrow. The appearance of the animal is remarkable - it has large shiny eyes of black or reddish color. The fur is smoky and very soft.

During winter or autumn, the animal's fur begins to lighten - so it was also given another name, Russian whitening.

Author: Nikolay Stepanich

Taken from wikipedia.com

What living conditions does a hamster require?

It is best to house your hamster in a spacious wire cage, Choosing a Dwarf Hamster Cage. The minimum floor area is 60 × 30 cm. A plastic tray is considered a good option. But grated flooring is not suitable: your pet will easily injure its paws on it. The door of the home must close tightly. The distance between the rods is no more than 5 mm. Otherwise, the rodent may escape.

If you choose a multi-level design, pay attention to the height of the floors. The lower they are, the better. Then, when falling, the animal will not be seriously injured.

A pet store may offer you a plastic cage with pipes. Keep in mind: it will not provide adequate ventilation. In addition, it will be difficult to clean.

Hamsters are susceptible to cold and heat. They feel best at a temperature of 18–21 °C The ideal home for your hamster. Therefore, the cage is usually placed away from drafts, radiators and direct sunlight. If the room is too cold, the animal may hibernate. Loud sounds and vibrations cause stress in rodents. Therefore, it is worth finding a calm and quiet place for the house. There should be no TV or music system nearby.

Be sure to place a ceramic bowl inside the cage How to Care for Your Pet Hamster, and pour water into the nipple drinker.

A large layer of bedding should be laid on the pallet of the dwelling. Animals love to rummage in it. If you want to go with wood How to Care for Your Pet Hamster litter, choose aspen. Cedar and pine irritate the respiratory tract of hamsters.

The cage should also have shelter. The pet will rest there. If desired, you can buy a wooden or plastic house. Some owners use cardboard boxes. They wear out quickly, but are easy to replace.

Running wheel without cross supports. Photo: PetroP/Depositphotos

A hamster definitely needs a large running wheel. Try to find something that attaches to the cage. Typically, such models do not have transverse supports on which the animal can damage its paws. If you are a light sleeper, choose a quiet design.

To grind down the teeth that hamsters constantly grow, you will need wooden toys from Pet Hamster Toys. But some owners simply give their pets toilet paper or towel rolls instead.

What do hamsters eat and what do they eat?

In the wild, these animals are rodents, which means that hamsters eat mainly grains. They are also always not averse to eating tender young shoots of plants, such as bamboo. In addition to cereals, the animal loves vegetables (potatoes, pumpkin, beets, carrots) and can even harm garden plantings. In order not to lack protein, the animals also periodically eat small creatures - insects, worms and even snakes. The rice hamster happily eats fish, the remains of which are left over from the dinner of other animals. Membranaceous often feasts on mollusks and crustaceans. Sleepy - Can't resist avocados and figs.

Lifestyle of a hamster in the wild

Looking at a miniature domestic hamster, it is difficult to believe that such a fragile animal can survive in captivity. But wild hamsters are strikingly different from cute decorative pets. In their natural environment, these are quite aggressive creatures that are hostile not only to other animals, but also to their fellow tribesmen.

In the wild, hamsters are vicious and aggressive

The European forest hamster, which is popularly called "karbysh", prefers not to waste time digging a hole, but takes away ready-made homes from other rodents, such as gophers or jerboas.

Lifestyle of hamsters

Fluffy rodents are solitary by nature, and do not want to share their home or the food supplies collected with hard work with anyone. A hamster's domain can extend over 8-10 hectares, and he will bravely defend his burrow and the surrounding area from the encroachments of any uninvited guests. Interestingly, male hamsters do not tolerate the presence of other males in their area, but they allow females to establish burrows there, with whom they mate during the mating season.

Battle of two males for territory

Hamster hole

Procurement of food supplies

With the onset of summer, the hamster begins to prepare for the long, cold winter by diligently filling the pantry with grain, seeds and vegetable tubers. The animal carries small provisions in its cheek pouches, and it has to carry root vegetables in its teeth, holding them with its front paw.

The rodent methodically puts all the food it finds by type, so vegetables, grains and seeds are stored in different corners. At one time, scientists who examined the barns of these animals were sure that the hamster even sorted types of cereals. But then zoologists, who studied this phenomenon in detail, found that the animal simply stocked up on wheat, barley and corn at different times, so it stacked each grain in a separate pile.

One hamster's pantry can store up to 90 kg of food supplies. In lean years, Chinese peasants even specifically search for their holes, ruining the grain reserves that the furry rodent has diligently collected for several months.

What do hamsters eat?

The diet of hamsters consists mainly of plant foods, although in the wild these animals are omnivores, and in order to survive, they do not hesitate to eat even carrion. True, this rarely happens, because in their natural habitats there is enough grain and grass, which is more than enough for feeding and for generous winter reserves.

Hamster eats grain

Among cereal crops, furry rodents prefer wheat, buckwheat, corn and barley. They also enjoy eating legumes, especially peas. In the spring, hamsters eat young shoots of trees and shrubs, and in the summer their menu is replenished with fresh greens: plantain, dandelion, clover. Moreover, the animals eat both herbs and their roots and seeds.

Hamsters will not refuse vegetables and fruits, and this is precisely why farmers do not like them so much. After all, enterprising animals, under the cover of darkness, devastate farmland, significantly reducing the harvest of potatoes, carrots and beets. As for fruits, there is no particular damage from the animals; they do not know how to climb trees, and only pick up fallen apples and pears. Also, rodents do not miss the opportunity to eat ripe raspberries, strawberries and blackberries.

Hamsters raided neighbor's farm

Furry animals diversify their menu with protein foods. Hamsters eat beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and they do not disdain insect larvae. And for rodents that live in the lower reaches of rivers and near swamps, additional food is provided by mollusks, small crustaceans and fish left over from the meals of other animals.

It may seem incredible, but wild hamsters sometimes attack small field mice, and even chickens if there is no chicken near the chicks.

What to feed a hamster at home?

At home today there is no need to independently select an animal’s diet; specialized feed is sold. They already contain a balanced combination of vitamins and microelements. It is not compiled at random, but in accordance with the diet of animals in the wild.

It is important not only what hamsters eat, but also how exactly they eat it. The box with ready-made food usually indicates both the dosage and the desired diet. However, the animal can itself determine the ideal regime for itself. Most often, animals eat the food they receive at night, crunching it for the whole house, and during the day they only accumulate supplies. Ideally, you should provide your rodent with fresh, healthy food at the same time before bed.

What else can you feed your pet at home? As a treat and to diversify the diet, it is allowed to offer him beets, lettuce leaves, tomatoes, grass (for example, dandelions), pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber, and carrots.

It is strictly forbidden to give your hamster onions, garlic, peppers, cabbage, potatoes, eggplants and sorrel. They can cause irreparable harm to the animal's digestive system.

Source: Unknown

Robovsky's dwarf hamster

This is the smallest species of hamster. They are more prone to bite and should be handled with care. Their biting nature does not make them a great option for young children.

They live for about three to four years. You can place them in pairs or same-sex groups. These hamsters make good pets for older children and adults.

Hamster care

Keeping and caring for a hamster at home is a simple process, but it requires certain knowledge and care. You can determine whether your animal is feeling well by such signs as shiny fur without bald spots, a clean nose and eyes, even breathing, and the absence of digestive disorders. Since the pet usually sleeps most of the day, it is better to assess its behavior in the late afternoon, during the period of activity.

Cage for a hamster

Caring for and keeping a hamster at home always starts with choosing a good cage. They come in plastic and lattice. Plastic container-like ones are most convenient for dwarf hamsters (Roborovsky, Campbell, and dwarf hamsters). But lattice ones are perfect for golden (or Syrian) breeds. The main thing is that the bars of the cage are placed horizontally so that the animal can climb the walls. The gap between the rods also depends on the specific type - for golden, a distance of 1 centimeter is acceptable, for smaller types - less.

If the distance between the bars of the cage is incorrect, the animal may unsuccessfully stick its head between them and die from suffocation.

The next step in caring for an animal at home is to properly equip its “apartment”. It starts with the choice of bedding - both the comfort of the rodent and the time you will spend cleaning the cage will depend on this. It is advisable not to use newsprint as bedding, otherwise your pet may be poisoned by printing toner. In addition, such paper does not absorb liquids and odors well. However, the same applies to ordinary paper or cotton wool. Cotton wool in a cage is also not recommended because the animal's small paws can get tangled in it.

Fillers such as sawdust, hay or wood shavings are better suited. But some animals are allergic to ready-made wooden pellets. Corn (chopped cobs with a few grains left) is recognized as the best option for filling the cage. It is very light and pleasant for the animal. This filler is more expensive than others, but it retains the smell for up to ten days.

Place two feeders in the cage - one will serve for soft food such as fruit, the other for hard and dry food. And for water it is better to purchase a special drinking bowl, changing the contents every day.

Source: Google Images

Hamster wheel

Caring for a hamster at home is not complete without providing it with physical activity. To do this, you need to equip the cage with a wheel, and also buy a hamster ball and other accessories (slides, ladders). The wheel must be solid, with transverse protrusions. Then it will be convenient for the animal to place its paws on it.

The rodent will use all this variety in the cage mainly at night, and during the day it will rest in its burrow. A special house can serve as a mink, but sometimes the animal prefers to make its own home by collecting filler or bedding to the side.

Hamster ball

It is worth talking in more detail about such a device as a hamster ball. This is an excellent simulator that will not let the animal get bored. Ready-made balls are sold in stores, or you can make the device yourself. Its purpose is to allow the animal to move freely around the apartment without the risk of being crushed, caught by a cat, or stuck somewhere. A hamster ball will fit especially well in a large apartment or house.

The easiest way to make this accessory is from an ordinary plastic bottle. Due to its lightness, it will not make it difficult for the hamster to move. In addition, you can make holes in it for ventilation. Actually, no other manipulations are required - the hamster ball is ready for use.

You can also take not a bottle, but a plastic ice cream bucket (the main thing is that it is transparent). The bucket must be thoroughly washed and dried, and then small holes must be made in the bottom or lid of the container. Now you can put the hamster inside and close the lid. In a similar way, you can make a ball for a hamster from any container. The stores sell dozens of different beautiful and convenient options.

Natural enemies of hamsters

In their natural environment, the life of these miniature rodents is full of dangers, because they are literally surrounded on all sides by predators. Moreover, the threat comes from both the ground and the air, so furry animals always have to be on alert.

The hamster is always on alert, recording any suspicious rustles and sounds

They are hunted by large animals such as wolves, lynxes and wild dogs. Cunning foxes and weasels often ambush near a hamster's burrow, patiently waiting for the prey to leave its shelter. Stoats, badgers and ferrets are also not averse to feasting on these animals, and they rarely manage to escape from clever predators.

Among the dense vegetation and fallen leaves, insidious snakes lie in wait for hamsters. Rodents are also defenseless against feathered predators. As soon as the animal relaxes its vigilance, it immediately becomes a victim of a hawk, owl or kite, which quickly attacks the unwary prey.

At the sight of an enemy, the hamster tries to escape, or freezes in one position, hoping that he will not be noticed. But, if all escape routes are blocked, the small rodent takes a threatening stance and rushes at the enemy. Although, given the size of the hamster, it is not difficult to predict the outcome of the battle between the brave baby and the hungry predator.

How to determine the sex of a hamster?

This information may be important if you keep several animals at once and do not plan to reproduce them. Finding out what gender an animal is is not very difficult. To do this, you need to examine him, but this should not be done abruptly so that he does not get stressed. Calm the animal down and treat it to something tasty. Gently take the animal in your arms and hold it on the fold of skin between the shoulder blades, but do not pull.

Inspect the back. Males have pronounced sexual characteristics, but females do not. You can presumably determine the sex simply by the size of the animal - males are usually much larger than females. The latter also have prominent nipples in the abdominal area. Determining the gender of a newborn animal is somewhat more difficult. This can be done along the gap between the anus and urinary opening. For girls this distance is usually less than for boys.

Chinese hamster

These hamsters have a longer tail than other breeds. They are good for children and easy to handle. They are very fast and agile. They live for about two to three years.

They can get along with other hamsters, but prefer to live alone. Children will need supervision when handling them because they love to run away.

Hamster breeding

Animals become sexually mature very early, within a month from birth. But, provided that you are not in a hurry with breeding, it is still better to let the animal grow up to five months. It is necessary to happen in an area that does not belong to any of the pair of hamsters, so they will be more comfortable. It is best to do this in the late afternoon.

Within a week after the event, if the female was able to become pregnant, her nipples will swell, and after 2-3 weeks the babies will be born. It is important that the male must be separated from the pregnant and lactating female; he can even eat the cubs, and the female becomes overly aggressive, protecting the children.

After giving birth, the female should not be disturbed or touched for two weeks. You don't even need to clean the cage. The main thing is to provide her with enough tasty and healthy food. Baby animals can usually be separated from their mother at the age of a month.

Author: Evgenia Podlipnaya

Hamster teeth

Category: Care and maintenance • Published June 04, 2016 • Author: Khrumik •

Overgrown and crooked teeth prevent the hamster from eating normally, he loses weight and dies from hunger. The first symptom of overgrown teeth is that the animal wants and cannot eat, for example, it approaches the food, takes it and throws it. There is severe salivation (the chest and stomach are wet).

So that the hamster can grind its teeth, place a wooden stick (apple tree, birch, the size of a little finger, boil for 1 hour) in the cage.

How many years do hamsters live at home?

Every potential owner is interested in the question of how long hamsters live at home. The answer is disappointing - only 2-3 years, and this is with impeccable care. If the care is poor, then the period is even shorter. Therefore, you should be very careful about the health of your pet. Even a common allergy or cold can lead to irreparable consequences. According to statistics, only 1 in 1,000,000 survives to the age of five, but it is quite possible to reach 3.5 years at home.

It is logical that the question of how long a hamster lives is of interest to those who get this little animal for the first time. For an inexperienced owner, even one who has studied a lot of relevant literature, the hamster will live up to a maximum of 2.5 years. This can also have its advantages. He won’t be thrown out into the street like a boring toy, because he simply won’t have time to get bored. And after his death there is always the opportunity to have another one.

What factors determine how long hamsters live at home? First of all, it's diet. A healthy, nutritious diet, including a whole range of vitamins, will significantly extend the life of your pet. Therefore, it is very important what to feed your hamster at home. The choice of hamster cage, as well as the filler in it, is no less important. It is important that it is equipped safely and that the filler does not cause an allergic reaction. Of course, the cage must be cleaned in a timely manner, at least once a week, using only safe products with a minimum amount of different chemicals.

Author: Anastasia Kozlova

Next, the animal must have room to express its physical activity. It’s not for nothing that they say that movement is life. In the wild, hamsters can run up to ten kilometers a day. Also, the animal must be able to chew something, otherwise its fangs will not wear down and will grow to an uncomfortable size.

How many years hamsters live depends largely on their freedom of movement. The rodent needs to be let out to walk around the apartment more often, and it is advisable to use a special ball for this. The cage should be equipped with a running wheel in which the hamster will run several kilometers per night.

But how many years do hamsters live in the wild? Unfortunately, in such conditions they are susceptible to attacks by predators. In nature, this animal can live up to two years at most; at the end of its life, its vision and reactions deteriorate, making it even more vulnerable.

Author: Evgenia Malinovskaya

Hamster: general characteristics

These animals belong to the hamster family, and are part of the rodent subfamily. At the moment, there are 19 species of furry animals, which are divided into 7 genera:

Medium (includes 4 types);
Hairfoots (includes 3 species);
Ordinary;
Gray (includes 7 types);
Eversmanova (includes 2 types);
Kansky;
Rat-like.

Hamsters have a dense, squat body, with short legs and thick, short fur. Depending on the type they belong to, the size of the animals varies from 6 to 35 cm. In nature, the color of rodents is usually gray, sandy yellow or brown; decorative hamsters have a more diverse color palette, ranging from white to charcoal black.

In nature, hamsters have an inexpressive color to be invisible to predators.

A distinctive feature of animals lies, of course, in their cheek pouches - elastic folds of skin that can stretch to the size the animal needs. Sometimes hamsters carry food in their cheeks, the mass of which is equal to the body mass of the rodent.

The furry animals are nocturnal. During the day they rest in their burrows, and at nightfall they go out in search of food. Despite being crepuscular animals, hamsters have poor eyesight and must rely on their excellent hearing and well-developed sense of smell. In winter, hamsters hibernate, but wake up from time to time to feed on accumulated reserves.

The average lifespan of wild hamsters is 2-4 years, while their domestic relatives can live up to 5 years.

Elena

Ask a Question

Question to the expert

Please tell me, can hamsters swim?

Yes, hamsters are excellent swimmers, although they do not really like water. But if necessary, this animal is able to swim across a shallow river using its cheek pouches, which it fills with air, thanks to which they serve as a kind of inflatable ring.

Hamster diseases

The most common diseases in hamsters are:

Abscesses on the pads of the feet. The reasons for their occurrence have not yet been discovered by veterinarians. Zinc ointment or regular fish oil will help you cope with such an unpleasant problem. Lay the animal on its side or back and gently lubricate the damaged areas, applying a lot of product to the affected areas. Regeneration of the skin can last up to 5-6 months.
Anomalies with teeth. Excessively grown teeth will cause pain and discomfort to the animal. Make sure that the animal always has something to chew on and that its diet includes a sufficient amount of solid food. An incipient disease can be recognized by the increased flow of saliva due to the fact that the animal’s jaws do not close tightly. The teeth should be treated by a specialist; do not try to shorten them in any way at home.
Obesity. In the wild, a hamster moves almost all the time he is awake. Lack of physical activity and weight gain lead to heart problems. The animal's cage should have a large number of various attractions, and a hamster ball is suitable for movement outside. You should also not overfeed the animal or feed it human food.
Baldness. Externally, this disease may resemble lichen. Moreover, only an experienced veterinarian can distinguish them in the early stages through tests. Baldness of an animal often occurs due to a lack of vitamins and minerals. In this case, it is worth introducing some vitamin complex into his diet. If baldness occurs due to stress, then try not to make noise near the animal’s cage and not expose it to excitement. Vitamins will also not be superfluous in this case.
Inflammation of the cheek pouches. This disease can happen if food remains are constantly stuck in them or if there is an injury from some sharp object. In this situation, too, only a veterinarian will be able to properly turn out these bags in order to examine them and make a diagnosis. After this, he will use special devices to remove all the excess and treat the mucous membrane with antibacterial agents.
Wet tail. Don’t pay attention to the name—that’s not what the disease is all about. This is a serious stomach disorder with frequent diarrhea, which occurs due to stress or sudden changes in diet. In addition to loose stools, the animal may experience bleeding, lack of appetite, and aggressiveness. To cure the disease, it is necessary to give the animal electrolytes at home to avoid dehydration. Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics. If you have several animals living at once, healthy ones need to be separated from sick ones, otherwise an epidemic will begin. During the illness, do not give fruits and other juicy foods, leaving mainly rice and hay, and replace the water with a weak infusion of chamomile.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Unfortunately, this infection cannot be cured, so if the veterinarian makes this diagnosis, the hamster is euthanized. The primary symptoms of the disease are increased body temperature, weakness, and heavy breathing. The infection is often carried by mice, so you need to make sure that they do not have access to your pet's cage.

This disease can be dangerous for people! Therefore, wash your hands thoroughly after each contact with or care for a suspected infected animal.

Herpes. Perhaps the least dangerous disease for a rodent. An animal can pick it up from its relatives. Herpes usually goes away on its own within a few days.
Escherichia coli. The disease is associated with changes in the intestinal microflora. The body temperature rises significantly, and bloody diarrhea begins. Unfortunately, this disease develops very quickly and is almost always fatal.
Aujeszky's disease. This disease of hamsters is also called “false rabies”. It is caused by a virus that attacks the animal's nervous system. The incubation period after infection is 2-3 weeks, and then symptoms begin to appear, initially minor - itching or restless behavior. Only at this stage can the animal still be saved. To do this, he is injected with hyperimmune serum and gammaglobulin. In the advanced stage of the disease, the voice disappears, the entire mouth becomes paralyzed, and in the end death occurs.
Trichomonosis. Caused by a parasite that an animal can pick up from dirty water or poor-quality food. Young individuals are most often affected by the disease. First, the inside of the neck becomes covered with a yellow coating, then the pharynx increases in size, risking suffocating the animal. Accordingly, appetite disappears. If the animal is not treated in time, it will simply suffocate. To protect your pet, you need to provide him with proper care - thoroughly wash the drinking bowl and monitor the correct diet and quality of food.
Enteritis. Hay should always be present in the diet. If it is absent or insufficient, then this disease may develop. Initial symptoms are bloating and loose stools. The medicine is usually high-quality hay, but there is another method - taking the feces of a healthy animal, diluting it with water and injecting it into the patient’s anus to introduce healthy bacteria into his intestines. But this does not negate the introduction of hay into the diet.
Cystitis. This is a lesion of the animal’s genitourinary system, which can be recognized by frequent urination and restless behavior. Treatment with sulfonamides and buscopan lasts about a week. However, if during this time the symptoms do not disappear, then you will have to take an x-ray at the veterinary clinic - there is a possibility that stones or sand in the bladder are to blame. They can only be removed through surgery.
Oncology. Older hamsters are most prone to developing cancerous tumors, but they can easily be confused with enlarged scent glands or even genitals. As a rule, the tumor can be removed surgically, but if it does not cause any discomfort to the animal, then nothing can be done. Even with a growing tumor, a hamster can safely live to its natural death from old age at home. The situation is much more serious if the tumor has developed in the mouth or other hard-to-reach place. It is unlikely that you will be able to help the animal here. In this case, pets are always euthanized, otherwise the growing formation can break the bone.
Heart diseases. In general, this is rare for rodents. The causes are severe stress or excessive heat in the room. The primary symptoms of the disease are rapid heartbeat, heavy breathing, and weakness. It is necessary to show the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible. During treatment, the cage should be kept in a place with a temperature no higher than 25C. If the condition suddenly worsens, an injection of Effortil and applying ice to the back of the head will help.
Poisoning. An animal can become poisoned not only by eating low-quality food, but even by touching it. If this happens, the animal's coordination of movements is impaired, its appetite disappears, and it may even fall into a lethargic sleep. Do not self-medicate under any circumstances, this can only make the situation worse.
Cold. Just like in humans, colds in hamsters are accompanied by coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and sometimes watery eyes. If the animal is sick, you need to feed it plenty of fruits and other healthy foods, as well as a comfortable corner for rest.

The common cold is a zoonotic disease. This means that an animal can become infected from a person, just as a person can become infected from an animal.

Conjunctivitis. With this disease of hamsters, pus begins to leak from the eyes, and the eyelids may stick together, especially after sleep. This is usually associated with either a cold or a bacterial infection. You can buy special eye drops or simply wipe the animal's eyes with salt water.
Abscesses, boils. They appear both against the background of infections and mechanical damage. The veterinarian usually prescribes local remedies (zinc ointment, levomekol), as well as immunomodulators. In the case of a purulent abscess, it must be opened and the affected area treated with hydrogen peroxide and bactericidal agents.
Dermatophytosis. It is also often associated with a decrease in the body’s protective functions. Hair begins to fall out, peeling, scabs or ulcers form on the animal's skin. The disease must be treated urgently, otherwise it will develop in full force. This process is initiated by a dangerous type of fungus. Antibacterial ointments (Fungin, Zoomekol), antifungal shampoos and other antiseptics are used for treatment. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics and immunomodulators.
Diabetes. Usually this disease has genetic background. Campbell's hamsters are most prone to it. Symptoms are constant thirst, drowsiness, excess weight, poor wound healing. There is no miracle cure for diabetes, so a diet without sugar and low in carbohydrates is usually prescribed. There are special mixtures for hamsters with diabetes, but they are not so easy to find, but they are easy to make at home - just mix flaxseed, oatmeal, millet, and hemp seeds. Among homeopathic remedies, fenugreek may be beneficial. If necessary, the animal is also prescribed medications with insulin.
Eczema. Often a form of allergic reaction or a consequence of stress. The animal's skin becomes dry and flaky, it suffers from itching, and in young animals the growth process may also slow down. Sometimes eczema is confused with an infestation from parasites (such as fleas). A specialist can make a diagnosis.