Hamsters: care, types and feeding at home

Although pet hamsters are small animals, they should be cared for no less than other, larger animals. Keeping these rodents in your home is a big responsibility.

You can write endlessly about these charming animals, but we will limit ourselves to only a brief overview of the main factors.

Hamster in your house.

Who are they?

In simple terms, hamsters are animals of the subfamily of rodents of the hamster family. They differ from their close relatives of mice in their small build, short tail process, small and rounded ears, as well as cheek pouches in which individuals of this species store and carry food.

The external characteristics of hamsters can vary significantly depending on the variety. Approximate description: body length from 5 to 30 centimeters, weight from 30 to 500 grams. Thanks to breeding research, the color is also varied - from solid white, blue, black and red shades to brown flowers with an original pattern on the back or chest.

In their natural environment, representatives of this breed can be found in many regions of Eurasia, China and Korea. These animals live mainly in open spaces of steppes and deserts.

Unlike their relatives, some types of hamsters can be trained and trained. In addition, like many other animal species, hamsters are capable of hibernating during periods of cold and lack of food.

Hygiene procedures

Like other furry pets, the hamster needs hygiene procedures. Long-haired individuals require daily care. It is important to regularly clean the skin from dirt.

Bathing

You can bathe pets only in exceptional cases, using a special shampoo. Water procedures are a stressful situation for animals, since they are quite clean and constantly wash themselves.

It is recommended to place a container with dry sand in the cage, in which the animal will clean its fur. When fleas appear, you should wash your hamster with an antiparasitic agent, applying it with gentle movements to the surface of the body.

Dry cleaning of fur.

Nail care

Particular attention should be paid to the claws. They need to be regularly ground down, because with a sedentary lifestyle and the onset of natural old age, they grow to such an extent that the hamster cannot walk normally.

Keeping hamsters at home: advantages and disadvantages

Before getting a pet hamster, familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics of this animal. In nature, there are several breeds of this species; among pets you can mainly find Siberian hamsters, less often - Djungarians and Campbell's hamsters.

The peculiarity of hamsters is that they can feel good without other similar individuals. You can purchase them if you don’t want to breed hamsters in the future.

The advantages of keeping hamsters at home are:

unlike the same cats, they are not vindictive and do not remember the insults caused;
do not create noise in the apartment;
easy to train;
when eating juicy food, they may not want to drink for a long time;
easy to reproduce at home;
do not show dissatisfaction when playing with children;
a small terrarium is enough for living;
unpretentious in food.

However, you should be aware of the following difficulties when purchasing hamsters:

if hamsters are not kept in a terrarium, they can ruin things and chew furniture, shoes and other things;
so that there is no unpleasant smell in the cage, you need to constantly clean it;
In winter, hamsters hibernate, sometimes they wake up, then they need to be well fed;
sometimes they can show aggression.

As a rule, hamsters have a body length from 5 to 30 cm. The color of hamsters can be different:

ashen;
grey-brown;
with a dark stripe on the back and black-brown heels in front of the body;
white and fluffy (artificial Angora breeds).
Read also: Carrots in the diet of Djungarian and Syrian hamsters

Choice when purchasing

When buying a hamster, it is quite difficult to settle on just one individual, since each of them will cause affection. To understand the true nature and type of higher nervous activity of a rodent before purchasing, you need to start purchasing it in the afternoon, when the animal is in wakefulness mode. In this case, the potential owner will be able to see all the advantages and disadvantages of his pet.

Hamsters are solitary animals and never live in packs; when buying an animal, you should not look for a mate. If you plan to keep more than one individual, it is advisable to take rodents from the same litter, or young ones. This is especially important if the decision is made to purchase two males.

An important point is to study the hamster for diseases. A sick individual is distinguished by the following signs:

dull, tousled fur;
noticeably sunken sides;
paw tremor;
red eyes and signs of runny nose;
traces of smeared feces in the anus;
hoarse breathing;
general body trembling.

A healthy hamster is always cheerful and cheerful, its body is symmetrical without bumps or depressions, its coat is smooth and shiny, its eyes are clear, and its nose is without signs of a runny nose.

Habitat

The hamster will delight with its presence and will not cause problems for the owners if you make sure that the habitat is completely suitable for the animal.

Caring for a hamster at home is easy if you immediately buy a house for it and equip it with everything you need.

The cage should be spacious enough. When purchasing, pay attention to the location of the rods. They should be placed horizontally so that the hamster feels free at home and can climb the walls to any height.

The minimum dimensions are 30x50 cm, height 25 cm. If the cage is larger, the pet will only be happy with it.

Instructions for caring for hamsters include the correct choice of location for the cage:

comfortable room temperature for the animal is from 20 to 24 degrees;
direct sunlight should not fall on the cage;
It is unacceptable to place the animal near heating boilers and radiators;
it is dangerous to place the house in a draft;
noise from TV and other devices should not disturb the pet;
the cage must be positioned so that small children and pets cannot reach it;
the room should be easily ventilated.

When choosing a place for the animal, you need to take into account that younger family members can also care for the hamster. Another feature: the rodent likes to sleep during the day, and at night it becomes active and makes noise.

Sometimes they get out of the situation and place the hamster in an aquarium or a three-liter jar. An aquarium (without water) can be adapted if it is spacious, which cannot be said about a jar. For a rodent, such housing can only be used while the cage is being cleaned.

Pet cage

Before you get a rodent, you need to purchase a cage made of metal rods for it. Its minimum size is 25 by 30 cm.

It is advisable that the metal grilles are not painted.

The rodent can taste the cage. The paint that covers the bars in the cage can cause allergies or poisoning to a small pet.

The distance between the rods should be no more than 1 cm. The door should close tightly. It is advisable to have a pull-out tray with small sides.

This will make caring for the animal easier.

The filler will not spill out of the cage if the hamster decides to frolic.

The cage can be one- or two-level.

A tunnel or small staircase is installed between the floors.

What to feed hamsters at home?

Rodents in nature have learned to survive by eating both grain foods and animal products. They subconsciously avoid harmful plants or poisonous insects, avoiding poisoning. In apartments, pet owners are tempted to give their little ones pieces of food from the table in order to please the pet, which sometimes causes irreparable harm to them. When asking what you can feed hamsters at home, be careful; it is advisable to know exactly the foods prohibited for these animals.

Plant foods allowed for hamsters:

ready-made dry diets for hamsters,
sprouted grains of oats, wheat, other cereals,
different types of nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts),
sunflower and pumpkin seeds,
cherries, gooseberries, blueberries, other berries,
pieces of vegetables processed in boiling water without salt,
raw vegetables and fruits,
peas in pods or grains,
a small amount of rose hips and celery,
Jerusalem artichoke fruits,
dried fruits,
branches of deciduous trees,
greenery.

Allowed animal products:

fermented milk products (cheese, cottage cheese, unsweetened yogurt) with a fat content of up to 1%,
boiled chicken meat without spices,
boiled eggs,
boiled low-fat fish,
in rare cases, pieces of peeled shrimp,
worms and insects purchased from pet stores.

Domestic hamsters can easily tolerate care and maintenance at home, but for them there is an extensive list of prohibited foods:

potato,
fatty cheeses,
ready-made bird feed,
fresh bread,
acorns,
red beans,
brazil nuts,
any spices,
fresh milk,
garlic with onions,
cabbage causes gas in hamsters,
muesli,
fried food,
tropical fruits,
honey,
mushrooms,
sweet cookies,
wild-caught insects and bloodworms,
tulip bulbs,
chocolates,
ice cream.

How to take care of hamsters: daily care

Daily care for a hamster includes the usual procedures: balanced feeding and maintaining cleanliness. It is necessary to provide him with the opportunity to lead an active lifestyle and contact with family members.

Feeding

Feeding a hamster is not difficult. Nowadays, pet stores sell good complete food for rodents. If you wish, you can create the right diet yourself using cereals, vegetables and fruits.

Products that are included in the hamster's menu:

oat grains and flakes, wheat, corn, barley, rice, buckwheat, peas - for the daily diet;
sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, walnut kernels - as a treat;
boiled chicken meat, boiled chicken or quail egg, boiled fish, low-fat cottage cheese - 2-3 times a week;
dill, dandelion leaves and stems, lettuce, spinach - as a small addition to the diet;
cucumbers, broccoli, white cabbage and boiled beets in small quantities to avoid digestive upset;
crust of bread (preferably rye, bran, whole grain);
dried fruits, dried without the use of preservatives and sugar;
Apples, carrots and bananas will please the rodent.

In addition to the products listed, you can feed hamsters grapes, removing the seeds from the berries, as they pose a risk of blocking the respiratory tract. Raisins are a holiday for the hamster, who loves the smell of dried grapes and experiences pleasant emotions when eating them.

Foods that should not be given to your pet to avoid health problems: cookies, potatoes, salty cheese, tomatoes, pineapple, almonds, tangerines, oranges. It is strictly forbidden to give the animal chocolate, even in small quantities it is poisonous to it.

Proper care of your pet means that he should always have food and water. The animal itself knows how much and when to eat. Hamsters do not suffer from overeating.

Meat and fish for a hamster are not salted, sweet foods are kept to a minimum. When feeding, the emphasis is on food variety and environmental friendliness. It is dangerous to give your animal greens or vegetables high in nitrates.

Keeping it clean

Keeping a hamster requires regular cleaning of the cage and equipment. First, the rodent is placed in a safe place so that it does not run away. A cardboard box is not the smartest solution because the hamster can easily chew a hole and crawl out. A container with high smooth walls (pan, jar) or another cage can become a temporary home.

The tray, sleeping house, feeder and drinking bowl are washed under running water using a brush. Detergents you can use are baking soda and laundry soap. Caring for hamsters does not allow the use of household chemicals that contain chlorine or acid.

The equipment is wiped dry with a rag or taken out in the sun. When changing bedding, leave a small part of the old shavings to preserve the pet's scent. Simply wipe the cage bars with a clean, damp cloth. Wooden elements are wiped without detergents. The last step is to fill the drinking bowl with clean water.

When changing the bedding, you need to make sure not to destroy the animal’s buildings. It will be stressful for him when he returns not to see his “nest.”

Communication

Hamsters are not the type of pet that readily makes contact. They need to be gradually accustomed to this. The only way is through feeding.

When handing the hamster another “yummy” treat, you need to say his name affectionately. And do this repeatedly until the animal gets used to the owner’s voice and gains confidence in him.

Usually animals are bought for children who like to take care of hamsters. Children need to be taught how to communicate with a pet. Explain that the animal cannot be “squeezed” in your hands, it is very delicate and can be easily injured. You can safely carry the hamster in your palms, folding them like a house.

If you want to release an animal from its cage, this should only be done indoors, where it cannot hide or run away. When communication takes place on the sofa, you need to remember that the animal does not understand the dangers of heights. A hamster can get injured if it falls off a sofa, chair or table. It is better to communicate with your pet in the evening hours, when he is most active.

You should not wake the animal, raise your voice in its presence, or frighten it in any way. He will not understand such games, but he may refuse contact for a long time.

Ensuring activity

Hamsters are active by nature, for them movement is the basis of well-being. To ensure that a hamster’s life at home is not a burden, you need to provide the pet with the opportunity to move as much as he wants.

But this does not mean that the animal should be walked outside like a dog. Freedom in this case means a great danger associated with infections and other animals. In addition, a change of environment is stressful for him.

To make the hamster move, it is enough to build labyrinths and tunnels, install a wheel, and purchase a special walking ball at a pet store.

It is very difficult to catch a hamster that is not accustomed to the hands of its owner. Even in an ordinary room, an animal can die: chew through an electrical cable, eat a poisonous plant, or get stuck somewhere.

Hibernation or torpor

Hamsters can hibernate for a variety of reasons. This usually happens due to a sharp drop in temperature and lack of water. The rodent's body becomes hard and cold, and its breathing becomes rare and uneven.

If “wintering” began at an unexpected time or the rodent clearly did not prepare for it (did not make supplies and did not build a nest), be sure to wake it up. Otherwise, he may die from starvation and dehydration. In this case, we are not dealing with natural hibernation, but with torpor. To do this, place the animal in a warm place. For example, you can wrap him in a towel and pick him up. Do not block the access of air, that is, do not wrap the muzzle! Do not place it near heating devices or fire. When he wakes up, he will begin to tremble and stretch. Continue heating until your body temperature rises and your breathing rate returns to normal. Typically, the entire awakening process takes from 30 minutes to an hour.

Analyze what caused the numbness. Maybe the cage was drafty or you didn't give the animal enough food and water? Avoid making these mistakes in the future, as frequent numbness can pose a serious threat to your health.

Housing for a hamster

House for a hamster: what should it be like?
Under no circumstances should you let your hamsters run around the house. Otherwise, the animal's owner may never see it again. The hamster must have his own home, which will be equipped with everything necessary for his hamster life. The cage should have comfortable bedding. In addition to this, you need a ladder, wheels and some toys that will make the hamster happy with its existence.

Inventing entertainment

Of course, the hamster always has a lot to do in his cage, but sometimes he needs some extra entertainment. You can buy him toys or make him a real amusement park that you can use while walking.

Prepare:

several toilet paper tubes and paper towels;
empty plastic bottles;
empty cardboard boxes of different sizes;
cardboard;
cardboard scissors or linoleum knife.

How to build an amusement park?

First, think about what it will look like. Lay out all the materials on the floor or make a sketch. Now start assembling.

Make a slit in the center of one of the pipes. Connect some of the pipes to each other, and insert some into boxes. Cut round holes in the top of some of the tubes. They are needed so that the hamster can stick out of the holes. Close the system of pipes and boxes to each other.

Make sure that there is enough space in the pipes for the animal - otherwise it will not fit there.

Don't forget about safety!

Look for boxes that are missing writing or graphics. The animal will probably gnaw on them, and the paint may give you a stomach ache.
Do not use glue or tape. They can stain fur and are very dangerous if ingested.
If you don't want to bother with cardboard, assemble the entire structure from plastic. Sections of sewer pipes are excellent for this purpose. They are easy to attach to each other. Show your imagination, and your pet will definitely thank you.

For the convenience of walking your hamster outside, you can purchase a hamster leash.

Ensuring activity

Keeping hamsters in tiny cages or a three-liter jar is cruel to the animal, which in nature runs several kilometers every day. It’s not for nothing that their home is equipped with a running wheel. Caring for hamsters may include providing them with leisure time. The owners set up entire playgrounds, labyrinths and tunnels for curious rodents.

Despite the need for movement and variety, you can only let your pet out for a walk around the apartment in a walking ball. Otherwise, the hamster at home is in mortal danger - it can get stuck, be crushed/pinched by a door, fall, fall into a pan, eat a poisonous plant, or chew through an electric wire. Catching a pet can be very difficult.

You cannot organize a walk on high surfaces (table, sofa). All hamsters come from the lowland steppes; they do not understand and are not afraid of heights. There is a high risk that the pet will fall.

Is it possible to walk a hamster outside?

With the best of intentions, some owners strive to let their pet spend time in nature. But the pet hamster will not receive pleasure from such a walk, but extreme stress. Not many people think about the fact that a pet can become seriously ill.

In nature, the animal is in wait for predators: dogs, cats, rats, crows. A nimble baby can easily run away and get lost forever. The outdoor environment is more aggressive and unstable: the hamster can become hypothermic, especially if the grass is wet, or overheat in the sun. The soil and grass are often infested with parasites and are a source of infection due to wild rodents.

Features of caring for pet hamsters

Like most other animals, pet hamsters can be stressed. As a rule, their causes may be the following circumstances:

changes in the animal's daily routine;
lack of water;
external control over his offspring;
the presence of lighting in the cage where he sleeps;
introducing another animal, even a hamster.

Also, in order to prevent stressful situations for your hamster, do not talk loudly or scream when near his cage, do not make any sudden movements in this place so that the animal does not feel danger. If you speak to your hamster quietly and calmly, he will behave accordingly.

Also consider the following tips for caring for pet hamsters:

The hamster must be moved to another cage using a special tube. First he is nudged by hand so that he can explore a new place;
You need to care for your hamster's teeth carefully and on an ongoing basis. If he eats food that is not too solid, then his teeth grow very quickly , and this interferes with normal food intake;
The cage should be cleaned several times during the week. During cleaning, the hamster is pulled out of the house and transferred to another place, for example, into a prepared jar. The bedding is changed and the cage is washed with detergent. The toilet area should be cleaned regularly as it gets dirty;
The hamster needs to be walked regularly. For this purpose, a special playing place will be equipped. You can make obstacle courses, mazes and something similar. At the same time, all sharp objects must be removed from the resting place, and nearby pieces of furniture and decor must be as durable as possible in terms of stability;
You need to regularly monitor the animal’s claws, especially if it has reached a certain age. Nails are trimmed using special manicure scissors. Do not use a nail file; your hamster may get scared and hurt himself. If the pigmentation of the hamster's claws is weak, they are trimmed only in daylight or table light. If injured, during this procedure, the paw is wrapped with a bandage, and the cage itself is washed so that the wound does not become infected;
Hamsters do not like water very much, so bathing unless necessary is not recommended. But if you still need to bathe the hamster, be careful not to let water get into its ears, eyes or nose. Don't let the hamster out of your hands so that he doesn't bite you. You need to bathe the animal only if it is very dirty, using rabbit shampoo for this purpose. After bathing, hold your hamster in your hands for a while to warm it up, and then wrap it in a soft towel.

How to identify a healthy hamster

You can assess the health of a hamster by visual examination and observation of behavior. In a healthy pet:

Thick, shiny fur
Clean, clear eyes
Healthy, clean nose without discharge
Clean coat with no signs of diarrhea around the anus

An animal that has just woken up should not be too restless or too apathetic. The exception is Roborovsky's hamsters. They are always fussing.

What else should you consider when keeping a hamster in your home?

To keep your hamster calm and not experience stressful situations, remember the following:

house him separately from other hamsters;
provide the hamster with peace and quiet;
You should not show your hamster other pets;
clean your hamster's house when he doesn't see it;
do not interfere with his lifestyle;
never punish hamsters;
do not take it outside or let it on the grass; direct sunlight is especially dangerous for it; it can die in just a few minutes.

If you plan to not only keep, but also breed hamsters at home, then this will not be too difficult. They are capable of producing regular offspring and independently feed up to ten broods throughout the year. To do this, the mother hamster needs to create appropriate conditions - ensure peace and not be taken out of the cage during pregnancy.

As you can see, keeping pet hamsters in an apartment is not so difficult. If all necessary conditions of maintenance and care are observed, this animal will delight you and especially your children for a long time, who will play with hamsters with great pleasure.

Managing stress in hamsters

A hamster at home can be exposed to various stresses, which negatively affects its health and can cause a heart attack in the animal.

The following factors can negatively affect the psychological state of a small pet:

dirty bedding that has not been changed for a long time;
lack of water in the drinking bowl;
turning on the lights at night;
loud or harsh sounds;
the appearance of another animal;
moving the cage to another room.

Adding a “friend” to an adult animal can provoke stress and cause depression. Hamsters can get along together only if they are accustomed to each other from early childhood.

Hamsters for home keeping

There are several common types of these animals, slightly different in size and coat color. The smallest is the Roborovsky hamster with a body size of up to 6 cm, and an ordinary hamster will grow up to 30 cm in length. Only 3-4 species are popular among amateurs, but there are up to 60 of them in nature. Proper care of a hamster is needed regardless of its origin.

Djungarian hamsters care and maintenance

Dzungariks with a black stripe along the ridge are popular and best studied; their backs are brownish-gray and ocher-gray in color. This species originates from the countries of Asia and Western Siberia; with good care, the animals grow to a size of 10 cm. Caring for Djungarian hamsters at home is simple; they are kept in cages on sawdust; when cleaning the nest daily, no smell is heard. It is recommended that pets be housed in pairs and allowed to breed from 3 months of age.

Syrian hamster content

At first, Syrian (golden) hamsters were bred for laboratories. Soon, the meek, reddish-sandy animals up to 18 cm in size were liked by fanciers, and they began to be intensively bred for home keeping and care. They love temperatures of about 22° C, and when it gets cold they can go into torpor. When it comes to the question of how long Syrian hamsters live at home, these rodents are no different from their counterparts, delighting us with their company for an average of 2-3 years.

Angora hamster care and maintenance

In the natural environment, there is no separate breed of Angora hamsters; they are a unique variety of the common Syrian hamsters, differing from their relatives in their incredibly beautiful fluffy coat of different colors. It is not uncommon for angora litters to produce babies with smooth and fluffy fur. The color of their back is varied - white, gray, tortoiseshell, spotted, silver. This hamster requires simple care at home without complex nuances.

Siberian hamster care and maintenance

Externally, Siberian hamsters are similar to Djungarians, but their backs are a little lighter in color. In winter, their fur becomes noticeably white, which is why they are often called Russian white dwarf hamsters. They live in the steppes of Tuva on flat and hilly terrain. Siberian hamsters are not demanding in terms of care, and their habits do not differ significantly from other species. These pets love to have fun washing themselves and cleaning their fur; when cold weather sets in, they burrow into the bedding.

Accessories

To make your pet comfortable, it is advisable to arrange his life. To do this, you can purchase accessories for hamsters at a pet store. Their selection is varied.

Pet house

The hamster will appreciate such a shelter. He will be happy to put his supplies there.

The houses are ceramic, plastic, and wooden.

Running wheel

Under natural conditions, hamsters have to run a lot.

To maintain good physical shape, you can purchase a wheel.

For adult large animals, the diameter of the structure should be 18 cm, and for small animals – 14-16 cm.

Exercises will help the hamster avoid obesity and cheer him up.

Drinker and feeder

The feeder should be ceramic. This will make it difficult for your pet to turn it over. Access to water must be ensured at all times.

Tunnels

If the animal is tired of running in a wheel, a tunnel is installed. You can create labyrinths.

Your pet hamster will be happy to move around it.

Hammock

You can buy something like this for your pet. The hamster will rock and rest a little.

walking ball

A hamster walking ball will help him move around the apartment safely.

It will diversify life and satisfy the curiosity of a small animal.

Toilet

You can purchase a corner toilet. It will make the task of cleaning up after your pet easier.

Sand bath

You can install a sand bath for bathing.

Carrying

A necessary thing if you take your pet with you on short trips, for example to the country house.

Carrying it in your pocket is dangerous. The animal may jump out and get hurt.

Filler

At the bottom of the cage you need to pour a layer of filler 2-3 cm thick. You can use finely torn paper.

Just not newspaper, as printing ink can cause digestive problems for your pet.

You can purchase wood filler. It absorbs odor well.

Some cage models are sold with accessories (drinker, wheel, ladder).

How to determine gender?

Determining gender is important not only when choosing a name for an animal, but also if you want to keep several animals at once (whether you want to breed them or not). To determine the age of an animal, you must first calm it down. To keep the animal relaxed, avoid sudden movements; you can give it some kind of treat to distract attention from the examination .
To make it easier to examine, slightly lift the animal by the fold of skin between the shoulder blades on the back. In males you will immediately notice the genitals, in females you can find nipples in the chest and abdomen. Judging by the reviews of inexperienced owners, sometimes it is difficult to determine sexual characteristics due to the hair, in this case you should not pull the skin too much, just slightly moisten the animal’s fur in the chest area with warm water - and you will be able to clearly see the genitals. If the animals are very young or newborns, then the sex can be determined by the distance between the anus and urinary opening.

In girls they are located close to each other, in boys they are slightly further apart.

Choosing and arranging a home

In order for your hamster to delight you with its presence for as long as possible, you need to create comfortable living conditions for it. Before you go to the pet store to select a rodent, you should purchase a cage for it. You can make these two purchases at the same time, but having previously decided on the place where the home will be located.

Size and material

The size of the cage will depend on the type of hamster you are getting, the length of its body, and also on the number of individuals that will live in it. So, for one representative of dwarf species, a dwelling 50 cm long, 30 cm high and wide will be sufficient. If several individuals are planned, then these parameters are accordingly multiplied by their number.

For medium-sized hamsters, the cage should be at least 60 cm long and 40 cm high and wide.

We advise you to read about choosing and arranging a cage for a hamster.

As for housing materials, most often hamsters are kept in cages with metal bars. Species such as Djungarian and Roborovsky can live in plastic cages, but you will need housing made of special plastic that is suitable for keeping rodents and is safe for them. Dwarf species can be kept in aquariums and terrariums as they have a habit of escaping through gaps between metal bars. Narrow glass vessels with high walls are not suitable for these purposes.

Video: choosing a cage for a hamster

How many hamsters should you keep in one cage?

This will depend on the type you purchase. So, for example, we have already mentioned that Roborovsky’s hamster cannot stand being alone. At the same time, it is not recommended to keep Syrian hamsters, especially same-sex ones, in the same cage. Fights, bites and torn pieces of fur cannot be avoided in such a situation. Djungar females and males also engage in fights for territory. Therefore, they very rarely coexist in the same cage. They are brought together only for the time of mating.

Before thinking about the number of individuals in one cage, we advise you to inquire about the behavioral characteristics of representatives of the species that you plan to purchase. Also check this point with the breeder or pet store.

Did you know? Hamsters, like most rodents, do not stop growing teeth until the end of their lives. Therefore, they have to constantly grind them down.

What does a hamster need in a cage?

For a rodent to live comfortably in a cage, it will need to be equipped with items necessary for nutrition, hygiene, and play. Here is a minimum list of what should be in a hamster’s home:

feeder;
drinking bowl;
tray;
mineral stone;
wheel;
litter

Feeder . It is advisable that the hamster have a bowl for food. However, you can also feed it by scattering food on the litter. Which method to choose is up to you. Note that the last option is the best if the cage contains several individuals. However, it will require additional cleaning. When feeding from a bowl, the owner can control the amount of food eaten to avoid overeating. Hamster feeders are usually made of ceramic or plastic.

Drinking bowl . It is attached to the outside of the cage, with a spout placed inside from which the animal will drink. Water must be changed daily.

Tray . A small hamster can be trained to defecate in a litter tray. So you only have to change it every day. If there is no tray, the animal will defecate on the bedding. This option is also allowed, but will require more cleaning effort. It is best to use corn substrate as a filler in the tray.

Mineral stone . The rodent needs it to grind its teeth. The animal also needs to periodically put wooden sticks in the cage.

Wheel . This item is a must for hamsters because physical activity is important for a healthy animal. In addition, like any other rodent, the hamster loves to play. The wheel must be selected according to the size of the animal. For representatives of the Djungarian and dwarf species, a device with a diameter of 20 cm is suitable. For larger rodents, including Syrian ones - 30 cm.

It is necessary to avoid buying wheels with crossbars and made of mesh - there are often cases when an animal’s paws get stuck in them and are injured.
Litter . Another mandatory attribute in the cage is a substrate, which needs to fill the bottom of the cage with a layer of 6 cm. It is necessary to ensure that the animal is warm to move around the floor, so that it can dig there and to absorb its urine. Wood shavings (except coniferous) are most often used as bedding today. It can also be hay, wood, cellulose, corn, clay, cat litter.

The rodent must be provided with material for building a nest - paper napkins, scraps of toilet paper, or special paper purchased at a pet store. It is prohibited to use cotton wool and wool for these purposes. If the size of the cage allows, then the pet will need to install a house where it will hide from prying eyes, save supplies and relax.

It is also advisable to equip the cage with toys - for grinding teeth, climbing (tunnels, ladders, crossbars, labyrinths).

Important! To avoid spilling the filler on the floor, you can place the cage in a cardboard box of a suitable size, cutting off its sides to 10 cm in height from the floor.

Video: setting up a hamster cage

Where to put it in the room

The choice of location for the cage should be taken very seriously. The pet’s health, well-being, and therefore activity will depend on this. Here are a few rules to follow when keeping hamsters :

The hamster house should be located away from heating, electric and gas appliances.
It is forbidden to place the cage in drafts, near the front door.
You should avoid installing housing for hamsters in rooms where the lights are turned on at night, the TV or computer are on.
The temperature in the room where the rodent lives should be within +20-24 °C.

If you do not adhere to the above recommendations, the hamster will live in stressful conditions, which means its life expectancy will be significantly reduced.

Features of reproduction

In hamsters of any species, the period of maturity begins quite early - in some cases, already after reaching the age of one month. If breeding is not obligatory or urgent for you, then it is recommended to wait up to 5 months. It is at this age that hamsters reach full sexual maturity.

For mating, you should choose active and strong males, as well as healthy and energetic females. The mating itself should take place on neutral territory for each individual, only in this case it will not bring discomfort to the individuals. The best time for mating is in the evening. It is in the evening that the animal’s energy increases, as does sexual activity.

If mating was successful, within a week you will begin to notice characteristic signs of pregnancy: swelling of the nipples, weight gain, decreased activity, the need for more water and food, and possible irritability in the female. Approximately 3-4 weeks after mating, cubs are born; there can be from 1 to 15 or even 18 in a litter, depending on the variety.

Over the course of a year, the average female is capable of bearing litters up to 3-4 times; these animals are extremely fertile.

To save the young, the male should be placed in another cage immediately after birth, otherwise he may simply eat the young individuals. The female should be treated with extreme caution during the period of feeding and rearing. Try not to irritate the animal with games and entertainment; at this time the female needs peace and a large amount of vitamins more. The cubs can be moved to another cage when they reach one month.

At what age is it better to buy

Hamsters do not live long, but there is no need to rush to pick them up from the breeder. Babies up to 21 days old should be with their mother. They can be weaned from 22 to 28 days, but no later. The optimal age for purchasing a pet is 1.5-2 months, but not older. Older individuals will be more difficult to accustom to a tray and a new place of residence.

When purchasing, the breeder must provide the buyer with food for the first time and the bedding on which the hamster lived. The familiar smell and menu will allow him to quickly adapt to new conditions.

Find out how much a hamster costs and how to keep it, how to train a hamster to respond to its name.

If you have already decided on the type and color of the animal, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the recommendations for choosing the right one. When purchasing from a pet store or from a breeder, first of all, you should pay attention to the following points :

appearance of the animal - it should look healthy, be active, well-groomed;
condition of the coat - dull fur with scabs and bald spots indicates health problems in the rodent;
eyes - they should be alive, shiny, not cloudy;
nose - should be dry and clean;
anus - it should be dry, clean, odorless and discharge-free;
behavior - it is better to refuse to purchase an aggressive individual in order to avoid further problems with its maintenance; you should also not buy a lethargic and sleepy rodent.

If you are buying a hamster that can live alone and do not plan to give it neighbors, then it is advisable that it be a male.
The sex of these rodents can be determined when they reach the age of 1 month. Important! Before purchasing a hamster of any kind, you should familiarize yourself with information about what conditions they require. You should only get an animal if you are able to provide these conditions

Diseases and their prevention

Unfortunately, any type of hamster is extremely vulnerable to many colds and infectious diseases. Some of these diseases extremely weaken the animal's body, which can ultimately lead to its death. Including a certain part of the diseases will be caused by improper conditions of detention, and not by the breed characteristics of the species.

Remember that the best medicine for your pet is timely contact with an experienced veterinarian, avoid self-medication.

We list the most common ailments of hamsters.

Obesity . A common disease among all pets. The reasons are irregular and plentiful feeding together with a sedentary lifestyle. That is why keeping hamsters requires a lot of free space for games and entertainment. In their natural habitat, these animals spend about 90% of their active life in constant motion. Obesity can become a breeding ground for the development of many cardiovascular diseases.

Abscesses on the limbs . A disease that occurs as a result of high activity and improper nutrition of an animal. To cope with the symptoms, you should regularly smear wounds and abscesses on the paws with zinc ointment or fish oil. Healing will not take place immediately, in some cases you will have to wait up to six months.

Enlarged or bent incisors . Half of the animal's diet should be solid food, which will grind and form the animal's teeth. This is especially important for still young individuals whose teeth have just begun to form. Symptoms of the disease include excessive salivation and loose mouth closure. You cannot shorten teeth at home; there is a high chance of harming the animal even more.

Escherichia coli. The main danger for any type of hamster is gastrointestinal diseases. Symptoms of the stick are fever, as well as bloody diarrhea. The animal, as a rule, does not survive in this case. The disease occurs due to a sudden change in diet, as well as due to poor living conditions - dirt, unwashed cage, expired food, dirty water.

Colds. The disease occurs with similar symptoms as in humans: cough, runny nose, sneezing, discharge from the eyes. You should fill the diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and also provide your pet with a dry and warm corner without drafts or cold.

Cystitis. The disease occurs due to a lack of vitamins, as well as being kept in damp and cold conditions. Symptoms include frequent urination, lack of appetite, and external agitation. Most often, sulfonamides and Buscopan help in this case, however, if treatment does not help, it is worth taking an x-ray. It is possible that your animal has bladder stones.

False rabies or, in other words, Aujeszky's disease. In this case, a certain virus attacks the pet’s nervous system. The first symptoms begin to appear within a week - the animal behaves restlessly, itches, and squeaks. If the disease is detected at this stage, it can still be prevented. At the final stage, the animal’s vocal cords completely lose activity and oral paralysis occurs. Then death comes almost immediately.

Skin diseases: abscesses, peeling, itching, ulcers, abscesses, hair loss. These diseases can be caused by infection, parasites, or poor nutrition.

These are not all diseases in hamsters. To more accurately determine the diagnosis of your pet, do not be lazy to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Housing issue

Before buying a hamster, you need to prepare a place for its future keeping. Purchasing glass jars or aquariums for these purposes is a common mistake. Such housing will not be comfortable for a rodent, and also interferes with normal air circulation.

The best option for living a furry pet is a cage, the dimensions of which will be at least 50 cm long and 30 cm wide for one individual. The rods must be positioned horizontally with a minimum distance between them.

Eating food with a funny hamster

The cage must be equipped with the following accessories:

Feeder. Preference should be given to ceramic options, but you can also opt for plastic models. It is advisable that in one cage there are two feeders at once: one for dry food, the second for wet food.
Drinking bowl. It is a special design for rodents. Hamsters easily adapt to hanging drinkers with a special rod, which allows them to always have access to clean water. There is no point in pouring water into a bowl, since the hamster will quickly contaminate it with filler and pieces of food during its vigorous activity.
Filler. The use of sawdust or special wood filler is a prerequisite for comfortable keeping a hamster. The granules can easily cope with unpleasant odors by absorbing animal urine.
Mineral stone. Necessary for sharpening cutters.
Running wheel. This accessory is necessary for hamsters due to their increased activity. The surface of the treadmill must be solid to avoid injury to the animal.

It is necessary to change the litter in the cage regularly, since it is useless to train a hamster to go to the toilet in one place in the tray. Constantly replacing the bedding will avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor and help keep the animal’s home clean.

It is advisable to locate the cage away from drafts, beds and children’s play areas. It is important to determine once and for all a place for the animal to live, since hamsters tolerate any changes very painfully.

If desired, you can equip the animal’s cage with a wooden house, which will serve as a shelter for it from the outside world and become a place to sleep.

Interesting Facts

It is worth considering the list of 15 most interesting and funny facts about hamsters, which have been collected for you from around the world. Some of the information from the facts applies only to some varieties of these animals.

The largest breed of hamster in the world is the European hamster. Representatives of this breed can grow up to 35 centimeters in length.

The smallest variety is the dwarf hamster. Its length rarely exceeds 10 centimeters.

The main activity of hamsters occurs at night and at dusk. During the day, they prefer only to hoard food or play.

Hamsters are considered omnivores, as they are able to digest not only plant, but also animal food.

The buccal sinuses of hamsters serve not only for dragging food (up to 30% of the animal’s weight), but also for successful swimming. The animal takes air into its cheeks, which allows it to float freely.

The coloring of hamsters can be completely different, some researchers count up to 40 separate colorings, including white, red and black shades.

The most common 4 breeds of hamsters are the Syrian golden, Djungarian, Campbell's hamster and Roborovsky's hamster. The most commonly bred variety is the Syrian golden variety. They are the ones that can most often be found at home.

Some species of hamsters are actually on the verge of destruction, while other species are considered by some countries to be real pests, from which entire hectares of vegetable crops (especially legumes) suffer. The rarest varieties of hamsters are the Syrian hamster and Newton's hamster.

Most species of hamsters do not have good eyesight, and in addition to this, these animals are color blind. However, hamsters' sense of smell and hearing are simply remarkably developed, which helps them quickly find food in their natural environment.

The average lifespan of hamsters is 1.5-2 years. Moreover, 1 year of existence for this animal is actually equal to 25 years of human life.

The word hamster is translated from the ancient Avestan language as “an enemy who throws down.” Researchers believe that this was due to the animals' habit of bending plants under themselves to get to food or fruit.

Hamsters, like squirrels, always store much more food than they can consume. You should be prepared to discover a whole warehouse of food if you haven’t thoroughly cleaned the cage for a long time.

In some countries, for example, in Vietnam, it is officially prohibited to keep hamsters at home. These animals are considered not so much pests as carriers of deadly diseases. Failure to comply with this law results in a steep fine of approximately $800.

Oddly enough, hamsters are a rare breed of animals that are born with incisors, which continue to grow throughout their lives.

Dwarf hamsters, as well as some other varieties of hamsters, are able to slightly delay the birth of young animals if at the same time the female is raising cubs from an earlier litter.

Nutrition Basics

Proper feeding of a hamster is the key to its good health and well-being.

The animal’s diet should contain the following foods:

Specialized dry mixtures. They are produced in the form of formulations based on wheat or barley grains, compressed green granules, dried corn and other ingredients. Such food has a balanced composition, developed taking into account the preferences of animals. Crushed fruit particles are added to the finished mixture, but in limited quantities.
Plant food. This includes fresh and boiled peas, alfalfa leaves, bluegrass, and also garden vegetables (tomatoes, sweet peppers, pumpkin, zucchini. As for fruits, you can give your pet bananas, apples, pears and grapes.
Jam, buckwheat, oatmeal, millet. This food is given 2-3 times a week.
Dried fruits. You can feed your hamster banana chips daily. At the same time, dried dried apricots, prunes and cherries can only be given as a treat. Such products contain a lot of sugar, which poses a health hazard to the rodent.
Nuts and seeds. They can be given daily. Hamsters respond positively to almonds and pumpkin seeds.
Flour products. Allowed for use no more than once a week.

There are a number of foods that are best avoided when planning a diet for a hamster. It is forbidden to feed the rodent with spices, which, like spicy or sour foods, cause burns to the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and oral cavity.

Many fruits are good for hamsters, but there are also contraindicated options.

Among them:

All citrus fruits.
Kiwi.

Do not feed your hamster fatty or sweet foods, including sweets and honey. Pets are prone to developing diabetes.

The hamster's nutrition must be correct.