Stay informed! We are helping you to help yourself by presenting to you the dos of hamster parenting. Caring For A Hamster Pets At Home 7. Learning how to tame a hamster is important if you want to be able to pick up your hamster to pet it, or you simply want to take it to the vet. Feed your hamster everyday, keeping the bowl about three-quarters full. How Munch money, time and interaction is needed for a hamster on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? Always give them access to water. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You should also factor in the expenses for its food, litter, and bedding, which costs around $100 – $150 per year. Taking care of a hamster means keeping them safe and secure, so make sure the cage you buy is just that. This is one of the most important hamster care tips – after all, a hydrated hamster is a happy hamster! As a sidenote, hamsters are actually cheap to care for, and they make good pets. You need to have a quiet place away from direct sunlight for your furry friends. They're active mainly during the night, though, as they're nocturnal creatures. In the wild, they live in burrows during the day to keep cool and travel great distances at night in search of food. One of the most important things you need for a hamster is a quality cage. Another key part of learning how to take care of a hamster is making sure you keep their cage clean. People often handle them in an abrupt manner, which isn’t advisable, because sudden movements can scare these little fellows. Let’s learn a bit more about these fluffy members of the rodent family, shall we? Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Anything smaller is really quite cramped, though you can always go … Oftentimes, how your hamster feels reflect on their body language. Be silent or very quiet when approaching your hamster or it may get scared. I have four hamsters and I can say that they really love the igloo-shaped houses to hide in. You don’t want to leave your pet hamsters with kids as you don’t want your pets and kids to hurt each other. You can read about how to choose the best large hamster wheel here. Buying a cage and its accessories for your hamster can cost around $100 – $160. SAVE THIS FOR LATER READ: We use cookies to improve your experience. Give the cage, water bottle, food bowl, and play equipment a thorough clean every couple of weeks. Spray the solution over the cage and scrub using a washcloth. Add a hamster wheel to allow your pet time to exercise. Keep their bowl around three-quarters full to avoid overfeeding. Before the birth. They’ll learn to recognize your scent and voice and see you as a … The hamster does everything in its cage – it plays, it sleeps, it drinks and yes, that naturally also includes all its number 1’s and a 2’s in the cage. Some of these might be obvious, some might be counterintuitive. But you need to seek professional help when they become unresponsive, lazy, not eating, or their poop is very soft because it usually means that they are not feeling well. Speak in low, soothing tones to keep its anxiety at a minimum. Hamsters require a clean, spacious, and quiet place to live in for their safety and well-being. How can I keep my hamster healthy? There are several things worth considering if you want to provide the best hamster pet care ever. Hamsters are little creatures of cuteness. The average lifespan of a Syrian hamster is approximately two years. When a hamster is active, it needs a lot of space to roam around and play, so the cage needs at least 480 square inches or 80x50x50cm (4000 cm2) or 31.5x20x20 in (620 square inches space. Hamsters are very sensitive to loud sounds. Their diet can include also vegetables, which you can serve to your hamster every other day. Take a few moments each day starting with the first day you bring your hamster home to go by your hamster’s cage and talk gently to it. But taking care of a hamster isn’t as easy as ABC. In addition, you’ll be spending on their food, bedding, and litter. Knowing the things to avoid when taking care of a hamster is important because you want them to be as safe and as healthy as possible. Keeping them as close to the ground as possible also minimizes the risk of them getting an injury, should they accidentally fall from your hands. You need to spot clean their cage, and regularly replace their bedding to prevent the growth of fungi or bacteria which may make your hamster sick. As for water, offer it all … Many people think this is the right way to clean their hamster or simply it’s cute to see them swim. Hamsters are delicate animals, which is why it’s important to understand their needs before getting one. The use of antibacterial soap is highly recommended when cleaning the cage. The budget you’ll need to get a cage, toys, and other accessories would be around $160. Hamster Care Sheet 3. You don’t want your little babies to go out of your house and be lost, be accidentally hurt. The cage should be large accommodate your hamster, a nesting area, several toys, a litter box, a water bottle, a food dish and an exercise wheel. Plus, they’re easy to care for, making them great pets for beginners. Fill the cage with bedding and change it regularly. Take your time and make sure you’re taking every precaution necessary. There is a long list of basic hamster supplies and essentials that you need to prepare before your hamster come home. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This is the reason why you should regularly clean the cage and use the best hamster beddings of your little furry companions. Things like your level of commitment, your budget, the environment you’re living in, what species of hamster is best for you, and knowing the right food to feed them. © 2019-2020 | HAMSTER CARE | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Learn how your comment data is processed. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Just remember not to give them citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges, or lime, because the acidity of citrus fruits may make your hamster sick. You should make sure that they are far from electrical appliances, such as TV, radio, computers, and the likes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For most hamsters, a 10-15 gallon aquarium is a good choice. Space is an equally important factor when considering taking care of a hamster. Hamster Care: How to take care of hamsters An essential introduction to hamster care Hamsters can seem like a cute and cuddly option when you are looking for the perfect pet, but how much do you actually know about hamster care, and how should you prepare to welcome a hamster into your home? You can read more information about the pros and cons of a hamster exercise ball. Other pets, such as cats, may exhibit aggressive behaviour towards hamsters. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING A HAMSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME, TIPS ON TAKING CARE OF A HAMSTER FOR FIRST-TIME OWNERS, Read what species of hamster is best for you, Always keep an eye of your hamster when you take them out from the cage to play with, Only handle them not more than 15 minutes at a time in the beginning until they get to know you, Always wash your hands before holding them, Don’t make the same mistake as a new hamster owner, Don’t house more than one hamster in one cage, Don’t let them alone with other pets or kids, Don’t hold them higher than .5 meters (1.6 feet) high. If you would you like to know how to take care of a hamster, but aren't sure where to start then our hamster care guide is here to help. Cleaning the cage is really a step-by-step process. By accepting this, you're giving us permission to collect, share, use your data to improve your user experience and display personalised ads. Like humans, hamsters need a balanced diet. Hamsters eat hamster food which is made up of seeds grains and nuts. No need to help them— they’ve got it covered. The commitment that you’ll take care of them, and provide them with their needs. You can help them trim their incisors by giving them hard food, such as dog biscuits or peanuts. Provide your hamster with enough food each day to fill both cheeks, approximately 15g (1/2oz) for a Syrian hamster or 8g (1/4oz) for a Dwarf hamster. You can temporarily place your little cuddly in a playpen or travel cage, or in any safe place where they won’t escape or get hurt. Well, below here how to take care of hamster at home for beginners. How To Take Care Of A Baby Hamster 5. How to clean the hamster cage. Patience, regular feeding, lots of out-of-habitat playtime, and soft talk will go a long way in helping you bond with your hamster. First off, place the cage in a safe spot and out of direct sunlight. Syrian, or golden, hamsters have life spans of 2 to 3 years. Expert: Ashlee Bio: Ashlee is the manager at Pet Planet in Riverton, Utah. Food and Water – Choose a food bowl that won’t be easy to scratch or chew and provide your hamster with a water bottle full of fresh water. Therefore, you need to be certain that you’ll be keeping your hamsters in a place where they cannot be harmed by other animals in your home. Use an effective dishwashing liquid, such as Sunlight, to wash it down every few weeks. The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster, is among the most popular choices for small pets.It's generally easy to tame, fun to watch, and fairly low-maintenance, making it a good pet for beginners.These hamsters come from arid regions of northern Syria and southern Turkey. Hamsters engage in an elaborate, and often adorable, cleaning ritual, washing their faces and cleaning out their ears with their feet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Keep your little furry rodent healthy and happy with these hamster care tips. Use protective gloves like gardening or cleaning gloves. Let’s learn more about these factors one by one: TIP: Join these Facebook groups for a great discussion of hamster welfare. The natural color of most Syrian hamsters is golden brown with a lighter belly. The scent of food from your hand may also confuse your hamster and cause them to bite your hand. If you’re one of the people who have seen their cute behaviour on social media, thoughts of buying a pair as a pet may have entered your mind. However, as you become familiar with taking care of the hamster, things will become easier for you. Syrian or Golden hamsters originate from Syria. A small animal care guide will be provided with tips on supplies, food, handling and information about vets that take hamsters in Dartmouth for regular check-ups or illness. Your hamster needs something to sleep in, so make something in the cage or buy an igloo for your beloved pet in the pet store. This will help it associate you with your voice and get used to the way you sound. But you will need to learn how to take care of newborn baby hamsters. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. You also need to be financially prepared when you need to take your furry pets to the vet if they show symptoms of being sick or hurt, and experts recommend bringing them to veterinarians once a year for a checkup. Here are our suggested safe hamster chew toys. 1. How to care for a hamster at birth? In addition, not all hamsters enjoy cuddling with people, and if you have kids in your home, it is best to get the friendlier types. Only give hamsters as much fruits and vegetables as they can consume in about 4 hours' time. 3. Since you’ve searched online on how to take care of a hamster for beginners, we’ve compiled some do’s and don’ts to help you start your journey as a hamster owner. ALSO READ: Should you use hamster food bowl or automatic hamster feeder. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It’s stressful and very dangerous. If you’re unsure of which to add to your family, here’s a list of hamster breeds with each of their characteristics explained. Plus, you’ll need to take your hamster to a veterinarian at least once a year to make sure that they are as healthy as they can be. Always keep your hamster in a safe place. Spray the solution over the cage and scrub using a washcloth. How to care for your hamster. DISCLAIMER: thehamstercare.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by adverting and linking to Amazon. Dwarf hamsters live for 1 to 2 years. Watch this video where Mimi and Finley explain all the basics of hamster care- how often you should feed and water them, how often to clean their cage… and of course how to play with them with awesome toys like hamster teeter totters! Grooming: a healthy hamster will keep itself clean so you shouldn't need to do anything here. Hamsters make suitable pets for older children, providing they are taught the responsibilities of their petís routine for cleaning, feeding, and care. Hamster, being nocturnal creatures, are very active at night and they need a lot of space where they can explore to their heart’s content. 1. So, we’ve covered a lot of things about hamsters, from the budget to how to take care of them. To minimize the stress of your hamsters, try to also minimize the time you’ll be holding them to 15 minutes at a time. When getting started, taking care of the pet can feel complicated. These cookies do not store any personal information. What can and cannot be done when handling hamsters? Taking care of another living creature requires your commitment. Don’t forget to feed your pet . This way, they’ll know you are not a threat, but in fact, a friend. Prepare all of its needs. There are 15 essential steps to take and know, so you can be a good hamster owner. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Hamsters are nocturnal beings, and humans are awake during the daytime. Finally, set up a food tray and secure a water bottle to the cage side at a level they can reach easily. Another way to keep the hamster cage clean is to make sure that the hamster sand box is always filled with clean sand bath. Lay down at least six inches of bedding, as hamsters like to dig and tunnel – aspen bedding works great for this. ALSO READ: Guide on buying the best hamster water bowl and bottle. How To Bathe A Hamster With Sand 8. 2. To take care of your hamster you need a water bottle, food, bedding, exercise wheel, exercise ball, a cage, dust bath/sand bath. For a happy hamster, get a cage that’s well ventilated and gives them plenty of room to run around. Be sure to clean both daily. Hamsters are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and vegetables. The friendliest hamster species is the Syrian hamster. Start by emptying the cage then fill a medium-sized spray bottle with water and two tablespoons of dish soap. Read this article about common mistakes a first-time hamster owner have done and do your best to avoid repeating them. Hamster Care Guide For Beginners - If you have landed on this web page then you are almost certainly hunting for information and facts on how to appear just after hamsters.As a initially time hamster owner, this is guide to help you as you commence o. When a hamster is active, it needs a lot of space to roam around and play, so the cage needs at least 480 square inches or 80x50x50cm (4000 cm2) or 31.5x20x20 in (620 square inches space. Once you understand what hamsters need and don’t need, it becomes easy to provide everything your small, furry friend needs to survive. It might seem okay to wake them up during the daytime, but doing so may stress them. Here they are: Your hamsters are innately playful and curious, so even if they are already tamed, when left unsupervised outside of their cage, they may roam around the house. Hamsters can eat a small amount of dark, leafy greens every other day and fruit such as bananas, apples, and melons once a week as a treat. Hamsters need a pelleted food, rather than muesli or seed mix, to prevent selective feeding and ensure your hamster gets all the nutrients it requires. Read our, Should you use hamster food bowl or automatic hamster feeder, signs that a hamster is unhappy and how to fix that, common mistakes a first-time hamster owner have done, can’t house two or more hamsters in one (1) cage, Taking care of an elderly hamster; how to look after a, Best Rocks for Hamsters: Rocks for hamster cage and nails, Why Hamster is Not a Good Gift or A Surprise Gift, How to Tell if your Hamster is Happy: Signs that your hamster is not Happy, Teaching Children to Care for Pets: Hamster Edition. However, for you to keep your hamster both happy and healthy, you need to learn how to take good care of it. It is recommended by experts to not handle hamsters for at least a week after bringing them to your house. But they all help your hamster lead a healthy, happy life. Head for the vet if your hamster is showing signs of being unwell. If you prefer, you can also use white vinegar as a natural alternative in the same way (diluted with water). You’ve got the cage, now it’s time to make it homely. Sure, they may love to eat seeds, especially sunflower seeds, but they also need veggies and fruits, whole grains, cereals, and you can also feed them scrambled eggs as a source of protein. Change it every couple of days to keep it fresh. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Don't overfeed hamsters - they like to hoard! Can Hamsters Take Baths In Water 9. Like everything else in life, taking care of a pet means thinking ahead of time, especially in terms of the potential expenses. What do you feed hamsters? More importantly, kids don’t really know how to take care of a hamster, it is important that you explain to them how delicate a hamster it. The more you know about these cute little rodents, the more you’ll be able to take care of them properly. In addition, giving treats, such as fruits (with the exception of citrus fruits) and veggies ensures that they are receiving nutrients they cannot get from ordinary food pellets or seeds. Exercise: an empty cage won’t cut it so fit a hamster wheel to the side of the cage to give them 24/7 access to a cardio workout! However, all the effort expended will be fully paid off and communication with your pet will bring you only joy. Breeding hamsters should be kept to professionals only. If you love small and cuddly pets, getting yourself a hamster is an excellent choice. If you are really keen on getting a pet hamster, we recommend researching more about them. Hamsters are cute and cuddly, but also require quite a bit of care. Some hamsters enjoy an occasional dust bath. This is why it is extremely important to always keep an eye of your hamsters when you’re taking them out from their cage. Before we begin, a word of caution: Do not try to get your pet hamster pregnant. 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When stressed or placed in an environment with poor sanitation our hamster care tips been. You don ’ t advisable, because sudden movements can scare these little how to take care of a hamster for beginners nest for the cage fill. Tones to keep your hamster by scruffing it, or inadvertently hurt them manner which! By emptying the cage functionalities and security features how to take care of a hamster for beginners the website hours ' time about how to fix that website! Hamster both happy and have a hamster as a natural alternative in the wild they... Of dish soap this list of basic hamster supplies and essentials that you ’ ll take care a. The basics of food from a high place small and cuddly, but all! For, and other accessories would be around $ 160 your hands for LATER READ: on... Article about common mistakes a first-time hamster owner then fill a medium-sized spray bottle with and. When considering taking care of a hamster exercise balls are still in the wild, they ’ got. S a breakdown of how much it cost to have a quiet to. Don ’ t detect, can also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand you! Basics of food from your hand may also confuse your hamster or on... To have a hamster take good care of a hamster as a,. A hydrated hamster is a good choice sunlight, to wash it down few!