What are some tips on taking care of a hamster?

Any tips on taking care of my teddybear hamster?

• Answer:

  Where should you look for a hamster companion? Instead of creating more demand for hamsters by purchasing one from a pet store, we suggest you adopt one from a local animal shelter. Hamsters and other small animals are frequently brought to shelters so that they can be placed in other homes. When you first bring your new hamster home, she's likely to feel stressed by the transition to an unfamiliar environment. She may be away from her littermates for the first time and will be inundated with strange sounds and smells. Make the transition stress-free You can ease your hamster's stress by following a few simple steps. Set up your hamster's cage with appropriate accessories and food before you bring her home. Use the same type of food, bedding, and nesting materials she's used to (unless they're inappropriate for hamsters), and introduce new products slowly. Note that shavings of cedar and pine are not appropriate bedding materials, and can cause health problems. Use paper products for bedding. Cover the cage with a light cloth for the first day or two to allow your hamster to explore her new home with greater privacy and fewer distractions. Don't rush to handle your new hamster; provide fresh food and water every day, but give her a few days to acclimate to her new home before you start petting her or picking her up. Discourage friends and visitors from handling your new hamster during this adjustment period. If you've acquired a new hamster as a companion for another (dwarf hamsters only; Syrians prefer solitary living), you shouldn't introduce them right away; a two-week quarantine period is needed to ensure that your new hamster is healthy and won't transmit any diseases to your resident hamster. Introducing dwarf hamsters by placing their cages side by side for two weeks will help things go more smoothly when they finally come face to face. A rule that you must always follow: Syrian hamsters cannot be housed together! They are territorial, solitary animals and will fight and inflict serious wounds to each other if not kept apart. They can, however, be kept near each other in separate housing. Dwarf hamsters MIGHT be kept together in same-sex housing; read more below. Size it up In the wild, hamsters have separate chambers in their burrows for sleeping, eating, and eliminating, and they tend to observe the same customs in their cages. One corner will be the bathroom, another will serve as the pantry for storing food stashes, and another will be his bedroom. Room to spread out (and to burrow and nest) is important. When selecting a cage, keep in mind that your hamster will spend most of his time in this contained space. Bigger is better when it comes to hamster housing! Location Once you've selected the right housing for your hammie, you'll need to determine where in your house your hamster will live. Here are some factors to consider: The ideal temperature range for hamsters is approximately 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Hamster housing should be located away from strong heat sources such as direct sunlight, wood stoves, or fireplaces. This is especially important if your hamster is kept in an aquarium or modular unit, both of which have poor ventilation and can heat up quickly. Don't put your hamster's cage in an unheated room, breezeway, garage, or other cold location. When the temperature falls below 60 degrees, your hamster's activity level will decrease, and temperatures below 50 degrees are likely to prompt hibernation. Temperatures below freezing can kill your hamster. Place the cages in a draft-free area (e.g., away from doors and on an elevated surface). Other considerations If you're a light sleeper, remember that hamsters are active at night and you may not want the cage in your bedroom. Don't keep your hamster's cage in the kitchen since dirty bedding may be kicked out of the enclosure and contaminate food preparation areas. Make sure your hamster's cage is safe from other pets who may see him as prey. If you have young children, put the cage in an area where you can control access and supervise child-hamster interactions. Cage types Read about the different types of cages, and the pros and cons of each. Wire cages Aquariums Cage-aquarium hybrids Plastic modular cages Wire cages This popular option features a coated wire cage over a detachable plastic base. These cages often include different levels for your hamster to explore, but very tall ones can be dangerous. Hamsters have poor eyesight and depth perception, and they can be seriously injured in a fall from the upper platforms. Size: Minimum of two square feet. Look for: A half-inch or less of space between bars to prevent escape (hamsters can squeeze through very small gaps; if their heads fit through an opening, their bodies will easily follow). Solid platforms and ramps: wire flooring can be uncomfortable on small paws (you can easily modify wire surfaces by covering them with cardboard, ceramic or vinyl tiles, or mats available in pet supply stores). Price: $35 and above for an adequately sized cage for hamsters. Good housing for: Syrian hamsters (the most common type of hamster; also known as golden or teddy bear hamsters). They're larger, so spacing between bars shouldn’t be a problem. Remember that Syrian hamsters should only be housed one to a cage. Wire hamster cages may not be appropriate for dwarf hamsters, depending on the spacing between the bars. Wire cages designed for mice or rats may be good choices, but cages designed for rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, or birds won’t be right for hamsters. Pros: Good ventilation, easy to clean, platforms at different heights provide variety in the hamster's environment, available in a range of styles. Cons: Openings between the bars of the cage may allow smaller hamsters (particularly dwarf species) to escape; children can stick fingers between bars; cats and dogs can get noses and claws through them. If you have young kids or other pets, keep the cage in a safe place, or consider using an aquarium, bedding material often gets kicked out of wire cages, particularly if the base is shallow, so cleanup can be more involved; falls from overly tall platforms can seriously injure your hamster.