4 Ways to Take Care of a Dwarf Hamster

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Dwarf hamsters are friendly creatures, very suitable for becoming pets. In the wild, they live in groups and thrive in the forests, grasslands and deserts of China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Siberia. There are a few different types of dwarf hamsters. Domestic ones include Winter White, Campbell, and Roborovski. They live in dry environments that have interesting characteristics that can amuse them. Learn how to make the best home for dwarf hamsters by reading this guide. If you treat them right, they will live a long and happy life.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Building a Hamster House

Step 1. Choose a hamster cage

Dwarf hamsters are only 10cm long, but they like to have plenty of room to run around and play. Find a large enough cage where they can move around and have room for their food, water, and toys. Choose from the following options:

• A hamster aquarium. You can find hamster-specific ones or choose one that's intended for fish, which will be fine anyway. Glass aquariums protect rodents from cold and drafts and give you a great view of their activities. The aquarium should have a wire mesh cover so that the hamsters cannot escape.
• A plastic hamster house. These expensive cages often have many rooms connected by plastic pipes, to allow the hamsters to run around the house all day. They allow animals to have a lot of fun, but are more difficult to clean than other cages. If you have chosen this type of cage, make sure it is not too steep or complex, as some hamsters may have trouble getting through the pipes.
• A classic cage, with wire mesh. Especially if the hamster is just born, make sure it can't get through the mesh. These type of cages are a comfortable home for hamsters and are well ventilated, but you will need to watch out for drafts. The area around the cage could also get dirty, because hamsters love to dig into the earth, which would pass between the meshes. Make sure you do NOT get a cage with a wire mesh bottom. You could injure the hamster's feet.

• The best hamster cage is the largest one you can afford. The minimum size of a golden hamster cage recommended by the RSPCA is 75x40x40cm.

  • A great cage is IKEA's Detolf, as it provides the pet with plenty of space, allows you to see it easily and is also affordable for its size.
  • As for the cage with the wire mesh, the Alexander produced by Skyline is recommended. It has plenty of room for toys, wooden tunnels, and more, although it may still be difficult to fit a wheel big enough for a golden hamster. The cage may also be too small for very active hamsters, depending on how much they enjoy running around in it. If you find your hamster biting the bars, you may need to upgrade to a larger cage.

  

  Step 2. Keep only one hamster in a cage

  If you want two hamsters, don't put them in the same cage. Many think that hamsters are social creatures, but research has shown that they are solitary animals and that they could fight to the death with each other if given the opportunity. So if you want your pet to be happy, don't assume he is sociable.

  Even in the wild, a female hamster will drive the male out of its territory once the mating phase is over

  

  Step 3. Purchase hamster litter

  Dry soil is critical to a dwarf hamster's health. The litter must absorb moisture and provide shelter and warmth to the animal. Choose one made from recycled paper, wood shavings, or recycled corn on the cob.

  • Make sure the litter does not contain pine or cedar wood, as the phenols contained in these types of wood produce very strong and toxic odors for hamsters.
  • Some hamsters are allergic to certain types of bedding. If yours contains pine, cedar, or another allergen, your pet may start panting and sneezing. If this occurs, replace the litter box with recycled paper or a hypoallergenic material.
  • Never give the hamster a cotton-type litter. It is dangerous and can be lethal to hamsters. These animals do not digest cotton fibers and could cause blockage of their digestive tract. There is also the risk that they can suffocate.

  

  Step 4. Choose the right location for the cage

  You should put her in a comfortable room. Remember that hamsters are nocturnal animals and therefore you will need to place the cage in a room that is dark at night. Make sure the temperature is adequate and there are no drafts, as hamsters are prone to pneumonia and respiratory diseases.

  • Do not leave the windows open in the room where the hamster lives.
  • If you have other pets, make sure the hamster is in an area where it cannot be disturbed or threatened.

  

  Step 5. Clean the cage often

  For the health of hamsters, the cage must be clean. You will need to remove dirty soil every 2-3 days and wash the entire cage once a week. A medium-sized spray bottle filled with water and two tablespoons of bleach or antibacterial dish soap (you could also use white wine vinegar) should be enough to disinfect the cage without harming the hamsters. Be sure to wash the toys, bowls and wheel as well.

  • After cleaning the cage, allow it to air dry for 10-15 minutes before adding 5cm of new litter - 5cm is the recommended amount, as the dwarf hamster likes to burrow. He wouldn't be happy if he couldn't do it.
  • While cleaning the cage, be sure to put the hamster in a safe place that he cannot escape from, such as a fence or bathtub. Avoid putting the animal in a cardboard box, as it will easily chew it and get out.

  Part 2 of 4: Feeding the Hamster

  

  Step 1. Purchase a hamster drinking trough

  Many hamster cages have water containers, but if yours doesn't, you'll have to buy them yourself. Hamsters drink from bottles with metal taps. Fill them with fresh water when they are empty.

  • Don't leave the water in the bottle for too long. If your hamster drinks little, refill the bottle a few times a week and clean it from time to time.
  • Make sure the bottle doesn't leak. The hamster could get sick if he gets wet, which is why he has to drink from a bottle and not an open bowl.
  • You could also put a bottle of water outside the cage; if the hamster runs away, it will go in search of water. If it doesn't find enough, it will become too weak.

  

  Step 2. Purchase some hamster food

  Serve it in a shallow plastic bowl, so the hamsters can get to the food easily without dirtying the cage. These pets like to constantly nibble on food, so make sure the bowl is always full. However, you should throw away the rotten food. In specialty stores they sell a wide range of hamster foods, which fall into the following categories:

  • Pellets or blocks, which should be the basis of the hamster diet.
  • Seed mix, which can be added as a supplement.

  

  Step 3. Purchase chewable sticks

  Hamsters are rodents, so they need to wear out their teeth. Buy chewable sticks or toys from specialty stores to help your pet keep their teeth healthy.

  

  Step 4. Give your hamster some special treats

  In addition to pellets and seeds, hamsters like to eat a few treats from time to time. You can add vegetables, fruits and other fresh foods to the hamster's diet (in small doses). Make sure you don't overdo it, though, so you don't run the risk of upsetting his stomach.

  • You can give him small pieces of lettuce, carrots, apples, broccoli, tomatoes, oats, cooked meat, and plain yogurt.
  • Avoid giving your hamster citrus or sugar, as this could make him sick. Also avoid peanut butter, as it can choke on it.

  Part 3 of 4: Playing with a Dwarf Hamster

  

  Step 1. Provide the hamster with toys and objects to play with

  Hamsters have a lot of energy and love to exercise, especially at night. Give your child games that he can use alone or with your help.

  • The training wheel is the classic hamster toy. Make sure it is stable and cannot tip over when the hamster gets on it. Be aware that they can be very noisy, so if you are a light sleeper, don't keep the hamster cage in the room.

    For a Roborowsky hamster, the wheel must be at least 13 cm; 17 cm for the Siberian hamster

  • An alternative to the wheel are those in the shape of a "flying saucer". It is basically a wheel placed sideways, so that the hamster can have a rotating surface on which to run. As for the dimensions, the same suggestions given above apply.
  • Training balls are also common choices. Hamsters can get inside these plastic balls, which roll as they run. Make sure you place the ball on a flat surface, away from steps.

  

  Step 2. Hold the hamster the right way

  As soon as you bring home a new dwarf hamster, don't try to pick it up. Just put your hand in its cage and let it sniff you, to get it used to your scent. Don't pick him up and don't handle him roughly, because his body is very fragile. Always take it from below or he will feel threatened. Start by sitting on the ground and holding it close to the floor. If he doesn't see an easy way out, he might bite or squirm.

  Pick up the hamster every day. If your dwarf hamster doesn't socialize often, he may stop being friendly when you want to play with him. Gently lift it out of the cage and let it run freely on you at least once a day

  

  Step 3. Help your hamster stay clean

  Dwarf hamsters are very clean animals, which rarely need their owner's intervention when it comes to hygiene. However, once a week you can pour sand into a bowl to allow the hamster to take a "sand bath". This method reminds these rodents of the substance they use in nature to keep themselves clean.

  • If the hamster is very dirty, get a small toothbrush. Wet it and use it to gently clean it. Dry the animal with a cloth.
  • Never bathe a hamster by submerging it in water. He would get sick.

  Part 4 of 4: Keeping the Dwarf Hamster Healthy

  

  Step 1. Learn to recognize a healthy dwarf hamster

  Typically, dwarf specimens have stocky bodies, large cheeks, and short tails. Make sure there is no discharge around the eyes or nose, or other signs of illness. Russian dwarf hamsters are particularly vulnerable to diabetes; a specimen suffering from this condition will drink much more and urinate more often than a healthy one. Be sure to see your vet if you suspect your hamster has diabetes.

  

  Step 2. Check if the hamster has a wet tail

  A recently weaned or extremely stressed dwarf hamster may get "wet tail". The animal suffers from diarrhea and the humidity caused by that condition causes the tail to become wet. Consult your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

  Tyzzer's disease causes diarrhea in young or stressed hamsters. It is a disease that requires the intervention of the veterinarian. Some antibiotics can cause and aggravate this condition, so don't try to cure your hamster yourself

  

  Step 3. Look for signs of parasites

  Like cats and dogs, dwarf hamsters can get worms. Tapeworms are the most common species, so be careful. When cleaning your hamster's cage, look for signs of diarrhea and small, rice-like pieces of worm.

  If you suspect your hamster is suffering from tapeworms, consult a veterinarian. Bring a stool sample with you. With the help of a microscope, the doctor will be able to correctly diagnose the pet's problems and prescribe the correct treatment, topically or orally. Follow the drug's instructions to understand how to administer it

  

  Step 4. Check the hamster's eyes and nose regularly

  Dwarf hamsters can catch colds like humans. In some cases, this condition can worsen and become pneumonia. People with pneumonia have discharge from the nose and eyes and can stop eating - this is a serious condition. Call the vet right away.

  

  Step 5. Watch out for abscesses too

  Dwarf hamsters have a tendency to develop abscesses, often caused by the teeth; they are most common in the head and cheek area. Abscesses are basically pockets of infected pus that appear under the hamster's skin and fur. If present, they will be sensitive to touch and the hamster will resist when you try to touch them. Consult your vet to understand how you should proceed. In most cases the abscess will heal on its own, but if the situation gets too bad the vet will need to intervene.

  Warnings

  • Hamsters are quick and fragile, so when handling them be careful they don't slip away or they could get hurt.
  • It is difficult to catch a hamster that has escaped and gone into hiding. If your hamster escapes, put his drinking trough outside the cage. When he is thirsty, he will come back to drink some water and you will hear his noise.
  • Keep the hamster away from cats and other pets. They have a very developed sense of smell, so they could also sense danger from inside the cage.
  • Hamsters on average live from 2.5 to 3.5 years. The disappearance of a hamster may be a child's first experience with death, so you should prepare for it when the animal becomes old.