Hamsters make perfect pets for adults and kids alike but, unfortunately, they are also quite misunderstood. They are territorial creatures that love to dig, bury and are also extremely active and full of vitality, moreover they are very clean animals; for this reason, when you own one, you must guarantee it a cage with excellent hygienic conditions. You must ensure that the pet lives in a comfortable environment, so it does not get bored and does not get stressed. The cage is the most important investment you need to make for your new friend, so before taking him home, think about his needs so that he can live a healthy and happy life.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Purchase a Hamster Cage
Step 1. Look for the cage
First of all you need to consider its size, so that the hamster is as happy and calm as possible. Generally a metal cage with steel bars or metal mesh walls is preferable, compared to modular ones that have monobloc walls. Regardless of the model you have decided to buy, make sure that the bottom is a continuous "floor" (not with bars), so you can add a lot of substrate in which the pet can dig and hide.
Syrian and Chinese hamsters should not be kept in pairs in the same cage, as they are very territorial animals and will fight; they can get very seriously injured or kill themselves
Step 2. Buy a large cage, the largest possible
The minimum measures are defined by law and the most common are three: the American minimum measures (the smallest), German (the best) and finally those defined by the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), which can be a compromise. Do not join many small cages together, as hamsters need a lot of space to run around, as if they were free in nature. Here are the minimum measurements:
- According to American laws: 0, 23 m2.
- According to the English RSPCA: 80 x 50 cm.
- According to German laws: 1 m2.
- While the recommendations may vary based on your specific specimen, the basic principle is that the larger the cage, the better.
Step 3. Alternatively, you can use a second-hand cage
Your best bet would be to buy a new one, but if you prefer to rely on an old or used one, you need to clean it with mild baby soap and rinse it thoroughly. To eliminate the smell of the previous hamster you can also use a mixture of water and vinegar, but do this only from time to time. In pet stores, you can also find disinfectants and wet wipes that are safe for small pets.
Step 4. Decide where to place the cage
You should weigh this choice carefully, as it will have a big impact on your rodent friend's well-being. Avoid places in the house where it is very hot, such as under a window with direct sunlight, near a heater or other heat source. Likewise, do not confine the hamster in an area with many drafts. If you do not want to keep the animal at home, you can put it in a shed in the garden or in a garage that is well insulated from the cold; if so, provide it with plenty of substrate.
- Hamsters are very sensitive to light and high frequency sounds. So don't force him to live in a room where there are lights that turn on and off during the night, keep him away from objects like TVs, computer monitors, sources of running water and a vacuum cleaner. All these elements generate high frequency noises that stress the animal.
- If you have purchased a wire mesh cage and want to prevent the surrounding floor from getting dirty with bits of substrate falling out, cut out a cardboard box with edges no higher than 10 cm and which the cage can fit into (keeping a few centimeters of space between the walls of the box and the cage).
Part 2 of 4: Setting up the Cage
Step 1. Buy a wheel
Hamsters are very active and need lots of tools to practice inside the cage. The wheel is a good accessory to start with. Russian and Chinese hamsters need a wheel at least 20 cm large or a medium Flying Saucer (inclined saucer wheel). Large hamsters, including Syrian hamsters, need a 12 '' wheel or a large Flying Saucer. It is essential that this accessory is large enough for your pet. Never buy wheels made of bars, as the hamster's legs can get stuck in them or can cause ulcerative pododermatitis.
One way to determine if the wheel is too small is to observe the hamster using it. If the animal arches its back as it runs, then you need to upgrade to a larger model
Step 2. Buy a bowl for water or a drinking bottle
If you opt for this second solution, get a good quality one that does not have leaks. You can attach it to the outside of the cage so that only the spout protrudes between the bars. If you prefer the bowl, get something that looks like a small folding bridge of logs, put it over the water container, so you avoid the hamster burying it with the substrate or filling it with wood shavings.
Step 3. Decide whether to insert a food bowl or distribute the food in the bottom of the cage
The bowl allows you to monitor how much the animal is eating, and is the simplest and cleanest solution. However, distributing the food in the substrate stimulates the hamster's natural instinct to seek nourishment. If you have a pair of Russian hamsters, this second method is better, because you avoid unleashing a fight for the possession of the bowl. If you have a Chinese or Syrian hamster, then it is worth using the bowl to check its eating habits. Remember that the Chinese hamster is different from the Russian one. Regardless of what the pet shop clerk may have told you, he is not a social specimen and must be raised alone, just like the Syrian.
If you have decided on the bowl, get a smaller one so as not to take up too much space in the cage
Step 4. Choose a shelter for your small rodent
Most of the houses you find on the market are suitable for Chinese and Russian hamsters, but not for Syrian ones (which are bigger). Folding jumpers can be turned into cute cave-like hiding places if you bury them under the substrate! Some individuals build a nest, but they still need a place to hide and store their food.
Step 5. Buy some toys
Hamsters are very viable animals and they need a lot of toys. Remember to take something they can chew, as their teeth are constantly growing! This type of rodent loves to play "hide and seek" and has fun with all the objects that allow them to climb. Get some pipes too! They aren't a great substitute for their need to dig, but hamsters love running through it! Pay attention that the caliber of the tubes is sufficient for your pet to pass - many do not take into account the size of the Syrian hamster. Also, check that they are ventilated; if the tubes are long and devoid of air vents, your furry friend may have breathing problems.
Part 3 of 4: Provide the Substrate and Nest Material
Step 1. Choose the type of substrate
This is the disposable material with which you fill the bottom of the cage. It is important that it is of good quality, because it must absorb the hamster's urine, and the animal will also use it to dig. In addition to the classic sawdust and wood shavings, there are several options that you can also order online from specialist retailers. However, avoid materials made of pine or cedar wood, as they cause severe respiratory problems! Apply at least 6cm of substrate so your pet can dig.
Step 2. Evaluate the nest material
Just like the substrate, the material for the kennel or nest is also very important. Avoid anything that can break into strips, such as wadding and soft fabric; if the hamster were to ingest them, he would suffer from serious health problems. In addition, they may twist and block your furry friend's paws. His instinct is to pull his leg until it is dislocated; Cases have also been reported in which desperate animals have amputated a limb with bites to the point of exsanguination.
- The best material for the nest is made up of torn paper tissues although, in pet stores, you can find specific products. Accumulate some of this material in a corner of the cage.
- Pet shops sell large sacks of already shredded paper tissues, but you can also use a roll of toilet paper or regular handkerchiefs and tear them yourself, just make sure it is additive-free.
Step 3. Make sure you have enough substrate and nest material and remember to change them regularly
It is always a good idea to have a certain supply of these products, so you are always ready and can do the normal cleaning of the cage. You need to carefully monitor your hamster's home and keep it clean. You should get rid of the urine soiled substrate every day, which takes a few minutes, while once a week do a deep clean.
- Plan a routine so your hamster doesn't get stressed out by too frequent or too infrequent grooming sessions.
- Clean the dirty spots in the cage every day and remove the feces every day, to avoid proliferative ileitis.
Part 4 of 4: Maintaining a Healthy and Stimulating Environment Inside the Cage
Step 1. Continue adding new objects to stimulate the animal
In addition to ensuring the hygiene and cleanliness of the cage, it is important to change the toys, the objects to chew and those in which to dig, to keep the rodent's interest always high. Try giving him empty boxes of cereal or granola - but not before removing the printed outer layer, to prevent your pet from being exposed to the inks. Hamsters also love cardboard toilet paper tubes, they play with them a lot until they break them into pieces by chewing them.
Step 2. Pick up the hamster every day
These animals love attention! Each specimen has its own personality but, if you touch it regularly, you will get used to it (and vice versa!). Of course, you must always be very cautious. For example, do not hold it by its paws and do not make it wheelbarrow. This exercise tires him a lot and could even hurt him to the point, in extreme cases, of breaking his legs.
Give him a chance to get used to and feel comfortable in his new home before you start touching him. Moving to a new cage is a big event for a hamster, so they will be more inclined to human contact once they are set and happy
Step 3. Check it every week
It is of fundamental importance to be sure that the environment in which the hamster lives is in excellent condition, but it is equally important to check its health by listening to its breathing. In case you hear a hissing sound, you should call your vet immediately. Check his paws for lacerations, look at his teeth and skin to make sure it's not irritated or flaky. Make sure your nose is dry and your eyes clear.
You can also think about weighing it to make sure it isn't gaining weight or losing weight; changes in weight could reveal health problems
Advice
- Provide clean water every day.
- Hamsters are very thirsty and drink a lot: buy a drinking bottle of the right size.
- Give your pet a few treats every day, but don't overeat with food.
- If your rodent friend is very active, then keep him above the cage.
- If it bites into the cage bars, buy one that looks like an aquarium, with solid walls. If that alternative is not feasible, wet the bars with lemon juice or olive oil. They are not toxic, but hamsters hate these products.
- In your research regarding hamster care, be very wary of the information you can read in American online forums; the laws on the care of pets in the United States are less strict and consequently there may be some misconceptions.
- Give your fur ball lots of toys.
Warnings
- Some people keep hamsters outside in playpens. This is a terrible idea because parasites, predators and contagious diseases can kill the rodent.
- If you have two Russian hamsters don't put them in cages with multiple shelves or compartments, you could cause territorial issues.
- If you have other animals that may frighten or even eat the hamster, protect its cage by placing it in a room that is closed to such animals.
- Never leave the cage open!
- Syrian and Chinese hamsters must be kept alone, otherwise they will fight to the death.
- If you are dealing with this animal for the first time, you should only keep one Russian hamster. Although it generally lives in pairs, the specimens often separate. It is absolutely untrue that hamsters should be kept in pairs, as they also do great alone. Never combine hamsters from different litters.
- If your hamster is suffering from diarrhea or you notice any material sticking to his butt, call your vet immediately! Both are signs of severe disease or proliferative ileitis.
- If you are thinking of getting the hamster for a baby, think carefully. No matter how responsible you feel the child is, the chances are high that he will fail his homework, as this is typical behavior. If you really want a pet, consider adopting a dog or cat, they are surprisingly less demanding to care for if you get them as adults in a kennel or cattery. If your child is a teenager, you can consider buying a hamster for him, because at that age he could hardly hurt these cute rodents, even if he might neglect them.
- The Chinese hamster is different from the Russian one and is not a social animal.
