Hamster care
The essentials to ensure your hamster remains in good health. Always seek veterinary advice if you are concerned about your pet.
Hamsters have a lifespan between 2 to 3 years depending on breed and health. They make great pets when cared for correctly and are provided with everything that they need to thrive.
Hamsters have been coined as the perfect first-time pet for children however this is not quite the case as they need a lot more care and attention than first thought.
Hamsters are quite independent and more importantly, nocturnal, due to this they are more active at night than during the day. It is important to remember this as when Hamsters are disturbed during the day they can nip and bite if not handled correctly.
Socialising your hamster depends on their breed and sex, the main two breeds are either Syrian or Dwarf hamsters. Syrian hamsters should not be kept in groups as this will cause serious fighting, in contrast, Dwarf hamsters can be kept in small groups but must be of the same sex, preferably female.
Housing
The breeds of hamster will determine which housing will be best suited for them, these are explained below.
There are certain aspects you must consider with your pet hamsters housing such as cage positioning and cage material. It is important to make sure your hamster’s home is away from draughts, sunlight, and direct heat this avoids temperatures that are ideal for bacteria. Cages must be cleaned at least once a week removing and replacing all spoiled bedding. Larger cages may require deep cleaning less often with regular spot cleaning. It is ideal if water bowls/bottles are re-filled daily so that your hamster always has access to fresh water.
When choosing a cage, you must also consider cage material. Wooden cages should always be avoided. Wood absorbs a significant about of urine and faeces which means the cage will quickly become unhygienic and will affect the hamster’s health and wellbeing.
Syrian Hamster Housing
The ideal home for a Syrian hamster is a large wire cage with a plastic base no smaller than 100cm x 50cm floor space, by 50cm tall. Hamsters love climbing on different levels, taller cages will provide great enrichment for them. Care must be taken in the height of the cage, if it is too high the hamster could damage itself if it fell.
Dwarf Hamster Housing
The ideal home for a Dwarf hamster should be a large tank or aquarium-based cage due to their size and being able to squeeze through small spaces like the gaps between wires. The tanks should have a minimum of 60cm x 30cm floor space by 30cm tall with a securely fitted wire lid to allow ventilation and stop any escape attempts. Some tanks can also extend with tube fixings allowing more space for the hamsters to explore.
Bedding
The first thing to consider when choosing bedding for your hamster is if its digestible. Hamster bedding must be non-toxic and made from non-fibrous material, if this is not the case material can get stuck in the hamster’s throat causing internal blockages and stomach problems. Fibrous material can also ensnare and tangle the hamster’s limbs ultimately resulting in surgical amputation so must be avoided at all costs. You should also avoid long strands of paper being used for bedding as this can get stuck in a hamsters throat as they like to hide bedding material and food in their cheeks.
You should opt for soft bedding for your hamster, giving them plenty of bedding for them to burrow in. Brands such as Carefresh™ provide a paper-based material bedding which can also be used to help make a cosy home for your hamster. Newspaper should be avoided as they can contain toxic material which could be digested by your hamster. Sawdust should ideally be avoided as it can cause respiratory issues, eye irritation and skin allergies in some cases.
Diet
Hamsters need a good quality balanced diet containing all essential nutrients and minerals, naturally hamsters eat a mixture of seeds, cereals, insect larvae and large insects. Due to commercial rations, you will find it is common within shop brands that they will only sell a variety of mixed seeds/cereals.
Pellet hamster foods are one of the most common diets. Muesli should only be used as a treat this can be due to some hamsters being picky with loose seed mixes, which results in an unbalanced diet. A pellet mix can be supplemented with a variety of other items. Small quantities of greens and vegetables. It is important to keep in mind that these foods do have a high sugar content so must always be given in moderation.
Below is a list of some of the suitable vegetable, fruits and herbs hamsters can consume and those you should avoid:
| Vegetables | Fruit | Herbs |
| Carrot | Apple | Basil |
| Broccoli | Pear | Sage |
| Cabbage | Peach | Parsley |
| Cauliflower | Melon | Coriander |
| Chicory | ||
| Spinach | ||
| Sweet Pepper | ||
| Cucumber | ||
| Cress | ||
| Courgette |
AVOID – Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, or grapefruits)
Handling
Handling a hamster should be done after you have gained his/her trust and be carried out in a calm and safe environment. Before handling you should ideally rub your hands through their bedding, so their scent is already on you. This is to help with bonding and to reduce stress.
The best method for handling hamsters is the Scoop technique. Starting with both hands on either side of the hamster, carefully move your hands towards them and scoop them up forming a cup-like shape with your hands. After securing the hamster you can then move to a seat or area where you can interact with them safely.
Did you know? The hamster can catch the common cold so if anyone in the household has signs of a cold it is best for them not to handle your hamster.
Veterinary care
Hamsters should be examined within 48 hours of purchase by a veterinarian, when adopting a Hamster this will normally be done prior to adoption to make sure they are healthy when entering their new home. The veterinarian will examine the hamster, record its weight as well as discuss neutering options if this procedure needs to be done.
Hamsters do not require vaccinations; however, hamsters require, at minimum a physical annual examination and faecal tests to check for parasites, an older hamster should be examined twice annually.
