Hamster Guide - Amazing Hints and Tips

Choosing a Pet Hamster

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Choosing a Healthy Hamster



Not every hamster in the pet store is of optimal health. Moving from supplier to store to a new home can be a stressful period for baby hamsters and they will often get sick from it. Learn how to choose a healthy hamster and what to watch for after you take it home. Hamsters that are younger are best as they will most likely be friendlier. Choose an active hamster and one that doesn't look like he has a wet bottom or weapy eyes. And even if a cage seems to have a few sick hamsters it is probably best to avoid buying any hamster from that group since hamster diseases are very contagious. 

Look at the overall body condition - a hamster should be neither fat nor skinny, with no swellings.
Hamsters should be bright and curious in attitude, and never lethargic. This can be a bit hard to judge in a nocturnal animal, but with attention (and perhaps some very gentle prodding) hamsters should wake up and be inquisitive about what is happening.
The hamster's coat should be well groomed (fluffy and smooth looking), with no bare patches. Especially check for soiling around the rear end, as this may indicate a problem with diarrhea.
The eyes, nose and ears should be clean and free from discharge. Check the fur around the eyes and nose for signs of wetness, staining or crusts.
Try to get a look at the teeth, they should not be overgrown and should be well-aligned. Also check for wet or matted fur on the chin.
Observe the hamster's breathing, which should be quiet and not labored, with no wheezing, clicking or gurgling noises.
Watch the hamster move around - it should have no signs of lameness, stiffness, or reluctance to move around.Look at the hamster's surroundings. The cage should be clean, with good access to fresh food and water, and not overcrowded. Hamsters kept under good conditions will be less stressed and have less exposure to disease.
Observe how the hamster reacts to people - most will be skittish at first but ideally try to pick a hamster that is relatively calm about being approached and okay with being handled.




Tips:

Try to find out the age of your hamster, and adopt one that is as young as possible (around 6 weeks old is best).
If any of the hamsters in the same cage (or even at the same store) seem ill, resist the temptation to adopt from there (if it is contagious your hamster may be next and there may be possible heartbreak ahead).
Make sure the store separates males and females. Familiarize yourself with the differences between males and females, and if the store doesn't separate them or seems unsure about the gender of the hamsters, move on to another store. It is best to avoid the possibility of surprise litters, especially in very young hamsters (they can become pregnant by about 5 weeks old but this is not a good thing).
If the shop will not let you handle the hamster before you buy, it is best to move on as it is definitely worth trying to handle a potential pet to assess its temperament.
If you find a breeder, make sure they are breeding for specific goals such as temperament and health.

Hamster Cages and Supplies

There are many hamster cage options available online and at pet stores. But some cages are better than others. Several cages (like the ones with all the tubes and colors) may look cool but aren't very functional and difficult to clean while others aren't good for hamsters to live in at all (fish tanks). Smaller hamster breeds also have different cage considerations than the larger Syrian varieties. It's a good idea to get your hamster cage all set up with bedding, water bottle, chew toys, and other necessities before bringing your new hamster home. Check out what you need before you get your hamster, or just make sure you have what you should for the hamster you have now.

Cage

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Get a cage that is large enough, escape-proof, and easy to clean. While the modular cages with tubes are fun, they can be difficult to clean and poor on ventilation (and the tubes can be too small for some Syrian hamsters).

Bedding and Nesting Material
Avoid cedar and pine wood chips; aspen is a safer option. You can also use many of the newer paper or other fiber-based beddings.
Hamsters love a cozy nest for napping. However, the cotton nesting materials found a pet stores is unecessary (and can cause problems if eater or wrapped around toes). Shredded toilet paper or facial tissues are an excellent nesting material (and economical too).



Food


Choose a good quality food for your hamster. Pelleted foods offer a good nutritional balance and for many hamsters are a better option than loose food mixes.

Food Dishes

A shallow, small, but heavy bowl is ideal -- anything that won't be easily tipped. A small ceramic or porcelain crock is ideal, as it is sturdy and won't be chewed up.

Water Bottle

A hanging bottle with a stainless stell spout and ball is the most commonly used water container for hamsters. A bowl is too likely to be spilled, dirtied or filled with bedding.

Exercise Wheel

Hamsters love to run, and need the exercise. Do not largest, best quality wheel you can. It should have a solid surface for running and ideally no cross supports (that might catch a leg or neck), so look for one that mounts on the side of the cage. Make sure the wheel is quiet as well, since hamsters run at night (especially if your hamster will be in your room). 

House / Hide

Your hamster will appreciate a private getaway for sleeping. It can be as simple as a small cardboard box (will have to be replaced often, but economical), a plastic hide box (may be chewed up), a wooden box (may be chewed or get soiled and smelly), or other things like a half coconut shell, or a small clay plant pot.

About Breeding:

Breeding your hamster is not a decision to make lightly and you absolutely must consider what you will do with any babies that result. Most pet stores have established suppliers already and there is no shortage of hamsters available. You should also carefully consider the temperament and health of the hamsters you are breeding. However, the information here may be helpful if you find yourself with a pregnant female by accident, or perhaps from the pet store.

#Age of Sexual Maturity:

Roborovski hamsters may reach sexual maturity as early as 5 weeks of age, but usually do not breed for the first time until they are older. Females should be bred for the first time when they are closer to 4 months old (males can be bred by 3 months of age).

#Estrus Cycle:

Female hamsters come into estrus (heat) every 4 days or so (this is the time they will be fertile and receptive to a male).

#Length of Pregnancy:

The gestation period of Roborovski hamsters is usually 20-22 days but can vary up to 30 according to some sources.

#Litter Size:

Litter size is usually small; typically there are 4-6 pups per litter (though larger litters have been reported).

#Age of Weaning:

Roborovski hamsters can be weaned at 21 days; this is a good age to separate male pups from the female pups.

Notes:

Roborovski hamsters are considered more difficult to breed than Russian dwarf or Syrian hamsters. They may be more likely to breed only in spring and summer months and a female might not have her first litter until her first spring.