So you’ve decided to get a hamster. Excellent choice! Hamsters are generally easy keepers, friendly and they make outstanding "starter" pets. With an appropriate environment, good nutrition, and regular handling, your hamster will be healthy and strong for the duration of its life. Here is a list of things you need to know before bringing your litter furball home.
Activity
Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning that they are active at night. As a result, they are not a good choice for daytime playmates. Their nocturnal activity can become a bit noisy, so the placement of the hamster’s enclosure in your home should be taken into consideration.
Temperament
Hamsters tend to be anxious and startle easily. Excited hamsters will often jump from hands or from table tops, so appropriate caution should be used when handling. Hamsters are also prone to developing stress-related diseases, and therefore tend to do better in quiet, stress-free homes.
Temperature
Hamsters can become stressed in hot or humid environments, which can lead to problems and illnesses. If you live in a warmer region, you will need to keep your hamster indoors in a cooler part of the house during the hottest months.
Housing
Hamsters are known to be escape artists, and will frequently chew or claw their way out of the enclosure. Be sure to check the security of their enclosure regularly, and repair any damaged areas immediately. It only takes a small hole in the enclosure for a hamster to break free.
Life Span
Hamsters only live for an average of two to two and a half years. Factors that affect longevity include the species, genetics, diet, exercise, living environment, and quality of care.
If you decide to purchase a hamster, make sure that it comes from a reputable source. The most common species are the golden or Syrian hamsters, but the smaller Dwarf hamsters also make popular pets. Chinese hamsters are about the same size as the Dwarf hamsters, but are not as sociable and prefer to be on their own rather than in a pair or a group.
Enclosure
Cages should be secure (escape proof!) and easy to clean. Multi-level cages that allow for the separation of sleeping and urination/defecation areas are preferable. Make sure that any cage you choose has a removable base for easy cleaning, high sides to contain ample bedding, adequate ventilation, and a secure locking mechanism. It is very important to clean the cage frequently in order to prevent the build up of ammonia, which can cause stress and illness.
Bedding
Bedding choices include recycled paper, shredded paper, or wood shavings. The use of wood products has been linked to skin diseases, so paper-based bedding products are recommended.
Enrichment
It is also important to provide hamsters with adequate enrichment in the form of exercise wheels, hide boxes, materials to shred, hidden treats, and plenty of human playtime outside of the enclosure. Not all enrichment products need to come from a pet store. Empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls make for a great toy.
Diet and feeding
Most hamsters are omnivorous, meaning that they will eat both plant-based and meat-based materials. Formulated pelleted diets are a better choice than high calorie seed diets. Make sure that the protein content of the diet chosen is between 14-17%. Supplementing the diet with small amounts of fresh foods for variety and interest can be beneficial. However, be careful not to overfeed, since obesity in hamsters can significantly shorten their life spans. Hamsters naturally hoard their food, so if is often difficult to know exactly how much food they have consumed.
Water
Hamsters should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Regular water bowls tend to get dirty very quickly and can cause the bedding to become soggy. A bowl that hangs on the side of the cage or a sipper water bottle often make better options. Be sure to change the water every day.