Hamster Care
Hysterical about hamsters? Find out how to keep your hamster happy.
There are different breeds of hamster and it's a good idea to find out a bit about them before you get one. Syrian hamsters live alone in the wild, only meeting other hamsters to breed, so it's best to keep this kind of hamster on its own otherwise they may fight. Other breeds, such as Russian dwarf hamsters, are more sociable and prefer to live in pairs or groups.
Food and Water
Hamsters eat a mixture of cereals, fruit and vegetables but you can buy specially prepared hamster food. Make sure that:
- your hamster can always get to drinking water (a drip bottle is good, but make sure it doesn't get blocked)
- your hamster has small amounts of fresh vegetables every now and then for variety
- you remove food that hasn't been eaten
Accommodation
As hamsters are mostly nocturnal they need to live away from noise so they don't get disturbed during the day while they are asleep. Check that your hamster's enclosure:
- is big enough for it to run around in (ramps and tubes are a good idea to help them exercise)
- is away from drafts, extreme heat or cold, and other pets like cats and dogs
- has a nest box with bedding (avoid nylon or cotton wool as they can be dangerous)
- has wood chippings or sawdust on the floor (avoid cedar or pine chippings as the oils they contain might be bad for hamsters)
Exercise
Hamsters can exercise in their cages but also need time out of their enclosure each day. Remember to:
- check your hamster's exercise wheel is solid (without rungs) so that it doesn't get injured
- check that it can't escape down holes or behind furniture while it's out
- make sure that it doesn't chew wires or plants
- keep other animals like cats or dogs out of the room
Handling
Hamsters, like people, can sometimes be grumpy when they get woken up, so it's best to handle it when it's already awake. To pick your hamster up:
- gently cup it in your hands
- hold it close to your body
Cleaning
Hamsters groom themselves, but you may need to gently brush longhaired varieties. Remember to:
- clean your hamster's enclosure regularly
- change its bedding and the floor covering
- clean the water bottle and remove old food
Health
Check that:
- your hamster has something to gnaw to keep its teeth naturally worn
- there are no sharp edges in the enclosure which could damage the pouches in your hamster's mouth
- your hamster isn't too cold as it may go into semi-hibernation