All About Hamsters

Are you looking for a cute, easy-to-care for pet? A hamster may be just right for you. There are five types of hamsters commonly sold as pets: Syrian hamster, Roborovski dwarf hamster, Campbell’s dwarf hamster, Winter White dwarf hamster and Chinese dwarf hamster. All of these little guys are super cute, but each type of hamster has slightly different characteristics when it comes to temperament, so do your research before picking one. In this article, your local veterinarian Thorold goes over some basic facts about hamsters.

As with any animal, hamsters have very specific dietary needs and must get proper nutrition to stay healthy. You can feed Hammie a formulated pellet or a seed mix for his basic diet. If you choose a seed mix, you’ll need to be careful not to overfeed your pet, as seed mixes can be high in fat, and your hamster could become obese. Your hamster can enjoy some treats, which will also help keep him from getting bored with eating the same old thing every day. You can give your little furball small bits of pasta, bread, cereal, fresh fruits and veggies, and the occasional bit of cheese, cooked lean meat, and egg. Your hamster will also appreciate having a bit of grass hay in his cage for grazing.

Your hamster will need a suitable cage in order to be happy and healthy. There are many different types of cages you can use for hamsters. Keep in mind that good ventilation is very important, so you don’t want to pick a cage that is completely enclosed. It’s best that at least one side be made of mesh or wire. If you get a wire cage, make sure the bottom is solid, and that the solid part is high enough to contain the bedding and substrate. Hamsters are most active in the mornings and evenings, so you may not want to keep your pet in the bedroom. Don’t forget to add toys, a solid exercise wheel, and at least one hidey-hole for your pet to enjoy. Wild hamsters tend to separate their ‘homes’ into different areas, so you might find that your pet uses different areas of his cage for sleeping, eating, playing, and going to the bathroom.

Hamsters are busybodies by nature, and love to tunnel, burrow, and play. These curious little cuties are small and vulnerable, and they tend to be a bit shy, so it make take some time for your pet to get used to you. Once Hammie is relaxed and accustomed to you, you may even be able to teach him some tricks!

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