Hamsters - Pet Hamster Care

Pet Hamster Care

Hamsters are a popular choice for those wanting a new pet. However, like most living things there are certain guidelines to keep to, so you can ensure they are best looked after.

Here at Crawfords Feed we have a vast amount of knowledge around pet Hamsters, Chickens, Ducks, Dogs and Cats, to name a few of our specialist topics.

This particular article will focus on Hamsters. Now, there are quite a few different breeds to consider.

Dwarf hamsters - these make good family pets; they're easy to look after and with lots of attention they can
become very tame. We would recommend these to older children and adults. These are however, nocturnal - they spend most of their day sleeping and are very active at night.

Russian Hamsters - these are lively and sociable; they usually live happily with same sex pairs or groups. Once they become used to you, they will enjoy being handled. These are sensitive hamsters though, so they will not be suitable for rough handlers or young children. Russian hamsters live for around 2 years.

Chinese Hamsters - These are usually thinner than Russian Hamsters, have a slightly longer tail than most
hamsters. They're easy to handle, are great climbers and they will cling to your fingers with their tiny paws. These are not suitable for young children as they are very fast. Chinese hamsters will live between 2-3 years.

Roborovski Hamsters - smaller and quicker than both the Chinese and Russian Hamsters; they're fairly hard to handle to start with. They have a good temperament and are usually happy living in same sex pairs or groups. They can be quite amusing to watch as they race around the cage. These live for about 2 years.

Do I Like Company?

Dwarf hamsters are sociable pets and like to kept in pairs and groups. Chinese female hamsters may be better off alone as they may fight.

If you intend to keep a pair ensure you purchase them at the same time - they'll already know each other and be young enough to make friends. New individuals will not be accepted into the group later on. Hamsters are still animals, so there is potential for them to fall out with each other, just make sure you keep a separate sleeping area if they need it.

Where do I Like to Live?

You will need to think about the new housing for a Dwarf hamster carefully. There are specific Dwarf hamster cages available to accommodate their small size/ Plastic top cages make ideal homes for Dwarf hamsters, but mouse ladders may be required in the vertical tubes.

Buy the biggest cage you can afford as Dwarf hamsters are very active and they like to have lots of space to run around in. Cover the floor with woodshavings and provide a paper bedding for nesting.

Hay and straw should not be used because the tough strands could hurt their cheek pouches. Provide a house or bedroom so your hamsters can snuggle up and feel secure when they sleep.

In the next article we will look at what they eat, Playtime, Handling, Keeping them clean, Keeping them fit and healthy, and then we will review a shopping list for your Hamster/s.

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