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HAMSTER CARE INFORMATION
Hamsters and Hamster Care Information
On this page you will find general info on Hamsters. Hamsters are a favorite
among pet owners. Hamsters are fat and fuzzy. They move more slowly than
mice who are very active and quick too do. They can be nervous but become
less so with handling. They do have an odor from their urine so cleaning
the cage is an important part of owning a hamster. They can also be grouchy
if woken from a sound sleep or if bothered while eating. They may squeal
or bare their teeth if they have time but will nip at your fingers if not.
Hamsters are very nocturnal, but if you purchase one young enough and handle
it often you can change its patterns to your own. A hamster is a burrowing
animal and you can purchase a cage made of plastic that has transparent rooms
and lots of plastic tunnels that can be connected in different ways. Your
hamster will love to play in these tunnels but this is a difficult cage to
clean. Whatever type cage you purchase make sure there are no easy escape
openings. The plump little hamster can flatten his body and slide through
very small openings. They like to escape by pushing the tray that holds the
shavings in a wire cage. There is often a gap underneath this tray through
which he will escape. A 5 1/2-gallon tank with a mesh top will also work
very well. Small milk cartons with a hole cut in the side work for rooms
in your cage and a branch with a metal curtain ring attached from an eyehook
and wire will work as a swing. Don't be surprise if your hamster chews up
many of the toys you make for him. They chew to keep their teeth short. Hamsters
also love exercise wheels probably because they have a habit of following
their noses and it doesn't matter where they lead. Make sure you watch over
your hamster when he is out of his cage. They are not climbers and have been
known to fall off tabletops and shoulders. They are not used to heights and
do not have a sturdy tail, which keeps them balanced. It is also said they
are nearsighted. One fall can be deadly to a hamster.
Hamsters are like squirrels in that they store their food. They have pouches
inside their cheeks, which stretch. These pouches can hold half a hamster's
weight in food. In their cage, although they don't need to store, they will
fill their pouches and then empty them, eat some of it, and then probably
hide the rest. This means you will probably have to clean the hiding places
daily to prevent rotting food. Your local pet store will carry hamster food,
which is a good basic combination of seeds and cereals with some dried vegetables
added. You may give your hamster snacks of fresh raw vegetables and fruits
such as spinach, lettuce carrots, and apples but back off of these for a
few days if he get diarrhea.
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