Hamsters are one of the most popular pets. They are easy to care for, inexpensive to keep, and very entertaining. They are amazing hoarders and use their cheek pouches to stuff food so that they can hide it for later consumption. Hamsters are nocturnal and spend most of the day sleeping and the night investigating and playing in their habitat. Hamsters usually have a life span of two to four years.

Recommended Habitat

There are many options when it comes to housing a hamster. You can use cages, aquariums, or various Hagen Habitrail homes. It is important to choose a size which provides plenty of room for a sleeping area, feeding area, bathroom area and for an exercise space. It is necessary to use a water bottle to ensure clean fresh drinking water and to prevent your bedding material from always getting wet from a tipped over water dish. Always make sure that all tops and doors are secure on your selected enclosure as hamsters are great escape artists and have a knack for being smarter than you might think they are. It is known fact that a hamster can run four to eight miles in one evening. As a result of its great running ability the provision of an exercise wheel is a good idea. Your pet will also appreciate a sleep den that will provide a cozy snuggling spot. Wood shavings/chips (pine or aspen but not cedar) or corncob makes a good clean bedding for the bottom of the cage. It is suggested to spot clean the corners of the enclosure daily and to change the bedding, wash the bottom of the cage, the food bowl and wash the water bottle, weekly.

Care and Diet

Hamsters groom themselves, and do not need baths. You can brush a long haired hamster (Teddy Bear hamster) to help keep their coats looking smooth and spiffy. Most hamsters usually wear down their nails, but you can clip them if they grow too long. A hamster’s teeth are always growing which makes the provision of chewing material a necessity. Clean wood, mineral blocks or hard corncob are excellent materials for this purpose.

A good basic diet consists of Nutrablocks and hamster seed mix available from Pet Traders. Seed, nuts and grains such as dry unsweetened cereal and alfalfa or timothy hay can be given as treats. After the age of three months fresh fruit and vegetables, in moderation, can be given for added nutrition and roughage. It is critical to ensure that a hamster has fresh drinking water every day. It is also recommended to add vitamin supplements to a hamsters water as a precautionary measure in case the hamster is not receiving all of its necessary nutrients.

Special Notes

After bringing a new pet hamster home, allow it a couple of days to get used to you and its new home before picking it up. Do not disturb the hamster while it is sleeping and always wash your hands before and after handling. Providing exercise opportunities and accessories such as a wheel or hamster ball for your hamster is mandatory for a healthy pet. Lack of exercise will lead to an obese and unhappy\unhealthy hamster. The following is a quick recap of the supplies required to keep a hamster healthy, curious and fun!

Required Supplies

appropriate cage/enclosure
bedding (pine/aspen shavings or corncob)
Nutrablock/seed
water bottle
food bowl

Recommended Supplies

vitamin supplement
exercise wheel
alfalfa/timothy hay
sleep hut
book on hamsters

Optional Supplies

treats
hamster ball
Sox
hamster fluff
hamster grass

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