However, they do well in pairs or groups, as long as you introduce them as soon as they are bought. They are more active than other breeds, often awake in short intervals in the daytime. You can find Campbell hamsters in many colours, and they grow to only around four inches. They can be quite nervous around people, and may bite you if they feel threatened. The Winter White hamsters are more friendly than Campbell hamsters, and have better behaviour around people, without a reputation for biting.
They only come in two colours, Sapphire or Pearl. They are also very small, measuring three and a half to four inches when fully grown. This means you may find them more difficult to handle. Roborovski is the smallest hamster breed, growing to a tiny one to two inch size.
This means that although they are sweet and rarely bite, you may find them difficult to handle as their agility makes them easy to misplace. This also means they are usually placed in an aquarium as they can squeeze through small holes in typical hamster wire cages. However, this breed has the longest lifespan, living usually just over three years. My Teddy is also plain silly and just forgets he has a nice ramp set up from his upper level to the ground level.
He often just climbs up instead of using that ramp. So if you get your hamster a multi-level cage, make sure your give the levels lots of bedding. The airflow of the cage is important for your hamster As with every living being, air is important. Stale air will give your hamster a lot of health issues, including lung problems, possible colds, and suffocation in extreme cases.
To make sure your hamster gets lots of air, a wire cage is best. But with the plastic cage the air quality is often a problem. However a glass tank is often expensive. So what should you do? Take a look at your budget, see which kind of cage you can provide your hamster and still be okay. Place that in a corner, hidden from sight or at least under a bendy bridge or something similar. Hamsters will choose a very hidden and safe spot to build their nest, so put their hideout there.
For example my Teddy often uses the most hidden corner of his cage to eat, under the upper level and blocked by paper tubes and bedding. To find out more about what kind of hideout is best for your hamster, as well as which kind of bedding is safe for him, check out my article.
The wheel can be anywhere in the cage, but make sure it fits into your cage. A standing wheel can be placed anywhere. You can find my article on what kind of exercise wheel your hamster needs, according to his size as well. Hamsters usually choose a corner to pee in, usually the farthest away from their hideout. So, in that particular corner I put Teddy a sand bath. It acts as a litter box, and it keeps smell down to a minimum. You can use an old hideout, with a removable lid, or even special sand containers.
Your choice, as long as you put something there to contain the sand. Other toys, like the chew toys and climb toys you can find out more about here.
Hamsters are sensitive, and do notice and wake up when you move their cage. During the day when he sleeps he is in our bedroom, and I never move him. If you have a room for the hamster alone, then you can probably get him a glass tank not taking the budget into account since it will stay in one place. The room you keep your hamster in needs to be free of drafts, with an even temperature. Do not place the cage in direct sunlight, or near a heat source.
When this does happen, make sure you do not grab the cage by the top part, at all. Even if it has a nice handle to hold, do not trust it.
Most of those are poorly build and will not hold that weight. Do not hold the wiring, since your fingers can become stuck, and the hamster will possibly chew them as well. If possible, try not to bump the cage into the wall or drop it. Even more important, if the hamster is still inside the cage.
In these situations use a transport cage for the hamster, and empty the large cage to hold it in an way you can see in front of you. When picking up the cage, pick it up by the lowest part of the bottom. This is easier on your back, and safe for the hamster as well. A word from Teddy I hope you have a clear idea of what kind of home us hamsters need now. Us Syrian hamsters need larger cages, and dwarf hamsters can do with smaller ones, but always add more space for each new hamster.
For example my dwarf brothers and sisters can be housed together, in same sex pairs. If you want to know more about hamsters in general, you can check out the articles below. We know that dogs bark for many reasons, cry when they want something, and growl when they are aggressive, but not many people know what sounds hamsters make.
The most common noises that hamsters make are squeals, screams, and squeaks, but they can also hiss and grind their teeth.
However, we do have a general idea of what might be going on with your hamster when it makes certain sounds. If your hamster is grinding its teeth, it means that your hamster is probably irritated and wants you to leave it alone. They usually scream because they are afraid of something, and the scream is loud and distressing.
The most common sound all hamsters make is squeaking. Here are 12 reasons why your hamster might be squeaking, which will help you understand your hamster better. Table of Contents 1. Your hamster is happy2. Your hamster is afraid3. Your hamster needs something4. Your hamster is talking to other hamsters5. Your hamster recognizes something7. Your hamster is aggressive8.
Your hamster is trying to be dominant9. Your hamster is trapped or in danger Your hamster wants to breed Your hamster is giving birth Your hamster is injured 1.
Your hamster is happy Hamsters sometimes squeak when they are happy. For example, hamsters are known to squeak when they get a treat, or when you pet them. If you have more than just one hamster, your hamsters could squeak because they are happy to see each other, or just because they are playing. You can tell that your hamster is squeaking because it is happy if you see it stretch or yawn while squeaking.
If your hamster is new, socialization will make it calm down. When you get a hamster for the first time, it might be hard to figure out on your own how to tame it. The first thing you should do when you bring a hamster home is to let it adjust. Try giving it a week before you handle it. A good place would be a study if you work from home or a bedroom.
You will have to take the time to get to know your hamster and learn how it communicates. You will notice that your hamster has become more comfortable once it leaves its cage on its own. Do not handle your hamster before it leaves the cage on its own, you will just make it more afraid of you. You should talk to your hamster, but not too loudly, so it gets used to your voice.
You might feel awkward talking to your hamster, so try reading it a book, or if you have kids, read them a goodnight story with the hamster present in the room. You can convince your hamster to trust you by offering it a lot of treats.
Start by offering them through the bars or at the edge of the cage. After a while, you will be able to place your hand inside the cage and put the treat on your hand. Instead, let it get interested and explore your hand. The first time you do this, the hamster will probably only place one paw on your hand. The more you do it, the more your hamster will trust you, and eventually, it will climb into your hand to get the treat.
When your hamster trusts your enough to get to your hand, you can try to take it into your hand. If you notice that your hamster wants to get away, let it go. Your hamster will probably do this the first few times, but after a while, it will realize that your hands are safe.
How long it will take for your hamster to let you pick it up depends on its personality and age. Some hamsters might let you pick them up as soon as they come into your home, while others need a month or longer to fully relax and trust you. Make sure you pick it up safely. The best way to do so is to cup your hand and put the hamster in it and place the other hand on its back so that it feels safe.
The first few times you pick up your hamster, make sure there is a soft surface beneath you in case it jumps out of your hand. As time passes, the hamster will become more comfortable with you and trust you more, and it will walk over your hands and arms. Your hamster needs something Hamsters squeak when they want something. They might want to get out of the cage, want your attention, or their food and water bowl is empty.
Your hamster is talking to other hamsters The only way young hamsters can talk to other hamsters is by squeaking. They squeak to let others know how they feel. This depends on the type of hamster. Dwarf hamsters are miniature and they will probably squeak when you pick them up, not because they are afraid of you, but because they are afraid of the height.
If you tame your hamster and it bonds with you, it can learn what you look and sound like, and it can squeak because it recognizes you. Most types of hamsters squeak when they recognize something, but the owners have noticed that Dwarf hamsters are often louder than other types of hamsters. Your hamster is trying to be dominant If you have more than just one hamster, it is likely that they will get into a fight every once in a while.
While it is natural to get concerned and think that your hamsters are getting hurt when they squeak during the fight, they can actually be doing it for a whole other reason. Most hamsters will squeak when fighting because they will try to be dominant.
Your hamster is trapped or in danger Your hamster might squeak when it finds itself trapped, or in a dangerous situation, and it is trying to signal that it needs help. This squeak is usually quite loud and continuous, and it might seem as if it is screaming. Your hamster wants to breed If you have hamsters of both gender, they will likely squeak when to make a mating call. The mating call is very loud and persistent.
You might notice that your male hamster sits upright when it hears your female hamster squeaking when in heat.
You can choose whether or not you want to breed them at this point. Make sure that your female hamster wants to breed because otherwise, it could become aggressive and attack the male. You will know that your female hamster is pregnant because it will be fatter about 2 weeks after mating, and it will move around less.
It will also become more and more aggressive as it gets closer to its due date. Female hamsters are usually pregnant for about 18 to 22 days. Most commonly, it gives birth to 4 to 6 hamsters. However, depending on the type of your hamster, there can also be less than 3 or more than Be careful because sometimes female hamsters eat their babies.
If you know that your hamster is pregnant and you hear it squeaking, it could mean that it is getting into labor. Female hamsters want to give birth alone so that they can focus.
It will give birth to the hamsters in 10 to minute intervals and cut off the umbilical cord on its own. It tends to clean the area after the birth of each hamster. Make sure you give your female hamster enough food and water. It can think that they are in danger and eat their babies. Your hamster is injured If you notice that your hamster is squeaking, it might be in pain or injured.
Sick or injured hamsters tend to hide, so if you notice your hamster hiding, make sure you check for any injuries. The most common injuries in hamsters are cuts and scrapes. Try to figure out what it got cut on so you can remove it and reduce the chances of your hamster cutting itself on it again.
Your hamster will probably squeak as soon as it cuts itself, so it should be easy to see what it has cut itself on. To clean the cut, you can use some lukewarm water and a cotton pad. It could also have abscesses in the mouth. Regardless of where they are located, they are very painful for your hamster, and they will have to be drained by a vet Table of Contents So do hamsters carry disease? How to know if your hamster is suffering from anything contagiousWhat a healthy hamster looks likeIs a hamster a good pet for children, in this case?
A word from Teddy So do hamsters carry disease? No, not in and of themselves. They can pick up a disease and become carriers, about as much as a cat or dog or rabbit can become a carrier. This also depends on the pet store you pick him up from, or the breeders you got him from. Another thing is the fact that hamsters are very clean animals by default, and they regularly groom themselves several times a day.
Much like a cat, actually. So he will not be dirty, or diseased. A hamster suffering from a cold can pass it onto a human, for example. You should always wash your hands before and after handling the hamster, and supervise any small children interacting with him. How to know if your hamster is suffering from anything contagious You will notice some signs if the hamster has certain diseases. For example: Any runny or leaky nose, eyes, or ears.
They can be signs of an infection or a cold, which can be contagious. Any scabs, flaky skin, open wounds, or other immediately noticeable skin conditions on a hamster are possibly contagious as well. Worms in hamsters might not be immediately noticeable. You might expect the hamster to be weak, not walk easily, huddle in a corner, and possibly have a messy stool.
Wet-tail can also look like that, and it can be transmitted to humans. It can be treated, but not all hamsters survive. In any case, a hamster cowering in a corner is not a hamster you want to bring home, as he is unfortunately suffering from something and needs medical attention. These are the main signs and symptoms that the hamster might be carrying some disease or another.
Tumors or lumps are not contagious, but they can hurt the hamster himself and he will need medical attention. Now let see what a healthy hamster should look like, be it a new hamster from the pet shop, or the furball you already have at home.
What a healthy hamster looks like Usually a hamster will have bright, clean fur. This is a sign that the hamster is grooming himself both regularly, and well enough. He will have bright eyes whichever color they are , with no white spots or inflammations.
Teeth should be aligned and not overgrown, although you will only notice the front teeth. Those are yellow-orange, and that is a healthy color for hamsters and rodents, no matter which hamster type you own. Ears, nose, eyes should be free of discharge, and no flaky or inflamed patches.
If the ears are particularly dark and the hamster keeps scratching them, they might be ear mites. Keep in mind that many hamsters have ears darker than their bodies from birth, as part of their coat pattern. For example my Teddy is a Syrian hamster, male, and his fur is orange, white and has bits of smoky grey.
Hie ears however are dark grey, and always have been. Either the hamster has a serious digestive problem like wet-tail or another infection, or possibly worms or he is very, very old. Finally, the hamster should be lively. It could be stomach aches, worms, a sprained paw, anything. If your hamster looks sick or too tired, call your vet and set up an appointment. Is a hamster a good pet for children, in this case? Looking at the health problems hamsters can carry, I would venture to say that yes, hamsters are safe for kids.
If people managed to raise cats and dogs safely along small children, then a hamster is not a problem. I say this mostly because a hamster is very isolated, and has as much chance of picking up a disease as a sock in a drawer. Unless you expose him directly to something or someone who is sick, your hamster will be healthy.
Hamsters react very poorly to being handled wrong, or too much, and their most common reaction to this is biting. A word from Teddy I hope you found what you were looking for in this article. If you want to know more about us hamsters you should check out the related articles below. My Teddy loves to just run around all night.
Actually, do hamsters see in the dark? Does the nightlight I leave on for Teddy help him in any way? Is he some kind of super-soldier with night vision and fine hearing?
My hammy is a bit of a Rambo type, but I went looking for answers on whether hamsters need light to see, just to be sure. Table of Contents So do hamsters need light to see? Should you leave the light on at night for your hamster?
Does your hamster have night vision? As it turns out — yes, hamsters do need light to see. Just not very much light, and not as much as us humans do. As such, a hamster can see better in low-light conditions, rather than the full brightness of daylight. They can see in the dark, but not that well. Hamsters rely mostly on their sense of touch — paws and whiskers — and their sense of smell, and their hearing to navigate their surroundings.
For example I have for my Teddy — Syrian male hammy — a sort of dim nightlight that has lots of blue, green, and purple in it. The fact that it helped Teddy was an added bonus. He can see better than you in the dark, but not that much better. Most human homes have at least a faint bit of light, even at night, from all the electronics. That small amount of light makes it easier for your hammy to see. No, not really.
If you were to compare a cat, a human, and a hamster in terms of night vision, the cat would obviously win. Hamster use their sense of smell and touch a lot more than they use their vision. Even in their borrows in the wild, their tunnels are pitch black. That, combined with a memory map of their home, gives them lots of ways to navigate their home.
So, why is that? Well, hamsters have very poor eyesight — more on that soon. Seriously, hamsters will jump from high places to try to get somewhere faster, without realizing they might harm themselves. My Teddy used to be a bit of a pain when he was younger. He was jumpier, and easier to scare. Whenever I opened the fridge, walked past him, got up, sat down, or even reached over his cage for something. He is fine now, but I still remember when he darted into his hideout because I got up from bed.
Hamsters see best in low light conditions — like dusk and dawn So does this mean you should give your hamster low light conditions? Well, yes, for the most part. In the middle of the night, wild hamsters will go back to their burrows and eat, or sleep a bit more, or tidy up their homes.
And finally at dawn, and right before dawn, wild hamsters will come out again. Forage some more, maybe find a lady hamster, run a round a bit, then hide in their burrow again for the rest of the day. If you can replicate the conditions from the wild for your pet hamster, he will be much happier. Like a night light that has a timer to turn itself off after a few hours, for example. Only leave a small lamp on, or something that has barely any light.
Ive looked up Russian dwarf hamsters and Syrians so many times because I cant decide if I should get two dwarf hamsters or one Syrian. Hi I would like to ask for your advice I really want a hamster but my mother said no please help me I would like a dwarf hamster.
Which is better for me 12 yr old with no experience. Syrian Hamster or Dwarf hamster? I don't have the space to get a Syrian hamster, so which type of hamster should I get?
I have never owned a hamster before, but I do have a rabbit so have some experience with animals. Thake you chelsea i will ger the syrian hamster i was going to get a dwarf haster.
I miss having hamsters! I used to care for many when I was younger. A couple of them even had babies. Thank you Chelsea. I'm glad you had such a great experience with owning hamsters. And different species of hamster tend to have different personalities, and Robos aren't for everyone. Thanks for sharing! I had a Syrian hamster she was called pumpkin she ways so lovely she meant everything to me! Its the best thing I've ever done going back to a Syrian there so friendly!
Health Problems. Freshwater Pets. Freshwater Aquariums. Saltwater Pets. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Related Articles. Method 1. Syrian hamsters are much larger than dwarf hamsters, growing to be as long as 6—7 inches 15—18 cm.
Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, grow to only around 3—5 inches 7. The small size of dwarf hamsters can make it a little more difficult to keep track of them, as they can squeeze through small spaces and hide in tiny nooks and crannies. The Syrian hamster is also called the teddy bear hamster because of its resemblance to the adorable stuffed animal. Most Syrian hamsters have golden brown fur, white bellies, and large, round black eyes. Dwarf hamsters have a natural grey-brown coloration with a white belly.
Compared to the Syrian hamster, dwarf hamsters have more mouse-like facial features, complete with teensy, beady eyes. Method 2. Choose a Syrian hamster if you have small children. Syrian hamsters are the friendlier of the two hamster breeds. They have sweet personalities, are easy to handle, and rarely bite.
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