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Back to Basics In the wild, hamsters live in underground homes, sleeping during the day and waking at night to search for food. Both Golden and Dwarf hamsters are kept as pets; Golden hamsters being the most popular. There are several varieties of dwarf hamster, including Chinese, Russian, Dwarf Campbells and Roborovski. Company Golden hamsters are extremely territorial and must be housed singly, otherwise they will fight - to the death. Dwarf hamsters will live happily in pairs or groups, although different varieties should not be mixed together. Stimulation Being nocturnal, many hamsters are at their most active while their owners are asleep - the average hamster will have 3-4 hours exercise a night. Hamsters also have a seemingly in-built compulsion to escape; so a large, sturdy cage is important; there is no such thing as a cage that’s too big - the more space the better. All cages should have a nesting box or somewhere the hamster can hide - this may well be where he chooses to store his food. However, before a hamster can store its food, it has to find it! Rather than simply offering food in a bowl, much enrichment and stimulation can be provided by hiding it around the cage so the hamster has to work a little to find it - much as in the wild. Hiding treats or food in a cardboard toilet roll tube or burying it in bedding are ways to add interest and prevent boredom. Harry Yippee Treats from Supreme are crispy, crunchy apple, carrot and maize chips, which are perfect for hiding around the cage to encourage foraging. Environmental Enrichment Even the most generous, secure cage will still need plenty inside to keep these little powerhouses occupied. There is a wide variety of hamster toys available; alternatively, toys can be homemade using cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes and empty jars. This needn’t be expensive, all it takes is a little time and some imagination. The more distractions and activities a hamster has in his cage, the less likely it is to try and escape. However, hamsters on the run are relatively easy to catch. A trap can easily be set up, using "steps" (books/folders/bricks) up to a bucket, containing a deep layer of bedding and some carrot. Rub the cut carrot on each of the "steps" and leave overnight. Nine times out of ten the fugitive will be found the next morning fast asleep in the bottom of the bucket. Health Quite apart from the need for socialisation and stimulation, daily handling is important to check for any signs of injury or ill health, i.e. cuts, lumps, runny eyes, dirty bottom. Teeth and nails should be checked for length. Like all rodents, hamsters need plenty of safe things to chew, i.e. hay, untreated wood, cardboard - to prevent dental overgrowth. This also reduces the likelihood of hamsters chewing their cages. Hygiene Cage hygiene is important and owners must be sure to keep an eye on their hamster’s food store to check that the contents are fresh and not starting to decay. The same applies to food or treats hidden around the cage. Every week, the cage, food bowl and water bottle should be thoroughly cleaned. Supreme’s Home Help is a spray-on hutch and cage cleaning solution that works by eliminating bacteria, germs and odours. Hamsters need plenty of bedding – free of dust and mite. Russel Bedding is ideal for all small animals. It’s made from very finely threshed barley straw treated with bactericide, virucide and fungicide, so it’s soft, warm and fluffy, highly absorbent and entirely safe if eaten. |
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Harry Hamster Features of Harry Hamster |
Harry Hamster Hamster Trivia |
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