Hamsters are small rodents that are commonly kept house pets with a lifespan of two to three years. They make an excellent pet for many people, especially first time pet parents. Unlike other pets they don’t require a lot of attention and are a great option for people who lead a lifestyle that doesn’t permit a lot of time commitment. It’s important to know everything about keeping a pet before you make the decision of bringing one home. One must understand all their needs to have a hassle-free pet parenting experience. Let’s dive straight into what a pet hamster would need -
Essential Supplies Although Hamsters are low maintenance pets, there are some basic supplies they need in order to live comfortably and get the quality of life they deserve. Some of the things that you need before getting the pet are -
A spacious cage which is extremely well-ventilated Food Food Dish Water Bottle Exercise Wheel Hiding/Resting spot Bedding for the cage
Making the First Move
One must ensure that the transition to a new place happens very easily and for that it is always advised to give your new pet three to five days to completely adapt to the new surroundings. During these days it is also advised to avoid handling and disturbing the pet. Once the initial days have passed and you see your new family member settle in, you can begin to handle them with a lot of care. In order to associate the experience of being handled with a positive one, you can try rewarding them with a treat during handling. It is essential that you handle your pet hamsters with ease and ensure that you don’t scare or startle them. Once your hamster is accustomed to you being around and touching him/her, you can even start opening them and letting them out under your supervision. Hamsters love to sniff and explore, and letting them out of their cages for a little while helps with their mental and physical stimulation.
Housing
Get a spacious escape-proof cage that is easy to clean and has enough room for your hamster to move around in. It’s important to get a cage that’s appropriate for their size and has enough space for them. At
Tails Nation, we advise against getting plastic cages for your hamster as they can be easily chewed through and can be a choking hazard and are generally unsafe overall. Once you’ve decided which cage you are going to pick, it’s time for you to choose the bedding. The choice of bedding material could be paper, wood shavings or fibre based, which would need to be changed weekly. We strongly advise against the use of cotton beddings as your pet might chew through them, making them a choking hazard. Remember, the cage along with the bedding material would need to be cleaned at least once a week and so, the pet parent must find a safe space for their pet while the cages are being cleaned.
Food
Hamsters are omnivorous and enjoy a diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, small insects, etc. Although these food options are a great addition to your
pet’s food, it’s important to feed your Hamster a well-balanced diet. Commercial hamster food is a great way of giving your pet a nutritionally equipped diet. You can add fresh fruits, vegetables, etc to the commercial
hamster food and feed it to your hamster. Keep in mind that fruits, vegetables and treats should only be given to your pet in moderation as they contain a lot of sugar. Unlike humans, a hamster’s nutritional needs are very different. And so, it is strongly suggested to not feed your pet hamster human foods like chocolate, bread, etc.
Health & Exercise
Exercise is a must for hamsters! Small and hardy, these beautiful rodents become vulnerable because of their size. Apart from feeding them high quality
hamster food and hamster treats it’s important for pet parents to ensure that they are getting the mental and physical stimulation they need to thrive. Pet parents can place a hamster wheel along with some toys to ensure that your hamster is well-exercised. Always keep an eye out for inactivity, runny stools, hair loss, etc. If you notice any of these, rush your pet to a vet as soon as possible.
