The Amazing Joy of Owning Hamsters: Everything You Need to Know About Hamsters!

Hamsters are common house pets that belong to the rodent family. However, you need some basic knowledge about them before you pet hamsters. Therefore, everything you need to know about hamsters is discussed in this article.

Small tails, ears, and legs can differentiate hamsters. Hamsters also come in different colors ranging from brown, black, or gray. Moreover, hamsters are nocturnal animals; therefore, they tend to sleep during the day.

Feeding and Nutrition for Your Hamster

Hamsters are omnivorous; they eat nuts, seeds, and vegetables. Their diet portion must contain a minimum of sixteen percent protein. Moreover, four to five percent fat is also acceptable. Their average daily diet, however, is eleven to fourteen grams.

Essential Components of a Balanced Hamster Diet

While we discuss everything you need to know about hamsters, knowing the essentials of their diet is equally important. Therefore, one should know a balanced diet for their hamsters. The average protein content ranges between sixteen percent.

However, their dietary requirements differ if you have a baby hamster or a pregnant hamster. You might need an eighteen to forty percent protein diet, while fat content must range between seven to nine percent.

Behold! While we tell you everything you need to know about hamsters, knowing what shouldn’t be fed to them is also essential. Avoid feeding them with beans, onion, potato, chocolates and candies, and citrus foods.

Feeding Schedule and Portion Control

Ideally, feeding your hamsters once a day is enough, either in the morning or evening. But, ensure to feed them like clockwork. Moreover, stick to the feeding schedule rigorously.

Nonetheless, some experts recommend feeding them during the night concerning their nocturnal nature. But, some suggest feeding them during the day with snacks during their sleep. The frequent snacks keep them up and alive throughout the day.

Understanding the Importance of Fresh Water

Access to fresh and clean water is essential for everyone. Similarly, it is equally important for hamsters too. It keeps them alive and kicking. The water should be changed daily and supplied in a clean bowl or a water bottle.

You should note that the water bottle should suit the hamster; drinking water from it shouldn’t be rocket science. Moreover, do not add vitamin supplements to promote their growth.

Providing the Right Environment for Your Hamster

Importance of a Comfortable Cage

You’re here for everything you need to know about hamsters, right? Then how can we forget to guide you about the importance of the hamster cages? Hamster cages are a haven for hamsters; therefore, providing a cozy and reliable cage is critical.

Nonetheless, ensure that the cage is escape-proof and must be well-ventilated to make them feel on top of the world. A hamster cage should also have some area for them to play and hide. Invest some effort and time to look for the best suitable hamster cages.

Recommended Cage Size and Accessories

Everything you need to know about hamsters includes the ideal size for hamster cages and the required accessories. The minimum size requirement by the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is six hundred and twenty square inches (sq. in).

Tips for Keeping your Hamster’s Cage Clean and Hygienic

Spot cleaning at least once a day is ideal for helping prevent dirt and ensure a healthy environment around your cute little hamster. If you keep uneaten food in the cage, there are chances of bacteria and fungal growth. Therefore their removal daily is essential.

However, once a week, you should clean the whole cage. To have a cage as clean as a whistle, put the hamster in a playpen. However, the hamsters tend to make a clean getaway. Therefore, keep a check on them while cleaning the cage.

Health and Wellness for Your Hamster

Signs of Illness and When to Take Your Hamster to the Vet

Knowing whether your hamster is sick is essential while discussing everything you need to know about hamsters. There are numerous telltale symptoms to knowing that your hamster is feeling under the weather.

Physical Appearance

Physical appearance is the first and foremost symptom of any illness. You may notice bumps, warts, or any bodily discharge or loss of fur that indicates any ailment.

Unusual Behavior

A sudden drop in activity and playfulness, frequent nipping, and sensitivity to light may indicate some issues. Moreover, altered bowel movements also indicate some maladies in hamsters.

Digestive Upset

Digestive upset is a symptom common as muck. Therefore, keeping an eye on their digestion and bowel activities is also necessary. Diarrhea or constipation may indicate any abnormality within them.

Regular Check-Ups and Preventive Measures

Prevention is better than cure. We all have heard this saying. But what if we say everything you need to know about hamsters also includes the importance of regular and timely visits to the vet?

Keeping the hamster cages clean and tidy shouldn’t be blown away. If you have multiple pets, ensure their safety from other pets, especially when you take them out to clean the cages. Gentle handling is, however, essential.

Common Health Problems and How to Address Them

Hamsters are known to be up and alive but develop certain health conditions. Usually, skin infections, GI Tract infections, and respiratory infections are common in hamsters. If a hamster feels under the weather, it may remain inactive and dull.

Skin Diseases And Abscesses

Knowing about common health diseases is also essential while discussing everything you need to know about hamsters. Hamsters can develop skin infections and allergies often. Certain beddings, such as cedar bedding, may cause allergies.

Moreover, keep an eye on small cuts and injuries. It is because injuries may lead to abscess formation filled with pus. Draining and flushing the abscess is necessary for effective healing, however.

Hair Loss

Hair loss in hamsters has a variety of reasons. It may be from frequent rubbing against feeders and the cage or getting chewed by other hamsters in the cage. Moreover, any systemic disease can also cause hair loss in hamsters.

Nonetheless, kidney diseases, thyroid deficiency, and adrenal tumors may cause frequent hair loss. To help diagnose and treat the problem, a visit and discussion with a vet are essential.

Digestive Problems

Digestive issues can be caused by multiple factors, including stress and bacterial infections. These may cause diarrhea or often called wet tails. It may come to your notice by looking at the tail area and seeing any wetness. 

Any illness may cause hamsters to be six feet under the ground. Therefore, if you see any signs and symptoms of them being under the weather, visit a vet immediately. Moreover, hydration is an essential key to avoiding severe dehydration from diarrhea.

Diabetes

Diabetes is also a noticeable disease you need to know when discussing everything you should know about hamsters. Lack of insulin production according to the body’s requirements may lead to diabetes in hamsters.

You may observe frequent urination and excessive thirst. But, these symptoms also mimic kidney diseases. Therefore, a visit to the vet for a proper diagnosis is essential. Nonetheless, obesity also leads to diabetes, so avoid getting fat.

Teeth Problems

Teeth are an essential part of one’s body. So how can we miss discussing this in everything you need to know about hamsters? Hamsters’ teeth tend to grow exponentially throughout life. To maintain their health, frequent trimming of teeth is essential.

How can you do it? It is simple. Please provide them with hard fruits and nuts to help with the natural attrition of teeth. Moreover, you can visit a vet to trim a hamster’s teeth. If ignored, hamsters may develop an abscess in their teeth, leading to dental problems.

We have also attached a link to the youtube video below. This will help with everything you need to know about hamsters and their health.

Everything you NEED for a Hamster

Conclusion

Hamsters are the most favorite pets to be kept at home. Their cute and cuddly nature makes them an ideal fit for any household. Moreover, they’re low-maintenance animals. Therefore, everything you should know about hamsters is critical before parenting them.

To ensure keeping them up and alive, caring is an essential requirement. To do so, dedication is needed. Understanding their environment, dietary requirements, and common health problems may save you from breaking the bank. Visit All Our Creatures to learn more.