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Hamsters are cute furry little critters that make affectionate pets. They come in several different ‘styles'. You can find teddy bear hamsters that have long thick hair, or if you prefer, there are hamsters with short hair. And these charming creatures come in so many different color combinations you may find it difficult to choose which you like best! Hamsters are easy to care for and enjoy attention. They can bite if provoked but for the most part are gentle, sweet animals that love to cuddle.
A clean ten gallon aquarium makes a good home for hamsters. You may also house your pet in a metal cage made especially for hamsters. Whichever type of home you choose, you should always keeps a fresh bed of clean shavings covering the floor. Don't use cedar shavings; the fumes can make your hamster sick. Ask the pet store personnel to help you find safe bedding material. Clean out the old bedding every day or so and replace it with fresh. By keeping the cage very clean, you won't have to worry about a disagreeable smell.
Provide a hamster drinking bottle--you can find these at any pet store. Some cages come with water bottles already installed. These bottles hang from the sides of the cages, or aquariums, and have a tube that sticks out the end of the bottle. A little ball is in the end of the tube and the hamster drinks by licking the ball. Always make sure that the water bottle is full of fresh, clean water. Check the ball every day to be certain that it is working properly. It would make your hamster sick if he didn't have enough water every day.
Feed your hamster a good quality diet. Some of the things hamsters enjoy are alfalfa cubes, seed bells and special blends of grains. Fresh vegetables and fruits are well liked, too. You may notice that your hamster will take pieces of food and stick them inside his cheeks! Hamsters have stretchy pouches in their cheeks that expand when they insert grains or other foods. A hamster with his face stuffed full of food is very cute.
Hamsters love to chew. There are lots of chewy wooden items on the market made especially for hamsters. Some of them are even fruit flavored! If you don't provide lots of safe things for your hamster to gnaw, he may decide to chew the furniture. Keep a supply of blocks and chew sticks on hand to satisfy the urge to chew. You will also help the hamster keep his sharp teeth in good shape.
You should always handle your hamster gently, especially when brushing him. Hamsters can be brushed with a soft bristled baby brush and will sometimes squeak with pleasure when having their fur brushed. They will groom themselves often, combing their paws through their hair and washing their faces much like a cat bathes itself.
Active, busy animals, hamsters love to run in wheels, especially at night. You might hear your hamster running in his exercise wheel while you're trying to sleep! Hamsters also enjoy playing in tunnels and caves. Pick up a set of these sturdy plastic play things for your hamster and create a system of tunnels for him to run through. You'll also see that hamsters enjoy sleeping in these enclosed areas. Perhaps they feel secure when snuggled up inside.
If you have cats or dogs in your home, you will want to be especially careful not to let them around your hamster unless you are right there to supervise. It would be easy for a dog to play too rough and accidentally harm or kill the hamster. And cats are natural enemies of any type of rodent. Even if your cat is declawed, your hamster is still not safe unless you are right there to keep an eye on things. Don't take chances; always supervise interaction with other pets.
All in all, hamsters are charming little animals that enjoy snuggling up with their humans. Some hamsters even like to curl up in their owner's hair for a nap! Easy to care for, easy to please, hamsters make wonderful pets.
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