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Questions
- What do I need?
- Feeding your hamster
- Your hamster's health
- Your hamster's behaviour
- Shopping list
Being a parent to a pet hamster is a wonderful experience, but as with all pets it’s important to know what’s involved in caring for them to help them lead a happy, healthy life.
What do I need?
·      I need daily care and attention. You’ll need to provide me with a constant supply of fresh food and water, clean my living area regularly and spend quality time with me in the evening when I’m most active.
·      I’ll need regular visits to the vet to ensure I stay in good health.
·      With the right care and depending on my breed, I can live anywhere between 2-4 years. Can you care for me for that long?
·      My diet should consist mainly of commercial hamster mix with some fresh green vegetables and fruit.
·      I need a safe and comfortable home with deep nesting areas for burrowing.
Introduction To Hamsters
Hamsters are charming pet companions that have lovable personalities and fascinating habits. Ensuring the well-being and happiness of these nocturnal little beings is really important to ensure that they have a long and fulfilling life.
Choosing A Hamster
There are a number of different hamster types often kept as pets, each varying in size and temperament, including Roborovski, Syrian; Chinese and Russian Dwarf hamsters. It’s vital to choose hamsters that are at least 6 weeks old to ensure they’ve received a proper start to life.
Most hamster breeds prefer to live alone, although some dwarf varieties can get along and live together.
Typically, hamsters live between 2 and 4 years, although some may live for longer.
Talk to our team about choosing the right type of hamster to help you discover your perfect furry friend.
Handling Your Hamster
Approach your hamster calmly and gently - sudden movements or loud noises can startle them. Start talking quietly to your pet so that it gets used to your voice. Offer treats from your hand to gain its trust. Once it’s at ease, gently lift it with both hands or encourage it to walk onto your hand. Never lift a hamster by the tail.
Once you have your hamster in your hands, hold it securely but not too tightly. You can keep your hamster close to your body to make it feel more secure and cradle it against your chest.
If children are handling your hamster, closely supervise the interaction to ensure your hamster’s safety and well-being.Â
Also, don’t forget to wash your hands after touching your fur baby!
Hamsters are most active and awake in the evening, so this is the best time to approach them. Consistent, gentle handling of your hamster will help you spot any signs of ill-health and strengthen your bond.
Housing
All hamsters need a secure and clean environment with protection from hazards, with a deep plastic base to prevent escapes, something which is particularly crucial for smaller varieties. They also need a safe, comfortable place to rest undisturbed and where they can hide from things that may scare them.
The room temperature should be between 17°C and 23°C, away from direct sunlight and draughts, to avert stress and health problems.
Regular exercise is essential for hamsters, so a spacious cage and tunnels, hamster balls and wheels are great for hamster enrichment.
Bedding
Your hamster’s housing requires a layer of absorbent bedding on the cage floor, with plenty of bedding for nesting and hiding.
Keeping your hamster and its environment clean is crucial and it's essential to thoroughly clean the hutch at least once a week with pet-safe disinfectants to maintain hygiene. You should remove soiled bedding every day.
Feeding your hamster
A well-balanced diet is essential for your hamster's health. Provide a mixture of seeds, grains, nuts found in commercial hamster food, complemented by small quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Basic Diet: A balanced commercial mix should be the foundation of their diet, offering essential grains, seeds, and nuts. Serve fresh produce in moderation to prevent spoilage and weight gain.
Fresh Foods: Gradually introduce vegetables and fruits in tiny amounts. Steer clear of toxic foods such as onions, garlic, and chocolate.
Your hamster needs constant access to fresh water in a clean, easily accessible bottle. Put their food in flat dishes or scatter it directly on the cage floor to encourage foraging. They like to sit up and hold pieces of food to gnaw on! Your hamster may carry its food to hide it. They also carry food in their cheek pouches and can be seen retreating from their food with bulging cheeks!
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Your hamster's health
A healthy hamster is alert, with a shiny coat they eat and drink normally. To help your hamster stay healthy, there are some other steps you’ll need to consider:
1.     Veterinary care: You should register your hamster with a veterinary surgeon in case they become poorly.
2.     Daily health checks: To help your hamster stay healthy, regularly check your hamster for signs of illness.
3.     Dental care: Hamsters' teeth grow continually. You'll need to give your hamster suitable gnawing material to maintain their sharp teeth and stop them getting too long, which causes health problems and pain. Dental problems are not uncommon in hamsters, and you should check with your veterinary surgeon if you have any concerns about their teeth.Â
Your hamster's behaviour
Different breeds of hamsters have different needs when it comes to companionship. Syrian hamsters flourish in solitude, while dwarf varieties can enjoy the company of other hamsters of the same sex.
Dedicate time to your hamster! They genuinely enjoy human interaction and offering them a small treat can be a delightful way to bond and build trust.
Gentle handling and consistent interaction, at a similar time each evening, strengthens your bond with them and enhances their quality of life.
Shopping list
Spacious Cage: Large and escape proof, with adequate ventilation.
Bedding: Dust-free wood shavings, chopped straw, or paper-based bedding. Avoid cedar and pine.
Hiding House: A safe space for your hamster to retreat and rest.
Nesting Material: Soft, safe material for your hamster to burrow and sleep in.
Exercise Wheel: Appropriately sized, with solid or safe rung spacing.
Food and Water Containers: Tip-resistant dish and a drip-proof water bottle.
Hideaways: To hide and sleep in.
Enrichment Toys: Tubes or tunnels, made of wood or hay, to keep their teeth in good health and provide mental stimulation.
Cleaning Supplies: Pet-safe disinfectant to keep your hamster's home clean.
This blog is produced by Jollyes – The Pet People in collaboration with the Pet Industry Federation.
Disclaimer: This blog provides general guidance for your new hamster, but is not a comprehensive guide. The information contained is not a substitute for veterinary advice and any concerns about your individual pet’s health should be raised with your veterinary surgeon.