HAMSTER FACTS

Life-Span: 18 months to 3 Years

Food and Water: Hamsters should have constant access to food and water. To avoid spills and maintain a clean drinking supply, we encourage using a water bottle. Some hamsters like to sit in their food dishes, so use a heavy ceramic dish to decrease the chances of food spillage. Hamsters enjoy a varied diet that includes commercial grain and seed mixtures tailored for the animal as well as certain kinds of fruits and vegetables. Round out the diet with dandelion greens, chickweed, alfalfa pellets, spinach, carrots, apples and other fruits. Stay away from raw beans, apple seeds, sprouting potato buds, parsley and green parts of tomatoes!

Picking a Healthy Hamster: Different species of hamsters should never be kept together. When choosing a hamster, pay attention to its demeanor and condition. Avoid hamsters that are quiet or lethargic; hamsters should be alert, curious and active. Being nocturnal, this can be a bit hard to test during the day, but even during the day a hamster should respond. Picking your hamster out in the evening might be a good idea. the coat should be smooth and the eyes and nose free of discharge. The hamster's breathing should no be labored or noisy, and the coat should be clean, dry and free of droppings.

Housing: There are three main types of commerical hamster housing available: wire cages(such as Crittertrails), plastic cages and aquariums. A wire cage with horizontal bars 1/2 to 3/4 inches apart work well for Syrain Hamsters, as well as hamsters like to climb and will use the walls for climbing. Avoid the kind with a grate in the bottom as these are just more difficult to clean and uncomfortable for the hamsters. Aquariums are also acceptable, especially for dwarf and Chinese hamsters, they are fairly easy to clean which makes them nice. A secure cover must be used to prevent hamster escapes and other pets from accessing the hamsters. Modular plastic hamster habitats(the type with multiple tunnels and chambers) are nice for providing exercise and entertainment.

Bedding: Most owners use wood shavings to line the cage, but avoid cedar shavings- aspen or other hardwood shavings are the preferred choice as even pine shavings may emit harmful aromatic oils. Other bedding options are available such as Soft Sorbent Bedding and Carefresh(recycled paper). The bedding should be changed weekly, but most hamsters use an area of the cage for a toilet and this area can be cleaned more frequently to help keep the cage clean. Hamsters like to burrow, so provide a good depth of shavings for them to dig in. The placement of the cage in the home should also be carefully considered. Since hamsters are nocturnal, their settings should be fairly quiet during the day. The cage should be away from direct sunlight or heat sources, and also free from drafts, and should be raised off the floor on a shelf or table.

Furnishings: A house of some sort should be provided, which can be store bought or as simple as a cardboard box. Be sure to provide some sort of nesting material such as strips of facial tissue or soft paper towels. Hamsters need the opportunity to chew, burrow, and get exercise. Almost all hamsters will use a hamster wheel enthusiastically(a solid surface is easier on their feet). Also provide some tunnels or tubes, and blocks of wood for climbing and knawing.