Use an effective dishwashing liquid, such as Sunlight, to wash it down every few weeks. Since you’ve searched online on how to take care of a hamster for beginners, we’ve compiled some do’s and don’ts to help you start your journey as a hamster owner. In the long-term hamsters need very little, relying on us daily for the basics of food, water and shelter. It goes beyond the pleasure of just feeling the fuzzy warm feeling we often feel when we see cute animals. I’ve seen so many videos of hamsters placed in a tub or sink and let them swim. You will also need to wash the cage at least once a month or also known as general cleaning, to ensure that it is as clean as it can be. Taking Care of Hamster Babies: The Guide. ALSO READ: Should you use hamster food bowl or automatic hamster feeder. Open wheels can get your pet’s feet caught but your hamster might fill an enclosed wheel with food. The natural color of most Syrian hamsters is golden brown with a lighter belly. Hamsters are very sensitive to loud sounds. Hamsters are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and vegetables. This way, they’ll know you are not a threat, but in fact, a friend. Hamster exercise balls are still in the grey area if it’s safe or not for hamsters. How can I keep my hamster healthy? Hamsters engage in an elaborate, and often adorable, cleaning ritual, washing their faces and cleaning out their ears with their feet. You don’t want your little babies to go out of your house and be lost, be accidentally hurt. First, before you adopt a hamster at your home, you must prepare all the things that your hamster need. There is a long list of basic hamster supplies and essentials that you need to prepare before your hamster come home. If you are a beginner, choose a Syrian or Golden hamster breed; they are probably the most friendly and curious of all the breeds. Fill the cage with bedding and change it regularly. Provide your hamster with enough food each day to fill both cheeks, approximately 15g (1/2oz) for a Syrian hamster or 8g (1/4oz) for a Dwarf hamster. ALSO READ: Interesting facts about hamsters and Best hamster storybooks for kids. Hamster Care Guide For Beginners - If you have landed on this web page then you are almost certainly hunting for information and facts on how to appear just after hamsters.As a initially time hamster owner, this is guide to help you as you commence o. Stay informed! ARE YOU ON PINTEREST? As a general rule, hamsters shouldn’t be caged together, as they may hurt each other because of their territorial nature. Give the cage, water bottle, food bowl, and play equipment a thorough clean every couple of weeks. It can give them a lot of stress, so you need to be sure that they are in a quiet room. Feed your hamster everyday, keeping the bowl about three-quarters full. 1. Choose the right food but make sure you don't overfeed your new friend. Do you consider yourself responsible enough? Plus, they’re easy to care for, making them great pets for beginners. Breeding hamsters should be kept to professionals only. Another thing to consider before getting a hamster is if you have other pets in your home. Unlike wild hamsters, pet hamsters are not used to the outside and may catch a cold so keep them inside as they are much more used to it. Many hamsters get abandoned because they bite their human parents, what many doesn’t understand how to put effort into getting to know their hamster and train them to stop biting. In the wild, they live in burrows during the day to keep cool and travel great distances at night in search of food. Buying a cage and its accessories for your hamster can cost around $100 – $160. If you don't think your hamster is cleaning itself, visit your vet for advice. Can Hamsters Take Baths In Water 9. Hamsters are nocturnal beings, and humans are awake during the daytime. Hamster, being nocturnal creatures, are very active at night and they need a lot of space where they can explore to their heart’s content. Suffice nutrition and a clean nest for the mother hamster to give birth. You will need patience and some time to gain the trust of the hamster. Keep your little furry rodent healthy and happy with these hamster care tips. Always keep your hamster in a safe place. Check out a few tips for taking care of your hamster! People often handle them in an abrupt manner, which isn’t advisable, because sudden movements can scare these little fellows. When getting a pet for the first time, you need to be as knowledgeable as possible about your pet’s needs, things to avoid, and things to do. © 2019-2020 | HAMSTER CARE | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is up to you how you look after your hamster but you must take … They’ll learn to recognize your scent and voice and see you as a … Mistakes in handling may cause them harm. Spray the solution over the cage and scrub using a washcloth. Your hamster needs something to sleep in, so make something in the cage or buy an igloo for your beloved pet in the pet store. A small animal care guide will be provided with tips on supplies, food, handling and information about vets that take hamsters in Dartmouth for regular check-ups or illness. Understanding hamsters needs. Give your hamster treats from time to time, and after a week, when your new pet has become accustomed to your presence, you should see signs of your hamster warming up to you. Another key part of learning how to take care of a hamster is making sure you keep their cage clean. Ultrasounds, sounds that human ears can’t detect, can also irritate hamsters. It is also important that they are placed in a big cage. Having a pet means knowing what’s best for them, and making sure that all their needs are met. I have four hamsters and I can say that they really love the igloo-shaped houses to hide in. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Rinse with clean water, dry, and … We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Don't overfeed hamsters - they like to hoard! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING A HAMSTER FOR THE FIRST TIME, TIPS ON TAKING CARE OF A HAMSTER FOR FIRST-TIME OWNERS, Read what species of hamster is best for you, Always keep an eye of your hamster when you take them out from the cage to play with, Only handle them not more than 15 minutes at a time in the beginning until they get to know you, Always wash your hands before holding them, Don’t make the same mistake as a new hamster owner, Don’t house more than one hamster in one cage, Don’t let them alone with other pets or kids, Don’t hold them higher than .5 meters (1.6 feet) high. There is no one 'perfect' way to care for all hamsters because every hamster and every situation is different. When a hamster is active, it needs a lot of space to roam around and play, so the cage needs at least 480 square inches or 80x50x50cm (4000 cm2) or 31.5x20x20 in (620 square inches space. Be silent or very quiet when approaching your hamster or it may get scared. In addition, not all hamsters enjoy cuddling with people, and if you have kids in your home, it is best to get the friendlier types. Oftentimes, how your hamster feels reflect on their body language. How to care for a hamster at birth? It might seem okay to wake them up during the daytime, but doing so may stress them. Hamsters require suitable housing with plenty of space and toys, as they're active pets. The more you know about these cute little rodents, the more you’ll be able to take care of them properly. Once you understand what hamsters need and don’t need, it becomes easy to provide everything your small, furry friend needs to survive. We are helping you to help yourself by presenting to you the dos of hamster parenting. How To Take Care Of A Baby Hamster 5. You need to know what their needs, how to keep them safe and healthy, have the money to create a spacious cage, bring and pay for a vet service to name a few. Hamsters have an excellent sense of smell, which is why you should wash your hands using an unscented soap before holding them, especially if you have handled another hamster. How to care for your hamster. This is one of the most important hamster care tips – after all, a hydrated hamster is a happy hamster! Hamsters make suitable pets for older children, providing they are taught the responsibilities of their petís routine for cleaning, feeding, and care. Caring For A Hamster Pets At Home 7. MUST-READ: How much does owning a hamster cost? This will help it associate you with your voice and get used to the way you sound. Along with looking after their safety, you have to keep them healthy with the right food. Watch this video where Mimi and Finley explain all the basics of hamster care- how often you should feed and water them, how often to clean their cage… and of course how to play with them with awesome toys like hamster teeter totters! Things like your level of commitment, your budget, the environment you’re living in, what species of hamster is best for you, and knowing the right food to feed them. Hamsters are a very delicate bunch of creatures. Patience, regular feeding, lots of out-of-habitat playtime, and soft talk will go a long way in helping you bond with your hamster. Read our article about this. How to clean the hamster cage. The scent of food from your hand may also confuse your hamster and cause them to bite your hand. You can help them trim their incisors by giving them hard food, such as dog biscuits or peanuts. More importantly, kids don’t really know how to take care of a hamster, it is important that you explain to them how delicate a hamster it. You need to have a quiet place away from direct sunlight for your furry friends. A second cage or deep container that your hamster can’t get out of will also work. From making sure you have the things you need for a hamster to knowing what to feed hamsters, you’re now equipped with all the necessary information to help keep yours happy. It’s fun to watch them do their hamster activities in their cage, such as running on their hamster wheel, hoarding food in their cheek pouch, and sometimes, doing their hamster acrobatics. Hamster Care Sheet 3. Well, below here how to take care of hamster at home for beginners. If you’re unsure of which to add to your family, here’s a list of hamster breeds with each of their characteristics explained. Invest it a good quality, secure cage where they'll be safe. 3. They live longer and behaves well with humans, but they aren’t very social and may exhibit aggressiveness towards other hamsters. However, as you become familiar with taking care of the hamster, things will become easier for you. Change it every couple of days to keep it fresh. When you go to pick your hamster up, gently cup your hands around it. To minimize the stress of your hamsters, try to also minimize the time you’ll be holding them to 15 minutes at a time. Rinse with clean water, dry, and add new bedding to finish. Only give hamsters as much fruits and vegetables as they can consume in about 4 hours' time. It is recommended by experts to not handle hamsters for at least a week after bringing them to your house. For that, we encourage you to research more on the personality of different species of hamsters that will best suit your home. Here’s a breakdown of how much it cost to have a hamster. This is the most important piece of knowledge you’ll need when learning how to look after a hamster as it's easy to feed them the wrong thing or just give them too much food in general! Let them sleep when they want to sleep, and play with them only if they are wide awake and active, usually at night or evening. Taking care of a hamster means keeping them safe and secure, so make sure the cage you buy is just that. Their diet can include also vegetables, which you can serve to your hamster every other day. Start by emptying the cage then fill a medium-sized spray bottle with water and two tablespoons of dish soap. You need to be very observant when caring for a hamster. Let’s learn a bit more about these fluffy members of the rodent family, shall we? They are usually happy when you see them burrowing or digging, and when they are cleaning themselves, it usually means that they are contented. Finally, set up a food tray and secure a water bottle to the cage side at a level they can reach easily. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This is the reason why you should regularly clean the cage and use the best hamster beddings of your little furry companions. There are several things worth considering if you want to provide the best hamster pet care ever. Be sure to clean both daily. You can temporarily place your little cuddly in a playpen or travel cage, or in any safe place where they won’t escape or get hurt. Kale, collard greens, zucchini and shredded carrot are all on the menu. Feeding and caring for your pet will help them stay healthy. Speak in low, soothing tones to keep its anxiety at a minimum. Hamsters are delicate animals, which is why it’s important to understand their needs before getting one. However, there are times when you’ll need to handle them, such as when you need to clean their cage. What do you feed hamsters? Be quiet and gentle when you pick your hamster up. Space is an equally important factor when considering taking care of a hamster. Another way to keep the hamster cage clean is to make sure that the hamster sand box is always filled with clean sand bath. Hamsters can eat a small amount of dark, leafy greens every other day and fruit such as bananas, apples, and melons once a week as a treat. Use protective gloves like gardening or cleaning gloves. Some hamsters enjoy an occasional dust bath. Hamsters are fragile creatures, and they can easily get sick when stressed or placed in an environment with poor sanitation. Learning how to tame a hamster is important if you want to be able to pick up your hamster to pet it, or you simply want to take it to the vet. If you love small and cuddly pets, getting yourself a hamster is an excellent choice. Use an effective dishwashing liquid, such as Sunlight, to wash it down every few weeks. However, as an owner, you have to do your research which toys are safe for your hamster to use. You should realize that their lives depend on you and that you’ll always be there to meet their needs for their 2-3 years lifespan. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. ALSO READ: Guide on buying the best hamster water bowl and bottle. Read this article about common mistakes a first-time hamster owner have done and do your best to avoid repeating them. And the same goes for their nails, hence, a good hamster nail care is very important, you can use these rocks and place it inside the cage. Housing more than one hamster in a single cage is one of the reasons why hamsters fight. You need to spot clean their cage, and regularly replace their bedding to prevent the growth of fungi or bacteria which may make your hamster sick. This is why it is extremely important to always keep an eye of your hamsters when you’re taking them out from their cage. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Sure, they may love to eat seeds, especially sunflower seeds, but they also need veggies and fruits, whole grains, cereals, and you can also feed them scrambled eggs as a source of protein. The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster, is among the most popular choices for small pets.It's generally easy to tame, fun to watch, and fairly low-maintenance, making it a good pet for beginners.These hamsters come from arid regions of northern Syria and southern Turkey. Obviously, we want to care for our hamsters as best we can, so playing and cuddling them helps to secure a bond and allows you to understand your hamster’s behaviors. This app will organize and take into account 1. There are a lot of ways to tame a hamster such as the “coffee mug system”, “bathtub taming”, and other options. 1. 14 Pet Hamster Care Tips for Beginners. Take a few moments each day starting with the first day you bring your hamster home to go by your hamster’s cage and talk gently to it. DISCLAIMER: thehamstercare.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by adverting and linking to Amazon. But you need to seek professional help when they become unresponsive, lazy, not eating, or their poop is very soft because it usually means that they are not feeling well. But the truth is, hamsters can swim but they shouldn’t. To help strengthen your bond with your hamsters, be sure to give them treats from time to time. Space is an equally important factor when considering taking care of a hamster. Always give them access to water. 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