Hamsters
Choosing, Caring For, and Handling Pet Hamsters
Use this guide to find out everything you need to know about hamsters including choosing what kind, caring for them, picking out toys, handling, and even breeding.
Hamsters are popular pets for children but they aren't always the best pet for small hands. Different breeds are known for different traits and any potential owner to be should learn about the choices they have before picking one out to take home. Also specific kinds of hamsters should not be kept together while others enjoy company, therefore it is important to research your hamster of choice if you plan on getting more than one.
Chinese Hamsters - small and not as common as other kinds of hamsters.
Dwarf Hamster Varieties - several varieties exist and are similar to Chinese hamsters.
Syrian Hamsters - several color variations go by different names but are all types of this hamster.
2. Choosing a Healthy Hamster
Not every hamster in the pet store is of optimal health. Moving from supplier to store to a new home can be a stressful period for baby hamsters and they will often get sick from it. Learn how to choose a healthy hamster and what to watch for after you take it home. Hamsters that are younger are best as they will most likely be friendlier. Choose an active hamster and one that doesn't look like he has a wet bottom or weapy eyes. And even if a cage seems to have a few sick hamsters it is probably best to avoid buying any hamster from that group since hamster diseases are very contagious.
3. Hamster Cages and Supplies
There are many hamster cage options available online and at pet stores. But some cages are better than others. Several cages (like the ones with all the tubes and colors) may look cool but aren't very functional and difficult to clean while others aren't good for hamsters to live in at all (fish tanks). Smaller hamster breeds also have different cage considerations than the larger Syrian varieties. It's a good idea to get your hamster cage all set up with bedding, water bottle, chew toys, and other necessities before bringing your new hamster home. Check out what you need before you get your hamster, or just make sure you have what you should for the hamster you have now.
4. Hamster Diet
Is that store bought bag of seed mix really the best thing for your hamster? Do they need other protein, fruit, or vegetables? There are options available to you but what is really best for your pet?
Feeding Hamsters - Basics
The basis of a hamster's diet should be a good quality store-bought food designed specifically for hamsters. Should you choose a pelleted diet or a diet based on a loose seed mix?
Pelleted Diets
Pelleted foods offer a completely balanced diet, and for this reason I generally recommend pelleted diets. As explained below, a hamster can be picky iwth loose mixes resulting in an imbalanced diet. However, pelleted diets are a bit monotonous and some hamsters will refuse them. A pelleted mix can be supplemented with a variety of other items, as long as the pelleted food makes up the bulk of the diet to ensure well-balanced nutrition.
Loose Mix/Seed Diets
It is important to pick a loose mix diet that contains a variety of foods such as grains and dried vegetables along with some seeds -- and some loose mixed foods also contained a balanced pellet food as part of the mix. As mentioned previously, the biggest problem with loose mixes is that hamsters can pick and choose their favorite bits, which could result in a dietary imbalance. When feeding a loose mix, make sure your hamster empties the food bowl before adding more as this is the best way to make sure your hamster does not just eat his or her favorite parts.
My recommendation: try to get your hamster to eat a pelleted diet, and supplement it with a vareity of other foods such as human foods. If you like, you can even sprinkle a bit of a loose mix diet in with the pellets to add a bit of variety.
Fresh Foods and Treats
You can feed your hamster a variety of human foods, as long as you stick to healthy human foods and limit the treats to no more than about 10 percent of the diet. Skip the the junk food and stick to healthy things like whole grains and fresh vegetables and fruits (in moderation, or diarrhea may result). Store-bought treats such as yogurt drops and honey/seed sticks are generally sugary, and I recommend avoiding them.
Note: since dwarf hamsters are somewhat prone to diabetes, it is prudent to avoid much sugar in their diet, so avoid fruits as treats for dwarf hamsters.
Some suggested fruits and vegetables:
apples (no seeds!)
bananas
blueberries
broccoli
carrots
cauliflower
cucumber
dandelions greens
grapes
kale
peas
potato (cooked)
romaine lettuce
spinach
straewberries
sweet potato
squash
Other treats:
hay
whole grain bread or toast
whole wheat pasta (cooked)
brown rice (cooked)
whole grain cereal (no sugary cereal)
meal worms
crickets or
small pieces of cooked chicken
bit of hard boiled eggs
nuts (no almonds; unsalted)
unsalted peanuts
pumpkin seeds
lentils
sunflower seeds
plain air popped popcorn (no butter or salt!)
Hamsters usually love peanut butter, but it must be fed carefully (as with any other sticky food) because it can get stuck in their cheek pouches and cause severe problems. A very thin layer on a piece of wood is okay as an occasional treat, but peanut butter must be given with caution.
What to Avoid
apple seeds
raw beans
raw potatoes
almonds
citrus fruit
garlic
onions
rhubarb leaves or raw rhubarb
chocolate
any sugary or salty foods
any junk food
7. Hamster Breeding
Hamster breeding is not something the casual hamster owner should do. It is best left to hamster breeders who are breeding for specific qualities and temperaments. But accidents happen and sometimes you end up with baby hamsters. Learn a bit about hamster breeding and see what you can expect with a pregnant hamster
A Note About Breeding:
Breeding your hamster is not a decision to make lightly and you absolutely must consider what you will do with any babies that result. Most pet stores have established suppliers already and there is no shortage of hamsters available. You should also carefully consider the temperament and health of the hamsters you are breeding. The information here may be helpful if you find yourself with a pregnant female by accident, or perhaps from the pet store.
Age of Sexual Maturity:
Syrian hamsters may reach sexual maturity as early as 4-5 weeks of age. However, females should not be bred for the first time until they are closer to 4 months old (males can be bred by 2-3 months of age). They should not be bred for the first time after 6 months of age, however.
Estrus Cycle:
Female hamsters come into estrus (heat) every 4 days or so (this is the time they will be fertile and receptive to a male).
Length of Pregnancy:
The gestation period of syrian hamsters is 16-18 days (average is 16 days)
Litter Size:
Litter size is quite variable, but typically there are 5-10 pups per litter (litters of over 20 have been reported).
Age of Weaning:
Syrian hamsters can be weaned at 21 days; this is a good age to separate male pups from the female pups.
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