How to care for a hamster at home

Hamsters are rightly considered the most popular pets. Small fluffy creatures have conquered the hearts of millions of people around the world. Many believe that rodent care does not present any particular difficulties, but this delusion is erroneous. Like any animals, hamsters require care from the owners. They need careful care, special attention should be paid to feeding. Consider the key points, we present effective recommendations.

Choosing the right house

Hamsters belong to the type of pets that are stressed without any reason. Of course, the move is considered an important aspect of the content, so you should pay attention to the transportation and selection of housing.

1. After the acquisition, transport the pet from the pet store in a special plastic carrying. If desired, it can be replaced with a three-liter jar.When you arrive home, do not rush to move your pet to the main house, let him get a little comfortable.
2. Zoologists recommend using a cage or a large aquarium as a habitat, the first option is preferable. Do not keep the hamster in cardboard or plastic containers or jars.
3. Make sure that the selected cell has dimensions of at least 60 cm in length and 40 cm in width. In this case, the rods should be placed horizontally, such a move will allow the hamster to move freely along all the planes of the house.
4. Since hamsters like to sleep in burrows, sawdust, corn filler for rodents, toilet paper or old newspapers (used in rare cases) are considered ideal. These options best absorb unpleasant odors. Do not throw cotton, rag or colored napkins.
5. Make sure that the animal's house is equipped with a drinking bowl. It is a special bottle with a dispenser and a ball at the end. When the hamster is thirsty, he will push the tongue on the ball, and water will drip from there drop by drop.
6. Equally important is the feeder, there should be two.The first is intended for granular (dry) feed, the second is for natural food (vegetables, fruits, etc.). Troughs attached to the bars, do not put them on the floor.
7. Purchase a mineral stone at the pet store. It serves as an additional source of vitamins, and also allows the pet to grind and brush teeth. You can attach a stone to the bars or freely put in a cage (the hamster will find it and cage).
8. Place of toilet rodents determine their own. As a rule, rodents prefer to go to a certain corner. However, if the place is polluted, the animal will not defecate in it.
9. Hamsters are active animals, so their house must be equipped with a running wheel. The simulator is sold in pet stores, give preference to products made of solid plastic. If you purchased a wheel with iron rods, sheathe it with cardboard to eliminate possible injury to the paws.
10. Place the cage in a quiet corner, make sure that the house is located away from radiators. Do not allow direct UV rays, do not create drafts to the animal.Put the cage where children and other pets (cats, dogs, etc.) cannot reach.

Features feeding hamster

1. Many people mistakenly believe that hamsters are omnivorous by nature. Most of the products that people use are harmful to pets. At the time of purchase, consult with the breeder or veterinarian, what vitamins to add to your pet in food, what grain feed to choose. It is important to buy the composition marked "for rodents."
2. Grain mixes are sold at the pet store. The daily rate varies from 20 to 60 grams, depending on the age, size and breed of the rodent. As a rule, hamsters do not overeat, so there are no special restrictions in dosage. It is worth remembering that there should always be food in the trough.
3. In addition to the main feed, you can indulge your pet with whole grain bread, cottage cheese. Also, once a week, give your pet whole milk, boil it beforehand. Dairy products are rich in protein, which is useful for wool, teeth and hamster claws.
4. Hamsters have a passion for fruit. Prefer bananas, pears, apples, grape pulp. The main thing is to remove the stem and bones.In no case do not feed the hamster with citrus fruits, garlic, cabbage, bulb and green onions.
5. Many domestic hamsters love pumpkin and carrots, but the products listed can only be given in the form of a treat. In addition, rodents like pumpkin and sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts. However, cereals can cause intestinal blockage because they contain too much fatty acids.
6. As mentioned earlier, a hamster needs protein in order to live. Animals get it from meat, fish, dairy products, boiled eggs (chicken / quail), cheese.
7. It is important to remember forever that raw meat should not be given, it must be boiled beforehand. The best option for this component of the diet is beef, veal, pork pulp, chicken, turkey.
8. Hamsters are not indifferent to all types of cereal crops. Pamper your pet with various cereals, such as buckwheat, oats, rice, pasta (very rarely). You can cook cereal food in water or give in raw form.
9. As for vegetables, rodents like zucchini and eggplant, tomatoes without peel, fresh cucumbers, Chinese cabbage, green salad.In no case do not feed your pet potatoes.
10. Particular attention is paid to the drinking regime of the animal. Every day, change the water in the drinker, hamsters can drink from 7 to 10 ml. filtered liquid per day.

Stress management in hamsters

The first thing you should pay attention - the comfort of a hamster. All rodents are subject to stress, so it is necessary to prevent such situations.

1. The owner himself can provoke discomfort when it influences the growth of offspring. You should not constantly check the kids, otherwise the female will start to get angry.
2. A hamster can become depressed if you add new friends to him. You should not allow such effects, hamsters should grow with an early age. Adults are seated in different houses.
3. Hamsters belong to the type of animals that feel great in the dark. You do not need to turn on the lamp of intense daylight, so that the pet does not start to panic.
4. Lack of food, water and even dirty litter can provoke stress. For this reason, it is recommended not to neglect the basic care for the pet's home. Try not to change the usual routine of the animal,Do not move the cage from place to place.
5. In order not to create a hamster discomfort try not to scream near his house, speak in a moderate tone. Rodents feel calm and trust people more when they communicate with them affectionately.
6. In no case do not take out the hamster on the street, he is very scared. Moving and even a normal walk can be the culprits of cardiac arrest in a fluffy ball.
7. Keep cats, dogs and small children away from the hamster cage. No need to acquaint the animal with other inhabitants of the house, it will scare him greatly. Also remember, to clean the home you need not in front of the pet.

Basic hamster care

Cleaning the cage. The main attention is paid to cleaning the home, it should be carried out 2-3 times a week. At the same time, the place of the toilet is cleaned as it is polluted, try to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant smell. At the time of harvesting, the animal should be removed from the house and placed in a three-liter glass jar, having previously filled its container in the container.

To disinfect, use a solution of baking soda or salt; if you wish, purchase a cell cleaner at the pet store. Wash rods, pan, mink.Replace the litter, part of the old mix with the new one so that the pet adapts quickly.

In no case do not wash the feeders and drinking water with chemical means. Treat your toothbrush, pre-scooping it up with some baking soda. Rinse the containers thoroughly before returning them to the cage.

Walking Hamsters, like other pets, love to have fun. Since by their nature they are quite energetic, it is recommended to equip the cage with a place to rest. Line up an obstacle course, place a house, a wheel, various shelves. You can build a tunnel through which the animal can move from one place to another.

If you prefer to let a pet out of its cage, purchase a special ball for rodents at the pet store. The device is made of transparent plastic, its use does not present any particular difficulties. It is enough to put the hamster inside and close the door, then put the ball on the floor.

The animal will begin to touch paws, exploring the apartment. Such a move will not allow you to accidentally step on a pet, and also prevent its loss. You can not make hamsters on the street.As mentioned earlier, rodents are subject to stress, as a result of which an animal can have a heart attack.

Claw care. Hamsters have fairly sharp claws that need careful care. The recommendation is particularly relevant in the case of older animals. Purchase a nail clipper at the store or use nail clippers. Regularly cut off the free edge of the claw, try not to hurt the capillaries.

If there is pigmentation on the surface, which does not allow to notice the capillaries and vessels, carry out the procedure with a day lamp. It will illuminate the claw, allowing you to carry out hygiene without injury. If you hurt your pet, drag him a foot with a bandage dipped in hydrogen peroxide.

Bathing. Hamsters are a type of rodent that does not like water. For this reason, swimming is recommended to be carried out carefully. Make sure that water does not get into the eyes, ears, nose of the animal. Hold the hamster in your hand, do not release it in the "free swimming", the animal will be frightened. Bathing is carried out in rare cases when the fur is heavily polluted and an unpleasant smell emanates from it.

In order to carry out the procedure in compliance with all standards, use shampoo for rabbits, or even do without a cleaning agent.After bathing, hold the pet in your hand so that it warms up. Then wrap the animal in a warm cloth, carefully collect moisture and leave to dry completely.

It is easy to keep a hamster at home, if you have sufficient knowledge of nutrition and basic care. Get for your favorite grain food, spoil it with raw carrots, fruits, legumes and cereals. Regularly clean the cage, hygiene claws and fur.

Video: caring for Jungar hamsters