Hamsters Care Sheet

Hamsters are peculiar little rodents. They are small, velvet-furred rodents with enormous cheek pouches and short, stubby tails. Because hamsters are easy to care for, they make a great beginner pet. They require a weekly cage cleaning and no grooming. They are friendly and easily tamed. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures that may on occasion bite if bothered while sleeping. Since hamsters are nocturnal, they make noise at night, so be prepared for spinning wheels in the middle of the night. Hamsters do show some recognition and will eagerly look for treats when approached. Hamsters are mildly active and love to run in an exercise wheel. They are hardy pets and have a life span of about three years.

Hamster’s cheek pouches are a relatively unique anatomic feature of hamsters. They are actually a cavernous out-pouching of the oral cavity on both sides, extending alongside the head and neck to the shoulders. These pouches are used to store food and allow the hamster to transport food from where it is gathered to the hamster’s den or nest. The food is then eaten later at the hamster’s leisure.

Hamsters are by nature friendly. If handled frequently from a young age, they usually remain docile and seldom bite. However, hamsters that have not received a lot of attention and handling throughout their lives may be more apprehensive and aggressive. Those animals of a docile nature can be picked up gently by cupping your hamster in one or both hands and held against your body. Never pick a hamster up by its tail. Also, beware that even docile hamsters may bite if surprised or abruptly awakened from sleep.

Proper housing is a major factor in maintaining a healthy hamster. Adult hamsters require a minimum floor area of 20 square inches and a cage height of 6 inches. Several types of cages are available that are suitable for housing hamsters. Many of these units come equipped with cage furniture such as exercise wheels, tunnels and nest boxes as added luxuries. Such accessories, as well as sufficient litter depth within which to burrow, are desirable for the pet’s psychological well-being. Cages should be constructed with rounded corners to prevent chewing. Hamsters will readily chew through wood, light plastic and soft metal. Recommended caging materials are wire, stainless steel, durable plastic and glass. The last three materials are preferred because they resist corrosion. Beware that glass and plastic containers drastically reduce ventilation and can lead to problems with humidity, temperature and odor concentration. These materials make suitable cages when at least one side of the enclosure is open for air circulation. Wood and similar materials should not be used to construct enclosures because they are difficult to clean and cannot withstand the destructive gnawing of rodents. In addition, make sure that the enclosure is escape proof because these little rodents are known to be escape artists.

Hamsters seem to do best when housed in enclosures with solid floors, relatively deep bedding and ample nesting material. Bedding must be clean, non-toxic, absorbent, relatively dust free, and easily acquired. Shredded paper or tissue, wood shavings and processed corncob are preferred bedding. Be sure that the wood shavings and ground corncob are free from mold, mildew or other contamination before using. Cotton and shredded tissue paper make excellent nesting materials. Their enclosure should be placed in a bright, draft-free room where the temperature is constant and maintained between 65 and 75 degrees. Avoid placing the cage in direct sunlight and should be placed near household activities to keep your hamster from getting lonely. Pet hamsters are generally housed singly. Mature female hamsters tend to be very aggressive towards one another and should never be housed together. Males may also fight when housed together, but tend to be less aggressive than females.

Hamsters love to exercise and their favorite past time seems to be the exercise wheel. Be sure to choose a wheel with a smooth flat surface to prevent leg injuries. There are other methods to provide your hamster with physical and psychological stimulation. They love the horizontal and vertical tube-tunnels, tin cans opened at both ends and boxes with multiple openings through which they can crawl. There are also clear plastic balls available for your hamster to roll around your house while being supervised. When using the ball, do not let the ball sit in direct sunlight because your hamster could overheat. It is best not to leave your hamster in the ball for more than 10-15 minutes at a time.

The frequency with which the enclosure is cleaned depends on its design, the materials out of which it is made, and the number of hamsters within. As a general rule of thumb, the enclosure and all cage furniture should be cleaned and disinfected with hot water and soap once weekly using a vigorous scrubbing technique followed by a thorough rinse. The food and water containers should be cleaned and disinfected in the same way, however they need to be cleaned once daily.

Good quality food and fresh, clean water must be readily available at all times. The exact nutritional requirements of the hamster are not known. In the wild, they are omnivorous, feeding on plants, seeds, fruits and insects. Pet hamsters are best fed commercial rodent diets containing at least 15-20% protein. These foods are usually available as dry blocks or pellets. Seed diets are also formulated and sold for hamsters, but these diets should only supplement the basic rodent pellet. Seed diets are high in fat and cholesterol, which can lead to obesity and potential nutritional deficiencies. These pelleted commercial diets can be supplemented with small amounts of dry, sugar-free breakfast cereals, whole wheat bread, uncooked pasta, cooked chicken, tuna fish, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables; all fed in moderation. These treats should not exceed 10% of the total diet. Hamsters consume most of their food at night. They are like little pack rats that often hoard their food in a corner of their cage, making it seem as though they eat a lot more than they really do.

Water is easily provided in water bottles equipped with sipper tubes. This method also helps keep the water free from contamination. Always make sure that the tubes are positioned low enough to allow the pet easy access. Fresh water should be provided daily.