Bringing Home The Hamster
If you want a hamster as a pet then it is always a good thing to pick which hamster you would like to buy. There are many different types fo hamsters to choose from. You can get your hamster from breeders or good pet shops. As hamsters only live for about two years, you should buy one when he is young, between five to eight weeks old.
When a hamster is very young it can be difficult to tell whether it is male or female, so if you are getting more than one, make sure they are the same sex unless you want lots of little babies. Hamsters can live very happily on their own and as long as you spend a reasonable amount of time with them, they will be content to live alone.
If, however you do want more than one, please remember, that you should never keep more than one Syrian (Golden) Hamster in a single cage. They are solitary animals and will start to fight if housed together. Dwarf hamsters (Russian or Chinese) will live together with others of their own species. However please note that fights still may happen between these hamsters occasionally and they will need to be separated.
Things to remember: Hamsters must live indoors. Make sure the cage is out reach of any other pets, which could frighten or upset him. Cover the floor of the cage with sawdust or woodshavings and supply some soft bedding material. Fluffy cotton wool type bedding should be avoided as this can cause harm if eaten by the hamster.
The cage should be cleaned out a least once a week, more often if the litter becomes damp. He will keep a corner of his cage for piddling in and this area should be cleaned out daily. Some owners put a glass jar on its side in this spot and find their hamster does the toilet in this, thereby keeping the cage clean and dry. If your hamster learns to do this, the jar must be cleaned and washed out daily.
When you clean the cage, you will find stored-away food, take some of this away but please do not remove it all as this will upset your hamster and he will spend a lot of time looking for it. Your hamster will spend time making his bed with the paper bedding material, so when you are cleaning out the cage, take care not to disturb this area too much. A heavy earthenware dish is ideal for his feed as he will not be able to knock it over easily or chew it.
A water bottle is the best way to make sure that his water stays clean and fresh all day. Please remember to change the water every day. Many cages have hamster wheels already fitted, but if not, please make sure you get one as it provides an excellent way for him to exercise. When the hamster is running in the wheel its spine must not be curved, if it is then this indicates that the wheel is too small for the hamster and you may need to buy a larger wheel. Buying a clear plastic ball or see-saw tube is another way to let him exercise in safety.
If your hamster arrives in a box, open it carefully. He will probably have burrowed down into the bedding, so please be careful not to give him a fright just in case he gives you a nip. As soon as he is home, put him in his cage and leave him in peace for a couple of days to settle in. By all means, speak to him quietly when you are feeding him, but on the whole, he needs time to explore the cage, deciding where to have his nest, toilet and food storage area.
Hamsters normally sleep during the day and come to life at night, so it is best to feed them in the evening. Never poke a sleeping hamster or it may result in you getting bitten. It may take a while for him to get used to being handled. Once he has settled in, it is best to start stroking him in his cage and talking to him gently so that he becomes used to you and your voice. Your pet will soon become tame and affectionate if you handle him often but it is important to do this properly.
Always handle him when you are sitting down so that if he tries to jump he will not fall too far and hurt himself. Have him facing you and scoop him up using both hands. Let him walk from one hand to the other and, should he try to jump never squeeze him tightly. If you do not feel confident in picking him up and holding him, ask Mum or Dad to help.