Did you know that research shows that 887 households out of 1000 have a hamster as a pet? Although dogs and cats are still the most popular pets, hamsters are high on the list.
If you want to get a new furry friend, a hamster is a great option as they’re easy to care for. However, many people don’t bother to learn the basics of hamster care. This leads to shorter lifespans and unhappy hamsters.
To make sure your pet lives a long happy life, you have to learn how to take care of a hamster. To make it easy for you, we’ve put together this guide, so read on to learn all about hamster care!
Give Them a Safe Space
Your new friend needs to have a safe and enriching home that will make them feel comfortable and happy. Hamsters love bright colors and tunneling, so set up an enclosure with lots of accessories, tubes, and tunnels. You can get creative here and link several enclosures together so you can make a large environment!
Also, pick some bedding that hamsters can burrow in. Don’t forget a large water bottle (chew proof) so your pet can stay hydrated.
Keep your cage near your day-to-day life. Your hamster will be comforted by ambient sounds. However, don’t put them right in the middle of the action so that they’re not overwhelmed.
Give Them Time to Adjust
For the first few days, keep the enclosure covered with a light cloth. You can take it up to bond and interact with your hamster, but work your way up to leaving the enclosure uncovered.
In addition, don’t pick your hamster up for a few days so they have time to adjust and get comfortable.
Reading Suggestion: How Can Choose A Hamster Cage?
Give Them a Healthy and Varied Diet
You don’t like to eat the same thing every day. Neither does your hamster! Hamster food can get boring, so when taking care of a hamster give them a few treats for variety.
Hamsters love carrots, squash, cucumbers, apples, berries, pears, and similar. Avoid chocolate, almonds, garlic, lettuce, onions, peanuts, and potatoes. There are more than 24 different types of hamsters, so double-check dietary guidelines with your vet.
Many people think that overfeeding can cause hamsters to explode. This isn’t true, but the question remains: Can hamsters explode? They actually can!
If you put your hamster in the microwave (not sure why you would!) or if they have a tumor, they can explode. So keep an eye out for symptoms of a tumor, and treat your hamster with care.
Keep Them Clean
Cleaning is the most important part of how to care for a hamster. Cleaning your hamster’s home too often can stress them out, but regular cleaning is essential to their health.
Change their water and clean the toilet area every day. Empty the habitat, clean the food dish, and place new bedding weekly. If you see any wet or soiled spots of bedding, change them as necessary.
Every week, wipe down the habitat with gentle soap and water.
Now You Know How to Take Care of a Hamster
Now you should have a good sense of the basics of how to take care of a hamster. It’s not difficult, but they do require some specific care. Make sure you follow this article and ask your vet if you have any questions!
If you enjoyed learning how to care for a hamster, we have lots more pet and lifestyle advice on our blog. Check it out for more!
