What does a hamster need?
What does a hamster need?
Hamsters are cute, small and soft creatures, and both golden hamster og dwarf hamster are popular pets in Norwegian homes. Nevertheless, there are a number of things you should think about before purchasing a hamster. Even though it is a small animal, it comes with a big responsibility. Regardless of whether you want a large dog or a smaller rodent, it is always important that you familiarize yourself with the animal's needs and what it takes to give it a good life. In this article we give a brief introduction, what does a hamster need?
Table of contents
Equipment and food for hamsters
As with all other pets, you need both different equipment and food for a hamster. To ensure that your rodent is healthy and happy, it is important to provide it with a safe and comfortable home with all the necessary supplies.
Cage
Hamsters are active and curious animals, who need a large cage to move around and explore. The cage should be large enough to give the hamster varied activity, and have a measurement of at least 80 x 50 cm in floor area and be at least 35 cm high. It can advantageously have several floors, pipe systems or departments. Other necessary equipment in the cage is, among other things, a running wheel, a grinding stone, a house in which it can sleep and other activity objects. The bottom of the cage must be covered with dust-free small animal litter that can absorb urine and faeces.
Sprinkle
It is important that the hamster does not get chips as litter. This is because it can find something to eat, which in turn can cause constipation. Some put thread-pulling wool in the cage. Stringy wool can easily get tangled in the hamster's small fragile legs and cause great damage. In addition, it is also important that the hamster has access to nesting material such as hay, wood wool or unbleached paper.
Cleaning the hamster cage
Hamsters are clean animals, and regular cleaning of the hamster's home (read: cage) is important for it to thrive. To keep the hamster cage clean and hygienic, the litter should be changed at least once a week. The cage should also be washed with a mild soap when you change the bedding. Most hamsters have a specific "do-corner" where they put their faeces and defecate. Here, the bedding should be changed daily.
Placement of the hamster cage
When it comes to the location of the hamster cage, this should be in a place in the home that is quiet and peaceful, with a comfortable temperature of between 20 and 24 degrees. Hamsters are nocturnal, so it may be a good idea to place the cage in a place where the nocturnal activity will not be disturbing. You must also make sure that the cage is not in direct sunlight or drafts, as this can be harmful to the hamster.
Feed and hamster food
Like virtually any other living creature, hamsters need access to fresh water at all times. It is therefore important to have a well-functioning drinking bottle readily available, and the water should be replaced daily. The little furbabies also need a balanced diet, preferably consisting of high-quality hamster food. They often appreciate fruit and vegetables as supplementary food, but this should be given in small quantities. Changing feed should always take place gradually, as rapid changes in feed type can cause stomach problems and diarrhoea.
Activation and social contact
From nature's side, hamsters are really meant for a life where they have to look for food, build nests and reproduce. It doesn't get to do these things when its whole life is spent inside a cage with the food already served. A hamster that is not allowed enough activity can start to get bored, develop behavioral problems, or become sick and overweight. It is therefore important that you make arrangements so that it gets daily exercise and stimuli. Feel free to take it out on discovery trips at regular intervals, but be sure to keep a close eye on it at all times.
The small bodies can quickly disappear into cracks and holes in the wall. A good tip to keep it safe is to make a small enclosure on the floor, where it can stay.
How should one handle a hamster?
Unlike, for example, dogs, hamsters do not need social contact such as cuddling and petting. They can still get used to tolerating human handling without being scared or feeling threatened.
Care must be taken when handling the hamster. The small paws are fragile, and hard squeezing can lead to broken bones and injuries. Always be calm in your approach and avoid lifting it high. You can sit on the floor and let it seek you out, and offer a few treats to win the animal's trust. Make sure that the socialization takes place on the hamster's terms and in the active part of the circadian rhythm, not when it needs to sleep.
Elisabeth is a veterinarian and authorized ophthalmologist with specialization in eye surgery, as well as further training in internal medicine, general surgery, oral surgery and ultrasound from the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies in Toulouse.
