Hamster care and feeding

Author: John Stephens
Date Of Creation: 24 January 2021
Update Date: 14 November 2024
Anonim
Basic Hamster Care 🐹 2021
Video: Basic Hamster Care 🐹 2021

Content

Rodents are great friends and one of the best options if you want to have a pet, due to its small size and the care it needs not to be excessive. These are small rodents that are generally friendly and curious, with which you will enjoy watching them eat, investigate and run.

However, as with any other living being, you must have some notions that will allow you to provide the animal with the care it needs to enjoy a good state of health. Next, at PeritoAnimal we'll explain everything you need to know about hamster care and feeding.

How to care for a hamster

the hamster cage

In order for the hamster to feel comfortable arriving at your home, it will be essential to have the cage in which it will live already prepared. You can find many options for sale but most of them are too small which can cause stress and discomfort to the animal.


The minimum cage space for a hamster should be about 60 cm long x 50 cm wide x 50 cm deep. The ideal would be to purchase a two-story building, in which you can place tunnels and various structures. The cage should always be large and comfortable for our little hamster.

However, if you are thinking about adopting a roborovski hamster (which is really small), you may choose to buy one. aquarium or terrarium and pack properly, which will prevent the hamster from escaping. Roborovski hamsters are so small and so easily pass through narrow places that they are very likely to escape any cage.

The cleaning of the cage must be carried out weekly to avoid the accumulation of feces and promote a hygienic environment for the animal.

The location of the cage

This detail is really important, since the hamster's quality of life will depend on the place in the house where we place it. It is important to choose a place that is ventilated but free of drafts. The temperature should be constant and fluctuate between 18 and 26°C.


We also highlight the importance of locating the cage in a place of semi-shadow, since the direct sun can cause a heat stroke on the hamster.

the substrate

This is a very important factor to take into account. You must choose an absorbent substrate that does not produce dust in any case. For this, the most recommended are natural wood or cellulose pellets.

toys and the nest

In addition to elements such as the drinker and the feeder, the hamster needs to have a place to take refuge. You can use a nest, a small house or any other element that allows you to rest and isolate yourself from the sunlight.

You'll also need distractions to better spend time not playing or interacting with him. You tunnels, stairs, toys and other elements will help enrich your day to day.

Hamster Feeding

Feeding a hamster should be balanced and varied, in order to cover all your nutritional needs. For this, it should include seeds, vegetables, fruit, cereals and nuts. Next, we will explain the basics of your diet and what foods it can or cannot offer you:


commercial feed

There are different ready-made foods for sale that you can offer your hamster on a daily basis. They are usually composed of dehydrated cereals and seeds and fruits. This type of food is a base effective for your fiber and protein intake, however you should also include it in your diet fruits and vegetables varied.

cereals and vegetables

Hamster food should be high in fiber and low in fat, for this reason we should choose foods high in carbohydrates and fiber. Cereals and seeds must be the basis of hamster food.

If you decide not to buy commercial pet food and feed your hamster yourself, make a note of the following ingredients. You must buy them and mix them raw.

  • Oat
  • Wheat
  • Corn
  • Rice
  • Barley
  • lentils
  • Grain

Dry fruits

Hamster protein intake can be supplemented with nuts, although these should not be fed very regularly. Some examples are hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, almonds or seeds. All of them must be given without salt or any type of elaboration.

You can also offer meat, fish and insects to supplement your protein intake, but we shouldn't overindulge in them. Once a week will be more than enough. Some of the most common are:

  • Turkey meat or steamed chicken
  • Eggs
  • Steamed cod
  • earthworm meal

fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are very important foods for the hamster. You should make sure to offer these foods to your hamster every day:

  • Apple
  • Pear
  • plums
  • Damascus
  • Peach
  • Strawberry
  • Kiwi
  • Carrot
  • Zucchini

Discover all the fruits and vegetables your hamster can eat in this article.

Water

The water must be renewed daily and, normally, "bottle" type containers are used as they are more hygienic and easier to use. However, if you have just adopted your hamster, it is recommended to offer him a small container in the ground to drink directly from him, as some do not know how it works.

prohibited food

Don't forget that there are also prohibited foods for the hamster that you should never give. Among them we find leftovers from our own food, foods with spices, salt and various condiments or those that are not digestible.

teeth wear

It is important to spend time taking care of your hamster's teeth to avoid anomalies such as overgrowth or broken teeth. You will find on sale specific elements for this as fruit tree branches that allow normal wear of the teeth. Find out at a pet store near you.

Diseases that can affect a hamster

Generally a well-groomed hamster has no health complications, but the following signs may indicate illness:

  • loss of appetite
  • Hair loss or hair in poor condition
  • Nasal or tear secretion
  • Diarrhea
  • sneezing

If you see any of these symptoms in your adult hamster, it is essential to take it immediately to the vet to rule out any problem or start specific treatment or care as soon as possible.

If you've recently adopted or are thinking about adopting a hamster, check out our list of cool names!