Looking after your hamster
Housing Hamsters are best kept in a commercially available cage
made of plastic or a glass aquarium. Metal bars may be chewed as will any wood
or plastic protrusions. Hamsters are very active, so plenty to do in the form of
tunnels, wheels and possibly a burrowing area should be provided. Minimum floor
area (which includes shelf space) should be 32 square centimetres per animal.
There should be an area of sawdust or shredded paper as well as a secure nesting
area containing commercial fibre, shredded paper, hay or wood shavings. Fibre
beddings can become wrapped around the feet or if eaten can cause constipation
so should be used with care. The cage should be cleaned every 1- 2 weeks.
Hamsters require a stable, warm, draught free environment, if it gets too cold
they may go into a state of hibernation. Equally they must not get too hot in
summer. Hamsters are best kept singly as they will fight.
Feeding Proprietary hamster food supplemented with SMALL
quantities of fruit and green vegetables. Hamsters are hoarders and store food
so it is important to check that it does not go stale. Hamsters love sunflower
seeds but their use should be restricted as they are high in fat and low in
calcium. Fresh water should always be available.
Handling Hamsters can bite if caught unawares
so handling should be calm and confident. Picking them up in cupped hands is
best although they can be scruffed. Regular handling (and bribery with food!)
from young produces a pleasant tame animal. Talking to them helps them to
recognise you. They should not be held too far off the floor in case they jump.
Reproduction Hamsters can breed all year round and are sexually
mature from about 4 weeks of age but should not be bred from until at least 12
weeks old. After mating the female should be kept alone. The gestation period is
around 15-18 days and they produce about 4-12 young. After birth the nest should
not be disturbed for about 2 weeks. They are weaned at around 3 weeks old.
Lifespan Hamsters live for about 2 years.