Hamsters are often the first pets for children and teens. These rodents are a good option for the smallest of the house because they are kind, tiny and, best of all, they are easy and cheap to maintain. With proper attention and care, hamsters can live up to five years, but to ensure that their life is healthy, you must take into account some details about the care of this small rodent, such as providing it with a correct diet or looking for a good cage in the to live. So at myfriendlypets, we give you some tips on how to care for a hamster.
Cages suitable for hamsters
The first thing is to think about where the animal will live. There are large and small hamster cages, everything will depend on the money you can spend and the amount of these animals you will have. However, the quality of the cage is also important, since if the material is bad it can quickly rust and spoil.
Where to buy a quality hamster cage
Ideally, you should buy it in a pet store, instead of in bazaars, where the material of its products are cheaper and, therefore, of lower quality. Think of a hamster as a rodent, which means it will probably bite the bars and other parts of the cage, so the better the material, the better it is for our pet’s health.
Where to place a hamster’s cage
The first step you need to take to learn how to care for a hamster is to place the cage in a place that is away from drafts and direct sunlight. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose a place in the house where the animal is in perfect condition to live without too much cold or heat.
Chip or sawdust for hamster
To ensure that the hamster lives in a comfortable environment, it is recommended that you cover the floor of the cage with a layer of wood chips or not very fine sawdust since if the touch is similar to dust, it can be toxic to our pet.
The wood chips pine is best because they are absorbent and non – toxic and get your hamster is in a space padding and hygienic. Also, some hamsters pick up wood shavings to make their own nests or even wallow in them.
Hamster drinkers
To properly care for your hamster, you will need to keep a drinking water trough connected to the cage at a height accessible to the animal. Keep in mind that the water should not touch the wood chips, because if they get wet they can decompose and cause your hamster to get sick.
Regarding water, it is important that you change the water daily for the hamster to avoid accumulating waste and proliferating bacteria that can cause a problem in the health of your pet. Hygiene is essential for the hamster to live in good condition.
There are different sizes and models of drinking fountains for hamsters. However, like the cage, we recommend that you look for the health of your rodent and get the drinker in a pet store, since in other less trustworthy bazaars the material is not as good, and the water may not be conserved correctly.
Homemade Hamster Toys
Another way you have to take care of your hamster is by providing him with different toys that are designed so that the animal can gnaw on them. For example, hamsters love the cardboard tubes inside toilet paper rolls, but you can also use small cardboard boxes, tree branches to climb on them, etc.
Another option is to go to a pet store or a vet. There you will find a large number of gadgets designed for this purpose, and they can even advise you if you need it.
Houses or nests for hamsters
It is also important that you create a comfortable sleeping space differentiated from the rest of the cage. Therefore, we recommend that you make a box for your hamster to sleep inside, cutting a door of 2 or 3 centimeters in a small closed cardboard box. Place the box in a corner of the cage and you will have created a “bed” for your pet.
The hamster will fill the box with shavings and pieces chewed through the cardboard tubes of the toilet paper and will use the box as a bedroom. It will not urinate in the box, so it can be used for many months before replacing it.
On the other hand, many cages already come with a hamster house, usually made of plastic. But you also have the option of going to a pet store and buying the house that you like the most. However, we recommend that you buy a wooden house, since if it is plastic, the hamster will gnaw it, and it could be harmful to the animal.
Materials for the house or nest of hamsters
To fill your hamster’s house or nest and make it very comfortable, you can make strips of toilet paper and place them near their sleeping area. He will take them himself, make the strips thinner and put them inside the house.
Another option is to buy a special preparation for hamster nests at a pet store. They tend to be like cotton, usually orange, which they themselves adapt for their home. However, if you didn’t put anything in it, the rodents would pick up the shavings from the floor and shove them into their new home.
Hamster food
Feed your hamster a commercially prepared hamster food mix once or twice a day. These foods usually contain pipes, corn, and seeds, mainly. It is also advisable that you supply a small amount of fruits and vegetables throughout the year. When introducing new foods, initially give small portions so your system can get used to them.
