Hamsters - Easy to Keep & Love Hamsters are some of the easiest pets to care for and can be delightful companions. The key to a loving hamster is regular, gentle handling. They can be trained to do simple tricks such as sitting up, climbing parakeet ladders, hanging by hind feed from fingers and turning in circles. Watching them store food in their distinctive jaw pouches is fun for all the family.
If you decided on a hamster pet, selection is easy. Look for a young animal, one to three months old. A thick coat, bright eyes and a solid body indicate good health. Hamsters are solitary creatures, so one will be fine by itself. Two males or two females can also live happily together. Since hamsters reproduce at astonishing rates, breeding pairs are not recommended.
When your pet first arrives home, allow him a few days to settle and orient to new surroundings. Do not handle him and take care not to frighten him when placing food in the cage.
Your pet will spend most of his time in his cage. If you have a cat or dog, it is important that the hamster not be allowed outside the case unsupervised. Cats in particular view hamsters as prey. A wire hamster cage, which comes with food dishes, watering bottle, exercise wheel and removable tray for cleaning, makes the best home. A hamster can also be kept in an aquarium with a ventilated lid. Litter or pine shavings should be spread over the cage floor and changed weekly.
Your hamster should be fed once each day, preferably in early evening since they are most active then. Be consistent in your feeding and handling habits, and your hamster will reward you by anxiously awaiting your arrival each day.
A hard-pellet hamster feed is your pet's basic diet. Pet nutrition research now extends to even these small, companion animals and today's foods are formulated to provide all the elements your pet needs in just the right quantities. Pellets fed daily according to package directions will provide the right nutrition to insure optimal health. Pellets also help keep hamsters' teeth sharp. Hamsters do not overeat. They put excess food in their pouches and store it in a "hoard" area in their cage. If you wish, you might periodically offer your pet leafy greens, fruit, unsalted nuts, grains or sunflower seeds. Pet hamsters can be left alone with adequate food and fresh water for a day or two. If you will be away for more than three days, ask a friend to provide care.
Training your hamster will be a rewarding experience if you go about it gradually. Accustom your pet to handling by beginning with gentle touches and working up to where you can touch, handle and hold him. Once this is accomplished, your pet can be further trained to play on wheels, balls and tube playgrounds specifically designed for your pet's exercise and your enjoyment.
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