Here’s a scientific and comprehensive hamster care guide covering key aspects like habitat setup, dietary health, and daily maintenance:
1. Habitat Configuration
Cage Selection
Size: Dwarf hamsters need at least a 60 cm base cage; Syrian hamsters require more space. Avoid small "garden cages" or wire cages (prone to noisy gnawing).
Bedding: Use wood shavings or walnut sand (4–5 cm thickness) in summer; thicken wood shavings or paper cotton for winter warmth.
Temperature: Maintain 20–28°C. Avoid direct sunlight or AC drafts; use ceramic hides or ice pads for summer cooling.
Essential Facilities
Exercise Wheel: Dwarf hamsters need ≥17 cm diameter; Syrians need ≥25 cm. Skip wire wheels.
Hides & Chews: Provide wooden shelters and apple branches to satisfy hiding and teeth-grinding needs.
2. Diet Management
Staples & Supplements
Base Diet: Focus on whole grains (millet, corn flakes) and mix with specialized hamster food for balanced nutrition.
Fruits & Veggies: Offer small amounts of low-sugar veggies like carrots and broccoli. Avoid high-water fruits like watermelon.
Toxic Foods: Never feed human snacks high in salt/sugar, chocolate, onions, or other poisonous items.
Water Safety
Provide cooled boiled water or purified water. Change daily and clean the bottle; never use tap water.
3. Daily Care Tips
Cleaning & Hygiene
Sand Baths: Hamsters self-clean with bath sand—never bathe them in water (risks drowning or stress).
Cage Sanitation: Replace bedding weekly. Wipe cage surfaces with bamboo vinegar regularly and air-dry.
Health Monitoring
Observe appetite and stool. Seek vet care immediately for diarrhea (wet tail) or labored breathing.
4. Behavioral & Safety Taboos
Solitary Nature
Always house hamsters separately. Cage-mixing leads to fierce fights and even death.
Fall & Escape Prevention
Keep cages off high surfaces (hamsters have poor vision and misjudge heights). Check for escape gaps.
5. Seasonal Care
Summer: Ensure ventilation. Use ceramic hides or ice packs (mind condensation).
Winter: Add cotton nests or thick paper bedding to prevent torpor (high cold-related death risk).
Following these guidelines can significantly improve your hamster’s quality of life and lifespan.