Essential Knowledge Before Keeping a Hamster
1. Living Environment: Space and Safety Are Fundamental
Cage Size: The base area should be at least 47cm × 30cm (twice the size of an A4 paper), with a height of no less than 30cm. Avoid mini cages or grid cages (risk of foot entrapment or overheating).
Essential Facilities:
Exercise Wheel: 17cm in diameter for dwarf hamsters or 21cm for Syrian hamsters. It must be quiet and allow the hamster to stretch its back naturally while running.
Hideout: Made of ceramic or wood, providing a shaded resting area.
Bedding: Dust-free paper fluff or aspen shavings, with a thickness of ≥5cm (to satisfy their natural burrowing instinct).
Placement: Keep away from direct sunlight and air conditioner vents; maintain a temperature of 20–25°C.
2. Diet Management: Scientific Feeding to Avoid Health Issues
Staple Food: Choose branded hamster food (specifically formulated for dwarf/Syrian hamsters). Avoid bulk food or "snack mixes" high in sunflower seeds.
Supplementary Food: Offer fresh fruits and vegetables (e.g., carrots, apples) 1–2 times a week. Wash and dry them thoroughly; avoid high-sugar or high-moisture foods (e.g., watermelon).
Forbidden Foods: Onions, chocolate, garlic, salty snacks, etc. (these may cause poisoning).
Drinking Water: Use cooled boiled water; replace the water in the bottle daily.
3. Daily Care: Cleaning and Interaction Tips
Cleaning Frequency: Change the bedding once a week and clean the food bowl and water bottle daily. Avoid over-cleaning (this disrupts the hamster’s scent markers).
Bathing Method: Use bath sand for dwarf hamsters or wipe with dust-free paper fluff for Syrian hamsters. Never bathe hamsters in water (they easily catch colds).
Interaction Principles:
New hamsters need a 3–7 day adaptation period; do not forcefully pick them up.
Build trust by hand-feeding snacks. Interacting at night is better (hamsters are nocturnal animals).
4. Health Monitoring: Common Diseases and Prevention
Colds: Symptoms include drooping ears and lethargy. Keep the hamster warm and supplement with vitamin C.
Skin Diseases: Maintain a dry environment, use bath sand for cleaning, and avoid damp bedding.
Diarrhea: May be caused by spoiled food or high-sugar diets. Adjust the diet and monitor the hamster’s feces.
5. Other Precautions
Teeth Grinding Needs: Provide a chew stone or chew stick to prevent overgrown teeth from affecting eating.
Emergency Handling: If bitten, immediately rinse the wound with water and disinfect it with alcohol.
Child Safety: It is recommended to wear gloves when handling hamsters; avoid picking them up with bare hands.
Summary
Keeping a hamster requires attention to environment, diet, cleaning, and health management. Avoid common mistakes such as using undersized cages or feeding inappropriate foods.