Dwarf Hamster Care

It’s very exciting when you head to the pet store and figure out the perfect Dwarf Hamster as your new pet. You have several choices available, but just because they are smaller than their Syrian cousins, the dwarf hamster care is still the same.

The first thing to understand about Dwarf Hamster Care is they are delicate, skittish, and always looking for an escape route. Since they are extremely small they are able to fit through cracks, and even a wire cage if you own one. You have to make sure they are always secure or they will get loose. In order to eliminate some of this you should give them the best home environment as possible. They love tunnels, sand, and dirt, so purchase those plastic tubular habitats. You should also consider the size, because cages that are too big will make their maneuvering more difficult and if it’s too small they won’t be able to roam. The perfect size is around 10 to 20 gallons. Make sure you place a wheel in their cage as well. It’s possible that this will wear them down a bit, especially since they can run 5 miles in one session. So when you go to the pet store ask someone about cages for dwarf hamsters. Most of them have ones that are specifically built for the dwarf versions.

You should also be aware of the substrate that covers the bottom of the cage. Dwarf hamster care starts here and you have to provide a dust free offering by using absorbent materials. Wood shavings are a great choice as long as it’s not cedar or pine, because it can cause your dwarf hamster to have repertory problems. You should also change it every week since these hamsters make their nest out of it. There will be times when you notice them making a huge pile so they can stay warm and sleep comfortably. Another thing to consider is that dwarf hamsters are very shy and love their privacy. A great way to add to their comfort is by setting paper towels, cotton balls, or even tissues in the cage. If you go to the pet store you can find square shaped cotton they can shred apart and fix it perfectly for their new little home. If you have a nesting box they will most likely use it, so check your pet store for those as well.

Make sure you don’t give them any less food than you would a Syrian hamster. Dwarf hamster care revolves around knowledge, and you should know they have extremely high metabolism rates. So feed them just as much food and try to stick with pellets, seeds, dried fruits or veggies, and even a couple treats along the way. We understand hamsters love to hoard their food, but this doesn’t mean you should stop feeding them daily. They will also need chew toys that usually look like wooden sticks. The perfect choice can be found at the pet store, but they need these to file down their teeth. One thing you may not know is their teeth are always growing and if they gnaw on the wrong thing it could bring forth injuries or even death.

When it is time to clean the cage you have to wash everything. All you need is some light soap and water to get the job done, but make sure you rinse everything thoroughly. The best time to do this is when you change the substrate. Make sure you dry everything as well and DO NOT use any chemical based cleaners. This will do nothing more than irritate the dwarf hamster’s skin and body. In the beginning all this information sounds like too much to bear. However, dwarf hamster care is very easy if you know what you’re doing.

Learn More about Dwarf Hamster Care

Hamster Care Is Not Very Complicated At All – If You Know How

Most people who do not have a hamster or have never had a hamster at all do not realize that hamster care is not really that complicated as they tend to think that it is. There really is not that much that you really need to remember to do to take care of your snuggly little hamster and ensure that he or she or happy, healthy and well cared for. You need to remember to feed your hamster every day, refill their water bottle, change their bedding and keep their cage as clean as you possibly can so that your hamster does not get sick. You also need to make sure that you bathe you hamster once a week to remove all of the dirt and debris from their fur that their own grooming cannot remove.

When it comes to hamster care, the first thing to take care of is feeding your furry little friend a small amount of hamster food every day. The reason that a small amount of food is better than a lot is that these small creatures really do not eat a whole lot of food at any one given time. You might want to check with a veterinarian or animal care specialist about feeding your hamster fresh vegetables and greens.

The next part of hamster care is to keep a fresh supply of cool or cold water in their water bottle for them to drink during the day and at night. The importance here is that the hamster will not want to drink warm or stale water any more than you would. This is not very healthy for the hamster at all.

Changing their bedding and cleaning their cage are the next things under hamster care that are meant to keep your hamster healthy and happy. When you go to change the bedding and clean the debris out of their cage, you can put your hamster in their hamster ball and let them run for a few minutes while you clean out the cage. Your hamster will really enjoy the exercise for a little while and will return to a nice clean cage, which I will thank you for!

The last part of hamster care is to give your hamster a bath once a week to help remove all of the embedded debris, bits of food and bedding from your hamster’s coat as well as to condition it’s coat.

Taking Care Of Dwarf Hamsters

Are you planning to get a dwarf hamster as a pet? If you are, there are a few things you need to know. First, you should know when is the right time you can adopt one and that is, when it is already at least a month old.

At this age, the little hamster is already weaned from the mother. However, if you want to adopt one at the ideal age, you can do so when it is about two months old because at this age, a female hamster is already capable of getting pregnant. You might be wondering why it is always preferable to adopt a dwarf hamster at a young age. The answer is that when taken young, they are a lot easier to train and discipline.

Choosing a hamster
The best time to go to a pet shop and pick your hamster is during the afternoon. They are grumpy and not at their best in the morning since these little creatures are nocturnal. They simply do not want to scurry about and be friendly in the morning, so if you want to see their best side, it is recommended to visit them late in the afternoon or in the evening.

Factors to Look Into
Here are a few tips you can use in choosing your hamster.

• It should have clear eyes because it is a good indication that the hamster is healthy.
• The fur should be shiny and beautiful, and not dull.
• There should be no lumps in any part of the body.
• It should be energetic and vibrant. A hamster that looks tired could be sick or unhealthy.

You can always opt to adopt a not-so-healthy hamster but you need to understand the responsibility it entails. This means you should get a hold of a veterinarian who will give you advice on how to nurse your hamster back to health. Additionally, you will need to put in extra effort in the care of your sickly pet.

Should you buy two hamsters?

One of the things that a hamster needs is a companion. You might want to consider getting a male and a female hamster but expect to get a large hamster family in no time because these little creatures multiply quite fast. If you do not want this, you can buy same-sex hamsters- they can be either males or females. Take note though that determining the sex of hamsters is not always accurate.

Feeding your hamster
You should know that hamsters only need to eat once a day. You can purchase their food at any pet store but it is important that you buy healthy meals. The quantity of food would range from 1 to 2 tablespoons, and they are best fed in the evening. You can give them leafy greens and vegetables to ensure good health.

Caring for your hamster
Hamster care is not rocket science but it does require you to be extra patient with them. It may not be so easy at the onset but later on, you will find that taking care of your pet hamster is a whole lot of fun. Feed them right, love them and know the signs and symptoms of a sick hamster and you will do just fine.

A Dwarf Hamsters Care And Exercise Daily Routine

In order to stay healthy, hamsters must have a daily exercise routine, just like we human beings. Health related conditions like diabetes, heart failure and obesity can be prevented through regular exercise for your hamster.

All hamsters are generally nocturnal, which means that they sleep during daytime and stay awake at night, and so they also do their physical activities at night. Dwarf Hamsters are crepuscular pets and their activities generally occur very early in the morning and evening. When they are in the wild, during the daylight hours they burrow underground to protect themselves from predators, but they usually take intervals of sleep and rest during the day, so you may see them roaming around occasionally then also.

There are several options to help your hamster obtain enough exercise.

The most common exercise gadget for a hamster is a hamster wheel. This gadget enables hamsters to run freely inside their cage. You can visit a local pet supply store and choose from a wide variety of wheels from plastic to metal, from standing wheels to attachable ones. To find the right hamster wheel you can always ask a salesperson at the pet store or get yourself a good hamster guide. Be aware that a Dwarf Hamster will run up to 5 miles a night, so be careful where you put the cage, and how noisy the wheel is, it will keep you awake if you do not take care.

Another exercise accessory that you can give to your pet is an exercise ball that has been created specifically for hamsters. They let your hamster roam around your house safely and are commonly made from transparent plastic with lots of air holes for ventilation purposes. However, you should watch out for your hamster when it roams around your house in an exercise ball, you can unintentionally step on it or even kick it and cause the hamster stress or injury. Never let your hamster play near stairs, if the ball rolls down them it may well kill your pet.

If you let your hamster roam around your room freely, he may possibly chew some parts of your carpet or swallow paint, wood or other dangerous items if you do not keep a constant eye on him. Always remember that letting a hamster play near your food counters or preparation areas is not healthy, so it is recommended that you find them their own special area, or use something like the bath lined with towels.

By playing with your hamster for at least an hour every day, you should easily fulfill their exercise needs. Take note of the active period when your pet plays on his own, and then play with him during the same time every day. When your hamster is asleep, never wake him up just to play, hamsters are bad-tempered when you wake them up and they will not want to play, so leave your pet alone if he is asleep, even if your friends want to see and play with him.

When you play with your pet, you can let it learn to crawl over your hands and other parts of your body as long as you are lying or sitting down, in this way accidents can be avoided. If you let your hamster crawl on you when you are standing up, it might fall and get hurt. Children can also play with your hamster as long as they are under the supervision of an adult, you should always keep in mind that Dwarf Hamsters are especially fast and can easily escape.

Dwarf Hamster Care: How to Raise Happy, Healthy Dwarf Hamsters

Having dogs or cats in your house can be great. They can be beautiful pets, also playful and funny. But how many times have you had to get out of the house to walk your pet on a cold winter day? How many times have you found your house upside down because your pet wanted to play. Also having a dog or a cat can be costly. That’s why we think that hamsters can be great family pets. They are also not as pretentious as other pets, and they are easy to take care of.

 

You should carefully choose your hamster to be sure that you will be satisfied. If you want a small hamster that is also great as a companion, then you should choose a dwarf hamster.

 

If you want to raise happy, healthy dwarf hamsters, you should know something about taking care of those kinds of hamsters. Dwarf master care is easy, but you will have to remember some useful hints.

 

Try to buy your hamster from a hamster exposition or from a well known pet store. That’s how you can be sure that your pet was born in a healthy environment. Also the expert raisers have increased knowledge about matching the pairs in order to breed the best hamsters you can get.

 

The next step is to make sure that your cage is enough for your pet when he or she will grow. It is not good to change the cage after, because your hamster will be stressed, and it takes time for him to get use to the new cage. A little house is appreciated by the hamsters.  Also make sure that the house and toys are easy to clean and disinfect.

 

Try to avoid cedar abatement. Cedar contains oils that can harm your pet. Also try to choose diversified food. The dwarf hamster usually eats as much as he needs, but tends to make himself stashes of food. Give your hamster little portions of fruits and vegetables. Try to avoid lemons and oranges, also green salad, garlic or onions. Broccoli, apples and pumpkins are much appreciated by the dwarf hamster.

 

Cleaning the cage is mandatory at least once a week. You should also talk to your pet and brush him from time to time. Dwarf hamsters can recognize voices, and also get attached to the person who takes care of them. Also keep in mind that the hamsters cannot see too well on the edgeways. You should not put your dwarf hamster on the table or in your bed. Also try not to let them free in your house. The dwarf hamster is very small and can be easily stepped on.

 

Usually hamsters don’t get sick, but this could happen. Try to get your pet to the veterinary immediately after buying him. Hamster diseases act very fast, so you should be prepared in case this happens.

 

I’m sure you and your kids will be thrilled about your new dwarf hamster. You can also teach them about dwarf master care, making them more responsible and preparing them for their lives.  Keep in mind this simple advice, so you can be sure you have a happy, healthy dwarf hamster.

 

RSPCA Pet Guide – Care for your Hamster

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Published in association with the RSPCA, the UK’s leading animal welfare charity, this practical family guide is full of expert advice on how to choose a hamster and how best to look after it…. More >>

RSPCA Pet Guide – Care for your Hamster

Essential Element in Knowing How to Care for a Hamster

When it comes to learning how to care for a hamster, your goal should be to remember that your furry friend must be kept warm, dry, and entertained. A hamster’s needs are directly related to the life it would be living were it a wild animal. Hamsters are desert creatures, populating dry, rocky areas in places like Syria, Mongolia, and Pakistan. This is why it’s essential that you meet your hamster’s need for dry, warm housing. Avoid keeping your hamster in an aquarium, as the glass enclosure will promote the locking-in of moisture. Instead, seek out a cage made especially for hamsters-either a standard wire enclosure or one of the popular “habit rail” type cages. For more details visit to www.dishadvice.com .Habit rail cage, with all of its tubes, turrets, and tunnels will also help ensure that your hamster’s need for entertainment is met.

Diet is another essential element in knowing how to care for a hamster. Fresh water should be made available at all times via a specially made drinking bottle. Never put your hamster’s water in a dish, as the dish will quickly be tipped or filled with debris, and then you will have a sad, wet hamster. As for food, there are a multitude of pre-packaged hamster foods on the market, and it’s always a good idea to make those foods the bulk of your hamster’s diet. However, hamsters, like people, appreciate a little variety at dinnertime, so an offering of apple pieces, carrot slices, or crackers is always welcome. Greens can also be integrated into your hamster’s diet, but avoid overfeeding these vegetables to your hamster as they will contract an illness called “wet tail,” which is fatal if left untreated. Keep in mind also that hamsters are hoarders. It is nearly impossible to overfeed them, as they will most likely take much of their food with them into their nest, so remove uneaten foods that might spoil if your hamster decides to save them for later!

Other items that should be on your hamster care checklist include plenty of bedding (try cedar or pine shavings), adequate nesting material (facial tissues work great), and the all-important exercise wheel. Hamsters are nocturnal by nature, so be sure to get a wheel that won’t make a ruckus and keep you awake as your pet makes its nightly rounds. Always be sure your hamster’s wheel is unobstructed and can turn freely. To know more logon to www.100cookingtips.com .The exercise a wheel provides is necessary to prevent your hamster from developing a condition called “torpidity.” When a hamster is torpid, it hasn’t had the activity it needs to maintain proper mental health. This lack of exercise will cause the hamster to snap, and possibly attack you when you reach in to pet it. Also be sure to respect your hamster’s nocturnal habits. Avoid waking your hamster during the daylight hours as much as possible, as this could result in a nasty bite, or in the very least, a grumpy, confused pet.

Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to go pick out your new friend. Make sure you choose a clean, reputable pet store from which to buy your hamster. Look carefully to ensure that none of the animals seem sick, and make sure that the pet store employees are equipped to answer any questions you may have. After bringing your hamster home, allow it a day or so to adjust to its new surroundings before attempting to handle it. This may seem like a lot to remember, but know that the time you devote to learning how to care for a hamster is time well spent! Hamsters are affectionate, fascinating, and of course, adorable pets who will provide you with several years of enjoyment and companionship in exchange for your expert, loving care.

How Much Does It Cost To Take Care Of A Hamster?

You intend to buy a hamster but feel overwhelmed because you do not know exactly how much it will cost? Here is an expanded list with products your hamster needs and their average costs.

Hamster Shopping List: -Cage: between $10-$40 The price varies according to the type of cage you want: wired, aquarium or bin and on the size of the hamster. If you intend to buy a Syrian hamster, be careful what cage you buy because sometimes they might get stuck in Criter Trail and Sam/penplax tubes.

-Bedding :$2-$10 It has various purposes: lines the floor, absorbs odor, toilet place and allows your hamster to hide in it.You have to choose from wide variety of bedding: wood pulp fiber, recycled newspaper, aspen shavings, Kaytee Soft Sorbent, Eco-Straw Pellets and the list goes on . for more detials:-www.activities-little-fingers.com.At pet shops you can find even bedding smelling like apples or strawberries.

-Paper bedding: this is optional and the price is very low . I use it because my hamsters love it. All you have to do is to put small pieces of toilet paper(1-3 squares) in their cage and they take it and use it as a blanket. Sometimes they use to decorate their room(house).

-Food dish: $2-$9 Is better if the food dish is not made of wood or plastic because the small hamsters will chew it till there is nothing left. I bought mine a ceramic bowl which they love. This is a better choice because is kind of heavy and they can not move it or spill it.if you want to cut down some costs, you can use some small ceramic bowl you have in your kitchen.

-Water bottle: $2-$5 It’s a must have for your hamster. The bottle is the best choice because your hamster can not spill it and make a mess in the cage.You have to be careful when you put this in the hamster’s cage: it has to be high enough so he can not chew the plastic part.

-Hamster mix: $2.5-$5 This is the food that you should give to your hamster on a regular basis. Be very careful to buy hamster/gerbil mix and not rabbit mix because it’s toxic for your little hamster. for visit detials:-www.workplace-warriors.com.The additional proteins and calories that the hamster needs should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables according to your hamster needs.

-Hamster toys: $1.2-$30 This is the part I love most. First, your hamster needs a wheel ($3-$5) so he can exercise.The hamster ball, all kinds of tunnels and chew toys can be bought later on. Instead of buying tunnels or other stuff that you may not afford at the beginning you can use a trick: don’t throw away your toilet paper rolls. Use them to entertain your hamster! You can even make some holes in it to be more fun for your hamster.

-Hamster book $1.99-$20 The books are quite informative and of big help especially if you are at your first hamster. There are books written for 9-12 years old, so pretty much everyone has his learning book about hamsters.

Insider’s tip: I recommend you to use a small bowl with sand. The hamster likes to have small sand baths and mine uses it as a toilet as well. I empty and wash it every morning. My hamsters first use it as a sand bathtub and then as a toilet.

After you have all this, the monthly cost are :

-bedding: I usually use one big pack of bedding (I change the bedding of the cage at least twice a week) – I use big packs and they usually are enough for a month: $10 per pack -food: one or to packs – $5-$10

http://www.caring-for-your-hamster.com
http://www.carpets-cleaning.com

It is normal that the initial cost is quite high, but after you bought all the products your hamster needs, the monthly costs are quite low.

Buying a New Hamster- How Much Does it Cost to Take Care of a Hamster?

You intend to buy a hamster but feel overwhelmed because you do not know exactly how much it will cost? Here is an expanded list with products your hamster needs and their average costs.

Hamster Shopping List:

-Cage: between $10-$40 .
The price varies according to the type of cage you want: wired, aquarium or bin and on the size of the hamster. If you intend to buy a Syrian hamster, be careful what cage you buy because sometimes they might get stuck in Criter Trail and Sam/penplax tubes.

-Bedding :$2-$10.
It has various purposes: lines the floor, absorbs odor, toilet place and allows your hamster to hide in it.You have to choose from wide variety of bedding: wood pulp fiber, recycled newspaper, aspen shavings, Kaytee Soft Sorbent, Eco-Straw Pellets and the list goes on . At pet shops you can find even bedding smelling like apples or strawberries.

-Paper bedding: this is optional and the price is very low . I use it because my hamsters love it. All you have to do is to put small pieces of toilet paper(1-3 squares) in their cage and they take it and use it as a blanket. Sometimes they use to decorate their room(house).

-Food dish: $2-$9.
Is better if the food dish is not made of wood or plastic because the small hamsters will chew it till there is nothing left. I bought mine a ceramic bowl which they love. This is a better choice because is kind of heavy and they can not move it or spill it.if you want to cut down some costs, you can use some small ceramic bowl you have in your kitchen.

-Water bottle: $2-$5.
It’s a must have for your hamster. The bottle is the best choice because your hamster can not spill it and make a mess in the cage.You have to be careful when you put this in the hamster’s cage: it has to be high enough so he can not chew the plastic part.

-Hamster mix: $2.5-$5.
This is the food that you should give to your hamster on a regular basis. Be very careful to buy hamster/gerbil mix and not rabbit mix because it’s toxic for your little hamster. The additional proteins and calories that the hamster needs should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables according to your hamster needs.

-Hamster toys: $1.2-$30 . This is the part I love most.
First, your hamster needs a wheel ($3-$5) so he can exercise.The hamster ball, all kinds of tunnels and chew toys can be bought later on. Instead of buying tunnels or other stuff that you may not afford at the beginning you can use a trick: don’t throw away your toilet paper rolls. Use them to entertain your hamster! You can even make some holes in it to be more fun for your hamster.

-Hamster book $1.99-$20
The books are quite informative and of big help especially if you are at your first hamster. There are books written for 9-12 years old, so pretty much everyone has his learning book about hamsters. Check out these hamster facts for more information about hamsters.

Insider’s tip: I recommend you to use a small bowl with sand. The hamster likes to have small sand baths and mine uses it as a toilet as well. I empty and wash it every morning. My hamsters first use it as a sand bathtub and then as a toilet.

After you have all this, the monthly cost are :

-bedding: I usually use one big pack of bedding (I change the bedding of the cage at least twice a week) – I use big packs and they usually are enough for a month: $10 per pack
-food: one or to packs – $5-$10

It is normal that the initial cost is quite high, but after you bought all the products your hamster needs, the monthly cost are quite low.

How Do You Care For A Dwarf Hamster?

I’ve had syrians before, and I understand basic hamster care, but I want to get a Campbell Dwarf hamster. So, should I get one or two? Also, is dwarf hamster care different then syrian hamster care?

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