How to Take Care of a Hamster

Hamsters belong to the rodent family and are animals with burrowing habits. Before writing this article, I actually visited a friend of mine, who has a pet hamster. While observing the behavior of the animal, I realized that it can be tamed easily and makes an excellent pet, if the appropriate care is taken.

A Brief Guide to Hamster Care

The first step that you need to initiate while taking good care of your hamster, is to find a proper cage for your hamster. The rodents are the best escape artists (oh! I forgot the World War II POWs. No, the hamsters might be the second best escape artists). Hence you need a strong and firm cage, that will hold the hamster and at the same time, will be convenient and roomy for it to inhabit. Many experts suggest the largest possible cage that is available, affordable and feasible (considering the size of the room, where it is going to be in). Technically, the hamster must have at least 20 square inches of space. Make sure that the cage is also capable of holding, a hamster wheel, miniature food tray and some extra space for him to move in.

The next step is to set up the cage and arrange the things within the cage. Make a bed or a nesting box within the cage, that can be used by the hamster. You can make the nesting box by putting together some tough paper, cloth and some saw dust. Also attach some food dishes and water dishes in the cage and the most important thing of all, is to keep them filled up.

Hamsters require a lot of exercise. Most of the hamster cages are attached with exercise wheels. If yours does not have one, consider purchasing an exercising wheel, which is of solid plastic.

Hamsters have a tendency to dig and carve. It can be said, that hamsters have beaver like tendencies. The best way to entertain the hamster is thus, to make him a dust bath. Making a dust bath is pretty simple. All you have to do is place some chinchilla dust in a reasonably large bowl and then place the bowl in the cage. If your hamster is exceptionally hyperactive, then it is better that you give him more than a dust bath and a wheel.

Some of the toys that can be used to entertain the hamster include thick but small pieces of rope, tin cans that do not have edges and are opened at both the ends and boxes that have multiple holes in them.

It is also recommended that you let out the hamster every day, for at least some amount of time and keep an eye on him. It is also advisable to have a conversation with the hamster and also handle it often. This makes the hamster very tame and after a few years you can also let it roam around the house on its own.

Another very important thing that I forgot to mention, is to feed your hamster a natural diet, that is made up of omnivorous food, that includes all vegetables, fruits, grains and pulses.