Hamster Information
Dwarf hamster care is easy and a dwarf hamster is a good choice for a pet. Besides the cute looks they are really easy to maintain and great fun to be with. If you decide to take a hamster as a pet and as a companion, there are things that you should consider first regarding hamster care. For a start, adopt a young hamster, but choose one that is not too young, and has been completely weaned from his mother. It should be at least four weeks old.
The best age for baby dwarf hamsters to be adopted is at least two months old. A hamster - believe it or not - is capable of getting pregnant at the age of two months; that’s why adopting her between four weeks and two months old is the ideal age bracket for both of you. The age factor also determines how you may be able to tame your hamster effectively. The younger your pet is, the easier it is to get her into the discipline and direction of being handled. An old hamster will likely be hard to familiarize and be trained.
A Very Curious Hamster
Once you decide to finally walk-in to a pet store and choose a hamster, wait until it is afternoon. Being nocturnal, a hamster is not in it’s best biorhythm in the morning. You will get a chance to see them at their peak energy level by visiting them in the late afternoon or early in the evening as well as having a glimpse into their personality.
What to look out for in hamster care
When you are out looking for the best hamster in a pet shop you can tell easily a healthy one from not-so-healthy one by looking at the animal’s eyes. A healthy hamster has clear eyes, an active and energetic disposition and beautiful fur. A loss of fur might indicate underlying health problems; also check the hamster for lumps in the body. There should be no lump in a healthy hamster.
The rule of thumb in hamster care issues is the vibrancy and glow in their appearance, as opposed to that of the unhealthy ones. However, if you are willing to take the risk of having a less healthy hamster in your custody, you should know the basic things to consider in nursing a hamster back to health. An appointment with the veterinarian should be the first thing to consider since the doctor can advise you as well as diagnose what’s best for your pet.
Hamster care also includes considering their companionship for each other. Adopting them in pairs is highly recommended because they are social animals. Although this may not be true to all the hamsters, dwarf hamsters in particular are the social ones. A male and a female hamster are good enough, especially if you are ready for one big happy family of hamsters in your home. If not, choose two hamsters of the same sex - but be ready for a surprise! Determining a hamster’s sex is not an exact science!
Hamster care and feeding
Feeding your hamster is a critical element of hamster care- choosing the right food and the right mixture will ensure they get all the basic nutrients they need. You can find different types of hamster food in your nearest pet store. Hamsters only need to be fed once a day and two tablespoons of food is enough for one hamster for a day. The best time for feeding is in the evening… being nocturnal they are most active during this time. A regular mixture of fresh leaves and vegetables as a supplement in the diet is a good idea, as well.
If you notice that your hamster pet is having more bowel movements than usual, do not feed him for at least two days, and then gradually give him green vegetables every other day for 10 days. Remove any excess vegetables in his cage after he has eaten and make sure that you do not feed him foods that contain too much sugar- these have the tendency to develop diabetes in hamsters. Remember that green vegetables and other human foods are merely supplemental in the hamster’s diet, not a replacement of their real food.
Hamster care is easy and enjoyable. They are the kind of pet that are easy to maintain but the fun factor is high. If you are really into it, it can be a good start for a pet business; the important thing is to have fun while doing it.
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