Hamster

El hamster It is one of the first animals that we think of as a pet. It is small, it hardly takes up space and you don't have to take it out for a walk or take much care of it.

However, this rodent native primarily to the southeastern United States and the Middle EastYou need some care and knowledge to live happily.

Characteristics of a hamster

Hamsters belong to the rodent family and, within it, to the subfamily of cricetines. They are animals that can be kept in captivity and are easy to maintain. Are used as pets, but also like laboratory animals with whom they experiment and carry out tests of all kinds (cosmetics, illnesses, medical…).

They are characterized by having bags inside the mouth (pockets) that they use to store food or carry objects inside.

A hamster is a mammal that can measure between 8 and 18 centimeters. It does not weigh more than 180 grams (and neither less than 30) and its life expectancy is rather short, only 2 to 3 years. They usually have a temperature between 36 and 38 degrees and they are sexually adults at 4-5 weeks after birth.

hamster types

There are 19 different species of cricetins or hamsters and all of them are grouped into seven genera. These are:

• Genus Cricetus: we have the common hamster, the best known of all.
• Genus Allocricetulus: where the Allocricetulus eversmanni and the curtatus are found.
• Genus Cansumys: with only one species, the Cansumys canus.
• Genus Tscherskia: with a little-known hamster, the big long-tailed one.
• Genus Mesocricetus: with four species: brandti, raddei, newtoni and, the best known, auratus or golden or Syrian hamster.
• Genus Phodopus: encompassing three best-known species, the Russian hamster, the Roborovski and the Campbell's dwarf.
• Genus Cricetulus: where the alticola, migratorius, longicaudatus, sokolovi, kamensis and the Chinese hamster (barabensis) are found.

hamster personality

they carry a night life, since in the morning they usually sleep and it is at night when they are active. Furthermore, they are solitary and territorial animals with which having many can lead to problems of coexistence between them.

If you are looking to have two hamsters, each one should have its own space and only allow them to be together in case of mating.

fast and nervous They are rodents that you have to be careful when picking them up, since they can easily escape from your hands and be difficult to catch.

How to care for a hamster

Among the care that a hamster requires, special attention must be paid to the following:

Meals

One of the problems with hamsters is that they tend to eat too much and gain weight easily. These rodents are omnivorous, which means that they eat both seeds and vegetables, fruits and also proteins.

Thus, best foods for hamster are: hay (to protect their digestive system as well as their teeth and to make a little bed); vegetables such as chard, peas, spinach, pumpkin, corn, etc. (always during the day, removing them a few hours later); fruits like pear, strawberries, papaya, raspberries, apple, kiwi…; I think for hamsters (in addition to all previous feeding).

The proportions in your diet They must be: 50% feed (which must contain at least 16% protein), 45% vegetables and fruit, and 5% hay. You shouldn't miss water either.

His house

For a hamster to live happily in a home, it needs a series of elements for its day to day. These are:

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The cage must have minimum measurements of 70 centimeters long, 25 centimeters high and 30 centimeters wide. If the cage is larger, nothing happens, but at least it must have these measurements, which will increase depending on the breed of hamster you have.

La spacing of the bars It should not be very large, especially for small hamsters, such as the Russian hamster or the Roborowskii hamster. In these cases, it is necessary to choose cages with a separation between bars of, at most, 7mm.

Its convenient that the floor is not made of bars to avoid hurting their paws.

The cage should be placed in a place where no drafts, giveé the light, but not directly, and a constant temperature. Also, you have to avoid noise and that it is directly on the ground (it must be raised).

Substratum

The substrate must be spread on the floor of the cage. Normally it is used Pressed paper or a corn substrate (ideal for hamsters).

accessories and toys

So that the rodents do not get bored, it is necessary that they can exercise and have fun inside the cage. For this, you can use accessories such as a wheel for hamsters (which should be changed as the animal grows or breaks), or Other types of toys such as bridges, logs, ropes, etc.

In case the hamster is removed from the cage, use of a exercise ball to move around the room without taking any damage.

It must also include a feeder, mostly ceramic to prevent tipping over; a drinker, being the most suitable the ball one; and one bed (so he can hide somewhere in the cage in case he's stressed, scared, or just wants to be calm).

Finally, we must add some products or snacks to gnaw that will help the hamster to file its teeth and that they do not grow too much. There are some made of special wood (non-toxic to them) or with pressed food.

Cleaning

To avoid getting sick, it is a good idea to bring a good cleanliness and hygiene, both in the elements that interact with the animal, and with the hamster itself.

A hamster is a very clean animal, so you don't have to bathe him. If it looks very dirty, you can use a dry shampoo and apply it with a brush. Another option is sand baths that can be done once or twice a month for him to bathe.

With regards to cage and all accessories it is important to clean them once a week and, monthly, do a deeper disinfection.

Diseases

It is recommended that a veterinarian check the health of the hamster at least once a year, for a review and also to deworm it.

The hamster diseases are varied and almost always caused by a poor diet, poor hygiene (both the rodent and the cage where it lives), stress, falls, temperature or disturbances.

In general, if the animal eats and drinks well, has no secretions in its eyes or nose, has no wounds, relieves itself well, its teeth have not grown much, its hair is shiny (you can't see it). mounds), breathes well and looks active, then there should be no health problems.

Reproduction

a hamster can procreate two months after birth. Being viviparous, the young develop in the womb of the female and They hatch in about 15-20 days. They usually give birth between 3 and 12 pups, about 3 centimeters long each, and hairless.

It is usual that the mother eats some babies, either because there are too many, because of a problem or malformation, or because it dies. This can also happen if the male is in the cage, a young has been touched, or the female feels weak (in this case, protein intake must be increased).

Do you want to know more about these animals? So pay attention to this category because we are going to teach you many more things about hamsters.