gri1987

[gri1987]

Your child finally asks for a pet, and you take him to the store so he can choose what he wants. When you get to the store your child notices this tiny little creature munching away on nuts and whatnot and covered all over with fur. Those small beady eyes stare at your child for a few moments and suddenly, your kid has found his first pet. Now, as a parent you ask yourself, is a hamster the right choice? Well, actually it is.

Starting off your child with a small pet, such as hamster, will save you from taking over most of the burden of taking care of a larger animal, say a dog, and help your child learn a little responsibility. Hamsters only require fresh food, water, cleaning the cage every week or so, and a little attention. Hamsters don't usually require grooming, unless of course the one you happen to buy is a Long-haired Syrian Hamster. Then you'd have to occasionally brush your pet to remove the shavings that get stuck in its fur. If you really want to make sure that you won't have to do any grooming, you can buy a Hairless Syrian Hamster, which is pink, hairless, and warm to touch.

Okay, so now you've bought the hamster for your child, then what? Usually, pet stores provide most of the accessories your hamster will need. First of all you will need a cage, one that isn't too small, or just enough to fit the hamster. It should be large enough so your hamster can move around freely and have space for his water bottle and/or feeding bowl. The floor covering is typically composed of wood shavings, such as aspen, but you can also use small animal litter. Material that tends to mould should be avoided for the general health of your pet. Hamster cages should be kept clean by replacing the floor covering weekly. Hamsters like to have "nesting areas" where they tend to sleep and hoard all their food. This can be made from torn-up toilet paper, or clean, non-moldy hay. Feeding hamsters can be done giving their food in feeding bowls, or by sprinkling them on the cage floor. Hamsters have these pouches in their cheeks where they stuff their food to carry back to their nesting area, so putting their food on the floor is a good idea so they won't have to tip over the bowl when they're hoarding. It also imitates the way they forage food in the wild. For water bottles it's better to get the ones with ball-bearing at the end of the tube and their water should always be kept fresh.

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Who wouldn't like to buy a hamster for pet? A hamster is regarded as one of the favorite pets of both children and adult. Hamsters are huggable, cute, unthreatening and lively. They are also well known for their unique characteristics including their habit on chewing a lot. Hamsters nibble nearly everything that they can get from plants to small insects. They are nocturnal so they are asleep during the day and are very much active at night. But then, troubles arise if you let your pet hamster to consume just anything they can take hold of so make sure to monitor what they are consuming and give them the right kinds of food.

Like any other pets, a hamster should be given the nutritious food for them to remain healthy, alive and keep them away from illness. Veggies are among the healthy foods that you should give to your hamsters. Give them different kinds of vegetables and not just one kind because they might suffer from diarrhea if they are feed only one kind of vegetable in a particular day. Cabbage, carrots and lettuce are among the vegetables that hamster love to eat.

Apart from giving veggies, you should also give your pet foods that are rich in protein. Some pet stores sell pre-mixed foods that are high in protein. Just make sure to get the best and trusted brand of pet food. You can also provide your hamster fruits once in awhile. Buy some apples, bananas or cherries. But, remember not to give your pet too much fruits because some fruits contain too much sugar that is not healthy for your hamster's body.

Milk is another treat that hamsters love and which you should give to your pet. Milk contains protein and vitamins that are great in maintaining your hamster in good health.. Expectant mother hamsters particularly love milk so make sure to provide your hamster some milk to drink. Since hamsters are very alert and there are times when they might tip off their dish and spill the milk so you should buy a container for your hamster that won't tumble easily.

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Hamster cages are often sold alongside starter packs which may or may not contain bedding. Whether you are an old hand with hamsters or have just got one, checking the bedding situation could save you from some serious problems. This article explains bedding materials hamster care experts recommend, the ones they think are dangerous and how to keep good hygiene in the cage. This can help you choose the right products and establish a healthy hygiene routine.

Bedding The Experts Like

It's important to make sure bedding can't injure their eyes, ears and body outside or gastro-intestinal tract inside if they chew or swallow it. A round up of animal care charities who publish advice on hamster care reveals much agreement on what is good to put in the cage. Sawdust is recommended (1), along with timothy hay, aspen shavings, shredded paper, hamster pellet style bedding (2, 3, 4). Kitchen paper is also OK for bedding providing it's in plain white (1, 5). Whilst these should be fine, some other materials present great danger.

Bedding The Experts Say Never To Use

This is an interesting list, as it contains items you might think would be lovely and cosy for your little pet. NEVER use synthetic fluffy, other fluffy, fabric or wool bedding, including cotton wool (4, 6) as they can chew it and severely harm their pouches or insides. DON'T use cedar or pine chips or shavings as they are associated with poisonous fumes (2, 4). Even the humble newspaper or recycling household paper or card printed with inks can be poisonous to hamsters (1, 4, and 5). Once you've established what you're putting in there is safe, stick to a good cleaning schedule to keep it fresh.

How To Keep It All Healthily Clean

Remove soiled bedding and droppings daily, along with any discarded food items. Move your hamster to a safe play pen once a week and remove all the bedding from the cage into household garbage sack. Some experts say to use mild soap and hot water, you may also want to ask you vet for a hamster safe disinfectant to properly clean the entire cage, including any bars, tunnels and other items inside. Replace the bedding, putting a little of the old materials in to give it a familiar feel.

It can be terribly distressing to have your hamster suffer illness or even die from gastro-intestinal blockage due to eating the wrong type of bedding. Checking before you put anything in the cage is easy and supplies are readily available from pet stores. By reading this, you should feel more confident to shop at pet stores for suitable bedding for your little loved one.

This article is written with a sample of expert opinions and as an overview, it can never replace a qualified professional vet's advice. Please consult your vet for any concerns about your hamster's welfare, as needs vary by breed, age, health status and individual animals. Many thanks.

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If you've decided that you'd like to get a pet hamster, it's a good idea to buy and prepare a hamster cage beforehand. That way, you can be sure that you have everything you need to care for your new pet before you bring it home.

The first thing you should look for is a hamster cage. These come in different sizes and varieties. Some are plastic with many rooms and tubes that join them. These look nice and can be a lot of fun for your hamster, but you should consider the extra effort that will go into cleaning all the individual parts. These also cost more than simpler styles. You can also consider glass cages with a mesh top. These are heavier and more difficult to move around, but they are fairly easy to clean. Another type of hamster cage has a smooth plastic bottom and wire walls and a roof that snaps on. These are the easiest to clean and move, and they are lightweight.

If you buy a simple style of hamster cage, you might want to outfit it with hamster toys and accessories. Some hamster cages come with an exercise wheel. If not, you can buy one. This keeps your hamster from becoming overweight, and it also provides entertainment and keeps it busy. You can also buy larger balls that you can put a hamster in, and then allow it to walk in them on the floor for more exercise. You may also wish to buy hamster tubes. Hamsters spend a lot of time sleeping, and they like to hide and burrow. You should provide them with some sort of hamster hut or box, which can be lined with bedding.

Hamsters need fresh, clean water in their cage at all times. You should provide them with a hanging water bottle. This keeps the water clean. Water kept in a dish can be contaminated by bacteria and could make your hamster sick. You should change the water daily and rinse the bottle thoroughly.

You should also buy hamster food and a dish. This way, you can keep track of how much food it is eating. It's important to pay attention to your hamster's eating habits so you can notice if it is sick. Moving to a new home can be stressful for a pet, so it may not eat well right away. Pet stores also sell hamster treats and chews. Hamsters like to gnaw on things, so you might want to provide them with some chew sticks or toys. You can also give them some fresh vegetables sometimes as a snack.

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t is important that hamsters are housed comfortably in a cage that is not too small.

Owners must never house their hamsters in a cage that is too small. Even though hamsters are small, the cage needs to be big enough for them to roam around or problems may arise. With small cages, some hamsters may become highly aggressive. It is similar to living in a jail cell. The small cage stresses out the hamster and forces it to be defensive. This means increased biting whenever you get close to it. One very obvious sign that the cage is too small is when the hamster starts biting on its cage more frequently. This behavior shows its desire to escape from its cage. There was an experiment conducted by Gernot Kuhnen on effect of cage size and enrichment on core temperature and febrile response of the golden hamster. It was concluded that cages above 825 cm² and above are more suitable for golden hamsters. Anything lower than 825 cm² would lead to in an increase in body temperature of the hamster which indicates increased stress of the hamster.

5) Not all hamsters are friendly

This may be a shocking fact to many pet owners. The common assumption would be that pets will become friendly and loving towards their owners once tamed. However, this may not be the case as each and every hamster has its own character. Some hamsters prefer to be alone in their cages and dislike their owners playing with them too much, whereas there are other hamsters who crave for their owner's attention. It is also a common assumption that each hamster breed has their own specific personality. Syrian hamsters are regarded by many to be friendly and loving. The Russian dwarf hamsters are noted to be antisocial and mean hamsters who love biting their owners. These are all myths as all hamsters have their own personalities.

6) Hamsters are not easy to care for and should not be bought as a way to teach responsibility

Although hamsters are smaller than other pets, they may not necessarily be easier for children to take care of. Hamster breeds such as the Syrian hamster are nocturnal and only wake in the early morning. This means that owners will have to sacrifice some sleep for feeding and playing with the hamster. Young children will grow bored of their hamster very quickly if they are always sleeping during the daytime. Furthermore, a pet should never be bought to teach children the value of responsibility. The hamster's life will be at risk should the child neglect it. There are many other ways to teach a child responsibility without putting innocent lives at risk.

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Now that you have your first pet hamsters, you need to pick a hamster cage for their new home. While there are many choices out there, there are a few things you should know first. The older metal cages are not used that much anymore since they are simple and you cannot create the cool looking elaborate hamster castles with this kind. They are also heavy and may be cold for the pet.

The new way of getting hamster cages put together is to get plastic ones and then add on if you want to give it a unique look or feel. There are many parts that you can add on and give your hamster a cool home of his own. Be sure to measure your room and see how much you can allow for the pet, since it can get really sprawling once you start adding to the cage. The first hamsters I owned took up almost the entire bedroom and I barely had a place to put my clothes. Proper planning can help you avoid that problem.

Now that you have your cage all set up be sure to get some toys, maybe a wheel or ball, for your hamster. They really like to be active and need exercise just like any other pet. This will make them healthy and perhaps live longer.

Overall, there are not that many tips you need to find a quality cage. Just be patient and choose a plastic one that meets all your needs.

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The key to having a fit hamster is to keep it exercised and healthy. A good selection of hamster cage accessories is a necessary element of successful care for your pet hamster.

Here are the five principal rules you ought to consider whilst selecting cage accessories for your hamster cage.

1. Exercise

Make a point to find accessories and toys for the cage that are good for health along with entertaining. Ones that make exercise enjoyable are very beneficial. Therefore you might perhaps grab a hamster exercise wheel, a hamster see-saw and also a hamster maze which are often used outside the cage as well.

2. Size Matters

It is easy to get over excited selecting great goodies for your beloved hamster's cage. However, do not forget to consider the size of your little friend's cage. Keep in mind to leave space for the basics like toilet area and house.

3. Safety first

Think about little Harry and his fragile body and legs and then look again at the cage accessory you were about to buy. Is it safe for your hamster? Will he get any of his legs trapped? Will he get harmed by it? Exercise wheels are a good case in point-buy a solid not spoked one. You really do not want to get a limb trapped in a spoked wheel. It isn't nice. Don't take a chance with his safety.

4. Variety

Variety is the spice of life and keeps everyone busy. Mix up those for running, investigating or entertaining. Purpose built tunnels and tubes, like those by Crittertrail are fantastic. This variety is going to give you both fun and him fit. It is always satisfying and sometimes amusing watching a hamster play. Seeing him investigate and work out how to use something you have put in his cage

5. Multifunctional

So what do I mean by this? Well, for instance, if you get a plastic hamster house, it will be functional and could get chewed a lttle bit, but there will be always the fear of pointed plastic edges. Wooden hamster houses are a much safer alternative whilst still being good teeth stuff.

Straightforward unpainted blocks of wood are great for climbing and perching on top of. On the other hand it can also be a great healthy chewing block too.

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[gri1987]

The key to having a healthy hamster is to keep it exercised and fit. A good selection of hamster cage accessories is a vital part of successful care for your pet hamster.

Here are the 5 basic rules you must consider when buying cage accessories for your hamster cage.

1. Space

It is easy to get carried away buying great treats for your beloved hamster's cage. But, be aware of how big or small the cage actually is. Don't overcrowd it; leave room for your hamster to wander around as well as an area for his toilet.

2. Exercise

Try and make at least half of the accessories or toys perform a healthy function by encouraging exercise either directly or by investigation. So you would perhaps pick up a hamster exercise wheel, a hamster see-saw or even a hamster maze which can be used outside the cage as well.

3. Safety

Think about little Harry and his fragile body and limbs and then look again at the cage accessory you were going to buy. Is it safe? Will he get any of his legs trapped? If he did would it cause a lot of harm? Typically, I usually recommend that you buy a solid wheel as I have seen the results of metal spoked exercise wheels on a trapped hamster's leg and it isn't nice. Don't take a chance with his safety.

4. Variety

Variety is the spice of life and keeps everyone busy. So look at climbers, runners, run through and investigators when looking at hamster cage accessories. Tubes, wheels, purpose built hamster tunnels like Crittertrail or others, boots all provide plenty of variety to keep your hamster and you occupied. After all it is fascinated and funny watching your pet hamster investigate and work out how to use something you have put in his cage

5. Multifunctional

So what do I mean by this? Well, for example, if you buy a plastic hamster house, it will be functional and may get chewed a bit, but there is always the worry of sharp plastic edges. But, a wooden hamster house is perfectly safe and performs the function of a chew block.

Similarly a simple wooden block can be climbed over and be a healthy addition to the dental care of your pet hamster.

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Picking the correct hamster cage for your new hammy can be a difficult task unless you are armed with a little basic information. The size and type of cage will be determined by the type of hamster you decide to buy.

Let's start by reviewing the various types of hamsters and then match some suitable cage types to them. The primary consideration is the size of your new pet. The Syrian hamster can grow to a size of six inches. The Dwarf hamster and Roborovski are a fraction of the size of the Syrian hamster.

Let's address the needs of the smaller animals first. Not only are these hamsters small as adults but their babies are really tiny. Therefore my first cautionary statement is to avoid wire hamster cages for the small varieties. They can literally crawl thought he bars of the cage or worse yet get stuck between the bars. A wire cage would be fine for a Syrian hamster and should be one of your first considerations. Syrians can climb the bars and this would provide a form of natural exercise. While no hamster cage can be too large their minimum cage size for the Syrians should be 15x15x12 inches. Cage size for a Dwarf or Robo can be a bit smaller. With any of the hamster types be sure to increase the cage size by about 50% for a second animal.

A wire hamster cage should be located away from any air drafts. Even though the cage provides good ventilation continuous air currents can cause health problems for your pet.

Another suitable type of cage for any size hamster would be nothing more than an ordinary aquarium. The glass allows you to view them and lets them see their world as well. Make sure a suitable cover is used to contain your animals and allow for adequate ventilation. Be careful not to place the cage in direct sunlight as the temperature inside the cage can rise to dangerous levels.

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If you are planning to get a hamster for a pet, you should prepare for it by buying the hamster cage, food, and other accessories first. This will ensure that you have everything you need to take care of your hamster before you bring it home from the pet store. You should carefully choose the type of cage as well as where you intend to place it in your home.

Hamster cages come in a few different varieties. These vary in size, shape, price, and complexity. When purchasing a hamster cage, you should think about your hamster's safety and how easy the cage will be for you to clean. Cages will individual rooms and connecting tubes can be more difficult and time-consuming to clean. Your cage should be cleaned at least once a week.

Some hamster cages are very complex and have many different areas for your hamster. They may have tubes connecting the different areas. Some hamster cages come with exercise wheels. These cages can be a lot of fun for your pet, but they may be more difficult for you to clean. Alternatively, you could just buy a wheel and some tubes and toys to place in a simple, rectangular hamster cage. Larger hamster can get stuck in the tubes, so be careful when choosing this type of cage.

Another popular type of hamster cage has a smooth bottom made of plastic and walls and a roof made of wire. The wire parts snap on, allowing you to easily take the cage apart for cleaning. It should be wiped down at least once a week, and the bedding should be changed.

Glass cages can also be used for hamsters. You may wish to clean these more often, however, because they allow less air circulation than wire cages. They are also a lot heavier and more difficult to move. They should have a snap-on cover made of mesh or wire. Once you've decided on a hamster cage, you should decide where to put the cage. Don't put it too near windows or in direct sunlight. It should be away from air conditioners and heating vents, and other pets shouldn't be able to get near it.

You will also need bedding, food, and a water bottle for your hamster. Hanging water bottles allow your pet easy access to water at all times. They should be rinsed out and filled with fresh water daily. Hamster food is available at pet stores. It should be fed daily, and you can add some treats like fresh vegetables. Ceramic food dishes for hamsters are useful, because they allow you to see how much your pet is eating, and they can't flip them over. Hamster chew toys can also be purchased at pet stores. Buy bedding that is recommended for hamsters and other small animals.

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