Over the years hamsters have become quite popular as small pets. They are adorable and make great pets. Here are a few facts about hamsters you should know before bringing one home:
When it comes to hamsters we should first judge if they fit our lifestyle or not. They require daily interaction and attention to be happy. If you are someone who is looking for a pet that is easy to care for then hamsters aren't the right fit for you.
Hamsters are considered prey animals so you should make sure that your home is safe for them.
They get easily frightened so it is better not to have a hamster around young kids as loud noise can scare them.
Hamsters have very poor eyesight so they rely more on their other senses. For the same reason and if started, they can also bite as a defense mechanism.
They are mostly awake early in the morning or at night so they don't like to be woken up during the day.
A healthy hamster should be ideally sleeping during the day.
It can be challenging to make friends with a hamster for two main reasons- our sleep cycle and as some hamsters are very sociable whereas others are not.
Hamsters have teeth that grow continually so without something for them to chew on, their teeth will grow to such an extent that would injure their lips and mouth.
If you see them rubbing their back against most of the objects around them, don't be concerned as they have glands on their back that secret an identifiable smell. They leave a trail of smell wherever they go to find their way around.
They live for about 2 to 4 years.
Tips on creating a safe space for your hamster & keeping it entertained:
You can build the perfect place or buy a cage for your little hamster. One thing that should be kept in mind is that the place should be big enough for them to run around and play. Besides food and water, it should ideally be an exercise wheel.
Neglect and dirty places are major causes of depression among hamsters. Hence, it is really important to have a cage that can be cleaned properly and has comfortable bedding. You can also use wood shavings as an environment-friendly floor covering to maintain a hygienic environment for your pet. The wood shavings should be soft so that it gives your pet comfort.
The only way for them to be active is to have a lot of toys and activities laid out in their cage or basket. You can easily put together a play pad for your hamster by taking a big basket and filling it with toys, paper rolls, wood shavings, paper bedding, small ladders, training wheels, cardboard boxes, etc.
A very common thing with them is that they get bored easily. You can change up the toys or the setup from time to time and make sure that he isn't getting bored. To surprise them you can also hide treats in spaces between toys.
Hamster diet:
A hamster should be ideally fed a store-bought diet designed for them which fulfills their nutritional requirement. However, the best diet for them would be a pelleted diet along with safe human foods like dark green leafy vegetables and fruits.
Listed below are the top picks for giving your pet the right nutrition:
Vitapol economic food for Hamster.
Here are a few feeders and bowls to make the feeding process less messy for you and easier for your pet:
Hamster Shaped Cage Attachment Food Feeder.
Hamster Spatula Hay Grass Bowl Holder Box.
With proper attention and care, a hamster can prove to be one of the most adorable pets you have ever had.