How one can Look after a Pet Syrian Hamster

The Syrian hamster, also called the golden hamster, is among the many hottest decisions for small pets. They’re typically simple to tame, enjoyable to observe, and pretty low-maintenance, making them a great pet for rookies.

Due to their reputation as pets, diets specifically formulated for Syrian hamsters may be present in most pet shops. Plus, their housing would not take up that a lot house and is fairly easy to arrange and keep.

Study extra concerning the Syrian hamster and what they should keep completely satisfied and wholesome.

Syrian Hamster Habits and Temperament

Syrian hamsters are nocturnal, in order that they sleep in the course of the day and are lively at night time. And whereas they’re typically quiet pets, their nighttime exercise may preserve you awake in case you have their enclosure in your bed room.

Sure hamsters can considerably adapt to their people’ schedule, however you need to by no means attempt to choose up a sleeping hamster. Some hamsters may chunk when startled or dealt with improperly. Thus, the early morning or night hours are a great time to work together together with your hamster. And so long as you do not squeeze or jostle your hamster as you maintain them, they need to study to be content material with folks dealing with them.

Additionally, as a result of hamsters have weak eyes, they use their whiskers to make sense of their surroundings. They will develop eye issues, too, so it’s vital to test in your hamster typically to make sure they’re wholesome.

These hamsters are one of the crucial solitary animals within the wild, making them equally territorial. Meaning they need to at all times be housed alone as pets. Generally younger hamsters tolerate cage mates for a short while. However as they mature, there is a good likelihood they will grow to be aggressive, even preventing to the loss of life. It is also finest to maintain another family pets away out of your hamster, as they may damage one another.

As pets, Syrian hamsters do not essentially kind a detailed bond with their people. However they typically will come as much as the aspect of their enclosure when you’re there, and plenty of will take pleasure in lounging in your fingers or in your shoulder. Anticipate to spend a couple of hours per week on feedings and sustaining your hamster’s habitat. After that, simply be sure you’re allotting a while every day to deal with your hamster to maintain them tame.

Dimension Info

Syrian hamsters attain round 5 to 9 inches lengthy on common, they usually weigh roughly 5 ounces. They will attain maturity inside two months.

Housing

As giant of an enclosure as you may accommodate for a Syrian hamster is finest, as this might be their main house for train. At a minimal, the cage ought to be 1 foot by 2 toes and not less than 1 foot tall.

The 2 basic cage choices are one which has wire on high with a plastic base, or a regular glass or plastic aquarium with a tightly becoming mesh high. The wire cages enable for higher airflow, although they provide much less safety towards drafts. Stable partitions can block air circulation, resulting in a buildup of irritating and dangerous fumes from the hamster’s droppings.

When searching for a wire cage, be certain that the spacing between the bars isn’t giant sufficient to make it simple for a hamster to flee, or get damage whereas trying to squeeze between them. Search for bars which might be spaced 1/2 inch or much less aside. A plastic base on a wire cage will even stop sores in your hamster’s toes.

Your hamster ought to be comfy all year long, whatever the season. It’s finest to make sure their surroundings is 75 to 85 F.

Within the enclosure, embrace:

• Loads of hamster toys for enrichment
• An train wheel that has a strong floor (not bars) to reduce the chance of accidents
• Tunnels and bridges for hiding and climbing
• Picket chew blocks for dental hygiene
• Nest or sleeping hut (pet outlets sometimes have a number of choices) in a nook of the enclosure

Particular Substrate Wants

Syrian hamsters want two varieties of bedding: absorbent substrate and nesting materials. Place the absorbent substrate on the underside of the cage. Then, present nesting materials so your hamster could make a snug little mattress to burrow into.

Line the underside of the enclosure with a few inches of bedding. Paper or aspen merchandise are really helpful. Don’t use cedar or pine bedding, because the sturdy odor may be dangerous to a hamster.

How one can Clear a Syrian Hamster’s Cage

Scoop out any moist spots within the bedding day by day. And alter all of the bedding weekly as you scrub down the whole enclosure with cleaning soap and water.

1. Take your hamster out of their cage earlier than cleansing it. You’ll be able to put them in a separate enclosure or another person within the household can maintain them and work together with them till their cage is clear and prepared for them.  
2. By no means use harsh soaps and chemical substances, together with these with sturdy fragrances, to wash your hamster’s cage and equipment. As a substitute, there are cleaners particularly made for these animals, and you’ll comply with the instructions on the merchandise’ labels to make sure you use them appropriately.  
3. Rinse the cage and equipment with water earlier than drying the whole lot completely.
4. Add new bedding and your entire hamster’s toys and equipment earlier than placing your hamster again of their cage.

What Do Syrian Hamsters Eat & Drink?

Syrian hamsters are nocturnal, so you may arrange a feeding schedule to make sure they’ll have sufficient meals from the night to the morning.

Feed your Syrian hamster a weight loss plan of nuts, grains, and seeds (sometimes what’s within the business meals blends) supplemented with fruit and veggies, reminiscent of apples, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and pears.

As a result of Syrian hamsters are omnivores (they eat vegetation and animals), provide the occasional hardboiled egg or feeder insect for an additional protein shot. Should you use a business meals mix, the supplemental meals typically should not make up greater than 10% of the hamster’s general weight loss plan. However seek the advice of your veterinarian for the most effective amount and selection to feed, as this could differ based mostly on age and measurement.

At all times preserve a bowl of dry meals within the enclosure, and discard uneaten meals after 24 hours. Hamsters sometimes wish to graze, storing meals of their cheek pouches and stashing it someplace for later. Your hamster may even get up a couple of occasions a day to eat after which return to sleep.

Everytime you’re feeding recent meals, it is typically finest to supply them in a separate dish within the night when your hamster is waking up and able to eat. Take away uneaten recent meals after a couple of hours so it would not spoil.

Furthermore, at all times present a clear supply of water in your hamster that you simply refresh day by day. Many individuals favor to make use of water bottles as a result of they’re simple to maintain sanitary. However you can also use a shallow dish for water till your hamster learns to drink from the bottle.

Widespread Well being Issues

Syrian hamsters are typically hardy animals. Nonetheless, there are a couple of well being circumstances to be careful for, reminiscent of:

• Moist tail: This can be a gastrointestinal an infection often related to stress and micro organism proliferation. It is without doubt one of the commonest well being points affecting this hamster. Signs embrace lethargy, diarrhea, lack of urge for food, and wetness across the tail space. Should you suspect an an infection, take your hamster to the vet instantly. This problem can have a deadly consequence if allowed to fester, however antibiotics can successfully deal with it.
• Mites: Hamsters can contract fur and ear mites, particularly from unsanitary circumstances. In case your hamster has mites, you may discover itching and lack of fur in patches. If that’s the case, contact your vet as quickly as doable for remedy.
• Overgrown tooth: Some hamsters can develop overgrown tooth that make consuming tough. You may discover your hamster’s tooth look a bit of longer than regular and that they are losing a few pounds. A vet can trim the tooth after which suggest methods to keep up the hamster’s dental well being, reminiscent of including extra chewable supplies to the enclosure.

Coaching Your Syrian Hamster

Hand-taming is the first coaching most individuals do with their hamsters. It is superb to start when the hamster remains to be younger, in order that they study to be comfy round folks.

Sit on the ground in a safe house when dealing with your hamster, as even a drop from a couple of toes can damage them. Have a smooth or padded floor beneath you and the hamster—in the event that they squirm out of your hand, this could guarantee they’ll land on one thing that gained’t trigger hurt.  

It could assist to carry a favourite deal with to make the hamster’s expertise sitting in your fingers extra pleasing. In the event that they begin to get confused, put them again of their enclosure.

Train

Train is vital to stop weight problems and different well being points. Between having a sufficiently giant enclosure to roam about and an train wheel, your hamster ought to be capable of stay match.

You can also put your hamster in an train ball after they’re out of the enclosure to allow them to roll safely round your flooring. At all times monitor your hamster after they’re out of the enclosure.

Grooming

Hamsters are pretty clear animals that self-groom. They don’t want water for baths. In the event that they do get some dust or particles caught of their fur, you may assist them get it out by gently rubbing the realm with a humid material.

Nail and dental care are vital. Gently trim their nails commonly in order that they gained’t scratch themselves when grooming—you may ask a veterinarian to point out you the way. And, as mentioned above, giving your hamster a wide range of chew toys will assist them preserve their tooth on the proper size.

Repairs Prices

From month to month, your primary prices for a hamster might be for meals and bedding. Anticipate to spend round $20 to $40, relying on the kind of bedding (plus the scale of enclosure) and weight loss plan you select.

Past that, you may often have to interchange chew blocks, nests, and different objects within the enclosure. And you need to finances for an annual veterinary checkup plus emergency medical prices.

Execs & Cons of Conserving a Syrian Hamster as a Pet

There are some things to think about earlier than getting a Syrian hamster.

Execs of Syrian Hamsters

• Typically low-maintenance
• Quiet and may be tamed to carry
• Attention-grabbing and enjoyable to observe

Cons of Syrian Hamsters

• Fragile and small, so want a delicate contact
• Sometimes asleep for many of the day
• Nocturnal, so that you won’t get to see them at their most lively

Comparable Hamsters to the Syrian Hamster

Should you’re keen on pet hamsters, take a look at:

In any other case, take a look at different hamsters that may be your new pet.

Buying or Adopting Your Syrian Hamster

You should buy a Syrian hamster from a pet store, however a good breeder or rescue group is the popular choice. Good breeders and rescues have a tendency to offer superior care for his or her animals, and they need to be capable of provide you with thorough info on an animal’s origin and well being historical past.

Anticipate to pay round $20, although this could differ relying on components such because the animal’s age and coloring.

Copy/Breeding

A neighborhood unique veterinarian may be capable of suggest a great breeder or rescue group for hamsters. You will probably be capable of discover youthful animals through a breeder, although small animal rescues typically have good selection as effectively.

When selecting a hamster, it is superb to watch the vendor’s animals whereas they’re awake. Ask the vendor when the most effective time to go to them could be. The vendor additionally may be capable of wake their hamsters so that you can choose one by providing a fascinating deal with.

A wholesome hamster might be lively and curious. Their fur ought to look clear, their droppings ought to be well-formed, and their eyes ought to be clear and shiny. Crimson flags embrace labored respiration and a unclean backside.

Should you’ll be taking multiple hamster dwelling, ensure that to have separate housing for them prepared. It will stop preventing, and cease you from by accident changing into a breeder your self.