new hamster...?

Question

hey ppl...am getting a new hamster for xmas!!

i need ur help...regarding tips on hamster care, cage, toy, food, temperature...everyfing...just ne tips!!
ne websites??

n yeps..can u plz suggest a nice, cute, funny n nt-naughty name??


merry xmas 2u all...cheers!!

Answer 1

It isn't really advisable to get a pet for Christmas. If you must, please visit your local library and read all the recently published books on care you can. I've owned a lot of small animals, including hamsters, so I'll give you all the important info I can think of.

Remember hamsters are nocturnal, so they'll be asleep in the day, and that they can never be kept in pairs. You absolutely must keep them singly, of they'll fight a lot and maybe kill each other.

The type of hamster you get is important. A syrian hamster is best. They're the bigger ones. They have gorgeous soft fur, and are super friendly. My syrian hamsters never bit anyone. Never! Not even the first day they were brought home. The other breeds, like Russian hamsters and chinese ones are not so friendly though. They can be quite vicious. I'm sure a lot of them are lovely, but the ones I've met aren't that nice. Don't be tempted by the fact they're smaller and you might find them cuter. Temperament is important.

A decent sized cage is needed - a hamster won't be happy or healthy in a little thing. For my hamster I got a large wire cage with three levels so he had plenty of space to play. The levels are important - a hamster shouldn't be confined to just one. Make sure that the bottom level of the cage is made of plastic. He can't stand constantly on wire, or his feet will get sore and crippled. The plastic floor will be easy to clean. Cover the floor with wood SHAVINGS. Do NOT use pine or cedar wood shavings as these can cause some nasty lung infections. Do NOT use sawdust, as this can cause life threatening respiratory infections and is very bad for their feet. The shavings will need cleaning once a week. A toilet should be provided. Hamsters are clean animals, and will usually pick one corner for their business. Wait until you know which corner they like, then put a small cardboard or plastic box, like a cardboard egg carton lid in that corner filled with kitty litter. Change it every 2 or 3 days and replace the box. You can buy specialist plastic hamster toilets. Just wash them every 2 or 3 days, refill them and stick them back in. I recommend that.

A good nestbox should be provided on the bottom level of the cage. It should be big enough for the hamster to easily climb inside and turn around in, but small enough that he feels secure. Plastic or wood can be used for this, but plastic is cheaper and MUCH better - easy to clean and easy to replace should need be. Fill it with some soft hay for the hamster to make a nest out of. Try not to use synthetic bedding material sold by petshops - a lot of it is okay, but some can be very bad for your hamster.

Your new hamster will need a wheel that clips onto the side of his cage to run in. Almost all hamsters love this, and will run all night so it's advisable to keep them in a room where no one sleeps - it makes a lot of noise. Go for a plastic solid wheel without slats, as the wire wheels can break a hamster's leg. They probably won't chew up the wheel, and if they do it's easy to replace. Plastic hamster balls can be bought. If you get one, make sure the hamster is only allowed in it when you can supervise, when no other pets are around, and when you're not in a room with stairs.

Hamsters should be provided with some good chewing blocks or they will be forced to chew on the metal bars to wear down their teeth. (A hamsters teeth grow continuously) Wooden blocks sold by the petshop are good for this, and the cardboard inside of toilet rolls is lovely for them to chew and play with.

For food, buy a good quality hamster mix from your petshop and make sure that the hamster has a bowl that is constantly filled with the food. I always used Harry Hamster food for my pets, but I don't know if they sell that around you. Don't worry about overfeeding - the foods are designed so that a hamster can eat loads and not get fat because they know that most owners give a constant supply of food. Give some fresh vegetables - not fruit - every day. Not too much, mind. A single slice of carrot is plenty or a tiny piece of brocolli. Remove it the next day if it hasn't been eaten. It's best to buy a water bottle from the petshop to give them water. Water needs to be constantly available, and replaced with fresh water every single day. Water can be offered in a sturdy bowl, but it will easily get contaminated and need changing at least twice a day.

Hamsters should be kept at room temperature. If it's too cold then they will hibernate and this isn't good for them, so keep them warm. They can get overheated in summer, though. Just keep them at a comfy temperature and don't leave the cage in direct sunlight. If the hamster is sleeping outside his nest, cool down the room. If you think your hamster has died be sure to keep it in a warm place for at least one night just to check it isn't simply hibernating.

Your hamster will need handling a lot. He will be nocturnal and so he'll wake up only when it's dark. He won't want to play in daylight, and care should be taken to avoid accidentally waking him up. To make sure he's tame handle him for at least an hour every day, and if he bites don't put him down instantly. That will teach him that biting is the way to go home. A well socialised hamster will not bite, though, and will love coming out to play so don't worry.

Remember to always take your hamster to the vet if you spot anything unusual about them. They're small animals, and any illness must be treated promptly to avoid fatalities.

If you need any advice at all, more information or links to examples of good equipment please mail me at [e-mail]. I'll be happy to help in any way I can - I love rodents and know quite a lot about their care.

Some links:
http://www.germes-online.com/direct/dbimage/50149978/Hamster_Cage.jpg This cage is too small, but it's a good example of the style that's good. The bed box should be on the bottom level, though, and the plastic tube is unnecessary and will be chewed.

http://www.petspantry.tv/acatalog/cliponwheel.jpg The only kind of wheel suitable and safe. Plastic with no slats in it.

http://www.petcompany.co.uk/acatalog/rydonhamsterhouse.JPG An ideal nest box

Answer 2

Hey!
I recently got a new Hamster too!! Have a look at this website for all the information you need to know about caring for hamsters -

http://www.hamstercare.co.uk/

There is also a book called How to care for your Hamster by Mary Appleton with some helpful tips in it ;)

When you first get your hamster you'll need to let it settle in for a couple of days. Then you can start introducing your hand to it. Go slowly and don't make any sharp movements. Remember to keep softly talking to your hamster so it gets used to it's name :)

Don't be scared when handling your hamster because the hamster can tell!! Remember to reward your hamster lots!!
Good luck ;)

~Katie~

Answer 3

Trixie. For sure. No offense but "twinkle" sounds like something your hamster would make on a trip to the bathroom. Rofl.

Answer 4

Go on google! How about!: Kenzie, Berling, Harry, Vernie, GIGI, Corn, Manee, Larry, Lerie, Tammy, Ursus, Qutex (lol), JP, Fred

Answer 5

Make sure the cage is big enough and thet he has some sort of exersising equiptment. they also need some sort of chewing wood.

Answer 6

as for the care of your hamster.. check out http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/rabbit_horse_and_other_pet_care/how_to_care_for_hamsters.html

and for the name..it depends on what color. like tan could be caramel. or if you prefer like real names then the possibilities are endless

Answer 7

Go to petco and git a caresheet on Hamsters. >.<

Answer 8

This is my favourite site about hamsters:

Answer 9

Sugar, montana, the state you live in, future, sim,

Answer 10

Well you could put devil, dare, teddy, cupcake, hammy