i need tips on hamsters - getting one today?

Question

well im planning on getting a hamster today and ive done some research. what i am concerned about is that i do not have a cage and was planning to buy one at the same time that i buy my hamster. but on many sites it says that i should have the cage at home first. will this be a problem if i do not have the cage set up for my hamster when i get him/her? also if you have tips on what types of things to buy, such as bedding and woodchips and which kind of food to get my future hamster? which kind of toys can i get for him/her? ive seen that a spinning wheel for the cage is a must so i already have that written down but what else can i get? ive also seen that hamster yogurt drops are good for hamsters and was wondering what price range they are. if you have any tips like bright eyes, dry tail, and one that doesnt bite are there any other tips like this when buying a hamster?

thanks Jenn B, i like the plastic ball idea.

Answer 1

When me and my husband brought our hamster we were totally unprepared as we never new we were going to get him until we saw the fat fur ball, so we got the cage at the same time like you, and he was ok. He is a laid back fella anyway.

First thing though is the breed. The most sociable hamster is the Male syrian breeds ( also known as goldern/teddybears). This is what we have, and he has never bitten (we have had him a year) they live longer and love human contact.

Pick one that is alert, with bright eyes, shiny fur, and looks a healthy weight.

Buy the biggest cage you can afford. Hamsters love space. Get a barred cage, with plastic bottoms. We have a 3 storey cage with tubes leading to each level. Get some fragrance and dust free sawdust for the floor, and use ripped up unscented toilet paper for the bed. Make sure you clean and disinfect the cage on a weekly basis, hamsters can catch infections and diseses very easily. Big, Clean cages equals a happy, healthy hamster.

Invest in a hamster exercise ball. They LOVE it! its a great social tool to get him out the cage every evening and to form a bond between you both.

Feed him yogurt drops and he will be your best friend for life ( only feed a couple a day though, or you will have an obese hamster on your hands) I dont know where you live but in the uk they are less than £1 a packet, Feed him hamster mix as part of his main diet, and introduce fruit and veg in small quantities daily. ( they love sweetcorn, peas, brocoli, carrots, mushrooms, apples ect) Also hang a cereal chew bar in his cage to keep his teeth nice and chizzled down.

You will have so much fun. My hamster is my little ray of sun shine each day.

Answer 2

It is better to have the cage set up first, so the hamster does not have to wait in whatever little box he has been sold in while you set the cage up. I suppose you could buy a little travel cage for him to wait in, this would also be useful for if you ever have to take him to the vets.

As far as bedding goes, just stay away from cedar or pine wood shavings, not good for any rodent. I like 'safe bedding' from Petsmart best, as a base covering, and shredded paper for bedding.

A wheel is definitely important for a hamster - try to find a solid one if you can, rather than one with rungs - they can get toes caught in them.

Hamster yoghurt drops are a treat item, they're not exactly good for them but the occasional one won't do any harm! They're only a few quid per packet.

You sound like you know what basic health signs to look for when you buy a hamster - dry tail is of course of the utmost importance. Know that 'wet tail' is actually diarrhoea, which can be fatal in hamsters and needs to be treated quickly by a vet. It is avoidable by feeding the correct diet - hamster mix only, and only treats specially for hamsters, no human food!

Other than that, just get the biggest cage you can afford, and one or two of those little rodents houses for hammy to hide away in! You can buy a mineral/salt wheel and wood chews, but I've never seen hamsters use them. There are also hamster balls to buy so they can exercise out of the cage, but I've never figured out if they actually enjoy them or if they just run in them because they've got no choice!!

A big cage with a wheel, somewhere to hide and the right food are the ingredients for a happy, healthy hamster.

Chalice

Answer 3

my hamster loved her yogurt drops, and they are inexpensive. get something for her to make a nest in like a house or igloo or something like that they will have plenty to choose from at the pet store. i didn't have my cage at home before buying my hamster, and it was no big deal. also you could get a plastic ball that you can take them out of the cage and put them in so they can run all over! its fun.

Answer 4

Ok the best time of day to play with them is in the early morning or late evening as this is when they will be awake and you dont want to disturb them! Also make sure they dont fight as one of them may be the more dominent one and if this happens separate them into different cages. Also if they fight over things like the food, water and wheel but not actually get hurt themselves buy two of each so they have one each, good luck!