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Hamster Care Guide

 

Hamsters make great pets. They are nocturnal so they sleep during the day and are active when the family comes home in the evening. Hamsters prefer to live alone. They are inexpensive to buy and are relatively maintenance free.

Download the Care Guide

Health Care

  • Hamsters by nature hide symptoms and signs of illnesses making early detection of disease difficult 

  • New patient exams and yearly examinations are therefore strongly recommended to help your hamster live a long and happy life. 

  • If you notice any changes to your hamster’s behavior, appetite or bowel movements we would recommend contacting us immediately

Housing

Cage: 

  • Provide the largest cage possible to allow your hamster ample space to move around

  • Wire cages with plastic bottoms are ideal for hamsters as they provide good ventilation. 

Bedding:

  • Provide hiding boxes in the cage such as paper towel rolls and cardboard boxes with bedding or hay in the bottom for your hamster to nest in.

  • Always use unscented bedding and avoid cedar and pine shavings – strongly smelling bedding can cause irritation to the nose and lungs and contribute to respiratory disease. 

  • CareFresh or recycled newspaper beddings (eg Yesterday’s News) are recommended as they are good absorbable unscented materials. 

  • Ensure to clean the bedding regularly – spot clean the bedding daily and change all the bedding 2-3 times a week. 

  • Not eating or drinking
  • Diarrhea
  • Actively bleeding
  • Unresponsive, unconscious or limp
  • Seizures
  • Wet or soiled tail
  • Blood in the urine or straining to urinate
  • Sneezing or wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sitting hunched or lethargic
When should I bring my sick hamster to the vet?

  • Always have fresh water available via a drinking bottle or bowl

Pellets

  • Commercial hamster diets such as Oxbow Essentials Hamster and Gerbil Food should make up the majority of the diet. 

  • They can also be too high in fats leading to excessive weight gain

  • Avoid pellets that are sold as “mixes” containing seeds, fruits or nuts – your hamster may pick out their favorite food and often not obtain the balanced diet they need.

Hay

  • Grass hay such as timothy, orchard, oat or botanical hay can always be available to your hamster. 

  • Timothy hay tunnels can also provide great enrichment and enjoyment to your hamster

Treats 

  • Should be given sparingly to your hamster

  • Oxbow Animal Health have a variety of healthy treats that can be given

  • Small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables can be used as treats

  • Be consistent with treats and introduce new ones slowly to prevent stomach upset

Nutrition

  • Most hamsters need to be housed alone as they tend to fight when together.

  • If housed in pairs they will need to be paired before puberty to try to prevent fighting.

  • Alternatively males can be neutered to prevent aggression and unwanted breeding. 

  • Provide a running wheel with a solid floor 

  • Provide plenty of objects to chew on such as hay, paper towel rolls and cardboard boxes. 

Behavior

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