How to Have Fun with Hamsters (with Pictures)

Table of contents:

How to Have Fun with Hamsters (with Pictures)
How to Have Fun with Hamsters (with Pictures)

Video: How to Have Fun with Hamsters (with Pictures)

Video: How to Have Fun with Hamsters (with Pictures)
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Playing with your hamster provides the stimulation it needs to stay healthy. Whether it's letting your furry friend crawl on you or watching him wander through the maze, playing with hamsters is a lot of fun. However, you should be able to handle your hamster properly to ensure it is safe when playing in or out of the cage.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Holding a Hamster Safely

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 1
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 1

Step 1. Allow the sleeping hamster to lie down

Hamsters sleep throughout the day and are very active in the afternoon or evening. If you wake your hamster, it will get angry easily and won't want to be held. Always let your hamster wake up on its own before playing with it.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 2
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 2

Step 2. Wash your hands first

Hamsters have a good sense of smell. It's important to wash all food odors off your hands as hamsters can bite.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 3
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 3

Step 3. Rub your hands on a clean hamster mat

The smell of the mat will make your hamster feel safer in your hands.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 4
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 4

Step 4. Train your hamster to be touchable

Before you can play with your hamster outside of the cage, you'll need to get him used to being held by you. Start by giving your hamster treats from your hand. When your hamster approaches you fearlessly, start letting it play in your hands. When he is comfortable, lift his body. Gradually increase the amount of time holding the hamster.

  • Always let your hamster kiss your fist before attempting to pick it up. Don't surprise him.
  • Always hold the hamster on a table or while sitting on the floor. Otherwise, he will be seriously injured if he tries to escape from your grasp. Falling from a height of just 30 cm can cause injury to the hamster.
  • If the hamster tries to free itself or bites you, put it back in the cage. He's tired of holding it.
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 5
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 5

Step 5. Make sure the hamster doesn't run away while playing outside the cage

Play with the hamster in a closed room. Be aware that hamsters can escape through tight openings, such as under doors, so you should keep a close eye on them when playing outside of the cage.

  • Don't play in a tight area where your hamster can get under the couch or drawer to hide.
  • The bathroom is a great indoor place to play, but make sure you cover the toilet.
  • Consider buying a play area for your hamster so he can't escape. The play area must be larger than the cage. Also consider covering the playground with nets so he can't escape.
  • Buying a toy pool for children is the easiest way to provide a covered and affordable play area.
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 6
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 6

Step 6. Keep dangerous objects away when playing outside the cage

If there is a dangerous object, the hamster may bite it. Make sure you keep all power cords out of the area where the hamster is playing. Also, stay away from poisonous plants such as azaleas, daffodils, oleander, speedwell, buttercups, bindweed, bluebells, ragwort, elder, hemlock, and privet. For a list of dangerous plants, look here.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 7
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 7

Step 7. Be careful when playing with your hamster on a table or kitchen counter

Hamsters are not afraid of falls, and falling from a high table can be harmful to the hamster. Don't leave your hamster alone in high places, and always be careful to prevent it from falling.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 8
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 8

Step 8. Keep other pets away when playing with your hamster outside the cage

Imagine you are in a room with a monster that wants to eat you. Not fun, right? Even if your hamster is safe, it will be stressed if a dog or cat is nearby.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 9
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 9

Step 9. Figure out how to catch the hamster back if it escapes

If the hamster escapes, there is still a chance to get it back. Having a plan in advance can get rid of the panic and you're more likely to find the hamster.

  • Look near the hamster's cage first.
  • Look in small places: behind and under furniture, between sofa and chair cushions, on bookshelves, in drawers, in shoes, in tissue boxes, and in shoe boxes.
  • If that doesn't work, leave the cage open and place your hamster's favorite food near the cage and inside. Turn off the lights and wait for the hamster to come.
  • If that still doesn't work, save the food before you go to bed and circle it in flour so the hamster's tracks will lead you to its hiding place.

Part 2 of 3: Fun with Hamsters in the Cage

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 10
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 10

Step 1. Watch your hamster run

Wild hamsters run several kilometers every day in search of food. Your pet doesn't have to work that hard, but he still has the instinct to run. Put the hamster wheel in the cage and watch it run.

  • The wheel should be large enough so that the hamster's back does not bend.
  • A flat-bottomed wheel is better because the hamster's toes can get caught between the spokes of the wire wheel.
  • Check the wheels occasionally to make sure they are still turning properly. Remove the blockers if necessary and grease them with sesame oil or vegetable oil.
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 11
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 11

Step 2. Add something natural

Wooden stalks can be something your hamster can bite and climb in its cage, but make sure you clean it well first. Wash the stalks in soapy water, let them dry, then bake them for 45 minutes at 93 degrees Celsius to kill insects and their eggs. Make sure you use wood that is not toxic to hamsters, such as willow, pear or apple, cottonwood, pecan, or mulberry. For a list of safe and unsafe wood for hamsters, have a look here.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 12
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 12

Step 3. Make a maze of tubes out of cardboard

Hamsters like to climb over used tissue tubes and toilet paper. Try to glue them all together and make a maze shaped passage for your pet.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 13
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 13

Step 4. Make a swing with a small thread and a spool of old tape or duct tape

Thread the string into the coil and tie it to the top of the hamster's cage so that it hangs slightly above the floor.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 14
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 14

Step 5. Tie shoelaces over the hamster's cage

Tie some rope from side to side or leave some rope hanging. Hamsters will love to climb up and pull it. Make sure you remove the plastic covers on each side of the shoelaces so your hamster won't eat them and get sick.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 15
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 15

Step 6. Hide food in the hamster's cage and let him find it

Hamsters like to forage for food. Hide food around the cage, in jars, on steps, and in the corners of the cage. Watch him as he looks for him.

Part 3 of 3: Playing Outside the Cage

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 16
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 16

Step 1. Let your hamster play outside of the cage every day

To maximize your hamster's health and happiness, you should give him time to play outside of the cage. It's fun, you know! Just make sure your hamster is tamed and that you are playing in a safe and covered area.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 17
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 17

Step 2. Pet the hamster and let it climb over you

Hamsters love to be petted as long as you don't squeeze them too hard, and they also love exploring you. This is a great way to bond with your hamster and train it to trust you.

  • Make sure you sit on the floor so he doesn't hurt himself if he falls. It would be better if you lie down with the hamster on your chest.
  • Make sure you're in an enclosed area so the hamster can't escape.
  • Limit your holding time to 10-15 minutes, and for the first time, only hold it for 3-4 minutes. If you hold your hamster for too long, it will try to run away or bite you.
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 18
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 18

Step 3. Buy a hamster ball

A hamster ball is a plastic or rubber ball that your hamster can insert so it can explore your home safely. A hamster ball is basically a hamster wheel for outside the cage.

  • Make sure you buy a ball with a ventilation opening.
  • Wash the ball with soap and water after use. Allow it to dry completely before using it again.
  • Limit ball use to 10-15 minutes and allow your hamster to drink and eat afterwards.
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 19
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 19

Step 4. Make a maze

You can build a maze wall out of anything: glued ice cream sticks, cardboard, blocks, books, and more. Place treats in the maze and watch your hamster explore it. To make sure your hamster doesn't run away, consider placing the maze in a large cardboard box.

Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 20
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 20

Step 5. Put the hamster into the play area with the toys

A safe area with no way to escape can be a play area for hamsters. You can buy all kinds of toys, but your hamster will also enjoy exploring objects in the house such as:

  • Tissue tube and toilet paper
  • Tissue or shoe box
  • paper bag
  • Shoe
  • A ramp (a piece of wood or supported cardboard)
  • Cereal box
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 21
Have Fun With Your Hamster Step 21

Step 6. Watch as the hamster collects food

Hamsters can carry half their body weight in their cheek pouches! Sprinkle seeds or crumbs on the table and watch the hamster collect them. However, be careful when feeding your hamster food. Foods to avoid include:

  • Junk food: pizza, chocolate, chips, pickles, salted peanuts, or other high-salt foods
  • Sour fruits, dried fruits, fruit candy or apple seeds
  • Lettuce, parsley, or rhubarb
  • Avocado, eggplant, onions, peppers, mushrooms, or garlic
  • Potatoes and red beans
  • Red meat

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