In the late 1940s, Hamsters were first introduced as pets in the United States. These Syrian native animals have become popular pets because they are easy to care for, odorless, and resistant to disease. In addition, hamsters are also cute, small, and adorable animals. Hamsters make great pets for children, and can be kept in apartments. If you intend to keep one, there are a few things you need to consider before you choose a hamster to take home.
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Method 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Hamster Species, Type, and Gender
Step 1. Find out what type of hamster suits your lifestyle
Like other pets, hamsters have different personalities or 'lifestyles', depending on the breed or species. There are many different hamster species, so it's important to find out about them in order to choose the right (and, of course, fun) hamster species to keep.
- Syrian Hamster – Also known as the golden hamster or teddy bear hamster, the Syrian hamster is the most popular hamster species. Apart from being easy to care for, this hamster can also be a fun pet for children. When kept, it's a good idea for Syrian hamsters to be placed in separate cages from other hamsters. This hamster is also a completely nocturnal creature.
- Campbell's Russian Dwarf Hamster – Unlike the Syrian Hamster, the Russian Campbell's Dwarf Hamster is a more sociable creature and can be kept in groups. While they can be lovely pets, these hamsters are quite difficult to hold. In addition, these hamsters are also more active during the day.
- Russian Dwarf Hamster Winter White -- This hamster has more or less the same temperament and habits as its brother, Campbell's Russian dwarf hamster. They are smaller in size and move faster, and are known to bite frequently when they are afraid or nervous. This hamster may not be suitable for very young children, but its sweet and expressive personality makes it a great pet for older children or adults.
- Roborovski pygmy hamster – Due to their small size (2.5 – 5 centimeters body length) and active nature, the Roborovski pygmy hamster may not be the easiest hamster species to touch or hold. However, these hamsters love to be sociable and have good manners. In addition, this hamster is also a nocturnal animal.
- Chinese Hamster – Also known as the striped hamster, the Chinese hamster has a slightly shy personality, but you can still touch and hold it. This hamster lives a solitary life and can be aggressive if placed in the same cage with other hamsters. In addition, this hamster is also a nocturnal animal.
Step 2. Choose a hamster based on physical characteristics that you like
Different hamster species have different sizes, coat colors, and hair lengths. Even male and female hamsters can have different behavior.
- Hamsters vary in size (length) from 2.5 to 18 centimeters, depending on the species. Smaller hamster species, such as the pygmy hamster, may not be suitable for young children. If you want to hold and interact with your hamster a lot, choose a larger hamster species, such as the Syrian hamster.
- Hamsters also have different coat colors and patterns. Syrian hamsters have golden fur, but sometimes have a brownish pattern that gives them the appearance of a bear (hence, in English they are also known as teddy bear hamsters). Meanwhile, Russian dwarf hamsters have white or gray fur. In general, hamsters have brown fur, although sometimes they can be white, black, and gray. In addition, the color pattern can be shaped like dots or lines.
- You can choose a species of hamster with short hair or long hair, depending on the breeding period. Syrian hamsters are sometimes called 'beautiful' hamsters because of their long, shiny coat.
Step 3. Understand that the sex of the hamster plays a role in shaping its behavior
For example, female hamsters can be more aggressive than male hamsters. If you intend to keep more than one hamster, experts recommend keeping hamsters of the same sex.
Step 4. Ask yourself what kind of interaction you would like to have with your hamster
If you want to hold him and play with him, choose a hamster species that enjoys being social and willing to be touched or held, such as the Syrian hamster. If you simply want to keep an eye on them, the more active species of small hamster, such as the dwarf hamster variety, may be a good choice.
Method 2 of 3: Buying a Hamster
Step 1. Choose a good and quality pet shop or breeder
Try to choose a small pet shop over a large one as the smaller ones may have less 'stock'. This means that the manager or store clerk can spend more time caring for the existing hamsters and making sure they are healthy and ready for sale.
Step 2. Observe the cage and environment in which the hamster is being sold
Make sure the cage and living environment are clean. Also, make sure the hamsters you sell get fresh food, clean bedding, and water. The hamsters must also get sports equipment.
- If there are several hamsters kept in one cage, chances are they are very young. Observe how they interact with each other. The hamsters should appear active and show curiosity when they are awake. In addition, the hamsters should also not be aggressive towards each other.
- Hamsters for sale must appear healthy (well fed) and groomed. In addition, the hamsters should also have clear eyes and shiny fur.
Step 3. Talk to the shop clerk
Another way to assess the quality of a store is to interact or talk to the clerk at the store. Ask a few questions about the hamsters for sale, such as their age and species. The shop staff should know a lot about the hamsters for sale and be ready to help.
Ask for referrals from other customers. If you are not sure about the quality of the pet shop you are visiting, ask the store clerk if the store can provide referrals from other customers. You can ask some of these customers about the hamsters they buy
Step 4. Ask the store clerk to let you hold the hamster before you buy it
If you want to keep a hamster species that you enjoy holding and interacting with, ask if you can hold them before you choose the hamster you want. You need to pay attention to several important aspects of the hamster before buying it.
- Gentle behavior. Make sure the hamster does not feel pressured or anxious when held. It must not bite or squirm.
- Curiosity (not anxiety). The hamster should appear interested in its surroundings, not fearful. If the hamster is walking around his home and sniffing for food, it's a sign that he's feeling calm.
Step 5. Choose a healthy and young hamster
Since a hamster's life span is between 2-3 years, you need to make sure that the hamster you choose is healthy and happy. In general, there are several aspects to consider before you buy a hamster:
- Clean eyes, nose and mouth
- Dry nose (no mucus)
- Shiny fur
- Steady step (no limp)
- Teeth of normal length (not growing too long)
- Cheerful character
- No hair loss
- No clumps on body or fur
Step 6. Bring your hamster home
Usually, pet stores or breeders will provide a small box so you can easily take your hamster home. However, your hamster may feel cooped up or anxious while in the crib, so he may run around, nibble on the crib, or dig.
It is important that you go home immediately after you buy a hamster. Don't let him stress you out or give him a chance to run away
Method 3 of 3: Preparing for a Hamster
Step 1. Don't get sick of having a hamster
Make sure you're not allergic to hamsters or the bedding they use before you buy them. Find out in advance if you have an allergic reaction when you are near hamsters or other rodents at the pet store. Hamster housing can generate a lot of dust due to the bedding in the cage, so make sure you can tolerate it or don't have allergies before you raise a hamster.
Step 2. Use time responsibly
Ask yourself if you would be willing to put in the time and effort to care for your new pet. Even though they are relatively easy to care for, hamsters still need fresh water and food every day. The cage must also be cleaned and supervised frequently for the sake of his health and happiness.
Step 3. Feed and drink your hamster properly
Make sure he gets the right amount of food and drink every day. Do not let you give food and drink in smaller quantities than it should be. If you feed him too much, your hamster will usually hide the food in his mouth or around his habitat.
Step 4. Prepare money to care for your hamster
Keeping a pet certainly requires funds. Make sure you have enough funds to buy food, toys, bedding, and other necessities, and pay for regular visits to the vet.
Step 5. Create a suitable habitat for your hamster
Make sure you have everything ready before bringing your hamster home. The things you will need are:
- Spacious cage – Hamsters love to dig, hide and explore their home. The cage used must be large enough to accommodate these activities.
- Cage safety – Sometimes, hamsters can be little 'magicians'. If you're using a barred cage, make sure the bars are strong and placed close together (with a small space between the bars) so your hamster can't damage them or escape through the gaps in the bars. In addition, the cage used must have a strong door so that it is not easy to open.
- Food and water containers – You should provide your hamster with fresh food and water every day. Hamsters can drink from a water bottle which saves space.
- Items or toys to nibble on – Rodent teeth will continue to grow and elongate, unless the animal can scrape them off. Make sure you provide safe items (eg toys like hamster sticks that can be purchased at a pet supply store) for your hamster to nibble on to keep his teeth under control.
- Cage bedding – Hamsters love to dig and also need something to make them feel comfortable. Use aspen shavings or other soft material to create a comfortable habitat for your hamster. Never use cedar or pine shavings as bedding as they can irritate your hamster's respiratory system.
Tips
- If you want to provide a hamster wheel, choose a wheel that has no bars, as the hamster's feet can get caught in the gaps between the bars.
- Play with your hamster often so he understands that you love him.
- When you bring your hamster home, bring it in a box or container with a cage and food.
- See if your hamster likes the cage. Make sure you understand that his feelings are important things to think about if you want to be his friend.
- Make a fist and let him sniff it. After that, carefully pick up your hamster.
- Don't bathe your hamster. Bathing your hamster can actually strip away the natural oils that protect his skin and fur, putting him at risk of disease or even death. Hamsters can clean themselves naturally.
- Don't make sudden movements or anything like that to prevent him from freaking out and running away, or even clawing at you.
- When buying a hamster, make a purchase at night or in the morning because hamsters are nocturnal animals so both times are their active hours.
- When choosing a hamster, make sure you check its gender.
- Make sure your hamster has pooped (or urinated) before you handle and pick it up.
- If possible, take an experienced hamster owner with you when you want to choose and buy a hamster.
- Before interacting with him, make sure you wait a few days. This way, your hamster will feel more comfortable in its cage and will be less nervous about interacting with it later.
Warning
- If there is a sudden change in behavior, try taking your hamster to the vet as the change could signal that he is sick.
- Dwarf hamsters sometimes like to bite so for beginners, try to keep a Syrian hamster (unless you feel 'challenged' to keep one). If hamster bites are not a problem, you can have a dwarf hamster. Some hamsters may start to bite when you try to touch or hold them. However, after getting used to the habit will usually disappear.
- If neglected, your hamster can become irritated. If you can only spend 1 hour a day caring for your hamster, you shouldn't decide to have a hamster just yet.
- If you choose a dwarf hamster, do not be careless in choosing a cage. Choose a cage specifically designed for dwarf hamsters. Each hamster should be placed in a cage specifically designed for the species or breed.
