Caring for a hamster: the basics
Author: Sam MeeganSource: www.hamster-club.com
They may not live as long as some
other household pets, but with a little love and attention hamsters can be very
rewarding pets. When you bring your hamster home for the first time you should
aim to have everything in place to help them settle in to their new home, so
it’s wise to take a trip to the store to pick up essentials.
Your first priority should be
setting up your pet’s living quarters. You may want to opt for a traditional
wire cage, or one of the many rectangular, or multi-storey coloured plastic
homes that are available. Some of the more luxurious hamster homes even come
with their own network of plastic tubes to help keep your litter critter
entertained. Having scope to explore and play is particularly important for
hamsters because unlike other pets they spend the majority of their lives inside
their own little house. To keep them safe when inside, make sure there are no
gaps where they can escape, ensure the cage is free from sharp edges and provide
plenty of soft bedding for them to nestle down in.
Bedding should be non-toxic and
unscented. You will find ready-prepared shredded paper priced fairly cheaply at
most pet stores or use toilet paper as bedding. Other than keeping their cage clean and providing them with
clean food and water, hamsters are very low maintenance pets. They are able to
feed themselves if you put food in shallow bowls into their cage and fit a water
dispenser for them – leaving you to enjoy watching them play.
by Albert Saliba