What does a hamster need?
Hamsters are cute, small and soft creatures, and both golden hamster og dwarf hamster are popular pets in Norwegian homes. However, there are a number of things you should consider before purchasing a hamster. Even though it is a small animal, it comes with a lot of responsibility. Regardless of whether you want a large dog or a smaller rodent, it is always important that you familiarize yourself with the animal's needs and what it takes to give it a good life. In this article we give a brief introduction - what does a hamster need?
Table of contents
Equipment and food for hamsters
As with any other pet, a hamster needs both different equipment and food. To ensure your rodent is healthy and happy, it is important to provide it with a safe and comfortable home with all the necessary supplies.
Cage
Hamsters are active and curious animals that need a large cage to move around and explore. The cage should be large enough to provide the hamster with varied activity and have a minimum footprint of 80 x 50 cm and be at least 35 cm high. It can be advantageous to have several floors, pipe systems or compartments. Other necessary equipment in the cage includes a running wheel, a chewing stone, a house for it to sleep in and other activity objects. The bottom of the cage should be covered with dust-free small animal litter that can absorb urine and feces.
Sprinkle
It is important that the hamster does not get wood chips as bedding. This is something that it can eat – which in turn can cause constipation. Some people put stringy wool in the cage. Stringy wool can easily get tangled in the hamster's small, fragile legs and cause great damage. In addition, it is also important that the hamster has access to nesting material such as hay, wood wool or unbleached paper.
Cleaning the hamster cage
Hamsters are clean animals, and regular cleaning of your hamster's home (i.e. cage) is important for its well-being. To keep your hamster's cage clean and hygienic, the litter should be changed at least once a week. The cage should also be washed with a mild soap when you change the litter. Most hamsters have a designated "litter corner" where they defecate and relieve themselves. The litter here should be changed daily.
Placement of the hamster cage
When it comes to the location of the hamster cage, this should be in a place in the home that is quiet and peaceful with a comfortable temperature of between 20 and 24 degrees. Hamsters are nocturnal animals – so it may be a good idea to place the cage in a place where their nocturnal activity will not be disturbing. You also need to make sure that the cage is not in direct sunlight or drafts – as this can be harmful to the hamster.
Feed and hamster food
Like almost all other living creatures, hamsters need access to fresh water at all times. Therefore, it is important to have a well-functioning drinking bottle easily accessible, and the water should be replaced daily. The little furballs also need a balanced diet – preferably consisting of high-quality hamster food. They often appreciate fruit and vegetables as additional food – but this should be given in small quantities. Changing food should always be done gradually – as rapid changes in food type can cause stomach problems and diarrhea.
Activation and social contact
By nature, hamsters are meant to live a life of foraging, nesting, and reproduction. They won't be able to do these things if they spend their entire lives in a cage with food ready to go. A hamster that doesn't get enough exercise can become bored, develop behavioral problems, or become sick and overweight. It's important to make sure they get enough exercise and stimulation every day. Take them out on regular walks, but make sure to keep a close eye on them at all times.
The little bodies can quickly disappear into cracks and holes in the wall. A good tip to keep it safe is to make a small enclosure on the floor where it can stay.
How should one handle a hamster?
Unlike dogs, for example, hamsters do not need social contact such as cuddling and petting. However, they can learn to tolerate human handling without becoming scared or feeling threatened.
When handling your hamster, you need to be careful. Their small paws are fragile, and squeezing them too hard can lead to broken bones and injuries. Always approach them calmly and avoid lifting them up high. You can sit on the floor and let them come to you – and offer a few treats to gain their trust. Make sure that socialization takes place on the hamster’s terms and during the active part of their daily routine – not when they need to sleep.
