What to keep a hamster in
You can keep your pet in a cage or a kind of aquarium – but a well-aired one, with excellent ventilation and a small mesh on top. At first, in its new place, the hamster will be nervous, so do not bother it. You can even cover the cage with a blanket so that the rodent settles in, gets used to the new smells, and arranges its home. As a substrate the ideal option is a wood-based one. Under no circumstances should you place newspaper or paper at the bottom of the home. The hamster will eat all of it and die.
Also, so that the hamster does not get bored, place a wheel and small tunnels at the bottom of the cage. The pet will find something to keep itself occupied. Be sure to set aside a small litter tray, a drinker, and a place for food. Lay out special twigs on which the rodent will clean its teeth.
The cage with its new occupant should be placed away from drafts and direct sunlight. Hamsters are very timid and any noise is real stress for them.
How to care for a hamster
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Get used to it – you will have to clean the rodent’s litter tray every day. Otherwise an unpleasant smell that will permeate the whole apartment cannot be avoided. At least once a week you need to completely change all the substrate, as well as the drinker and the feeder. You should also relocate the hamster once every two weeks and wash its home with household soap, so that bacteria do not spread.
In fact, hamsters are very clean and know how to wash themselves. However, it will not hurt to periodically brush the fur with a special soft brush. You can also rub a small drop of baby oil into the coat. This way you will protect the pet’s skin from drying out, and the fur will become shiny and silky. Pay attention to the claws – if they have become too long, they need to be trimmed by a specialist.
What to feed a hamster
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Veterinarians advise buying ready-made balanced food, which is sold at any pet store. A hamster needs to be fed once a day. But do not overfill the feeder, since hamsters are very gluttonous and sometimes do not know when to stop. And this threatens gastrointestinal problems. It is permitted to give a little bit of natural fresh foods as well – pumpkin, cucumbers, apples, greens, broccoli, bananas. But not often, no more than three times a week. The rest of the foods from the human table are forbidden.
Fresh water should be topped up daily.
Walks
Sometimes pets need to be given freedom, but in a confined space. Do not forget that hamsters are very active and nimble. So do not take your eyes off them. Veterinarians do not advise letting hamsters out onto city lawns and grass, since there is a risk of catching an infection and parasites. It is better to give them room in the apartment, but under your attentive supervision.
