Hello PA! This wiki is all about hamster care.

Written by:

Dovi

Some images taken by:

Ky

Images found by:

Dovi

Sources found by:

Ky

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Table of Contents

➢Hamsters in the wild

➢Enclosure

➢(to be added)Cage types

➢Enrichment

➢Diet

➢Body language

➢Maintenance

➢(to be added)Common illnesses

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Natural habitat

Diffrent hamster species originated for diffrent places around the world! The most common pet hamster in the pet trade, the Syrian hamster comes from like the name suggests from Syria. They can be usally found in dessert and rocky areas of land. While it's not impossible to find hamsters in Syria it can be challenging to find them due to the fact they are nocturnal. And when you do finally find one in the wild you will see they might not look like the Syrian hamsters in captivity. Syrian hamsters have been bred in captivity for the longest which means they have gone through many changes.

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Enclosures

Hamster enclosures, while a critical part of good care, are often overlooked. Most widely sold cages are much to small to be considered appropriate, they won’t fit the hamsters proper needs nor have space for enrichment.

The widley accepted minimum across many countries such as Canada and America is 450 square inches of unbroken floor space. Although many believe it should be much more, for example, German animal welfare organizations have the largest size minimum recommendations at 50cm by 100cm, which is approximately 740 square inches of floor space. While there are a few commercial cages on the market that just reach the 450 square inch minimum, the more frequent choice for hamster habitats are aquariums (40 gallon long or larger) or for lower cost, bin cages.

For Syrians it is highly suggested you have at least 600sq inches of unbroken floorspace with at least 5 inches of burrow space.

There are many signs you can look for to see if your hamster is in need of an upgrade. Keep in mind even if your cage is over the minimum some hamsters still may not be content until they have more space. If your hamster begins pacing, running around his cage, attempting to climb or is just generally hyperactive, this may their attempt to release built up stress. Aggression from your hamster is another big red flag! If your hamster is becoming aggressive they are showing you they are unhappy, likely stressed. If the biting is happening on the bars of their cage, or any other attempt by them is frequently being made to escape it’s important to acknowledge the signs they are showing you and upgrade their cage or enrichment!

Inside the enclosure, a minimum of 6 inches of bedding is necessary to allow for burrowing. A water source either by bottle or bowl is also essential. At least 3 hides or more is usually recommended to give the hamster lots of places they feel safe. An upright wheel at the proper size, 10-12 inches for syrians, 6.5-8 inches for a dwarf, is a necessity. Finally, as their teeth grow constantly, chews, ideally of many textures, are needed also.

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Cage types

Check out this post all about the different types of cages, pros and cons!

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Enrichment

By Dovi

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Hamsters are very active and friendly pets, which is why they need items to enrich their life in their homes.

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Wheels

Wheels are necessary for hamsters, as they run 5+ miles every single day. Wheels should be big enough to not make their backs curve. For syrians the minimum diameter (size across the front of the wheel) is 10-12” (25.4-30cm). They should be solid and not made from wire or any other material that has holes in it, as that can cause bumblefoot in hamsters, a wheel should be solid plastic, wood or acrylic.

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Chew toys

Chew toys are also very necessary as hamsters incisors never stop growing. To combat chewing their wheel, stressing out and being not able to eat. Owners should provide a wide variety of small animal safe chews, like apple tree sticks. At least 2 should always be provided and changed out as needed.

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Hides/tunnels

Hides and tunnels provide a safe place for hamsters to retract to if scared or if they want to include it in their burrow, besides this, if wooden they can be chewed. Keep in mind they don’t replace chew toys.

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Bedding

Bedding should be paper, kiln dried pine or aspen. You can always add in a bit of straw or mix different types of bedding for enrichment, but one type is fine. Straw should never be the main bedding. The bedding should be at least 6” (15cm), but some countries, like suggest 20” (50cm).

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Play pens

Play pens are something really suggested as that's where they can look and scavenge in more, having fun and trying out new things. It is also a great alternative for hamster balls, as those have been proven to be unsafe. Adding items that aren’t in their cage will make them explore.

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Dig towers/boxes

These boxes can provide extra space for digging, keep in mind even with them please keep the bedding at the minimum, as these towers are just for enrichment.

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Sand baths

Sand baths are necessary to syrian hamsters and they should be provided with a big dish that has 1” of sand (not chinchilla dust, it’s too fine and can start respiratory problems). Play sand is completely fine. While it’s not necessary for dwarfs, it’s useful to have it for enrichment.

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Hanging toys

Hanging toys are a great thing to add to cages for hamsters who love climbing, as it discourages bar climbing.

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Hamster Diet

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Hamsters are Omnivores,meaning they eat plants and meat. Hamsters like to pack their food into their cheeks! Please try not to feed your hamster a muesli-style food mix as it is high in sugar and fiber. Now hamsters are like most rodents,their teeth will always grow. Meaning they enjoy to chew.

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Hamsters should be fed fruits and vegetables as well hamster pellets(without muesli-style)/Lab block . Make sure you mix seeds with your pellets/lab block. Your hamster also needs chlorine free water available all the time also give them boiled eggs,mealworms,or nuts as treats.

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Hamster scavenge for their food in the wild so you may want to scatter their food around their cage as it makes it more fun and natural for your hamster.

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Hamsters eat fruit,veggies,and herbs. Make sure to wash them before providing and make sure your hamster is only given a small amount each feeding. Some safe veggies,fruits,and herbs are: Carrot,Broccoli, Cabbage,Cauliflower ,Chicory,Spinach,Sweet peppers,Cucumber,Cress,Courgette,Apple,Pear

,Peach, Melon, Basil, Sage, Parsley, Coriander.

Also when feeding fruits avoid citrus fruits like grapefruit,oranges, lemons,or limes.

Fat is what gives us energy,while to much fat is bad,to little is bad too. Fiber is for a healthy digestive system. Fiber is 6%-15% in their diet

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Now Guaranteed Analysis (GA) is found on the packaging of your food for your hamster. Here are some things to look out for:

<6 months

Protein: 19-20%, fat: 7-8%, fiber: 8-10%

6-18 months

Protein: 17-18%, fat: 6-7%, fiber: 10-12%

>18 months

Protein: 15%, fat: 6-7%, fiber: 12-15%

GA is usually shown by age.

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| :hamster: | :hamster: |

☆Body/Behavior Language☆

Written by KawaiiDuck • :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower: :sunflower:

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Hello! In this section, you will learn about 20 common behaviors hamsters do that will indicate how they are feeling. Enjoy and be sure to always ask for help if your hamster doesn't seem to be doing something normal!

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Burrowing

Have you ever seen your Hamster burrow or dig in it's bedding before? Or perhaps just hiding out?

•What it Means•

This means that the Hamster is in search of something like a treat it hid or just playing around meaning it's happy.

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Ears Erect

Ever seen your Hamster stand still having it's ears pointing straight up trying to listen for something?

•What it Means•

This means the Hamster is in alert mode, meaning it heard something that may seem dangerous and is trying to figure out where it's coming from and what it could be.

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Grooming

Do you ever wonder what your Hamster feels when it's grooming? Feeling a bit uneasy or messed up?

•What it Means•

This means the Hamster is seeking reassurance and is alright with it's life and everything going on.

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Stretching

Ever see your hamster stretch at random moments? Are they tired, perhaps stiff?

•What it Means•

Streching is a sign that means the Hamster is happy with it's life and feels great about everything, basically relaxing itself.

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Puffed up Hamster

Ever see your Hamster have it's ears pointed forward with it's cheeks puffed up baring it's teeth?

•What it Means•

This means the Hamster is frightened and is trying to get rid of the building stress. Please try to calm your hamster when this happens.

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Emptying Pouch Quickly

Ever seen your Hamster stash food in its cheeks and then immediately remove it all and run?

•What it Means•

This means the Hamster senses danger and is emptying it's pouch so it can run and hide away faster. Please be sure to keep your Hamster safe or check everything for dangerous items or predators around.

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Standing up with it's Dukes up

Ever seen your Hamster stand on it's hind legs with it's little arms up and paws open?

•What it Means•

Dont get confused with it being curious, it is in a stance that means defending itself from danger, meaning it's getting ready to attack if you don't back off.

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Startled

This is probably common for when a hamster is introduced to it's new owner but have you ever tried petting your hamster and have it flinch away from you?

•What it Means•

This means the Hamster is not comfortable with you near it and is unsure what to do about it. This means you will need to work on having a better relationship with your Hamster.

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Ears back and eyes narrow

Ever seen your Hamster all of a sudden have it's ears backed up and it's eyes start narrowing?

•What it Means•

This means the Hamster is suspicious and doesn't not know what is happening.

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Layed back with Teeth showing

Have you ever seen your Hamster suddenly lay on it's back and bare its teeth at you?

•What it Means•

This is another sign that your Hamster is frightened and is trying to defend itself. If your hamster does this to you then please work on having a stronger connection and gain trust from it.

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Creeping along side it's cage and or Surroundings

Have you ever wondered what your hamster was feeling when it was creeping along the wall of it's enclosure or surroundings?

•What it Means•

This means the Hamster is unsure of where it is at and is trying to make sure it's surrounding is safe.

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Freezing

Have you ever seen your Hamster fall and or freeze at it's place? Did it get a heart attack?

•What it Means•

This means that the Hanster is frightened and is frozen at it's place to either not be noticed or playing dead hoping that the predator won't attack them.

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Chattering Teeth

Ever hear your Hamster start chattering it's teeth? Are they cold or afraid for some reason?

•What it Means•

This means that your Hamster is giving you a warning sign to back off or they will attack, please be sure to never interact with your hamster when they are doing this, you could get hurt.

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Shyness/Hiding

Ever wanted to just cuddle with your hamster but when you try to get them they start to hide or become shy? Or hiding when others come to say hi?

•What it Means•

This means that your Hamster is stressed and does not want attention at the moment, causes to this may be loud noises, aggressive Hamster, or eager children.

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Squeaking

Ever just hear your hamster squeak at times? Are they happy, scared, hungry, perhaps hurt?

•What it Means•

It may mean a little of each or nothing at all. Sometimes it may be a mating call for when it's looking for a mate, maybe frightened or startled, or even just happy. Nothing much to worry about.

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Unresponsive

Ever just try to hold your hamster or give it a treat and have it just sit there or just doesn't respond to you normally?

•What it Means•

This means your Hamster is sick and may need a veterinarian to figure out what's wrong with it. If it's a hamster that doesn't really like you and it becomes unresponsive to your touch, then immediately bring it to a veterinarian, unresponsive hamsters may mean it's hurt.

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Lazy or Lethargic

Have you ever just tried to hold or see your Hamster and it barely moves? Or seems sluggish and lazy all the time?

•What it Means•

It may mean your Hamster is ill or a bit under the weather, sluggishness isn't normal in a hamster, please check with a veterinarian if your hamster seems lazy or sluggish just to be safe.

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Biting/Nipping

Have you ever housed two hamsters or try to hold yours and have it bite or nip each other or you?

•What it Means•

If it's between two hamsters it just means they are frightened and are in defense mode, they will need to trust each other, try to put them together another time. If it's biting you please be sure to tame it and work on having a better relationship as it does not trust you at the moment.

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Attacking

Nipping and biting is one thing but fighting is another. Ever housed two ore more hamsters and have them attack each other?

•What it Means•

It means they don't like each other and are willing to fight if it means getting injured. Hamsters won't normally fight humans but if it does please put it away immediately. If it's between the hamsters please separate them.

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Repeating Itself

Have you ever seen a hamster do the same behavior over and over again for days and days?

•What it Means•

It means that your Hamster is mentally ill and has a plain life. Ways to fix this would be to get a larger cage and or more enrichment toys for it.

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Maintance

By Dovi

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Hamsters should have a clean environment. Here is how to maintain your hamsters environment.

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Daily

-Change their uneaten/unhidden food

-Clean wheel

-Change water

-Remove chewed toys if needed

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Weekly

-Spot clean bedding

-Remove hidden food

-Clean sand bath

-+Everything you should do daily

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Monthly

-Clean out bedding (don't remove all, only some that seems dirty)

-Wipe down glass (if in tank or acrylic enclosure)

-+Everything you do weekly

-+Everything you should do daily

ing sources:

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