Keeping, caring for and employing hamsters in a species-appropriate manner
Where does the hamster come from?
Most hamsters come from arid or temperate zones throughout Eurasia. Only the golden hamster is native to Syria and is therefore also called the Syrian golden hamster. The field hamster is native to this country. It reaches a weight of 200 to 650 grams, making it one of the largest hamster species. Unfortunately, the hamster is threatened with extinction.
Hamsters are rodents related to mice and belong to the burrowing genus. They live in underground passages and burrows that they build themselves and, if possible, use for the rest of their lives. Hamsters are clean, tidy animals that divide their housing into different areas such as sleeping caves, food stores or toilets. They tidy up and keep their apartment clean.
Hamsters as pets
The approximately 20 different species vary in colour, size and body structure. The following types of hamsters, which differ greatly in terms of size, appearance and character, are probably the best known in pet keeping:
- Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): Medium-sized hamster species that is very popular as a pet and has a wide natural range. Zoologically it is called the Syrian middle hamster. He has smooth, short, and mostly cream-colored fur. Thanks to golden hamster breeding, there are even more fur variants and colors today.
- Teddy hamster: The teddy hamster, also known as the Angora hamster, is a variant of the golden hamster and not a separate species. It is similar in appearance and size, but has long fur.
- Dwarf hamster: The generic term dwarf hamster summarizes several naturally occurring hamster species. They are very popular as pets. The largest species is the Chinese dwarf or striped hamster. As the smallest species, the Roborowski hamster finds fans among hamster keepers. The Djungarian hamster is visually striking and appealing.
Should you keep a hamster alone?
In their homeland - the predominantly dry areas of Eurasia - the animals live as loners and only seek the proximity of other animals during the mating season. Therefore, as pets, you should always keep them individually. Socialization usually leads to fights and rivalries among the hamsters.
An exception are certain dwarf hamster species such as the Djungarian hamster. They live in very small territories and often even accept a hamster in the immediate vicinity. It is important that the animals grow up together. Two female dwarf hamsters are usually more compatible than two dwarf hamster buddies. If you want to try this, you need a lot of space, a well-designed enclosure and a plan B in case there are heated arguments that make it necessary to separate the animals. Each animal must have at least one square meter of living space available in such an attitude.
Characteristics and character of the hamster
With their soft and often fluffy fur, hamsters are made for snuggling and snuggling. However, appearances are deceptive. The nocturnal animals need a lot of rest during the day and like to crawl into the darkest place. At night they dig, dig and run almost continuously. If your hamster does not get enough rest after an active night, it will become irritable and aggressive. Even loud music or playing children can disturb his peace.
Hamsters spend a lot of time foraging, but are rarely playful. If you want to keep a hamster busy, do so with toys that allow the hamster to reach food.
Can you cuddle a hamster?
Hamsters rarely like advance attempts and cuddles. With a lot of patience, a few treats and taking into account the daily rhythm, some animals can be tamed. They then sit calmly and without stress on the palm of your hand and accept treats. However, hamsters never become extensive cuddle partners.
Is a hamster suitable for children?
Hamsters are suitable pets for anyone who takes their special needs into account. If they are kept in a household with small children, they need a quiet place away from the family hustle and bustle. For older children who stay up a little late in the evening, hamsters are cute pets that are easy to watch. They dig tunnels, scratch in the sand, work out in the wheel and like to hide.
Hamsters offer a lot of entertainment for young and old. However, if you are a light sleeper yourself, you should be selective when choosing the location for the hamster cage. Because the animals can turn up the heat properly at night.
A hamster cage is therefore not a good idea for the children's room. Despite their small size, the small rodents make a lot of noise and dirt - especially at night.
The optimal equipment for your hamster
A hamster needs space. The bigger the cage, the better. After all, the animals in the wild are constantly digging tunnels, looking for places to hide and walking a few meters every day. A cage with several levels is ideal, where there is a lot to discover and try out. Climbing is less in demand. It is better if each level offers tubes, tunnels, houses and thick bedding.
The cage should have a high rim at the bottom so that there is enough litter for small animals for lots of digging fun. A litter made of hemp, straw or wood is best.
In the wild, hamsters spend most of the night looking for food. Since food does not have to be searched for in cages, sufficient play and hiding places offer the necessary variety. Sleeping houses, climbing facilities, bowls for sand belts, obstacles, running wheels and dens are ideal for hamsters. Make sure that all products are made of natural materials, because the little rodents tend to nibble on everything that gets in their way.
Running out in the apartment – does that make sense?
If you actually have a hamster that you can tame, you can offer it opportunities to play in your home. A separate area is important, but you can equip it with a course of seesaws, bridges and climbing equipment so that you can experience something together with your hamster late in the evening. Of course, no animal should be left unattended, because the little rodents quickly escaped.
The animals do not have a good sense of height and would throw themselves off a table or dresser without hesitation. It is best to only let your hamster run around on the ground and secure the area all around with erectable bars or other limiting walls.
What do hamsters eat and what do you have to watch out for?
Should hamsters eat tomatoes? How many veggies do you need? Can hamsters eat bananas and do they also need animal food?
A species-appropriate and natural food is the basis of a vital and long life for your hamster. In the great outdoors, seeds, fruits, grains and leaves are on the daily menu. Small insects and worms also serve as valuable sources of protein. For this reason, the food for your caged hamster should always be very varied. A mixture of ready-made feed, fresh feed and animal protein is ideal.
Dry and fresh food for daily needs
Ready mixes usually contain millet, oats, buckwheat, corn, wild seeds, herbs and various seeds. With a balanced content of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and protein, a ready-mix should make up about 50 percent of the diet. Fresh food, on the other hand, should also be fed daily. You have the option of cutting and preparing different vegetables or different types of fruit yourself every day or choosing a ready-made mix of fresh and natural ingredients.
The question of whether hamsters can eat tomatoes can be answered with a clear "yes". The same goes for bananas. But be careful with the sweet fruit, because bananas contain a lot of sugar and will quickly make your hamster overweight.
Animal protein - what can my hamster eat and what not?
Animal protein should be a small proportion of about 15 percent on the menu. Only dwarf hamsters and young animals as well as pregnant hamsters should eat more animal proteins. Some ready mixes already contain dried shrimp or mealworms. The products can also be bought separately.
Keep in mind that only 15 percent of the daily ration consists of animal protein. With a recommended dry food ratio of around 15 grams per day for dwarf hamsters and 20 grams for golden hamsters, the amount of animal protein is extremely low. About two to three small pieces of dry food or five to six mealworms are sufficient.
Fatty products such as chocolate, cheese, or bacon are not suitable. They have no place in the hamster cage and in the hamster bags.
How often do I have to feed my hamster?
Your hamster should have constant access to good quality, fresh hay. There is also dry food and fresh food such as grass, herbs, fruit and vegetables. The latter must be served fresh every day – preferably several times in small quantities.
Of course, not only should your hamster have unrestricted access to the hay, but also to the water. There are also suitable water dispensers that don't get dirty even if your hamster digs wildly all over the place at night.
Caution: hamsters hoard, that is, they carry supplies to their homes. They do this not only with hay and dry fodder, but also with fresh fodder. Especially in summer, the food in the house will rot and mold after a few hours. It is best to remove the leftovers daily before you provide fresh food.
Proper care for your hamster
Hamsters are very clean animals. Like cats, they keep their fur clean by licking. The small rodents can also easily take care of their teeth and fur themselves if they are kept in a manner appropriate to their species. The sand bath is used to wear off their claws while digging and to clean their fur. Chewing on natural objects and using the right food supports abrasion of the teeth and makes an important contribution to oral hygiene. Here you can find out more about the ideal care program for small hamsters.
How often do you change hamster bedding?
The cage should be cleaned regularly. In particular, you should clean the places where your hamster prefers to do its business every day. Because hamsters are not only particularly clean but also sensitive animals. Bacteria and fungi can quickly multiply in the cage and affect your hamster's health.
Hamster Life Expectancy: How Old Do Hamsters Get?
Despite good care, hamsters usually do not have a long life expectancy and live on average two to four years. You should think this over carefully before you buy. It is also important - precisely because the animals are so sensitive - to buy your hamster from a reputable breeder or small pet dealer. And also in animal welfare, many hamsters are always waiting for a new home.
How much does a hamster cost a month?
The cost of buying a hamster is usually between 15 and 30 euros, depending on the type of hamster. Even if the purchase is cheap - the initial equipment from the cage to the bedding and play facilities is not. Depending on the choice of the enclosure, it can be very expensive. On average, the initial equipment costs about 250 euros. Your hamster will cost you between 10 and 40 euros per month, depending on how it is kept and how intensively it is cared for.
Poor posture: what not to do with a hamster?
Because of their size and low price alone, hamsters are popular “beginner pets”. Unfortunately, many owners underestimate the effort involved in keeping them in a species-appropriate manner. Veterinarians and breeding clubs, therefore, point out the following mistakes that are often made in hamster keeping.
- Cage too small: Many of the commercially available hamster cages are much too small for the active animals that love to run around. Your hamster needs at least one square meter of space. The grids are also unfavorable. Better is an enclosure with a high rim to litter really thickly. This is the only way your hamster can dig to its heart's content.
- Impellers: When it comes to impellers, the bigger the better. Small running wheels damage the backs of the animals. The sides and the running surface must be closed, otherwise serious accidents can occur.
- Hamster cotton: Stay away from hamster cotton. It wraps itself around the little legs and cuts off the blood. Unscented kitchen towels or other litter from the pet store are more suitable.
- Socialization: A hamster does not need a roommate. The loners actually feel most comfortable all alone!
- Running freely without supervision: It is not uncommon for hamsters to disappear when they run out of the apartment, never to be seen again. Keep an eye on your hamster and use a secured area.
- Sleep Disorder: Hamsters are nocturnal. They sleep during the day. If they are disturbed, it will damage their mood and their health.
Hamsters: all about employment, care and husbandry
Hamsters are funny little loners who can bring a lot of joy to their owner. However, not all hamsters are the same, because there are many different types of hamsters - from dwarf hamsters to golden hamsters. Every animal has its own requirements in terms of care, food and occupation. In our guide you will find out everything about the cute rodents and what your hamster really needs for a happy and species-appropriate life.
Where does the hamster actually come from?
Hamsters are related to mice and belong to the genus of burrowers. The approximately 20 different species vary in colour, size and body structure . The dwarf hamster and the golden hamster are probably the most well-known pets. But there are also breed-specific differences in appearance. Here you can find out everything about the differences between European hamsters, golden hamsters and dwarf hamsters .
Most hamsters come from Eurasia. Only the golden hamster is native to Syria and is also correctly called the Syrian golden hamster. In the predominantly dry areas, the animals live as loners and only seek the proximity of other animals during the mating season. Therefore, you should always keep them individually, even as pets. Socialization usually leads to fights and rivalries among the hamsters.
Characteristics and character of the hamster
With their soft and often fluffy fur, hamsters are made for snuggling and snuggling. However, appearances are deceptive. The nocturnal animals need a lot of rest during the day and like to crawl into the darkest place. At night they dig, dig and run almost continuously. If your hamster does not get enough rest after an active night, it will react irritably and aggressively. Even loud music or playing children can disturb his peace.
Hamsters rarely like advance attempts and cuddles. With a lot of patience, a few treats and taking into account the daily rhythm, some animals can be tamed. However, they never become extensive cuddle partners.
Who is a hamster good for?
Hamsters are suitable pets for anyone who takes their special needs into account. If they are kept in a household with small children, they need a quiet place away from the family hustle and bustle. For older children, who can stay up a little longer in the evening, hamsters are cute pets that you like to watch. They dig tunnels, scratch in the sand, work out in the wheel and like to hide.
So hamsters offer a lot of entertainment for big and small. However, if you are a light sleeper yourself, you should also reconsider the location of the hamster cage. Because the animals can make a lot of noise at night.
The optimal equipment for your hamster
A hamster needs space. The bigger the cage, the better. After all, the animals in the wild are constantly digging tunnels, looking for places to hide and walking a few meters every day. A cage with several levels is ideal , on which there is a lot to discover and try out.
The cage should have a high edge in the lower area so that there is enough small animal litter available for lots of digging fun. A litter made of hemp, straw or wood is best.
In the wild, hamsters spend most of the day foraging for food. Since food does not have to be searched for in cages, sufficient play and hiding places offer the necessary variety. Sleeping houses, climbing facilities, bowls for sand belts, obstacles, running wheels and dens are ideal for hamsters. Make sure that all products are made of natural materials, because the little rodents tend to nibble on everything that gets in their way.
If you actually have a tame hamster, you can also offer it play opportunities in the apartment. A separate area is important, but you can equip it with a course of seesaws, bridges and climbing equipment so that you can experience something together with your hamster late in the evening. Of course, no animal should be left unattended, because the small rodents quickly escaped.
The right food ensures the well-being of hamsters
A species-appropriate and natural food is the basis of a vital and long life for your hamster. In the great outdoors, seeds, fruits, grains and leaves are on the daily menu. Small insects and worms also serve as valuable sources of protein. For this reason, the food for your hamster should always be very varied, even when kept in cages. A mixture of ready-made feed, fresh feed and animal protein is ideal.
Ready mixes usually contain millet, oats, buckwheat, corn, wild seeds, herbs and various seeds. With a balanced content of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and protein, a ready-mix should make up around 50% of the diet. Fresh food, on the other hand, should also be fed daily. You have the option of cutting and preparing different vegetables or different types of fruit yourself every day or choosing a ready-made mix of fresh and natural ingredients.
The following foods are particularly suitable for your hamster:
- apples
- Grapes (without seeds)
- Parsely
- dandelion
- carrots
- Saddlery
- strawberries
- Cucumber
- tomatoes
- Paprika
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
Animal protein should only be a small percentage of about 15% on the menu. Only dwarf hamsters and young animals as well as pregnant hamsters should eat more animal proteins. Some ready mixes already contain dried shrimp or mealworms. The products can also be bought separately.
Of course, your hamster should not only have unrestricted access to food, but also to water. There are also suitable water dispensers that don't get dirty even if your hamster digs all over the place at night.
The right care for your hamster
Hamsters are very clean animals. Like cats, they keep their fur clean by licking. The small rodents can also easily take care of their teeth and fur themselves if they are kept in a species-appropriate manner. The sand bath is used to wear off their claws while digging and also to clean their fur. Chewing on natural objects and the right food supports the natural abrasion of the teeth and makes an important contribution to oral hygiene. Here you can find out more about the ideal care program for small hamsters .
The cage should be cleaned regularly. In particular, you should clean the places where your hamster prefers to do its business every day. Because hamsters are not only particularly clean, but also sensitive animals. Bacteria and fungi can quickly multiply in the cage and affect your hamster's health.
What else you should consider with your hamster
Despite good care, hamsters usually do not have a long life expectancy and live on average two to four years . You should think this over carefully before you buy. In addition, it is important, precisely because the animals are so sensitive, that you buy your hamster from a reputable breeder or small pet dealer. And also in animal welfare, many hamsters are always waiting for a new home. The cost of an animal is usually between 15 and 30 euros depending on the hamster species. Nevertheless, you should know that although the acquisition costs for a hamster are low, the initial equipment from the cage to the bedding and play facilities can be expensive in some cases.
At Fressnapf you will not only find lots of information, tips and advice about your hamster, but also everything that the rodent heart needs at particularly low prices and in excellent quality.
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