What You Need to Know! Additional human foods your hamster can safely eat include: Brown rice cooked Cooked chicken Hard-boiled eggs Whole grain bread and cereal. Not all human foods are suitable for hamsters.
Avoid junk food at all costs. Additionally, avoid feeding your pet sugared, salted, or seasoned foods. Try giving her a small piece mixed in with her regular pellets to see if she likes it. Hamsters can pig out on a wide variety of human foods. Just be sure to give your pet these treats in moderation to avoid excess weight gain. Nobody likes a tubby hamster!
Actually, Dwarf types are harder to handle, and as such are best left as observational pets. A bit like fish, but cuddly and much faster. Make sure you get home and have his cage set up beforehand. You can read here about the recommended cage sizes for each hamster type, and how to pick one out for your hamster. Toys and food bowl, should be available and already in place when your hammy comes home for the first time.
As well as a running wheel for your hamster, and browsing a nice selection according to hamster breed will be useful to pick out a good exercise wheel. And finally, a bit of food and a treat in his cage will help your hamster settle in easier. This means that the hamster himself will be the last thing you buy when you decide to get this cuddly pet.
The transition from being with his siblings, and then being put in a box, and then put in another box is very disorienting and stressful, and hamsters are very very bad at handling stress. Open a side of the box, and from then on leave the hammy alone. Talk to him when you walk past his cage, and dedicate some minutes every day to just let him smell you. Do not touch or try to handle him at all for a couple of days.
Is a hamster really the pet for you? This is a question you should ask yourself very seriously. Me included. In this respect, a hamster is more like a cat, if you will. He has a lot of personality, for being so incredibly small. And he can be aloof and hard to read sometimes. And they are definitely not suited for small children, no matter what else you hear. If you want to get a more in-depth view on what owning a hamster is like, and some pros and cons, you need to check this article.
A word from Teddy I hope you found what you were looking for here, and know how to pick out the best hammy. I know us hamsters can be the cutest things ever, but we have our own personalities.
So, make sure you check out the health and personality of your new friend before bringing him home. If you want to know more about us hammies, you should check out the related articles below for more info Four Reasons Your Hamster is Making Weird Breathing Noises Hamsters may be bite-sized but, thanks to their upkeep demands, they are more than a handful.
Taking care of the little furballs is almost a full-time job sometimes. Doing everything correctly might not even be enough though, and a myriad of strange things can pop up seemingly out of nowhere. Today we take a deep-dive into one of these problems: strange breathing noises.
We explore some of the frequent problems and hamster quirks that may result in little Penfold producing unusual and worrying sounds. Coughs and colds2. Respiratory infection and allergies3. Behavioral 1. Coughs and colds If your little pet suddenly wakes up one morning with ghastly sounding wheezes, sneezes, and generally labored breathing, he may be reeling from a case of the sniffles. Of course, it may be more serious so we always recommend a quick visit to a veterinarian…just to be sure. Maybe you left the window by his or her cage open a touch too long the previous day.
Yes, hamsters can just as easily catch colds as we can, and from people or other pets. Coughs are usually innocuous and of little consequence. They come and go as randomly as they do with humans. Any longer than that though, and it could be a hint at something a bit more serious. You can identify a cold in your hamster by listening to its breathing, and observing its nose for excess wetness.
What you want to do in this scenario is to isolate the hamster from any other pets you have. This could save you from the inconvenience of caring for more animals. Try to keep the hamster warm and make it feels safe with soothing talk. The majority of hamster species originate from tropical to desert climes, which means that they are not big fans of the cold. Nudge it to eat something break it down yourself when you need to and make sure to consistently hydrate. We recommend that you use a water dropper to help your hamster keep its fluids up.
If you have transferred the hamster to a temporary cage, you should clean his or her regular cage thoroughly to disinfect it. Don a trusty pair of latex gloves and get to work. Change the bedding, get rid of all waste, and scrub the cage vigorously. Use a bleach-based solution approximately one part bleach, nine parts water to do this.
Take care to rinse the cage properly so as not to expose the hamster to harmful fumes. Respiratory infection and allergies Hamsters can easily fall victim to a myriad of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. These frequently present themselves through symptoms like heavy breathing, wheezing, and clicking noises. Sneezing is another symptom to look out for with these illnesses. Allergies are not uncommon for hamsters either, and susceptible individuals can have their reactions triggered by almost anything.
While a mildly drafty room might not seem like a big deal for you, it is a serious hazard for your little rodent friend. As stated above, hamsters need relatively warm temperatures for them to be comfortable. Prolonged exposure to a draft, combined with the inability to burrow underground for warmth because of being in a cage , results in an increased risk of serious pneumonia.
Your hamster will literally be clawing for each and every breath, with raspy wheezes. At this point, you will be in a race against time. Your best bet is to rush to the vet but that might not be enough. Chronic bronchitis is an illness that is usually associated with smokers. I know times can get stressful for anybody but I highly doubt that your little hamster is lighting up under the cover of darkness.
Yet hamsters can get lung disease, resulting in irritating coughs and wheezy breathing. Causes are unclear, but it may be an allergic reaction or simply a genetic defect. Captive hamsters have been subjected to inbreeding for generations. As pet merchants sought to make hamsters as cute and docile as possible, a wide range of genetic problems including propensity towards respiratory diseases was passed on and on.
A National Institute of Health NIH study even used hamsters as models for the effects of emphysema and chronic bronchitis in people. Once again, genetic problems are the likeliest cause of most cases. If your hamster has a lineage that traces back to areas exposed to alpha radiation such as uranium or halogen mining towns , it might be at risk of developing lung cancer at some point.
This first develops as a series of tumors along the trachea and the bronchi. These cause the animal to cough and make unusual clicking noises. Eventually, the lungs will gradually break down. Your vet will be your guide through this difficult period.
Hibernation One day you might find your hamster face down and lying lifeless in his cage, just hours after you last saw him as his usually sprightly self at breakfast. A dead giveaway no pun is the slight and soft breathing. Hibernation for domestic hamsters is a little different than for wild animals who also tuck in for the winter. The likelihood of a hamster hibernating depends on a few factors.
Most hamsters have had that instinct erased from their genetic memories thanks to selective breeders who, doubtlessly, did not want the hassle of selling pets that sleep for a third of the year. However, if yours is still in touch with its wild roots, so to speak, the drive to hibernate may still lie dormant.
The second factor depends on the environment. Behavioral Some breathing noises that your hamster will make from time to time might seem strange, but, more often than not, these are just part of natural behavior displays.
One common noise that might worry first-time hamster owners is the clicking noise. This sound is extremely sharp and incessant in some cases. Hamsters usually make the clicking noise when they are frightened or in an aggressive mood. Who knew that hamsters can get tired of all the kisses and cuddles? Well, now you do. When your hamster just wants some alone time or is feeling angry or afraid, he will issue this incessant clicking as a warning for you to back off.
Sometimes your hamster will make squeaky sounds while it is asleep. This is also normal and no need for alarm. Like you and me, hamsters are capable of having engaging dreams that demand real-world re-enactment. Maybe he or she dreams about scurrying through the bushes with other little hamsters. Who knows? Some people talk in their sleep sometimes so is it crazy to imagine that some hamsters do the same? Hamsters are also known to snore, which is probably the cutest thing I can think of.
Snoring is more common in older hamsters but babies or pups are also known to do it, which is as precious as you can imagine Hamster Teeth Problems. Hamsters, like most rodents, have 2 pairs of incisor teeth. The lower pair is the longer pair, and will look very large compared to the top pair.
This does not hurt if done right, since you are only pulling a little at the fur on the back of his head. Yellow teeth in hamsters is no unhealthy. Those can be serious dental problems that require a veterinarian. Hamster are rodents, and as such they have an inherent need to always be chewing on something. This is mostly because their front teeth are always growing. So, your hamster friend need to file them down regularly in order to keep them healthy.
Teeth problems hamsters can develop, and how to spot them Your hamster can develop dental problems. Overgrown The most common problem found with hamsters, overgrown teeth lead to several problems. Or, it could be that he has nowhere to file the teeth down onto, like chew toys or cage bars. Or, it could be tooth decay from possibly sugary food depending on what you feed your hamster , which can lead to an infection.
In any case, this is something to treat at the vet. Typical symptoms to look for Usually hamster dental problems can be spotted fairly quickly. Bad breath An infection especially, will smell terrible. You can notice this when you pick up the hamster and play with it. Or, by giving it something to chew onto and then you might smell the problem.
If you scruff the hammy you will probably be able to see which tooth is infected. This needs to be treated immediately, otherwise your hamster is at serious risk. Sudden loss of appetite This can come along with an infection, or even just overgrown teeth.
Now, do keep in mind that hamsters can and do become very picky eaters. For example my Teddy Syrian adult male favors the sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other vitamin bits he finds in his food bowl, and leaves the plain grains aside. Make sure to account for the weight of the cup!
Chattering teeth are usually a sign of nervousness, and are accompanied by a short temper, and lots of cage biting. If your hamster has chattering teeth, and also chews on the cage bars a lot, it could be a possible tooth problem indicator.
Like tooth pain, or an infection. Do keep in mind that chattering teeth can show up even if your hamster is healthy. He could be just aggitated or trying to intimidate you.
So make a mental note of chattering teeth, but this is not a clear sign of just tooth problems. Drooling Hamsters, like cats, do not drool normally. So if your hamster is suddenly drooling, it could be a sign of him not being able to close his mouth properly because of his teeth. Bad temper Hamsters, like humans, do not respond well to pain or stress.
So if your hammy has a tooth ache, he might be snappy. Imagine your last tooth ache. So your usually mild and cute hamster might turn into a snappy, nippy hammy with no patience for anything. He might not even let you touch him in some cases. Now, not all ill-tempered hamsters have tooth aches.
But this could be a sign of tooth problems. Cage biting If your hammy suddenly started biting the cage bars, this too could be a sign. Your hammy could be seeking some relief from the cage bars, instead of his chew toy because the bars are, well, much harder and are also cold.
Obviously, your hammy biting the cage bars is not a good idea. This happens by repeated chewing and biting onto hard surfaces. But, those surfaces should never be as hard as the cage bars, or the glass of his glass tank. The hamster will file them down himself Most of the time, the hamster will file the teeth down himself.
You can help him out here by giving him the right kind of toys to use for his teeth. Chew toys and other options for your hamster friend One option is chew toys. Hamsters do well with wood based chew toys. So for this reason a set of toys like this one will help your hamster not only file down his teeth, but also keep his mind occupied. You can find the listing on Amazon here, and see the reviews for yourself.
Another option is giving your hamster friend a walnut, or a chestnut so he will want to chew and gnaw on it. My teddy has a walnut in his cage and he goes absolutely insane when he sees it. But he loves biting into the shell, and your hammy will probably do the same if your give him one. Other options include bendy bridges, which are made from wood, and can serve as a great chew toy for your hamster friend.
You will find those on Amazon as well. And finally, hamsters will chew on absolutely everything. Including their food bowl and hideout. For this reason, and not only more on that here I recommend you get your hamster friend a wooden hideout.
This will make it easier for your hamster to file down his teeth, since he will wake up in the middle of the night to chew a little. And he will chew on his hideout, without even getting out of his nest.
I looked around for a hideout very similar to the one I have for my Teddy. Still, he loves it, and it keeps his scent. You can find the listing on Amazon for this wooden hamster house here, and read the reviews. You can take the hammy to the vet If the case is severe, and immediate attention is needed, you can also take your hamster friend to the vet. There are a few guides to filing down hamster teeth at home, or even clipping them.
Seek professional care for him. This can happen like with humans too. Maybe the hamster ate a food that made a small cut in his gums, and that cut got infected.
There could be other reasons, but the end result is the same. This is dangerous for your hamster to swallow, so it must be solved quickly. You can check this by holding the hamster in your hand, and gently scruffing him. This will pull back his lips and you will see his teeth. He might not like being held like this, so expect a bit of squirming. Expect lots of squirming if the hamster does have a serious infection, since it will possibly hurt him a bit.
In this case, take your hamster to the veterinarian. He will prescribe a round of antibiotics that are safe for small animals. He will tell you how to administer the medication to your hamster.
Usually the veterinarians that have experience with rodents are labeled as exotic, meaning that they will also know what to do with unusual pets if the case arises.
Misshapen or broken hamster teeth There are some unfortunate hamsters who are born with misshapen teeth. They are misaligned since birth, but they can sometimes be corrected. You can notice this at the pet store by looking closely at the hamster for any mouth problems. You will also be able to notice this when the hamster tries to drink a bit of water. Just use the scruffing method and check the teeth. There should be no gaps, or odd angles or crossed teeth. If there are such problems, take your hamster to a veterinarian.
Breaking teeth are a sign of malnutrition, or poor health, old age, or a possible illness. It depends on each hamster, and his own medical history.
Broken teeth are particularly dangerous, since the hamster can cut himself on them. Helping your hamster with bad teeth For any hamster with bad teeth, the diet is important. But the food he eats has a direct and large impact on his health. You can take care of this by giving your hamster friend a healthy food mix, to make sure he has all the basic nutrients already in his food bowl. This particular mix has all the nutrients your hamster needs, including the harder, sturdier grains hamsters need to chew on in order to file down their teeth.
The whole bag will last you a couple of months or more, depending on how much you feed your hammy. Your hamster needs space to exercise and keep fit in his own cute way. Paper towel tubes, plain brown boxes and other items are cheap entertainment and provide your hamster with something to chew on regularly.
There also many great toys you can buy for your furry friend. Amazingly, hamster teeth never quit growing and they are one of the few furry creatures who are born with a full set of teeth! Hamsters usually take care of their own teeth by chewing on hard items such as paper towel tubes or wooden treats. If you ever notice your hamster has trouble eating it could mean his teeth need to be trimmed by a professional!
Make sure your hamster has access to toys, like a running wheel or things to climb on and in. Decide on whether or not your hamster wants a friend right from the start! Always remove the seeds before feeding any to your hamster. Seeds are known to be choking hazards for hamsters, and some kinds, such as apple seeds, even contain chemicals that can potentially be lethal to your hamster!
NOTE: Fresh fruit should be given as an occasional treat, to avoid potential diarrhoea, as well as reduce the risk of diabetes, especially for dwarf hybrid hamsters.
Stick to organic or unwaxed fruits. If not, always wash the wax off with warm water or carefully wash the skin of the fruit if edible. This will help remove any unsafe traces of pesticides or chemicals.
Cut to remove any seeds, stems or leaves that may be harmful. Did you know that hamsters are omnivorous? You can feed your hamster meat proteins to help with their growth and development. Listed below are some protein rich foods that you can feed your hamster. One should never feed a hamster raw meat or raw eggs as they contain high levels of bacteria and parasites that can be deadly to them.
Fatty meats are also discouraged as it is not a natural food for hamsters. Feeding them high quantities of fatty meats can increase the risk of obesity, heart, liver or kidney diseases. Cooked Chicken Breast Or freeze dried ones from the pet shop. Nuts make super fun treats for your hamsters!
However, do take note that nuts are high in calories and fat content. Feeding your hamster one nut a day or one every two to three days is recommended, as overfeeding them nuts can lead to obesity.
Peanuts ideally raw and in shell, hamsters love it as a chew. Some that are more commonly fed to hamsters include: dandelion leaves and flowers, hawthorn leaves. It is recommended to get organic plants and flowers as your normal flora from your florist might contain dangerous traces of pesticides! Some foods listed can be deadly to your hamster, or prove to be more harmful than beneficial to your hamster. Thus, we strongly warn against feeding your hamsters these foods.
However, if you do decide to give your hamster a little taste of it, proceed with caution as a little too much can cause your pawbaby to suffer chronic health problems that might even lead to death.
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