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Until now, my page has been blank. I wasn't sure what I was going to write about.
So I decided to give some free advice all of you wonderful people who want to offer good homes to my children. I'll write up some tips on how to be a confident and competent hamster caretaker.
Some of these things you might already know, and most are "common sense." But it doesn't hurt to go there again once in a while.
- Living Quarters: Hamsters are solitary creatures. Shortly after we are weaned we go into gender-segregated cages. By the time we are six to seven weeks old, there should be a separate cage for each hamster. The consequences of not separating hamsters in time could be deadly.
- Feeding: Hamsters need the seed mix that you can buy in pet stores or at places like Target and Walmart. But that is not enough! They should get other dry food such as balanced-nutrition blocks. Kaytee Forti-Diet is a brand usually found in pet shops. In addition to dry food, hamsters fresh veggies and other meals. I'll briefly mention some of them. Fresh peaches, apples (cut out the seeds!), banana, grapes, cantaloupe - even watermelon - make great meals for hamsters. Other foods for your hamster include fresh kale greens, cucumber, tomato, boiled cabbage (no salt), cooked unsalted pasta, tofu, tomato, hard-boiled egg (each egg cut to feed four hamsters). There are dozens more examples, but I've named many of the foods most popular around here.
- Recreation: Ideally, a hamster is going to be in a cage that has a wheel for running. The round hamster balls that let them run around the floor are good, too. But start slow! It takes a little getting used to. Try a couple of minutes at first, then work up to ten or fifteen. Try never to leave a hamster in one of those balls longer than 15-20 minutes at a time. Another option is the "play pen." Use a plastic storage container at least 16 inches high and put in it things for hamsters to play on. There are plenty of choices at pet shops. Gradually introduce the hamster to the play area. In a couple of days the hamster will be comfortable in it and can stay there a fairly long time - half an hour or so. The rule here, too, is only one hamster at a time. And neither the balls nor extended playpen stays are ideal for aged hamsters. There comes a time when the hamster would rather rest. It's normal. And don't forget cuddling. Some take to it quickly. In most cases, it's something the hamster first learns to tolerate and later to genuinely appreciate.
Well, that's a start. I'll get around to the "Thou Shalt Not" rules in a while. Now back to swatting those hyperactive babies of mine.
Love to all,
Mama Sharkie
