A guide to hamster care covering cage setup, diet, hygiene, and common diseases. Learn the right cage size, what to feed your hamster, and how to keep it healthy.
Hello and welcome to this new video from Animal Expert. Today we're going to talk about hamster care. If you have one or are thinking about adopting one, you can't miss this. Hamsters are small members of the crochetidae family that can live with us for between two and five years, depending on the species. They are very intelligent and social animals. In order for our hamster to feel comfortable when it arrives at our home, it is essential to have the cage in which it will live ready. There are usually many options on the market, but most are excessively small, which causes stress and discomfort to our animal. The minimum space for a hamster cage is about 60cm long and about 50cm wide by 50cm deep. Ideally, you should get one with two floors in which you can place tunnels and various structures. The cage should always be spacious and comfortable for our little hamster. However, if we are thinking of adopting a Roborovsky hamster, which is really very small, we should opt for buying a fish tank or terrarium that we will properly equip and which will allow us to prevent our little tenant from escaping. Roborovsky hamsters are so small and have such a knack for getting through narrow spaces that it is very likely that they will manage to escape from any cage with the risk that this entails. The cage should be cleaned at least weekly to prevent the accumulation of feces and provide a hygienic environment for the animal. The location of the cage is a truly important detail. Since the quality of life of our hamster will depend on the place in the house where we place it. It is important to choose a ventilated place, but without drafts. The temperature should be constant and fluctuate between 18 and 26. It is also important to place the cage in a semi shaded area. Since direct sunlight can cause heat stroke. We must choose an absorbent substrate that does not produce dust under any circumstances. For this, the most recommended are natural wood or cellulose pellets. In addition to elements such as the drinking trough and the feeder, the hamster needs to have a place to take refuge. You can use a nest, a small house or any other element that allows it to rest and isolate itself from the sunlight. It will also need distractions to make the time when you do not play or interact with it more bearable. Tunnels, walkways, toys and other elements will enrich its day to day life. Try to be creative to stimulate it and keep it active every day. The hamster's diet should be balanced and varied, dedicated to covering all its nutritional needs. For this we will include seeds, vegetables, fruit, cereals and nuts. Below, we will explain the basis of its diet and what foods we can or cannot offer it on the market. We can find different ready made foods that you can offer your hamster. They are generally made up of cereals and seeds with dehydrated fruits. This type of diet is a powerful base for its protein and fiber intake. However, we should also include a variety of fruits and vegetables in their diet. Since a hamster's diet should be rich in fiber and low in fat, we should choose foods that are rich in carbohydrates and fiber. Cereals and seeds should be the basis of the hamster's diet. If you decide not to buy commercial feed and prepare your hamster's diet yourself, take note of the following ingredients. You should buy them and mix them. Oats, wheat, corn, barley, rice, lentils, chickpeas, nuts. The hamster's protein intake can be completed by feeding it nuts, although these should not be offered very regularly. Some examples are hazelnuts, walnuts, chestnuts, almonds or sunflower seeds. All of these should be given without salt and without any type of processing. Fruit and vegetables are very important foods for hamsters. We should make sure to offer them at least two small portions of vegetables daily and a small portion of fruit between one and three times a week. The most recommended fruits and vegetables are carrots, zucchini, young shoots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, peaches, strawberries and kiwi. The water should be changed daily and baby bottle type containers are generally used as they are hygienic and easy to use. However, if you have just adopted your hamster, it is advisable to offer it a small bowl on the floor so that it can drink directly as some do not know how to use it. Do not forget that there are foods that are forbidden for hamsters. These include leftovers from our own food, foods with spices, salt and various condiments or those that are indigestible or harmful to their bodies, such as coffee, chocolate or alcohol. It is important to dedicate time to caring for your hamster's teeth to prevent anomalies such as excessive growth or breakage of the teeth. On the market, you will find items exclusively dedicated to this, such as branches of fruit trees that allow normal wear and tear on the teeth. Finally, we are going to show you some of the most common diseases in hamsters which are essential for detecting any problems, loss of appetite, poor coat or hair loss, sneezing, nasal or tear discharge and diarrhea. If you notice any of these symptoms in your hamster, it is vitally important that you take it to the vet to rule out any problems or start specific treatment or care as soon as possible. And that's it for today's video. If you enjoyed it, give us a like and subscribe to our channel. Until next time, exper.
