Hamsters are one of the most popular pets for families. Hamsters are cute, cuddly, and inexpensive to own. However, they need a lot of care and attention, and it can be expensive to keep them healthy and happy.
Here’s what to do when you first get a hamster:
- Set up a space.
- Stock up on supplies.
- Get the cage prepared.
- Toys and why they are important.
- Get the right water bottle.
- Bedding.
- Introduce your hamster to their new home.
- Build a relationship.
- Pick a vet.
Hamsters may look like small, simple animals, but they are very complex and require a lot of time and effort to take care of them properly.
What To Do When You First Get a Hamster
This article will cover everything you need to know about getting yourself ready for your first hamster.
1. Set Up a Space
If you are just getting started with a new hamster, the first thing to do is set up a space for them. A hamster needs a big cage and lots of toys and accessories to keep them busy.
The biggest part of setting up a space for your new hamster is buying their cage. The minimum size for a hamster cage that can be used long-term is 48″ x 24″ x 16″ (122cm x 61cm x 41cm).
If you plan on keeping two female hamsters together, two cages this size will be needed. For one male and one female, one big cage will work. Hamsters like to dig and burrow, so it’s important to give them plenty of room in their cage to do so.
You can use a regular cage of wire or plastic or even a glass aquarium with a screen top. If you choose food for your hammy that comes in those little colored blocks, make sure there are at least two inches (5 cm) of bedding in the bottom of the cage. That way, your pet can dig down and bury the new pieces of food as he eats.
A glass tank or aquarium is the best cage type since it allows you to keep your pet at eye level. Most glass tanks are too short for adequate ventilation, and you will need to replace the top with a wire mesh lid from a pet store.
You can also build your cage with wood or purchase a commercial wire mesh cage, but these are less ideal because it is harder to see your pet in these cages.
Hamsters like to sleep during the day, so they will appreciate dark corners where they can doze off. Be sure to add some tunnels and hideaways if your cage didn’t come with them already.
Read Why Is My Hamster Biting the Cage
2. Stock Up on Supplies
You’ll need to buy everything before bringing your hamster home so that they can move in right away. It’s best not to take them out of their cage and let them run around in their new space until you’re sure that all their needs are met.
When choosing food for your new hamster, it is essential to remember a couple of things.
First, you want to make sure you purchase food explicitly designed for hamsters. While many different types of animals share the same food, hamsters should not eat the same food intended for rabbits or guinea pigs that is made in the USA.
The second thing to remember is the amount of sugar in your hamster’s food. Some foods made for various rodents have high sugar content, which can cause them to gain weight or even develop diabetes.
Here are some foods that you should avoid:
- Gerber’s Baby Food. This food contains a significant amount of sugar and garlic powder, which is toxic to hamsters. The Gerber Company in the USA has also recalled several batches of their baby food due to mold contamination.
- Cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli. These vegetables contain a substance called thiocyanate, which can cause stomach upsets in hamsters and lead to goiter (a swelling of the thyroid gland).
- Fruit seeds and stones. Hamsters like fruit but the seeds and stones are poisonous. Apple seeds, for example, contain a chemical called amygdalin, which turns into cyanide when digested.
- Onions, garlic, and chives. These vegetables all belong to the same family, which is known to cause anemia in many animals, including hamsters.
If you’re in New York, My Natural Pet sells all-natural food for small animals.
Read What Can You Feed a Dwarf Hamster?
Choosing a Diet for Your Hamster
Hamsters are omnivores and need a variety of foods to stay in top condition. They will eat many types of food, including seeds, grains, nuts, and fruits. Here are some of the best:
- Fresh fruit such as bananas and apples. Remove any uneaten parts after a few hours to stop them from going moldy.
- Fresh vegetables such as carrots and lettuce (not iceberg). Remove anything your hamster doesn’t eat.
- Sunflower seeds in moderation. Be careful not to give your hamster too many, or he may become overweight.
- Most commercial hamster foods include a mix of seeds, dried fruits, and nuts. These foods are often contained in a block form but can also be found as loose mixes.
These foods are convenient and well-balanced, but some people find their hamsters will only eat the tastiest parts of these mixes and leave the rest. You may want to experiment with a few different brands to determine which one your hamster likes best. You may even need to mix other brands for your pet’s tastes.
Homemade Hamster Food
If you want to avoid commercial foods altogether, it is possible to make a blend at home using seeds, nuts, dry grains, and dried fruits. Just be sure that you include a variety of different ingredients, so your hamster gets all the nutrients it needs.
Read Why Is My Hamster Losing Weight?
3. Get the Cage Prepared
Hamster cages may come with wheels, tubes, bottles, houses, and toys. These keep your hamster happy and occupied.
The cage’s base should ideally be solid plastic with a removable litter tray. This makes cleaning easier. For smaller cages with wire bases, you need to get some substrate for the bottom of the cage.
Next, add cardboard tubes and tunnels to create an obstacle course for your hamster to explore.
4. Toys and Why They Are Important
First off, keep in mind that all hamsters need toys. They’re intelligent and curious creatures who love to explore new things. Without the proper stimulation, they can develop bad habits like chewing on their bars or biting their nails.
The Humane Society of the USA recommends offering chew toys before food or water so they’ll get used to chewing on them instead of biting you.
Hamsters have teeth that never stop growing. This means that they constantly need to chew on things to keep their teeth in check. If you give them enough toys and chew sticks, they’ll be able to wear down their teeth naturally.
However, if you don’t provide them with these things, then they’ll start gnawing on the bars of their cage and possibly injure themselves.
Give them a variety of things like wood blocks or apple slices that will keep them interested but not too much, so they gain weight.
A wheel for exercise is also essential. Make sure it’s the right size for your hamster’s breed: Syrian hamsters need larger wheels than their smaller cousins, Russian dwarfs, Chinese, and Roborovski dwarfs.