The hamster: adopting and raising a hamster at home
Table of Contents
Hamsters are suitable pets for children because they are gentle and
easy to take care of. They are part of the rodent family but are
distinguished from others by certain particularities such as their
rather short tail, large and short legs, and small ears.
- Size: 12 to 15 cm
- Weight: 120g
- Life expectancy: 3 years
- Gestation period: 22 days
Origin and characteristics of the hamster
Originally, hamsters were distributed in North and South America, Asia,
and Europe. In 1930, Dr. Aharoni took in a wild female golden hamster in
northern Syria. This hamster gave birth to 12 little hamsters which were
domesticated. The domestic hamsters of today would derive from this
breeding of Dr. Aharoni. In 1931, he sent several hamsters to the United
Kingdom, then to the United States in 1938 to use them in the laboratory.
It was only in 1945 that hamsters were introduced into the trade and today
are among the pets adored by children and adults alike.
Hamsters are sturdy with a tail a little shorter than their body length.
They have tiny ears, short legs, and wide feet. Their fur is thick and
long. It can be black, gray, white, brown, buff, yellow, or red. Moreover,
the lower parts of their body are white with shades of gray and
black.
Hamsters are nocturnal animals, so it would be wise to place their cage
in a place where their nocturnal activities will not wake you up.
How to take care of your hamster?
If you've just adopted a hamster, then you're probably going to need to
spend some time getting to know your new friend so that he becomes
domesticable and trusts you. It's important to note that you might need
a lot of patience because being able to hold your little furry ball in
your hands probably won't happen overnight. The best way to start
approaching your new pet is to offer treats. Put a treat on the palm of
your hand and put your hand in the cage, so that the hamster approaches
it. You will need to do this in the evening when the hamster is most
active.
After a few days, you can try to hug your hamster. If he seems
uncomfortable or tries to bite, gently place him back down and give him
a treat.
Remember that you should never disturb a hamster while it sleeps and
you should never make loud noises around its home.
What house to build for his hamster?
Le plus important à retenir sur la maison du hamster est qu’il a besoin
d’avoir beaucoup d’espace pour courir. Vous devrez également toujours
vous assurer que le plancher de la cage de votre hamster a un revêtement
d’au moins 4 cm de profondeur de literie appropriée parce que les
hamsters adorent enterrer des choses. Par ailleurs, acheter des copeaux
de cèdre ou de pin n’est pas une bonne idée dans la mesure où certains
hamsters peuvent développer une réaction allergique leur causant des
problèmes de respiration.
Wire and plastic cages are the two most popular forms of hutches for
hamsters. If you opt for a wire cage, your little animal will tend to
climb everywhere, something that hamsters love to do. There are also
many models of plastic cages on the market. These hamster houses are
very easy to clean, and they provide protection for your pet.
When setting up a cage for your hamster, you shouldn't forget about
toys. In addition to the usual hamster wheel, you can select others such
as wooden chew toys that provide a fun activity for your hamster. A very
important element in a hamster's cage is also to create a place for it
to hide, especially for sleeping.
Food and health: what you need to know for the hamster
Wild hamsters eat seeds, grains, and grasses as well as some insects.
Pet hamsters must have a similar diet to their wild cousins. Hamsters
like fruits and vegetables, but you have to be careful how much you give
them. Hamsters are small creatures and too much fruit and vegetables in
their diet can cause diarrhea. A small cube of apple, carrot, or
cucumber is enough. Usually, hamsters love carrots the most, but
remember that they are high in sugar, so don't give your pet too
much.
Hamsters are fairly weak animals, they are so small that injuries and
illness can quickly become serious. If you notice any signs of illness
in your hamster, you need to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Signs to look for include loss of appetite, inactivity, wrinkled fur,
sneezing, wheezing, wetness around the tail, and diarrhea.
The reproduction of the hamster
The best time for hamsters to have babies is when they are between 10
weeks and 15 months old. Breeders use pairs with one male and one
female, as well as groups of hamsters with one male and several females.
Pregnancies usually last 16 to 22 days, depending on the type of
hamster. When female hamsters are about to give birth, they may become
restless, active and may bleed a little. It is then necessary to provide
them with nesting materials.
Mothers and litter should not be disturbed for at least 7 days after
birth, especially if the mother has never given birth before.
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