There are many types of pets that do not bring visible benefits. They don’t give milk, they don’t cut hair from them, they don’t make shish kebab. Moreover, they do not guard the house and do not catch mice. But, nevertheless, such animals are the favorites of their owners. They simply delight us with their presence and create a positive atmosphere in the house. In addition, if the family has children, then caring for a pet teaches the younger generation to discipline and responsibility. And the ideal option in choosing a small animal for a child would be an ordinary hamster. These rodents are quite unpretentious, they do not need to walk or feed some special food. And caring for a hamster will not bring much trouble. But the child can safely play with such a beast, and his behavior will bring joy to adults.
Most of all, Syrian hamsters and several types of their dwarf "brothers" are suitable for keeping in the house. These animals do not live long, about 2-2.5 years, but with a careful attitude, their lifespan can be extended by a year or a half. To do this, you need to know how to properly care for a hamster. First of all, you need to choose the right "housing" for these animals. If the hamster is alone in the house, then a standard cage, which can be purchased at each pet store, is suitable for him. Of course, there are several types of dwarf hamsters that can easily get along with a couple in the same “apartment”. But most of these rodents are solitary natures. And if you keep same-sex animals in a small cage as a couple, then their rivalry can even lead to death.
And for the maintenance of a married couple of these furry pets you will need a rather capacious cage. Its length should be at least 50 centimeters, and it should have 2-3 floors. It can be an ordinary wire cage with a bottom made of plastic. You can also purchase a more "sophisticated" cage, equipped with special tunnels. It all depends on how much money the owner is willing to invest in his pet. And caring for hamsters, in particular, for their housing is a simple procedure, but it requires some time. This cage just needs to be periodically cleaned and washed.
In the cages for these animals, litter is also needed. And in its quality you can use sawdust, scraps of paper or wood fillers. It is very important that it has absorbent properties. And you can find a good litter for these animals in a regular pet store. Do not use paper on which something is printed. Because of it, the animal may have breathing problems. It is also not recommended to use wood chips with a strong smell. They can also affect the health of the hamster.
And although hamsters are perfectly adapted for living at home and quickly get used to people, wild instincts still “nap” in their essence. In particular, it is an instinct for self-preservation. After all, no animal will sleep in an open area, where it can become prey for a predator. Therefore, care for hamsters requires that they have secluded places in their housing. There, the animal can hide and feel completely safe. And since hamsters are awake at night, and sleep during the day, such a secluded place will serve as their "bedroom". Also, some toys will not interfere with these animals. They will help keep them in good shape. Hamsters are also clean animals. They like to clean their fur in sand baths. Therefore, the owner needs to provide them with this "hygiene product." It is not recommended to take sand on the street, as it may contain bacteria or parasites. And sand for chinchillas, sold in a pet store, is perfect for these rodents.
The main feature that distinguishes rodents from other animals is the structure of their teeth. In this class of animals it is special. They have one pair of large incisors on the lower and upper jaw. Do these teeth have no roots? and they grow until the death of the animal. The same applies to hamsters. And so they are constantly forced to grind these incisors. In this regard, the care of hamsters that live in captivity requires care of their teeth. To do this, they need to constantly put small pieces of wood in the cage, and then the animals themselves will cope with their incisors.
Nutrition is also not in last place in ensuring proper care for hamsters. In the feed for these animals must be in the necessary proportions and a sufficient amount of those elements that he needs for energy and growth. And for this, hamsters need minerals, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and water. All this is in special feed mixtures intended for hamsters. And since these rodents lead nightlife, then they need to be fed at night, at about 8 in the evening. You can also give them food in the morning. Food for them should be fresh and sound.