Hamsters as Pets
Small Animal Management
130.4(c)4C
Today We Will…
• Identify common species of hamsters kept as
pets
• Compare and contrast different housing
options
• Describe the basic needs of hamsters
What is a hamster?
• Short-tailed, stoutbodied, burrowing
rodents
• First found in Syria in the
1700’s
• Originally used for
research
– Ease of breeding
– Few diseases
• Entered the United States
pet trade in the late
1930’s
Syrian Hamster
• Also known as the Golden or
Teddy Bear Hamster
• Most common species kept
as a pet
• Most docile with socialization
• Lifespan: 2 ½-3 years
• Size: 6-7 inches
• Solitary- one per cage
• Coat: short and longhaired
varieties
– Wide range of colors and
patterns
Dwarf Campbell’s Russian Hamster
• Most common dwarf species
• They can be territorial and
are more likely to nip than
Syrian
• Lifespan: 2 ½-3 years
• Size: 4-4 ½ inches
• Colonial - keep in same-sex
pairs or group
• Coat: short grayish brown fur
on the back with a darker
strip of color down the spine,
a creamier color on the sides,
and a white stomach
Dwarf Winter White Russian
• More timid than
Campbell’s and less likely
to nip
• Lifespan: 1 ½ - 2 years
• Size: 3 - 4 inches
• Colonial- keep in samesex pairs or group
• Coat: short wild (agouti)
dark brown or a sapphire
gray
Roborovski Hamster
• Also known as Robo Hamsters
• Smallest of the pet hamsters
• Extremely quick, can be
difficult to handle
• Lifespan: 2 ½ - 3 years
• Size: 1 ½ - 2 inches
• Colonial- keep in same-sex
pairs or group
• Coat: short sandy gold with an
ivory belly, black eyes and grey
ears
Chinese Hamster
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Has a short tail
Good temperament, rarely nip
Lifespan: 2 - 3 years
Size: 4 – 5 inches
• Solitary- one per cage
• Coat: Short fur, brown backs,
black fur along spine, and
ivory coloring
Selecting a hamster
• Decide which breed is
right for your family
based on number
desired and
temperament
• Hamsters can be found
at animal shelters,
breeders, and pet stores
Where to Buy?
• Animal Shelters
– Owners often relinquish hamsters after realizing
they cannot commit to proper care of the animal
– Usually the hamster is examined by a veterinarian
– Age and background are usually unknown
Where to Buy?
• Breeders
– Hamsters can be bred for the purpose of showing
or creating desirable coat colors
– Some hamster owners have litters produced
accidently by unknowingly placing a male and
female together
– Often the hamsters are well cared for and
frequently handled
– Most expensive option
Where to Buy?
• Pet Shop
– Often come from commercial breeders
– Usually the hamsters are not handled regularly
– Cheap and easy way to obtain a hamster
Selection
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Decide on a breed appropriate to your household
Hamsters should be at least 5 weeks old at time of sale
Seller should have males and females separated
Check for cage conditions:
– should be clean,
– droppings should be firm,
– should not be crowded
• Look for health of all the hamsters:
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clear bright eyes,
sneezing,
excessive scratching,
dirty or patchy coats,
lethargy, etc…
Habitat
• Plastic Cage
– Most common cage
– Pros:
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Visually Appealing
Easy to expand
Bedding stays in
Design provides exercise
and stimulation
– Cons:
• Difficult to thoroughly
clean
• Accessories often break
• Can be poorly ventilated
Habitat
• Wire Cage
– For dwarf hamsters, make
sure wires are less than 0.5
cm apart
– Pros:
• Excellent Ventilation
• Easy to clean
• Floor space for accessories
– Cons:
• Bedding may fall out
• Harder to see hamster through
bars
• Need to keep away from
drafty areas
• May rust in potty areas
Habitat
• Aquarium
– Close with fitted wire lid
– Pros:
• Plenty of floor space
• Easiest habitat to clean
• Best for observing
hamsters
– Cons:
• Poorest Ventilation
• Not compatible with
many accessories
Bedding
• Absorbs urine
• Allows burrowing
– Provide at least 2 inches deep
of bedding
• Aspen, recycled paper, or
wood pulp are excellent
bedding choices
• NO CEDAR OR PINE!
– Causes respiratory issues
• Should be changed weekly
– The corner which they urinate
in should be cleaned more
frequently
Exercise Wheel
• Hamsters require a lot of exercise
– At minimum a wheel should be
provided at all times
• Hamsters are nocturnal
– Invest in a quieter wheel if the
hamster will be near someone's
sleeping area
• Choose a wheel with either a wire
mesh or solid bottom
– Feet can fall through slats and be
injured
• Select the proper size
– At least 5 ½ inch diameter for dwarf
hamster
– At least 7 ½ inch diameter for Syrian
hamsters
Cage Accessories
• A water bottle must be provided
– Should be cleaned weekly
– Check frequently for clogs or leaks
• Food Bowl
– Not necessary, hamsters enjoy foraging for their food
– Do not use plastic, they will end up chewing on it
• Nesting Material
– Tissues, paper towel, commercial nesting material
– Hamsters will move it around and burrow in it
Cage Accessories
• Toys
– Provide enrichment and hiding
places
– Should be rotated out to keep
the hamster stimulated
– Can be home-made
• Toilet paper rolls, cardboard
• Chew Toys
– Keeps their teeth trimmed
– Commercially available
– Can also be given items like
apple branches
• Exercise Balls
– Allow hamster to safely
exercise outside of its cage
Feeding
• Any basic diet for a hamster
should include some:
– Hard, gnawing-type food
• “Lab-blocks”
– Complete and balanced meal
• Pressed green pellets
– Mostly consists of alfalfa
• “Milk-Bones” for Dogs
– Some seed and grain
• Come in commercially prepared
mixes
• Avoid mixes with overabundance of
sunflower seeds
– Too much fatty oils
– Some fresh foods (vegetables and
fruits)
• Offer small pieces 2-3 times a week
as a treat
Feeding
• Do not feed:
– Almonds
– Celery, whole stalks
– Chocolate (particularly
dark chocolate)
– Garlic
– Kidney beans, uncooked
– Lettuce, iceberg
– Onion
– Peanuts
– Potato, Potato tops
– Rhubarb, Rhubarb
leaves
– Spicy or seasoned
products
– Sugary products
– Tomato leaves
– Unwashed Fruits and
Vegetables
Handling
• Socialize a hamster by offering it food by hand in its
cage to get used to human contact
• Pick up hamsters by scooping them up rather than
grabbing
• Do not hold to high off the ground in case they do fall
• Handle frequently to make the hamster more docile
• Be quiet and do not make quick movements when
handling
• Avoid handling after touching food
– Hamsters rely on their sense of smell and are more likely
to bite if they smell food on the hand
Health
• Visible Body Illnesses
– Eyes: Hamster eyes are poor but should be alert and clear. Signs:
dull, cloudy, discharge, shut. A vet may provide eye drops.
– Ears: Like humans, if hamsters have ear issues, it may affect
their balance. Signs: losing balance, scratching ear.
– Nose: Respiratory signs may include: wheezing, sneezing,
breathing out of mouth. Causes may be environmental (such as
bedding) to internal infections.
– Mouth/Cheeks: Cheeks could be scratched from sharp foods.
Signs include swelling and loss of appetite.
– Anus: Anus may be swollen, red, and loss of appetite. Causes
are internal.
Health Problems
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Hamster Enteritis (Wet Tail)
– Contagious bacterial infection
– If untreated can lead to rectal prolapse,
dehydration, or death
– Causes
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Stress
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Moving young hamsters to a new home
Poor living conditions
– Symptoms
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Diarrhea
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Enough to cause the back end to have wet appearance
Unpleasant Odor
Lethargy (Decrease in energy)
– Treatment
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Antibiotics
Anti-diarrheal
Quarantine animal
– Prevention
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Minimize handling first few days of moving a hamster
Isolate hamsters that may have wet tail
Health Problems
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Tyzzer’s Disease
– Contagious bacterial infection
– Animals usually die within 48 hours of showing symptoms
– Causes
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Stress
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Poor living conditions
Malnutrition
Parasitic infections
– Symptoms
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Diarrhea
Scruffy Coats
Lethargy (Decrease in energy)
– Treatment
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Antibiotics
Usually unsuccessful
– Prevention
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Proper environmental conditions
Treat any parasitic conditions
Health Problems
• Diabetes
– Occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body is unable to
use it properly
– Most often seen in Dwarf Campbell's Russian Hamsters
– Causes
• Poor diet
– Symptoms
• Excessive drinking and urination
• Low body temperature
• Shaking or trembling
– Treatment
• Add pedialyte to the water
• Sugar-free diet
– Prevention
• Properly balanced diet
• Avoid giving to many sunflower seeds or sugary fruits
Health Problems
• Overgrown Teeth
– Hamster teeth grow continuously through the animal’s life
– Causes
• Occurs when hamsters are not given sufficient items to gnaw on
– Symptoms
• Loss of appetite
• Bad breath
• Drooling
– Treatment
• Teeth clipped by veterinarian
– Prevention
• Provide hard objects regularly to chew on
– Dog biscuits, apple wood
• http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cf
m?c=6067&articleid=2053&d=161
• http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/hamster
s/
• http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters.asp
• http://www.hamsterfanciers.com/