This might seem like a lot, but imagine living in tiny room your whole life. ", "This helped so much in wanting to buy a hamster! Moreover, the sunlight is suitable for the hamster as well. Click on HD to see in HD. One option is to place a treat in the cage, (on a spoon) and whilst the hamster is eating his treat, gently stroke him. Available Syrian Hamsters Available Syrian Hamsters Available Syrian Hamsters. Good breeders and rescues tend to provide superior care for their animals, and they should be able to give you thorough information on an animal's origin and health history. Hamsters aren't usually aggressive, but they have poor eyesight. There are some different recommendations for what cage size is appropriate for hamsters. However, they are not sociable and fighting will occur if they are housed together. The Syrian hamster is the largest and most common of the hamster species kept as a pet and comes in a variety of different coat types, colors and patterns. Aspen and Care Fresh are perfectly safe and comfortable options for hamsters. Leave the hamster alone after you put it in its cage, so that it can explore its new home and become used to it. The Syrian hamster is one of the larger species, so it needs a bigger cage. Learn to Tell If Your Hamster Is Male or Female. Hamsters typically like to graze, storing food in their cheek pouches and stashing it somewhere for later. After that, just make sure you're allotting some time each day to handle your hamster to keep it tame. Correct! This is a video to educate you on Syrian hamster care. Try again! The trouble with cedar shavings is that they contain oils that are harmful to hamsters' respiratory systems. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Be aware your hamster will be sleepy during the day, and most likely to be active at night. The Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is a member of the rodent subfamily Cricetinae. English Name: Syrian (Also nicknamed the Teddy Bear, Golden, Black Bear, Common, etc.) The natural color of most Syrian hamsters is golden brown with a lighter belly. If they are not warm enough they wil… Is it because it is drinking water from the bottle? Syrian Hamster Health and Care. The short-haired or golden hamster … Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital, 2020. In this guide to hamster care, we give you the essential info you need to get started as a hamster owner! Syrian hamsters are well-suited for young children or first time hamster owners and it is fairly easy to learn how to take care of them properly, although they do require gentle handling. It also has necessities like a water bottle, a food bowl, a hideout, and a litter box. Syrian hamster is easy to take care. Small Animal Nutrition. In general, you’ll have your choice of a cage that is wire on the top with a plastic base or a standard glass or plastic aquarium with a tightly fitting mesh top. The wire cages allow for better airflow, though they offer less protection against drafts. Thanks. The Syrian hamster, or golden hamster, is the most popular choice of pet hamster due to its low cost, ease of care and the many different color variations available. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Provide lots of bedding for them to burrow in. Avoid cedar, redwood, and pine bedding, as they contain resin dust that can irritate your hamster's respiratory system. If you can't afford any of these options then re-consider getting a hamster. The Syrian Hamster is a medium hamster usually about 6 or 7 inches long. Syrians are solitary animals but are social and docile towards human owners. While not all Syrians housed together will fight to the death, they will become stressed and their immunity will be lowered. There are six different types of hamsters: European, Syrian, Dwarf, Chinese, Robos, and Winter Whites. What Should You Do If Your Hamster Has Babies? Line the bottom of the enclosure with a couple inches of bedding. The Syrian hamster is a solitary animal and should always live alone. How will I know and how often should I take my hamster to have its claws clipped? Never purchase pet store hamster cages, they are usually too small, but the best cages are DIY tank cages and bin cages. Syrians hamsters have 44 chromosomes and are sexually mature from 4 weeks old. Syrian hamsters, also known as golden, teddy bear, panda or fancy hamsters, are the most popular domesticated hamster species. By using our site, you agree to our. To care for Syrian hamsters, start by setting up a roomy cage with bedding made of shredded paper, an exercise wheel, and other accessories. If you suspect an infection, take your hamster to the vet immediately. If you can't find a big enough hamster cage or tank, gerbil cages are great for hamsters. The Syrian hamster, also known as the golden hamster, is among the most popular choices for small pets. They're nocturnal, and they prefer to be handled while awake, so you'll have the best luck interacting with them after the sun goes down. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. To prevent illness, only introduce new foods to your hamster in very small quantities, such as half a teaspoon. It doesn't matter what species of hamster you purchase. Whenever you're feeding fresh foods, it's often best to offer them in the evening when your hamster is waking up from its slumber and ready to eat. Your hamster might even wake up a few times a day to eat and then go back to sleep. Toilet paper makes an excellent nesting material, as your hamster can tear it up and stuff it into their hamster house. This article has been viewed 394,737 times. Filtered water is best, but tap is fine - as long as you dechlorinate the water, either by using dechlorination liquid/tablets or by leaving the water out in the open over night. It helped me understand the dietary needs for my furry little friend. Syrian hamsters, despite being a staple pet of many childhoods, are not treated by regular veterinarians but by exotic or “pocket pet” veterinarians that tend to be more expensive. Cotton or string "fluffy" bedding types are extremely dangerous. After reading this article, "Article very helpful, giving us information about size of cage and details relating to health care. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. ", "Thanks, this was awesome. Genetics, as well as the care and stress levels play a big role in how long and how well your hamster lives. The Syrian Hamster Care Guide. But you also can use a shallow dish for water until your hamster learns to drink from the bottle. The average lifespan of a Syrian hamster is approximately two years. Hamsters are usually not smelly, depending on the substrate and how often you clean its cage. My sister spent hours on this looking for every detail before she got her hamster, and now it's, "It helped me learn more about my pet hamster. These are likely to cause a bowel obstruction. Like many hamster species, the Syrian hamster is observed as being a total loner & living a solitary lifestyle in the wild, only observed together during the breeding season. A Syrian hamster Enclosure. For toys, paper towel/toilet paper rolls are good, as long as your hamster can fit through them. Cage Size. You should feed your hamster about 1/8 to 1/4 cup each day. Choosing the right type of hamster for you The most common type of hamster that people have as a pet is the Syrian hamster, which is also often referred to as the Golden hamster. You can increase the space by .5 cubic feet for one additional hamster. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Care-for-Syrian-Hamsters-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-Syrian-Hamsters-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Care-for-Syrian-Hamsters-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid651534-v4-728px-Care-for-Syrian-Hamsters-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"