Hamster husbandry: The science of species-appropriate living, feeding and care

The philosophy behind hamster needs

Hamsters are fascinating and delicate animals whose cuteness appeals to all ages. However, it is important to understand that hamsters, whether they are golden hamsters, dwarf hamsters or other species, are not cuddly animals. They are demanding creatures with specific needs that, if ignored, can cause stress and discomfort. Their natural life cycle is largely nocturnal, which makes them less suitable for the average nursery routine.

Hamsters are flight animals, and their survival strategies are based on a healthy dose of mistrust of the unknown. They can use their sharp teeth to defend themselves when threatened. That's why it's extremely important that you never surprise or frighten your hamster. Give him time to slowly get used to you, ideally through positive associations with food.

The ideal hamster environment: calm and consistency

A quiet room that is regularly ventilated but not directly exposed to drafts is ideal for your hamster. Beware of noise and smoking as these can disturb your hamster's senses. Like its wild relatives, the pet hamster is active at dusk and at night. Therefore, his sleep phases should remain undisturbed during the day.

Choosing the Perfect Hamster: A Guide

There are many breeds of hamsters. Although the classic golden hamster is very popular, teddy hamsters, piebald hamsters, Siamese hamsters and Djungarian dwarf hamsters are also very popular. The latter dwarf hamster species in particular are known for their trustworthiness.

However, choose carefully, many breeds are bred without taking possible hereditary diseases into account. A hand-raised animal from a registered breeder or from a reputable pet store is usually the safest choice.

Types of hamsters and their specific characteristics

Hamsters are among the most popular pets due to their manageable size, their liveliness and their characteristic appearance. There are several types of hamsters that can be kept as pets, and each has its own specific characteristics and needs. The five most common types are:

1. Golden hamster (Syrian hamster) : With a body length of around 15-17 cm, golden hamsters are the largest of the common hamster species. They are popular as pets because of their gentle nature and cuddly appearance. They are solitary creatures by nature and often react aggressively towards others of their own kind. Therefore they should be kept alone. Golden hamsters are nocturnal, but they can adapt their sleeping patterns to suit their owners.
2. Dwarf Hamsters : This is a group of smaller species of hamsters that are often kept as pets. They include the Djungarian dwarf hamster , the Roborowski dwarf hamster and the Campbell's dwarf hamster . Dwarf hamsters are generally smaller than golden hamsters, measuring around 5-10 cm. They tend to be rather active and lively. Some dwarf hamsters, particularly Djungarian dwarf hamsters, can be kept in groups under certain circumstances, while others, such as the Roborovsky dwarf hamster, are more solitary.
3. Chinese Striped Hamster : Chinese Striped Hamsters are a rare pet choice, primarily because of their calm and gentle nature. They are slightly smaller than golden hamsters and have a slim body shape. They tend to be solitary animals, but unlike many other hamster species, they can live with sexual partners if they are together from a young age.
4. Teddy hamster : The teddy hamster is actually a subspecies of the golden hamster and is similar in size and behavior. The main difference is the length of the fur: teddy hamsters have long, fluffy fur that requires regular grooming.
5. Black-bellied hamster (European hamster) : This species of hamster is larger than the golden hamster and is rarely kept as a pet. They are known for their colorful fur and their agile but also aggressive behavior. They are strictly protected and are not allowed to be kept as pets in many countries.

It is important to note that each species of hamster has its own specific needs and behaviors. Therefore, before purchasing a hamster, one should conduct thorough research and ensure that one is able to care for the specific needs of the chosen species. It should also be noted that each type of hamster requires a species-appropriate enclosure, a balanced diet, appropriate care and careful handling.

Hamster keeping: one or more animals?

The question of whether hamsters should be kept individually or in groups is a controversial topic among pet owners and experts. It is crucial to understand the natural behaviors and lifestyles of hamsters and to adapt the attitude accordingly. Here you can differentiate between the different types of hamsters, each of which has different social structures.

Hamsters are generally solitary creatures by nature. Most hamster species, including commonly kept species such as golden hamsters and Roborowski dwarf hamsters, lead solitary lives in the wild. They usually only meet other hamsters to mate and can react aggressively and belligerently if contact is forced. Therefore, many experts recommend keeping these types of hamsters alone to avoid unnecessary stress and potential fights.

Some hamster species, such as the Djungarian dwarf hamsters, can be kept in groups under certain circumstances. They show a certain social tolerance, especially if they grow up together from an early age. However, tensions can arise here too, especially if the group size is too large, the environment is too small or the food supply is too scarce. Therefore, when keeping Djungarian hamsters in groups, you should always ensure there is enough space and food for each hamster and the animals should be checked regularly for signs of stress or aggression.

It should be noted that keeping hamsters in groups is generally more challenging and requires more responsibility than keeping them individually. It requires constant attention, regular monitoring, and perhaps separation or regrouping to prevent or resolve conflict. In addition, there should always be enough space for each individual hamster to retreat.

In summary, keeping multiple hamsters requires a conscious decision that takes into account both the needs of the animals and the capacity of the owner. For most hamster species, it is preferable to keep them alone to ensure the hamster's well-being.

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The species-appropriate hamster housing/cage: The ultimate home for your hamster

In order to provide your hamster with an environment that corresponds to its natural behavior / hamster husbandry, you should provide a sufficiently large cage. A minimum dimension of 100x50x50 cm (WxHxD) on multiple levels provides enough space for various activities such as digging, hiding and building.

It is recommended to use a mixture of small animal bedding with a third of hay and straw as bedding. Avoid cotton wool, use litter made from hemp, softwood granules or wood instead.

The appropriate habitat for keeping hamsters: hamster cage and equipment

The optimal habitat for your hamster should be large enough and mimic the natural conditions of a hamster. This not only affects the size of the cage, but also the equipment. After all, a hamster should be able to exercise its natural behavior, such as digging and hiding, even in captivity. Therefore, a cage with dimensions of at least 100x50x50 centimeters (width, height, depth) is required.

Particular attention should be paid to digging behavior. It is therefore advisable to have a cage base with a high edge in which you can fill a sufficient amount of bedding for digging. The recommended minimum height for bedding is 20 centimeters, but it can be more. The best bedding options are hemp litter, softwood granules or wood and a mixture of hay and straw.

Encouraging activity: How to ensure fun in the hamster cage!

A hamster needs more than just a running wheel to be able to live out its natural urge to move. Therefore, you should equip the cage with materials such as branches of non-toxic trees, cardboard rolls or half coconuts. Sand baths are also very popular with hamsters and serve an important purpose in claw and fur care. Therefore, a sufficiently large sand area should be integrated into the cage.

In addition, a varied hamster home promotes your animal's activity and prevents boredom. Therefore, keep changing the environment and offer your animal different sleeping houses, shelters, climbing opportunities and hiding places.

Hamster nutrition: what should be on the menu?

The basis of hamster nutrition should be a balanced hamster food mixture consisting of various components such as flowers, dried herbs and fruits. However, nuts, oilseeds and wheat should only be contained in small amounts in these mixtures. Supplement this basic diet daily with fresh treats, such as small pieces of fresh peppers, apples, cucumbers or carrots, raisins, rose hips and thistles. Make sure that the fruits and vegetables are not contaminated with pesticides.

Hygiene and care: How do you keep the hamster cage clean?

Regular hamster cage cleaning is vital to your hamster's health. This not only includes daily cleaning of the “pee corners” and replacing the litter there, but also a weekly basic cleaning of the entire cage. During the cleaning work, you can put your hamster in a safe run.

The most common diseases in hamsters

Hamsters are generally hardy animals, but like any other pet, they can suffer from various diseases. The most common hamster diseases are presented below:

1. Respiratory diseases : Hamsters can suffer from respiratory diseases caused by bacteria such as mycoplasma or by viruses. Symptoms may include sneezing, shortness of breath, nasal discharge, and general lethargy. These conditions can be life-threatening, especially if not treated early.
2. Wet Tail : This is a particularly serious intestinal disorder that occurs primarily in young hamsters and can be triggered by stress. Symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue and a wet or dirty tail area. If left untreated, wet tail can cause death.
3. Abscesses : These can occur in hamsters due to injuries or bacterial infections. They appear as swollen, pus-filled areas on the skin. Abscesses often require veterinary care as they need to be opened, cleaned, and treated with antibiotics.
4. Dental problems : Hamsters have constantly growing teeth and therefore can develop problems such as excessive growth or misalignment. This can cause the hamster to have difficulty eating and lose weight.
5. Parasitic infections : Hamsters can be attacked by external parasites such as mites or fleas and by internal parasites such as worms. Itching, skin irritation, weight loss and diarrhea can indicate a parasite infestation.
6. Diabetes : Dwarf hamsters in particular are prone to diabetes. Symptoms may include excessive thirst, increased urination, and weight loss. A balanced diet low in sugar can help reduce the risk of diabetes.
7. Heart disease : Older hamsters can suffer from heart disease. Symptoms can include rapid breathing, reduced activity and general weakness.

It is important that hamster owners recognize the symptoms of these diseases and seek immediate veterinary care if they notice signs of illness in their hamster. Early diagnosis and treatment can often help save the hamster's life and improve its quality of life.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about keeping hamsters

Summary of hamster husbandry

Keeping hamsters is a popular form of small animal care and brings with it many joys, but also some challenges. When keeping hamsters, it is important to take the specific needs of each hamster species into account. Hamsters are predominantly solitary creatures and should generally be kept alone. Therefore, socialization plays a smaller role in keeping hamsters than with other pets.

When keeping hamsters, it is crucial to provide the animals with enough space. The cage should be as large as possible and provide different areas for sleeping, eating and playing. An appropriate cage size and design is of central importance for the well-being of the animal when keeping a hamster.

Nutrition also plays an important role in keeping hamsters. Hamsters should be fed a balanced diet that includes special hamster food, fresh vegetables, and proteins. The food selection should be tailored to the specific nutritional needs of the hamster species.

Another important aspect of keeping hamsters is health care. Hamsters can suffer from a variety of illnesses, so it is important to watch for signs of illness and seek veterinary attention if necessary. Regular health checks are essential when keeping hamsters.

When keeping a hamster, the animal's natural behaviors and rhythm of life should be respected. Most hamster species are nocturnal, meaning they need plenty of rest during the day. This should be taken into account when keeping hamsters.

When keeping hamsters, it is also important to offer the animals employment opportunities. Hamsters are active animals that enjoy digging, climbing and playing. Toys, running wheels and climbing opportunities are therefore important components of keeping hamsters.

In summary, keeping hamsters is a responsible task that requires a lot of knowledge and commitment. However, with proper care and attention, hamster ownership can be a rewarding and joyful experience.

Literature on the subject of hamster keeping

1. "Hamster: Practical Knowledge for Owners" by Gabriele Linke-Grün (2014): This book provides a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of hamster ownership, including selection, care, nutrition and health. It is suitable for both beginners and experienced hamster owners.
2. "The Hamster Handbook: Species-appropriate husbandry, care, employment" by Gisela Bulla (2011): This handbook offers detailed information about the different types of hamsters and their specific needs. It also contains many practical tips for daily hamster care.
3. "Hamster: Species-appropriate husbandry and care" by Immanuel Birmelin (2009): This book offers detailed instructions for keeping hamsters and covers topics such as nutrition, diseases and behavior. It's especially useful for people getting their first hamster.
4. "Dwarf hamsters: Everything you need to know about hamsters, their purchase and care, keeping and breeding" by Peter Fritzsche (2005): This book focuses specifically on dwarf hamsters and offers detailed information about their specific needs and characteristics. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in this specific species of hamster.
5. "Hamsters. Care, Keeping, Breeds" by Horst Bielfeld (1999): This classic book offers a comprehensive overview of hamster keeping and covers topics such as selection, keeping, feeding, behavior and health care. It is a useful reference for all hamster owners.

It is important to note that the books mentioned above are for general information and cannot replace a visit to the vet, especially when it comes to health problems. It is also always a good idea to seek the most up-to-date information on hamster care, as standards and recommendations can change.