Dwarf hamsters have a high level of energy. An average hamster exercises For 3 to 4 hours a night. They are clean and captivating companion animals. Hamsters are known as hoarders because they have cheek pouches used to store and move food from one place to another.

Average Size

The average size of a Hamster is 3 to 4 inches in length.

Life Span

2 -3 years old.

Feeding

Fresh food and water should always be available. Small amounts of grains, vegetables, fruits or timothy hay can be given daily. Vegetable and fruits not eaten within 24 hours should be thrown away.

High quality hamster food containing a minimum of 16% protein and 4% fat and a maximum of 4-6% fiber. Treats should not exceed 10% of total food intake. Do not feed chocolate, alcohol or caffeine; these are dangerous. Clean, fresh, de-chlorinated, filtered water changed daily. Animals on premium foods do not need additional vitamin supplements.

Housing

Hamsters acclimate well to average household temperatures; be cautious of extreme temperature change; habitat should never be in direct sunlight or in a drafty area. Habitat should be glass, plastic or metal, escape proof and with a solid bottom.

There should be plenty of room for the hamster to exercise and play; it is best to provide the largest habitat possible. 1-2 inches of bedding should be placed in the habitat; proper bedding includes hardwood shavings and pelleted or recycled products; cedar bedding may cause harm and is not recommended.

House adult hamsters separately.

Maintenance

Remove wet spots daily; change bedding weekly as needed and wash all items in the habitat. Clean the habitat once a week by scrubbing it with mild soap and water, rinse and allow to completely dry to minimize fumes before placing hamster back into the habitat.

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Temps

Stable room temperature is adequate. No special requirements.

Humidity

No special requirements

Lighting

Hamsters are nocturnal, keep out of direct sunlight. Use room lighting as needed.

Water & Accessories

Hamsters should be given a sipper bottle, hung from the side of the cage. They also need small toys to play with and a running wheel for exercise. Keep a food bowl; chew stick and nesting house as well.

BASIC REPRODUCTIVE INFORMATION

The sex of adult hamsters is easy to determine. Male have very large, prominent testicles. In fact, owners unaccustomed to seeing them are often astonished at the anatomic peculiarities.

Male golden hamsters should be first bred when they are 14 weeks old. Females should be first bred when they are 10 weeks old. As the time of copulation approaches, thin, stringy, cobweb-like mucus exits the female's vulva. The female is then placed into the male's cage about one hour before dark. The pair must then be carefully observed for mating activity and/or fighting. Females can be very aggressive to males in this situation and can harm them. The male should be removed at once if there is fighting. Because fighting is so likely, aggressive males are best hand-mated. In these situations, they are better able to defend themselves and "hold their ground". The male should be removed after mating.

Female hamsters with young must be provided with abundant nesting and bedding materials, and plenty of food and water. They must not be disturbed in any way. The young should not be touched or handled until they are at least 7 days old, the nest should not be disturbed, and the cage should not be cleaned during this period. Failure to heed these cautions (especially with females nursing their first litters) most often results in cannibalism of the young.

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