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• Know your hamster’s breed. It is important to know which breed of hamster you have – each breed has specific characteristics and needs. Knowing its breed will make it easier for you to provide proper care.


• Housing your hamster. Place your hamster’s cage in a quiet, dimly lit, well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight and drafts. If you have cats or dogs, the cage should be placed well out of their reach.


• Make your home hamster-friendly. Hamsters are renowned for being escape artists. Make your home a safe haven. Electric wires and appliances should be out of their reach and pipe openings that your hamster could fall through should be blocked. Get door stops or keep doors closed to prevent your hamster from being crushed by a slamming door. Strong-smelling chemicals could poison your hamster – keep them away from these, and always watch your step when your hamster is running around.


• Choose the right cage. Ask yourself the following questions: Is it big enough? Hamsters love to exercise, make sure that there is ample room. Is it safe? Most cages are barred, so make sure that the bars are not too far from each other, so that your hamster can’t climb through them, and that other pets can’t stick their paws through them. Is it easy to clean? This can become a tiring task; choose a cage that allows for easy cleaning.


• Make the cage a home. Your hamster will spend a lot of time in its cage. Make sure that it is a pleasant space. Wood shavings, shredded paper or napkins can be used for bedding and nesting. Hamsters like privacy when they sleep, so include a hideaway, such as a small box with a hole. Also include an exercise wheel, water bottle and a food tray.


• Clean the cage. Keeping the cage clean will reduce the risk of contracting infections. The water bottle and food tray should be cleaned daily. Remove damp litter every second day. Hamsters stash food - remove it before it spoils. Bedding should be changed once a week. Disinfect all washable surfaces.


• Feed your hamster correctly. Have a set feeding time. There is a wide variety of hamster mixes available at pet shops. Include fresh fruit and vegetables. If you are uncertain, speak to your vet about its dietary needs. Fresh water must always be available.


• Tame your hamster. Taming your hamster is a gradual process – you will need to gain its trust. Have a routine. Start by feeding it treats by hand; speak to it so that your voice becomes familiar to the animal. When it is tamer, pick it up gently, first for brief periods and then longer ones. Make sure that your hamster is always aware of your presence.


• Grooming your hamster. Hamsters clean themselves. They trim their incisors and toenails through gnawing and digging. You will need to clip its nails if necessary.


• Is your hamster ill? Tell-tale signs that your hamster is ill: dull-looking eyes, matted fur, weight loss, shaking, running nose. Common ailments are: diarrhoea, colds, constipation, wet tail and heatstroke. Contact your vet as soon as you notice something is wrong.

- (Leandra Engelbrecht, January 2007)
 

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