How to Take Care of a Golden Hamster
Among all the types of hamsters, golden or Syrian hamsters are the largest ones and have become popular as cute animals that would not bite and are easy to take care of. But, as with all the other animals people take as companions, they also need care and attention in order to grow up. Everything you wanted to know about how to take care of a golden hamster, including how they interact in their daily lives, their diet, their social life, and their healthcare system, will be in this article.
Which is the Golden Hamster?
They are quite small, live independently, and are of golden color, and many people choose those animals for their families, including children. Originally native to the regions of Syria and Turkey, it has adapted to life within homes and tamed. Due to its individualism and the fact that it can have fun, it is really nice pets. However, in order to ascertain that your companion animal is healthy and most definitely content, knowledge of how to take care of a golden hamster is essential.
Setting Up the Ideal Habitat
The first parameter for your pet’s comfort during its stay is its protected area in the form of a living space.
Choosing the Right Cage
- Select a cage of sufficient size and a beginning entry area of not less than 30 cm/450 inch square.
- Any wire cage with a solid plastic floor or some glass aquarium with enough ventilation on top will suffice.
- Avoid the wired floor cages because your hamster will end up with injured feet.
Bedding and Substrate
For substrates, use soft, absorbent, and non-toxic bedding such as aspen shavings, paper-based products, and hemp bedding.
Do not use cedar or pine shavings because they give your pet hamster breathing difficulties.
Enrichment and Accessories
This should be done by a hamster wheel, wherein the wheel surface should be plain (the wheel should be at least 8 inches in diameter to cause back issues).
Please spend some time adding tunnels, chewing toys, and different hiding places; this will provide your pet with much-needed mental exercise.
Besides, make sure your pet hamster has a chance to have a sand bath for its natural enrichment and to groom.
Feeding Your Golden Hamster
Every how to take care of a golden hamster A person who is a student needs to learn what you feed your pet. Store-bought hamster foods should be healthy so that your hamster can remain healthy and burly.
Main Diet
A standard recommended pellet mix should make the staple diet that any hamster you may be keeping as a pet.
While choosing the right pellet, a product that has fixed fats and fiber in addition to reasonable amounts of protein should be selected.
Fresh Foods
Give them fruits and vegetables, which are carrots, apples without seeds, broccoli, or spinach.
Chocolates, onions, garlic, and vinegar, as well as other foods that are acidic, should not be taken at all.
Treats
It is all right for your bird to receive odd tidbits occasionally, like sunflower seeds, mealworms, or a handful of unsalted peanuts or almonds.
Treats must not be more than 10% of the whole diet of the hamster.
Water Supply
Food must be fresh and clean daily, and the feeder is the water bottle with a sipper tube. It should also be securely installed but easily accessible and easily operable.
Daily Care and Interaction
These hamsters are healthy keeps if only their owners provide them with lots of attention. Not only that, having contact quite often is not only showing them how to be happy but also building an element of trust.
Handling Your Hamster
First, let your hamster get a signal that you are as harmless as the scent you want to introduce to them. Hand them yours and let them climb on it.
When dealing with your hamster, avoid being forceful, or attempt to ‘Scare’ him or her because they develop stress easily.
Cleaning the Cage
Take the time to dust the cage once a day, in order to remove soiled bedding or uneaten food from the floor of the cage.
Clean and replace all the bedding the cage and deep clean the cage at least once a week.
Playtime
Allow the hamster a little free time that is outside the cage but confined to playing area such as a playpen.
Do not let it stray into another room to start biting on the furniture or attempt to get out.
Negation of Health and Happiness
Admittedly, knowing how to take care of a golden hamster also includes its maintenance. Because there are often solutions to such problems if they are in their early stages, we can avoid aggravated problems.
Signs of a Healthy Hamster
Clean coats and bright-appearing eyes, healthy skin on their bodies, and childlike behavior are clear indications of health among these animals.
Normal physical findings are that the patient is alert with bright eyes, has a good appetite, has a round, smooth-appearing digestive system, and has smooth and quiet breathing.
Common Health Issues
It is unfortunate as all the signs; including wet tail which manifests as hind leg rash, diarrhea and tiredness are signs of an ill hamster.
Ensure that the teeth are growing as should be, to avoid occurrence of overgrowth, respiratory infections and skin rashes.
When to Visit the Vet
Obviously they should pay attention to seeing the veterinarian, and even a specialist in small animals if possible and often.
You should pay attention in order to determine whether your hamster has symptoms of some disease, so you may seek help from a vet.
Conclusions
Learning how to take care of a golden hamster entails creating a safe environment, feeding the children properly, making social contacts frequently and supervising on their health. Proper care to these friendly creatures will increase their life span and add beauty to your house. Heed the following points highlighted in this guide as they will help you to bond with your golden hamster.
To a first time owner or even if you have owned a pet before, owning a golden hamster is a fulfilling endeavor. Take it as a process and then it becomes so rewarding every time it starts playing or follows you around.
FAQs
When should I clean my golden hamster’s cage?
Daily, only certain areas should be wiped down while in a week, the entire cage needs to be cleaned. For their house to smell nice, clean, and natural, they were able to support the fact that cleanliness should always be exercised in our houses.
Is it safe to keep two golden hamsters at one time?
Golden hamsters are basically night animals that are best singly housed because, when placed together in the same cage, they turn aggressive. At least it makes sense to try to pull them apart – for their peace and for their lives.
What are the proper ways of handling your golden hamster?
When you are holding your hamster be as gentle as possible and do not rush them. Let your hamster jump unto your hand without encouraging or coaxing the hamster. It is advisable to start slowly, for example with an aim of allowing them to become familiar with your scent. Following the hamster’s care, potential things that should should be avoided include sudden movements or loud noises as the hamsters get stressed easily.
