Care for a Hamster

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−	There are several kinds of hamsters and most live for about 2-3 years. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, which means that they like to sleep all day. However, dwarf hamsters are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. To make sure that your hamster is happy and healthy, you’ll want to feed it right, help it get enough exercise/playtime, and clean its cage regularly.<ref>https://ift.tt/38sAdsa>	+	There are several kinds of hamsters and most live for about 2-3 years. Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, which means that they like to sleep all day. However, dwarf hamsters are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. To make sure that your hamster is happy and healthy, you’ll want to feed it right, help it get enough exercise/playtime, and clean its cage regularly. <ref>https://ift.tt/38sAdsa>
	[[Category:Hamsters]]		[[Category:Hamsters]]
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	=== Purchasing a Hamster ===		=== Purchasing a Hamster ===
	#Find a place that sells hamsters. If you want to get a furry hamster friend go to the pet store, hamster breeder (if you're looking for a specific coat color for your hamster) or animal shelter to pick one out. Try not to buy from a chain pet store as the hamsters will likely come from mill breeders and have very bad genetics. Instead, choose a rescue or local breeder. Check Craigslist, Gumtree, or Preloved. [[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 1 Version 3.jpg|center]]		#Find a place that sells hamsters. If you want to get a furry hamster friend go to the pet store, hamster breeder (if you're looking for a specific coat color for your hamster) or animal shelter to pick one out. Try not to buy from a chain pet store as the hamsters will likely come from mill breeders and have very bad genetics. Instead, choose a rescue or local breeder. Check Craigslist, Gumtree, or Preloved. [[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 1 Version 3.jpg|center]]
−	#*Hamsters are relatively cheap to purchase. You’ll spend far more money on their toys, cages, and healthcare.<ref>https://ift.tt/2UMIMKB>	+	#*Hamsters are relatively cheap to purchase. You’ll spend far more money on their toys, cages, and healthcare. <ref>https://ift.tt/2UMIMKB>
	#Choose a healthy hamster. A healthy hamster should have clean ears, a clean and dry bottom, a small rounded stomach, no bald spots or lumps (except for the scent glands on its thighs, which many people mistake for cuts or scabs), clean bright eyes, and healthy teeth which aren't overgrown or curled upwards.[[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 2 Version 3.jpg|center]]		#Choose a healthy hamster. A healthy hamster should have clean ears, a clean and dry bottom, a small rounded stomach, no bald spots or lumps (except for the scent glands on its thighs, which many people mistake for cuts or scabs), clean bright eyes, and healthy teeth which aren't overgrown or curled upwards.[[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 2 Version 3.jpg|center]]
	#* If a hamster has wet fur around the rump, be especially wary; this is a sign of “wet tail” — a bacterial disease that spreads quickly through contact with other hamsters. The fur must be dry and clean. There are antibiotic treatments for wet tail, but if you just now picking out a hamster, try to find one that is healthy.<ref>https://ift.tt/2Sp84wx>		#* If a hamster has wet fur around the rump, be especially wary; this is a sign of “wet tail” — a bacterial disease that spreads quickly through contact with other hamsters. The fur must be dry and clean. There are antibiotic treatments for wet tail, but if you just now picking out a hamster, try to find one that is healthy.<ref>https://ift.tt/2Sp84wx>
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	#Avoid “human” foods. This includes things such as candy, pasta, raw meat/fish, sugar, and desserts. Hamsters can develop diabetes. Foods that you might not consider high in sugar content will be too sugary for your hamster. This can be damaging to their health.<ref>https://ift.tt/2uMQYjc for a Hamster Step 15 Version 3.jpg|center]]		#Avoid “human” foods. This includes things such as candy, pasta, raw meat/fish, sugar, and desserts. Hamsters can develop diabetes. Foods that you might not consider high in sugar content will be too sugary for your hamster. This can be damaging to their health.<ref>https://ift.tt/2uMQYjc for a Hamster Step 15 Version 3.jpg|center]]
	#Give it treats. Regularly feed treats twice or three times a week. Hamster favorites include carrots, cucumber, apples, bananas, peppers, lettuce, celery, kale, collard and dandelion greens and a bounty of other vegetables and fruits. Some of these foods can also be used in a hamster's daily diet. Hamster treats are also available at all pet stores, like yogurt chips, hamster chocolate drops or blocks of wood that the hamster likes to chew on. Some veggies and fruits are NOT safe to feed to your hamsters. Onions, almonds, beans, potatoes, fruits with seeds, avocados, chives, eggplants, scallions, spices, leeks, garlic, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and citrus fruits are big no-nos.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/hamsters/tips/hamster_feeding.html</ref>[[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 16 Version 2.jpg|center]]		#Give it treats. Regularly feed treats twice or three times a week. Hamster favorites include carrots, cucumber, apples, bananas, peppers, lettuce, celery, kale, collard and dandelion greens and a bounty of other vegetables and fruits. Some of these foods can also be used in a hamster's daily diet. Hamster treats are also available at all pet stores, like yogurt chips, hamster chocolate drops or blocks of wood that the hamster likes to chew on. Some veggies and fruits are NOT safe to feed to your hamsters. Onions, almonds, beans, potatoes, fruits with seeds, avocados, chives, eggplants, scallions, spices, leeks, garlic, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and citrus fruits are big no-nos.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/hamsters/tips/hamster_feeding.html</ref>[[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 16 Version 2.jpg|center]]
−	#Give your hamster a chew stick. These come in many different sizes, colors, and flavors. Since your hamster’s teeth grow constantly, it'll need to slowly grind them down. Chew sticks are good for this. Keep trying new ones until you find one your hamster enjoys. Some hamsters will shun all chew sticks. If this is the case, you can expect your hamster to chew on other things in its habitat like the bars of its cage.[[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 17 Version 3.jpg|center]]	+	#Give your hamster a chew stick. These come in many different sizes, colors, and flavors. Since your hamster’s teeth grow constantly, it'll need to slowly grind them down. Chew sticks are good for this. Keep trying new ones until you find one your hamster enjoys. Some hamsters will shun all chew sticks. If this is the case, you can expect your hamster to chew on other things in its habitat like the bars of its cage.[[Image: Care for a Hamster Step 17 Version 3.jpg|center]]
	=== Acclimating Your Hamster ===		=== Acclimating Your Hamster ===
−	#Leave your hamster alone to explore its new home. When first bringing your hamster home, place it in its cage, with fresh food and water, and leave it alone. Cover the hamster's cage with a light cloth so that it can explore the cage or habitat in privacy. Make sure there is enough food, water, and toys to keep the hamster occupied for a few days, as you will not go near the hamster during this initial period. If there are children, friends, or guests in the house, make sure they know not to disturb the hamster.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/hamsters/tips/welcoming_new_hamster.html</ref>[[Image:Care for a Hamster Step 18 Version 3.jpg|center]]	+	#Leave your hamster alone to explore its new home. When first bringing your hamster home, place it in its cage, with fresh food and water, and leave it alone. Cover the hamster's cage with a light cloth so that it can explore the cage or habitat in privacy. Make sure there is enough food, water, and toys to keep the hamster occupied for a few days, as you will not go near the hamster during this initial period. If there are children, friends, or guests in the house, make sure they know not to disturb the hamster.<ref>http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/hamsters/tips/welcoming_new_hamster.html</ref>[[Image: Care for a Hamster Step 18 Version 3.jpg|center]]
−	#Introduce yourself gradually. After about three days of leaving your hamster alone, you and your hamster can start to become acquainted. When approaching the cage, speak softly to alert the hamster of your presence. Your hamster may be nervous at first, but remember he or she is not used to you yet and don't be discouraged. Start the things you should do daily such as changing food and water, as well as replacing old toys and putting in new toys. Also, try to remove soiled bedding. Your hamster will start to get used to your hand being in the cage.<ref>https://ift.tt/37ta8rI for a Hamster Step 19 Version 2.jpg|center]]	+	#Introduce yourself gradually. After about three days of leaving your hamster alone, you and your hamster can start to become acquainted. When approaching the cage, speak softly to alert the hamster of your presence. Your hamster may be nervous at first, but remember he or she is not used to you yet and don't be discouraged. Start the things you should do daily such as changing food and water, as well as replacing old toys and putting in new toys. Also, try to remove soiled bedding. Your hamster will start to get used to your hand being in the cage.<ref>https://ift.tt/2SIuUyj Care for a Hamster Step 19 Version 2.jpg|center]]
−	#Begin the taming process. Have short taming sessions starting on the second week of your hamster being in its new home. Most hamsters are active during the early to late evening and throughout the night. Try to learn the hamster's individual routine and do taming sessions when it is most active. A good way to tame your hamster is to put your hamster in an empty bathtub then get in yourself. Bring in a few toys for your hamster to play with whilst it's getting used to your presence. Do not force your hamster to play if it does not want to. If during the training stage your hamster bites/scratches do not punish it.<ref>https://ift.tt/37ta8rI for a Hamster Step 20 Version 3.jpg|center]]	+	#Begin the taming process. Have short taming sessions starting on the second week of your hamster being in its new home. Most hamsters are active during the early to late evening and throughout the night. Try to learn the hamster's individual routine and do taming sessions when it is most active. A good way to tame your hamster is to put your hamster in an empty bathtub then get in yourself. Bring in a few toys for your hamster to play with whilst it's getting used to your presence. Do not force your hamster to play if it does not want to. If during the training stage your hamster bites/scratches do not punish it.<ref>https://ift.tt/2SIuUyj Care for a Hamster Step 20 Version 3.jpg|center]]
	#* To tame your hamster, place your hand in the cage. Let your hamster sniff it and explore it. If the hamster nips gently and not out of aggression, pull your hand back gently, but immediately let it explore your hand again. This will help the hamster learn that the hand is nothing to bite or fear. Next, place treats in your hand; seed mixtures are good for this because as a supplement to the pellet or block-type diet, hamsters love this food. Your hamster should become used to climbing onto your hand, learning that the hand is something to climb into. Gradually move the treat up your hand, as your hamster will become more and more comfortable climbing onto it.		#* To tame your hamster, place your hand in the cage. Let your hamster sniff it and explore it. If the hamster nips gently and not out of aggression, pull your hand back gently, but immediately let it explore your hand again. This will help the hamster learn that the hand is nothing to bite or fear. Next, place treats in your hand; seed mixtures are good for this because as a supplement to the pellet or block-type diet, hamsters love this food. Your hamster should become used to climbing onto your hand, learning that the hand is something to climb into. Gradually move the treat up your hand, as your hamster will become more and more comfortable climbing onto it.
	#* If your hamster is showing good progress, try to let your hamster climb onto your hand and offer it treats right after it has. Your hamster will see your hand as a good thing. This time, let your hamster climb onto your hand and lift the hand slowly off of the cage floor. Your hamster may be frightened at first, but speak softly and offer it treats to make it feel more comfortable. Sit on the floor during this step, as your hamster may decide to leap out of your hands and can be injured once falling from about 6-8 inches (15-20cm) off the ground.<ref>https://ift.tt/2SIlcMf>		#* If your hamster is showing good progress, try to let your hamster climb onto your hand and offer it treats right after it has. Your hamster will see your hand as a good thing. This time, let your hamster climb onto your hand and lift the hand slowly off of the cage floor. Your hamster may be frightened at first, but speak softly and offer it treats to make it feel more comfortable. Sit on the floor during this step, as your hamster may decide to leap out of your hands and can be injured once falling from about 6-8 inches (15-20cm) off the ground.<ref>https://ift.tt/2SIlcMf>
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	*Hamster food and treats		*Hamster food and treats
	*Food bowl (metal bowls are best)		*Food bowl (metal bowls are best)
−	*Water
	*Water bottle		*Water bottle
	*Bedding		*Bedding

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