Hamster/Frequently Asked Questions
From WikiPets
[edit] Can hamsters be kept communally?
Syrian Hamsters are solitary animals and should be kept as individuals. Dwarf hamsters and Roborovski hamsters are friendly with each other, so can be kept together. Chinese hamsters can live in pairs if they have been together from a young age; however, they can become extremely aggressive towards each other, so separating at a later stage may be necessary.
[edit] How long do hamsters live?
Syrian Hamsters live for up to 2 years – though there have been examples in which they have lived up to 3 years. Dwarf hamsters live for about 1 and a half to 2 years while Roborovski Hamsters live up to 3 years. Chinese hamsters live approximately 2 to 3 years.
[edit] What should I do if my hamster dies?
Burial at home or cremation are two options when dealing with the disposal of a dead hamster. Some hamster owners prefer to keep the bodies of their hamsters and to bury them at home in the garden or in a small pot. The hamster’s dead body can be wrapped in cloth or placed in a homemade coffin fashioned from cardboard packaging. Never bury your dead hamster wrapped in plastic because this delays decomposition of the body after burial.
[edit] How do I know if my hamster is male or female?
If you carefully turn your hamster on to its back, you will notice between the back legs two openings. If these are very close together and almost look like one then you have a female. You may also be able to see two rows of teats. If the two openings are about 5 to 10 mm apart, your hamster is a male. On the males you may also be able to see a swelling, especially in warm weather. For a more detailed article on this topic please visit the Hamster Sexing page.
[edit] My hamsters wheel keeps squeaking, is there anything I can do?
Try using a very small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline). It stops the squeaks and is not toxic unlike many other lubrications such as WD-40.
[edit] Can I give my hamster a bath?
That's a naughty word in the hamster world; hamsters don't like water sports. Nature has provided hamsters with a natural oil to maintain the condition of their fur. That's why they spend so much time grooming. Although they can swim, water baths are not recommended. If a wet hamster becomes cold, it can lead to flu and possibly death.
[edit] My hamster has escaped, what can I do?
During the day, you could try looking behind and inside all the furniture, inside cupboards, and under freezers or cookers where the hamster may have decided to sleep for the day. Try not to leave doors open and let it into more rooms. Ask people to help so that watches can be kept in multiple rooms. The hamster will be easier to find at the time of day or night when he is normally active as you may spot him running around the rooms, or he may just run over your foot. Hamsters are curious and if he hears movement he may come to you to investigate what is happening, so watch were you stand.
[edit] How much exercise does a hamster need?
A hamster can run for a distance of several kilometres or more in a night. So that is a lot of exercise. It is best to find a large solid plastic exercise wheel. Hamsters love to come out of their cage and run around a room in the late evening or early morning. If the cage has an easy access side opening then you can leave it open on the floor. The hamster will learn to come out and run around and then climb back into the cage on his own whenever he needs a rest.
[edit] What treats can I give to my hamster?
The best treats for hamsters are foods that are similar to what they might eat in the wild. Fresh (rinsed with water) vegetables are good, for example, carrots, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, romaine lettuce, spinach and other greens. Fresh fruits (rinsed in water) are good too, for example, apples, pears, bananas, grapes and most berries. But remember never to give any citrus fruits like oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit, etc. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables you can also offer many whole grain foods and cereal. They love whole grain bread, and you can give it plain or dip it in plain yogurt or skim milk. Cereals like Corn Flakes, plain Cheerios, Kashi, and other low salt and low or sugar free cereals are fine to give too. Plain oats are very nutritious, and they can be given dry or soaked in skim milk. Protein is an important part of a hamster’s diet as well. Plain scrambled or boiled eggs are a nice treat. Hamsters also love the occasional, pet store bought, meal worm or cricket. The thing to remember when fixing your hamsters' dinner is that moderation and variety are very important. Always provide the standard seed and pellet mix daily, and only offer some of these treats in addition to it.
[edit] Is it normal for my hamster to eat it's own excrement?
Yes. Hamsters have a different digestive system than humans. Hamsters produce two types of excrement — one that's partially digested containing lots of nutrients, and one that's just garbage. Hamsters practice coprophagy, eating the nutrient-filled excrement to get the nutrients from it and digest it fully.
