Keeping your hamster healthy

 

Harmonious Home

  • The bigger the cage, the better

    • Check out awesome hamster cage options here

    • Minimum of 450 square inches when you measure the bottom of the cage

    • Most

  • Plenty of ventilation

  • Lots of bedding to burrow in, paper works best!

    • Our favorites are Oxbow Pure Comfort and Kaytee Clean & Cozy style bedding

  • Avoid tubes as hamsters may get stuck or not have enough ventilation

 
 

Food & Snacks

  • Check out what hamsters can eat here at California Hamster Association

    • This resource is the BEST for food recommendations and what to stay away from

  • Did you know you can feed your hamsters food scraps?

    • Hamsters can have all different types of vegetables, fruits, carbs, and even sources of protein like plain boiled chicken and meal worms in moderation

 
 

Worthy Wheels

  • An exercise wheel is a MUST as this is one of the most important elements in hamster lives.

    • Saucer style wheels are a great form of enrichment but don’t count as a running wheel

  • Wheels should be solid plastic so that your hamster doesn’t hurt his paws

  • Did you know that hamsters that don’t have a wheel can suffer from depression and anxiety?

Too Small

Notice how this hamster is bending his neck? This is unsafe for your hamster, you’ll want to grab a larger wheel for your hamster so that they can run naturally, like the hamster on the right

 
 

Friends or Foes?

  • Hamsters generally don’t want roommates

    • They will fight until one gets severely injured

  • Syrian/Teddy Bear/Golden hamsters must be housed alone

    • Click here to learn more

  • While it is possible for dwarf hamsters, like the Roborovski to live together, it can be risky and we generally don’t recommend it

 
 

Hamster Health

  • Common Illnesses

    • Wet tail - serious illness, sickness that causes diarrhea and weakness in hamsters

    • Respiratory illness

    • Abcesses

    • Tumors in elderly hamsters

    • Torpor - when a hamster goes into a type of potentially life-threatening hibernation

    • See a full list here

  • Signs that something is wrong

    • Loss of appetite

    • Inactivity

    • Diarrhea

    • Hair loss

    • Sniffling

    • Lumps and bumps (especially with aging hamsters)

    • Wetness around the tail (indication of diarrhea)

  • These signs are indications that you should call a veterinarian

    • Things to consider: Since hamsters are nocturnal, and are awake in the evening, it’s a good rule of thumb to get the latest appointment available. Afternoon and evening appointments allow the veterinarian to get a better idea of your hamster’s normal behavior

    • Bring your hamster in their regular cage or if it is too big, then bring pictures of the cage. This allows your veterinarian to assess their living conditions to see if anything is related to their living conditions.