Best Hamster Bedding For Odor Control

There are certain lessons that can only be learned by owning and caring for a pet. Caring for a living creature selflessly can be a great source of therapy; feeding him and keeping him healthy is a challenge that most pet lovers would agree is worth it.If you want a lovable companion that doesn't take up too much space, consider getting a hamster. Hamsters are among the most popular pets in the world for their quirks, including the cheek pockets that they fill with food. They’re loved for their curious personality and adorable looks. Everyone has seen a little hamster running a race on his wheel as if his life depended on it.Hamsters can do more if trained correctly. With enough patience, your hamster can learn to do tricks; the Internet is full of clips of hamsters running obstacle courses or playing basketball.If you are thinking about getting a hamster, it’s important to know the basics of hamster care. They’re often made out to be low-maintenance, but this is not the case; like any other animal, they deserve the appropriate environment to live happy and healthy. Here are a few basic requirements for hamster care that you should follow to keep your furry friend happy.

Choosing a Hamster

What's the first thing you should do if considering a hamster for a pet? It's important to do your research and choose what kind of hamster you want to buy. There are four common breeds that people can adopt as pets. These breeds are the Syrian, Winter White, Chinese, Roborovski.If you're wondering what the difference is between the four hamster breeds, the first thing you should take into account is their temperaments. They're different from one another, and each kind needs special care. For example, the small Roborovski hamster is incredibly fast and difficult to tame. The Syrian is the preferred breed if you're getting a pet for children because they tend to be more mellow. Ask for help at the pet store if you can’t decide which hamster is best for you.Remember that, no matter what kind of hamster you go for, it’s a living creature. It will require your care and attention for the rest of its short life. If you don’t think you’ll have the time to play with it or clean its cage, a hamster might not be the pet for you.

Picking a Cage

A common mistake made by many beginner hamster owners is their choice of a cage. The colorful cages you find at the pet store might be pretty, but they don’t have enough space for your pet hamster. The ideal size for a hamster cage is 24 inches by 12 inches, and the height should be about 12 inches.It doesn’t matter the size of the hamster; this creature needs ample space to run and play. Putting a hamster wheel in a little cage does not make up for the limitations of putting a hamster in a cage that’s too small for him. A happy hamster has spaces in which to hide and plenty of toys.

Decorating the Cage

What should you put in your hamster cage for him to play with? This is another common question asked by new pet owners. There are some ideal layouts that might look complicated at first, but you might find that decorating your hamster’s cage is fun!Your hamster is nocturnal, which means there should be places for him to hide during the day. Your pet store should have hamster houses in stock, or you can use a jar in your kitchen. If it’s big enough to provide a comfortable hideout, clean and disinfect the jar, then scatter some bedding inside of it.Make sure there are plenty of toys for your hamster to chew on. Because their front teeth never stop growing, hamsters need to grind them down on pieces of wood or plastic. A hamster will be very uncomfortable if his teeth grow to be too big, so don’t neglect the chewy toys!Hamsters like to climb. Give them lots of obstacles that they can explore, such as tunnels and bridges made of wood. Above all, include the wheel, but make sure it’s the right size for your hamster. If the wheel is too small for your hamster, it’ll hurt his back when he uses it.For more suggestions on hamster toys, visit this site. You don’t need an Instagram-worthy cage, but if you love your new pet, you’ll make sure that he’s happy in his new setup.

Feeding Your Hamster

Though you can purchase bags of ready-made hamster food at the store, part of the fun of owning a pet is preparing treats for them. Do an online search and find out what vegetables they can eat. To start with, you can feed them apples, asparagus, or bananas. Like anything else, this should be given to them in moderation. Carrots are a favorite for hamsters, as well as alfalfa. Drops of frozen yogurt make a good dessert for them. Once you know what you are feeding them and how much you should give them, you can prepare homemade meals for your hamster, which is a great way for you to bond with them.Don’t give your hamster human food. A cookie might look like a small snack to you, but your hamster is smaller, and it will have too much sugar for his little body. Remember that you are responsible for their health now, and part of that means keeping them on a healthy and balanced diet. If they eat well and have enough space for exercise, they’ll have a long and happy life.

Playing With Your Hamster

After you bring your new pet home from the store, it will take a few days for them to trust you enough to play with you. It’s better to let them hide and adjust to their new environment; don’t force them to come out into the open. Many people suggest leaving a sock or other bit of cloth with your smell on it inside of their cage so that they can adjust to it.Some hamsters mellow out over time after they are brought home; some don’t, and remain biters for the rest of their lives. Each animal has his own personality, and if you don’t think a biting hamster is something you can handle, consider rehoming it to someone who will give it the proper care.If your hamster does get used to you, you’re forming a great friendship. Practice picking them up by putting food on your hand and letting them climb on. If they seem hesitant to trust you, you might have to do this several times.When the hamster is comfortable sitting on your hand, play with him over a cardboard box; that way, if he jumps off in a moment of playfulness, you won’t have to chase him all over the house. This will keep him out of danger and prevent stress for you.

Cleaning Your Hamster’s Cage

If you don’t keep your hamster’s cage clean, they could become ill. You should clean out your hamster’s cage at least twice a month. If you clean it more often, you might cause your hamster stress, as the hamster grows accustomed to the scent of his cage.Let your hamster play in a plastic container while you are cleaning his cage. Use the opportunity to examine the inside of the cage for signs of illness or injury; check your hamster’s droppings for anything unusual. Deep-clean the bottom of the cage, scrubbing away the dirt.We also suggest that you carry out smaller cleaning sessions every day, such as checking your hamster’s water bottle to ensure that it is not empty or leaking. Remove uneaten vegetables before they rot. If the cage smells unusually bad, there might be old food somewhere inside of it; search the bedding until you find it and throw it away.Don’t forget to wash your hamster’s toys, such as the hamster wheel and the house where he sleeps. If possible, clean them with hot water and remove all of the dirt from their surfaces. Remove old chewy toys and give them new, clean ones.

Protecting Your Hamster

If you’re bringing your hamster into a home where there are already pets such as dogs and cats, the hamster is vulnerable to your dog or cat. Keep an eye on him; put him in a room where you can close the door, and don’t allow your larger pets to come nearer. Even if your dog has a friendly temperament around you, he doesn’t know what the hamster is, and in his attempt to play with the new pet, he might put the hamster in danger.Another aspect of protecting your hamster involves ensuring his cage is secure. This way, you are preventing an escapade that could end in him getting hurt. Make sure there is no chance of his climbing over the top of the cage or chewing his way through the bottom. Your hamster’s own curiosity can be dangerous for him, so make sure he doesn’t escape.Keep your hamster away from windows where it becomes hot in the day. Fans can also be dangerous for your hamster. Find a spot in your house with a neutral temperature. Hamsters prefer darkness, being blind, and are happier in quiet places where they can get their sleep during the day.Finally, hamsters are solitary creatures. They do not get along with one another. If you want to have more than one hamster, make sure they are in separate cages and cannot see each other. If two grown hamsters are kept in the same cage, they could fight each other to injury or even to death.

Can Hamsters Travel?

We do not recommend that you take your hamster with you on vacations because they become distressed in unfamiliar settings. The only situation in which a hamster should travel is if they’re going to a vet’s appointment or if you’re moving. A stressed hamster becomes tense and can fall ill; limit their travel as much as possible.If you need to go on vacation, hire someone you trust to come and feed them, such as a neighbor or friend. Remind them that the hamster isn’t familiar with them, so they should not try to handle the hamster.

Keeping Your Hamster Healthy

Your hamster has a short life span, compared to other pets. Hamsters in ideal conditions live for 3 years on average. This requires that they are kept on a healthy diet and have enough room to exercise. If you take the time to create an ideal environment, your hamster will live a full and happy life.If you find that you cannot care for your hamster, or feel that he takes up too much for your schedule, don’t feel bad to find another owner who can give him the attention due. The hamster will be happier in a place where all of his needs are met, and you won’t have to worry about whether he is safe.

Conclusion

Hamsters make for wonderful pets, and will bring you plenty of joyful moments. Owning one requires work, so make sure that you are well-equipped with all that they need, and enough time to take care of them. Like any other pet, they need to be tended to with great patience and care.A happy hamster will be joyfully running on his wheel at night and filling his cheek pockets with food. If you do get a hamster, you'll find in him a new best friend.