Fluffy and harmless: simple rules for the care and maintenance of an Angora hamster

The Angora hamster is not a separate breed. This is how they began to designate a variety of Syrian (also known as Western Asian or golden) rodents with abnormal fluffiness. Just like other members of this family, the Angora hamster needs a comfortable cage, quality food and clean water. But there are still some differences in the rules for keeping this furry animal.

Factors that adversely affect the lifespan of an Angora hamster

• lack of proper nutrition, violation of the basics of the rodent’s diet;
• unacceptable living conditions prior to purchase;
• harmful conditions for transporting a hamster;
• presence of diseases;

Buying an Angora hamster in Russia is not difficult, the average price is 200-350 rubles. (depending on the region and place of purchase; in a qualified pet store the price is higher than in the poultry market). Hamsters have a tendency to reproduce quickly, the offspring need to be placed in good hands, so there is the option of purchasing a rodent from friends for a nominal fee.

When getting an animal, you need to remember that buying an animal is not the only cost. Fluffy needs a cage, exercise equipment, a feeder, a drinking bowl, sawdust and food.

Housing structure, habitat

It is not recommended to put hamsters in an aquarium; they feel insecure in it, since they do not feel protected there. Most often, the Syrian hamster is placed in a cage. Its minimum dimensions are 30 by 40 cm, but it is desirable that the cage be larger.

The distance between its rods should be no more than 1 cm, otherwise the animal will be able to escape

These are very fast and active animals, so it is very important that the cage has at least 2 levels. On the first level there is usually a dining room and a playroom, and on the second level you can make a resting place

A cage with 3 levels will give your pet even more options.

The location for the Syrian hamster's house should be chosen away from sources of bright light, noise and drafts. Also, you should not install a hamster's home in the bedroom, as it is a nocturnal animal and will not let you sleep at night. Another option for arranging a home for a hamster is a labyrinth with two or three levels. This option is preferable because it looks more like a burrow, and this is the Syrian hamster's native environment. Before furnishing a new home, you need to look at where the animal has made a toilet, where it eats, and where it sleeps.

After this, you can start arranging a house for your hamster. Your pet also needs to have a bowl for food and water. You need to purchase several toys; small balls work well.

What do you need to buy to keep an Angora hamster?

• cell
• drinking bowl and feeder
• sawdust
• exercise equipment and other accessories

For a comfortable stay for a hamster, it is necessary to place the house (cage) away from heat sources; constant exposure to direct sunlight is unacceptable. Fresh air is necessary, but drafts must be avoided.

Place the crate out of the reach of other pets such as cats or dogs.

It is advisable to prevent the cage rods from coming into contact with wallpaper, curtains or furniture; do not forget that this is, first of all, a rodent, and it can damage everything it can reach.

It is important to take care of the “toilet” for your pet - you can buy litter at any pet store; it is poured into the corner of the cage or on a tray, which can be taken out and washed.

It is necessary to arrange a nest for the hamster. To do this, take a house made of plywood or plastic, put hay, pieces of fur, paper or pieces of fabric on the bottom. We do not recommend using cotton wool and newspapers - cotton wool can get the paws of newborns tangled, and printing ink from newspaper sheets can cost your pet his life.

A hamster is an active animal that is constantly on the move. But in captivity, the furry has no need to get food, and his movements are limited by the walls of the house, there is no need to run or climb to escape from the enemy. For this purpose, exercise equipment has been created that will help you release energy and help you stay in shape. The most common exercise machine is the wheel; this is the homa’s favorite activity; they can run in it for a long time. Additionally, hammocks, ladders and tunnels are purchased, if the height of the cage allows - shelf-floors.

When buying a wheel for an Angora hamster, pay attention to the diameter; it should be at least 20 cm to avoid tangling in its own fur. Now you can find a walking ball - a hamster can walk around the apartment in it, you won’t lose it, and you don’t have to worry that it will get stuck somewhere and die.

How to care for an Angora hamster?

Hamsters do not require a lot of water, so there is no need for a large water bottle, especially given the juiciness of the food. You need to have two feeders, you can use any easy-to-clean container, one feeder is intended for dry food, the second for wet food.

As mentioned above, the natural need of any rodent is to chew. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase chalk (mineral) stone , if the animal does not grind down its teeth, they will interfere with normal life activities.

Nature has rewarded the Angora hamster with luxurious fluffy fur, which needs to be combed daily to remove tangled particles of sawdust and food. For brushing, you should purchase a special brush from a pet store. Bathing your pet in the traditional way is not recommended. This hygiene procedure can cause the animal to catch a cold. It is better to install a sand bath in the cage; the Angora hamster will clean its fur with grains of sand as needed.

Beautiful wool is not only a beauty, but also a burden

The only minor disadvantage of the Angora hamster is the need for hair care. Particles of food, sawdust and other debris can get tangled in long fur, so it is necessary to comb out the fluffy one. A simple toothbrush is enough for this.

It is advisable to replace sawdust with a special wood filler in the form of granules.

In pet stores you can purchase cleaning powder specially created and adapted for such animals. Under no circumstances should contact with water be allowed; the hamster should not be bathed in water; this could cause it to die or get sick. Regular brushing will not only keep the animal clean, but is also necessary for an attractive appearance.

Dzungarian (aka Sungur)

Baby jungarik.
Yes, this is not a typo - the Dzungarian hamster and the Sungur hamster are the same breed. In common people, the pet is called a dzhungarik after the name of the region in China, its natural habitat. Sungurik - from the scientific name Phodopus sungorus. Other erroneous names for dwarf hamsters are Siberian hamster and Russian dwarf. Such breeds of pets do not exist in the classification; if they are trying to sell you a Siberian or Russian at an inflated price, find another seller.

Sungursky is a dwarf species, grows up to 10 cm in length and gains a weight of 45-65 grams. The “feet” on the paws are covered with hair. The color on the back is dark, on the belly it is almost white. A characteristic difference is a clearly defined thin dark stripe along the ridge.

The “standard” back color is brown or dark gray. But there are decorative colors:

• Sapphire (gray with a bluish tint);
• Pearl (snow-white);
• Tangerine (similar in color to the golden Syrian).

The Dzhungarik changes its coat color depending on the time of year (lighter in winter), but this rarely happens at home.

The character is perhaps the friendliest among all hamsters. Djungarians often like to be stroked on their backs and bellies; they willingly fall asleep in your arms.

Lives in captivity for an average of 3 years, but with proper care, 4 are possible.

You can house opposite-sex pairs (just keep in mind that they will reproduce quickly and actively). It is better not to keep same-sex Dzungarians together; they do not get along well.

The tiny size leaves an imprint on the maintenance and feeding of the baby. Read about care in detail in this material.

Angora hamster nutrition

The most basic question is what to feed and how to make the rodent’s diet balanced.
Due to the fact that this is an artificially bred breed, the Angora Homa needs good nutrition and sufficient vitamin content. A proper diet consists of:

• fiber – flax, millet, oats – every day;
• proteins of plant origin - berries or fruits, vegetables, nuts and dried fruits - every day;
• animal proteins – cottage cheese or kefir, chicken without added salt – twice a week;

Acceptable food for hamsters:

• purchased mixtures (cereals/dry fruits) – for rodents;
• treats in the form of granules or sticks, cookies, biscuits - purchased in a specialized store, adapted for hamsters;
• sunflower seeds, melon or pumpkin - without fanaticism;
• egg white – once every two weeks;
• fruits - almost everything is allowed: apples, apricots, grapes, etc.;
• vegetables - carrots or pumpkin;
• berries - strawberries or raspberries, but rarely and little by little;
• natural yogurt;
• porridge – for children or without sugar;
• plantain leaves, dandelion, dill/parsley, lettuce.

When feeding fruit, be sure to remove the pit. Fruit pits contain acid, which can be fatal to your pet.

The Angora hamster's diet should be balanced and varied. It is allowed to use special foods sold in pet stores as a basis, for example, Little One, Sultan or Lucky. In addition to this, the furry pet’s menu is supplemented with other healthy products.

What is possible

For the normal development of your four-legged friend, his daily diet should include a lot of fiber and vegetable protein:

• oats;
• barley;
• corn;
• sunflower seeds;
• peas;
• grass;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• berries;
• nuts (in small quantities).

Also, once a week it is necessary to give the Angora hamster foods containing animal protein: cottage cheese, a piece of boiled white meat or liver, a little boiled egg white.

What not to do

It is strictly forbidden to treat your Angora hamster with dishes from your own table. The consumption of sweets and some fruits and vegetables is also prohibited:

• mango;
• citrus;
• persimmon;
• a pineapple;
• watermelon;
• potato;
• onion;
• garlic;
• sorrel;
• mushrooms.

For normal metabolism, you need to supply fresh water - filtered or bottled - to the hamster's cage every day.

Ensuring a decent existence for a pet is not difficult; in return you will receive a devoted pet who will be a source of good mood.

Reproduction and care of offspring

The hamster will not tolerate being around other rodents of the same sex, so a second pet needs a different cage. It is also not recommended to house a male with a female. You will not have time to distribute numerous offspring. Hamsters, including Angoras, have the shortest period of gestation among all mammals - only 14 to 20 days. Females give birth to from 4 to 18(!) hamsters at a time. At the age of 1.5 months, individuals are already ready to reproduce. In this case, the female can bring several litters per year.

You can mate hamsters of different breeds, but it is better to choose a pair with approximately the same size. This is due to the fact that a pregnant female becomes very warlike and can easily injure, and in the case of its small size, even kill, the father of her own children. Therefore, the male, having done his job, is immediately placed in another cage. If he is outwardly friendly, still do not leave him with the female. Often the male destroys the nest with the babies and may bite or eat them.

Some breeding features:

• It is easier to get offspring from young hamsters than from older ones.
• Angoras can give birth to both long-haired and short-haired hamsters.
• It is impossible to predict the color of future children.
• Females often eat part or all of the offspring. Experts attribute this to a lack of protein food in the mother’s body. Therefore, a few days before giving birth, feed your hamster intensively with chicken and egg whites. You can give milk.

In the first week after birth, it is strictly forbidden to handle baby hamsters. The female can eat the cubs, on the skin of which the smell of human hands is preserved.

Training

Angora hamsters are easy to train. You should start teaching your pet tricks before he is a month old. Later attempts at training will not be successful. With proper upbringing, your furry pet will be able to perform several simple tricks:

• respond to your name;
• run in circles;
• stand on your hind legs;
• sit on the owner's shoulder;
• look for a treat.

Before training, you should make sure that the hamster is healthy. Otherwise, classes will have to be postponed. It should also be taken into account that well-fed animals are unlikely to willingly carry out the owner’s commands.

How to avoid stress?

Why avoid it at all? When a pet is stressed, its behavior changes unpredictably. He may stop eating, may behave aggressively or, conversely, indifferently. Caring for a Syrian under stress becomes very difficult.

We have already listed the main stress factors, let’s summarize them:

• Noise, especially loud
• Daylight
• Water treatments
• Other hamsters and animals

Hamsters are solitary animals; they unite only during mating. Remember this, and do not try to “make friends” of the Syrian with other hamsters and other pets.

It is also worth gradually accustoming the golden handsome man to your hands. The Syrian is the most peaceful type of hamster, but even among them there are quarrelsome characters. There is no point in rushing things and expecting mutual love from the first days.

Read more about taming and other training on our website.

That's how stressed I am... Don't hurt the rodent!

Diseases

Angora hamsters, like other animals, are not immune to diseases. Sometimes diseases develop against the background of poor heredity. Only most often rodents get sick due to poor care or an incorrectly selected diet. The list of diseases of Angora hamsters is quite wide:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, constipation);
• diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis, kidney infections);
• inflammation of the cheek sacs;
• mites;
• cold;
• malignant and benign tumors;
• injuries, painful shock.

Self-treatment will only harm the hamster. If signs of illness appear, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.

Types of fur of the royal rodent

There are 3 main varieties of Syrian hamsters based on their coat type.

Satin . Classic shorthaired Syrians. Often the coat is "glossy", which makes the hamster shine in the light.

Long-haired . A detachment of royal rodents with long hair (individuals with a hairstyle 8-10 cm long are known). Often these Syrian hamsters are also called Angora or Persian. The abundant coat requires special care, so we have dedicated separate material on the website to Angora pets.

And I'm not the shaggiest yet!

Rex. Bred relatively recently, they are covered with thick wavy hair that looks like curls.

Content Features

Cell

A cage for a furry pet should be spacious, with an area of ​​1.4 m2. Required interior elements:

1. Filler. Instead of sawdust, which constantly gets tangled in long hair, it is better to sprinkle wood pellets on the bottom of the cage.
2. Little house. Rodents love to sit in a cozy nest, away from prying eyes. When choosing a house for your pet, you should take into account the parameters of windows and doors - the hamster should walk through them freely with full cheeks.
3. A drinking bowl and two feeders - for dry and wet food.
4. Wheel. Angora hamsters love to run, especially in the evening. Taking into account the size of the animal’s body, the diameter of the device should not be 20-25 cm.
5. Stairs and labyrinths. Hamsters require variety, so in addition to the standard running wheel, it is worth installing additional equipment.

The lock of the cage must be strong so that the nimble animal does not open it and escape.

Additional terms

Owners of Angora hamsters need to take into account several nuances when keeping animals:

• representatives of this breed are loners, they do not tolerate the presence of other hamsters in the cage;
• At night, the activity of Angora hamsters increases, so in the evening it is better to take the cage to a room where no one sleeps;
• long-haired pets love warmth; at temperatures below +10 degrees they hibernate;
• drafts and cold lead to colds in Angora hamsters;
• the appearance of a specific unpleasant odor signals that it is time to wash the cage.

Description of the animal

The fluffy hamster was named by analogy with Angora cats, rabbits and goats with their amazing fur, and the Tebyls were named after Ankara, or Angora (as they used to say), since all the animals were originally from Turkey.

Appearance

Externally, Angora hamsters resemble guinea pigs. They have long, thick fur and a decent size for their species. In males, the hair length reaches 6 cm. In females, this figure is 3 times less, so only boys can be considered Angora hamsters. The girls are of the Syrian breed.

An adult animal weighing about 180 g reaches an average of 10–12 cm in length. The front legs are small. Like many other representatives of this family, Angora hamsters have large cheek pouches, but the tail is completely absent.

In nature, Syrian hamsters with a camouflaged golden color usually survived. Any other color stood out too much on the sand and attracted predators. However, for breeders such a defect was very desirable.

Over time, fluffy hamsters of the most unusual colors appeared:

• gray;
• snow-white;
• cream;
• black;
• ashy;
• tortoiseshell.

Character and habits of the Angora hamster

In the wild, miniature hamsters require a lot of personal space. They try to dig their complex burrows away from their relatives and live alone, walking tens of kilometers per night in search of food and building material for their homes.

Domestic varieties of hamsters have retained the instincts of their ancestors and still know only 2 modes - sleep and movement. This explains the annoying rustling and squeaking sounds coming from the cage at night. Angora hamsters are generally more active at night. If they are disturbed during daytime sleep, they may bite.

They do not have particularly warm feelings towards their relatives and will not tolerate a stranger in their cage. If the neighbor is also a male, then the matter will end in a fight or even the death of one of the hamsters.

Despite this, Angora hamsters are sociable, intelligent and peaceful creatures. They get along with children and love to be talked to. At a young age they are easy to train and learn simple tricks.

Hamster health and life expectancy

These small animals usually do not have serious health problems, but they are susceptible to colds, so the place where the Angora hamster lives must be reliably protected from drafts. It is also strictly not recommended to bathe animals.

Health problems arise in hamsters when they are old or due to improper diet and care. They may suffer from colds, flu, cystitis, suffer from lichen or diseases of the urinary system, indigestion, constipation, rectal prolapse.

Signs of health problems are: irregular bowel movements, lethargy or excessive activity, poor appetite. In this case, the animal should be immediately shown to a veterinarian.

In the wild, the Angora hamster lives no more than two years. Like all rodents, they are the main prey for birds of prey, foxes, stoats, badgers, jackals and snakes, but the population is restored in huge numbers due to the high fertility characteristic of this order of mammals.

In captivity, the life expectancy of fluffy hamsters has doubled. On average it is 3–4 years. A healthy pet with proper care and a balanced diet can sometimes live up to 5 years. There was a recorded case where an Angora hamster lived to be seven years old.