Pros and cons of owning a hamster

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12.04.2018

Hamsters are beautiful and interesting animals. They are considered the most unpretentious of all pets. To decide whether to get a rodent, think carefully. After all, a hamster in the house is not just a toy, but a big responsibility.

What do you need for a dzhungarik?

Minimum set

In order for the Djungarian hamster to live at least some time in your house, he will need a cage (even the smallest one, in extreme cases an aquarium or a 3-5 liter jar) to live in, food (it can be placed directly at the bottom of the cage) and a drinking bowl. That is, the minimum Spartan set of dzhungarik looks like this:

mini cage
drinking bowl

Optimal set

For a normal life for a hamster, it is advisable to buy a larger cage. It would be convenient to feed him from a special feeder. For physical development, buy him a wheel, and a house for relaxation. It is advisable to place filler at the bottom of the cage to keep the hamster’s home clean longer and soften its falls.

Pros and cons of content

Pros of keeping a hamster

low cost of a hamster;
low cost of accessories for maintenance;
takes up little space;
does not require special care and knowledge;
does not make noise;
no wool;
no need for daily walks;
you can keep one hamster, without a pair;
does not pose a danger to both adults and children;
easy to breed;
easy to place the babies.

Disadvantages of keeping a hamster

they sleep during the day and are active at night;
unpleasant odor if you do not clean up food debris and excrement daily;
low life expectancy, from 2 to 3 years;
some individuals hibernate, depending on the species and conditions of detention.

Conditions of detention

If you decide to get a hamster, make sure that he has a reliable cage with everything he needs. The cage should have metal horizontal bars that the animal will climb and cannot chew through. You should not put hamsters in aquariums, as they have high humidity, it is difficult to get fresh air and bacteria can even multiply.

What must be in a cage?

Bedding - pressed sawdust would be the best option.
A toilet is a special tray into which filler is poured to absorb odor and moisture. The filler itself should be changed at least once a week.
Drinker - a sufficient volume of 50 ml. The water should be changed every day.
Feeder - it is best to buy a special one, but if you wish, you can build it yourself.
The house is the place where the hamster will rest and sleep. By the way, he usually does this during the day. The house should be spacious enough so that, in addition to sleeping, the hamster can put in it what he sees fit.
Manholes can be twigs, tubes, interesting labyrinths. You can make “minks” from small pots.
The wheel is perhaps one of the most necessary toys for hamsters. The wheel can either be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall.

Hamster care

Owning a hamster means taking on the responsibility of caring for your younger friend and doing everything to make him feel good. After purchasing, do not disturb the animal for several days. Let him settle in and get used to the new environment.

To prevent the animal from getting sick and to develop properly, it should be fed with solid grains (millet, oats, wheat). You can use nuts and seeds as dessert. The animal will receive additional vitamins from fresh fruits and vegetables (carrots, apples, beets, corn, cucumber). The hamster should be fed in the morning and evening.

Care also includes cleaning the cage - this should be done as needed, but always once a week. Periodically, it and the accessories located in it should be disinfected.

The hamster is not a fan of water treatments. But you will have to wash it occasionally to rid the animal of the unpleasant odor. For bathing, you can use a special shampoo, and after washing the animal’s fur should be thoroughly blotted with a towel. Pay attention to your hamster's claws - when they grow back, cut them off with nail clippers or a nail clipper.

Don't want to learn anything? When struggling with willpower, in this case, you should act in accordance with.

Remember that if you decide to get a hamster, you need to give it your attention so that the animal does not get bored. You can talk to the hamster in a calm voice, gently pick it up and stroke it (be sure to use clean hands). Do this carefully at first: after placing it on your hand, give the animal the opportunity to sniff and get used to its smell. And don’t forget that the hamster is a rodent, so if you don’t like something, it can bite you in self-defense.

Many are convinced that Djungarian hamsters are ideal pets. This opinion is explained by the fact that jungarians are completely unpretentious in food and care, children really like them and do not require significant maintenance costs. And even adults will enjoy watching funny kids and studying their unusual habits and behavior.

If you want your pet to please you with good health and good mood for a long time, choose it responsibly. Determining whether an animal is healthy is not at all difficult. When purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the following points:

The animal's fur should be shiny and free from bald spots.
Clear eyes, absence of suppuration and spots are an important indicator of the animal’s condition.
Be sure to inspect the animal's anus and the fur around it. They shouldn't be dirty. Diarrhea often indicates an infectious disease.
The nose should be clean and pinkish in color.
If the dwarf is sleeping, be sure to wake him up and observe his behavior. Hamsters are very active by nature. Lethargy can be caused by illness or severe stress, which often happens in crowded and stuffy cages of a pet store. Animals are known to be more susceptible to illness during times of stress, so avoid purchasing.

Djungarian hamster

Many people cannot decide what gender

choose. If you do not plan to engage in breeding, then the issue of gender is not important for you. It is known that the character, habits and behavior of Djungarians do not depend on this factor.

Don't forget to consider transporting your pet.

home. To transport a hamster, veterinarians recommend purchasing a special carrier. At the bottom you should put a little sawdust, as well as a few pieces of carrots. If transportation will take more than 2 hours, be sure to provide the animal with access to water by hanging a drinking bowl.

You can carry a hamster in your arms only if it is not afraid of you and the journey will take no more than half an hour. This method is completely unsuitable for the first transportation of dzhungarika home.

A pet for your child

Cancer hermit

The hermit crab is not the most common pet on this list of recommended pets. However, they are very well-mannered and very inexpensive to maintain.

, so they are perfect for this role.

To keep them, they need an aquarium with 15 centimeters of sand with pebbles on the surface so that your pet can move around by climbing. The hermit crab can be held freely, but it is quite capable of doing without the tenderness of a calf.

This is a very peaceful, calm animal, not at all like those pets that you want to pick up and stroke. It is better to observe the hermit crab from afar as it moves slowly in its aquarium

, burying itself in the sand to hide its sophisticated muzzle there.

These little creatures are quite sociable and are quite capable of helping you brighten up a lonely evening in their company. Sometimes you can even hear the hermit crab making characteristic sounds.

Hermit crabs can live up to thirty years without needing any special attention. However, crayfish love variety in their diet, so they may not really like it when food is repeated. If you fed them fish, then next time it is better to give them special food

or fruits and vegetables.

In addition, they should be given fresh dechlorinated water and salt water in separate containers. Hermit crabs have a habit of hiding in empty shells. They need calcium, so it is worth adding shells of a suitable size to their aquarium from time to time.

In general, hermit crabs are omnivorous scavengers, so along with their regular food, you should feed them fish remains

. But vegetables and fruits must first be washed well in the same dechlorinated water.

Hermit crabs should be handled with extreme care. Despite the fact that this animal does not spend a lot of time on itself, hermit crabs are sociable animals, so they should be kept in groups of three or four individuals.

parrots

Parrots are one of the most popular pets, and for good reason. They are very playful in nature and love to interact, not to mention their attractive appearance

There are many different types of pet parrots, ranging from plain gray to rainbow-colored. Parrots have a long life cycle. Some individuals are able to live up to 80 years or more!

As is known, these sociable creatures have the ability to copy various sounds that they hear

You should be careful with words, otherwise your children may learn a couple of new words from parrots, which will greatly surprise you! An animal in the house is a guarantee that the child will grow up kind

An animal in the house is a guarantee that the child will grow up kind

Parrots need a cage that is large enough for them to spread their wings as they fly from one perch to another. These birds are very fond of nuts and salty crackers.

Their cage must be kept clean regularly. Despite their sociability, you can't avoid being bitten by their beak on your fingers.

, since they don’t really like to be picked up (especially by strangers).

Parakeets are very active pets

They can be quite noisy, emitting high-pitched screams for several minutes until attention is paid to them. If you have purchased such a pet, then you need to be prepared for lifelong care for them.

Rabbits

Rabbits, which are very cute, affectionate and intelligent creatures, are also very playful. However, it is difficult to recommend these animals to small children, since rabbits do not like to be roughly grabbed

: sudden movements of babies can frighten them.

Rabbits are great as gifts for older children who understand how to handle them. And then they demonstrate a peaceful and calm character. In addition, they are quite trainable (another plus for their fluffy fur).

To keep rabbits healthy, they need daily physical activity.

. For food, these animals need to be given special food, as well as a certain amount of vegetables and fruits.

There is a wide variety of rabbits of different types, shapes, sizes and colors. Some species require daily brushing, which helps clean out their fur. In fact, these are one of the most domesticated rodents on our planet.

It's easy to get attached to them, especially considering the fact that they live from five to ten years. Rabbits need to be let out of their cages regularly while playing with them. These animals have an extremely weak digestive system.

, so they require special care and constant monitoring.

How to choose

Before buying a hamster, people are puzzled, which pet should they get? In general, hamsters do not differ much in care and maintenance. The choice of a particular animal, fur length, color, size and other external characteristics depend on personal preferences.

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An animal is not a toy, but a great responsibility. Of course, caring for a pet develops responsibility, observation and in every possible way stimulates the child to communicate with the animal.

However, it is worth considering that keeping a hamster in a family with a small toddler can have a detrimental effect on the fate of the pet. If parents have not explained to the child in an accessible form about the fragility of the body, then the child, without calculating his strength, may cause pain.

The hamster will not keep you waiting and will repay you with a very painful bite. The friendliness of the pet or the type of breed is not important here; the reaction of any rodent will be the same.

For a child who knows what is good and what is bad, taking care of a pet will be an excellent activity for overall development. An affectionate and attentive attitude will bring mutual pleasure.

The charm of a Syrian or the charm of a Dzungarian? Despite the fact that all hamsters are charming animals, there are clear differences among the breeds in the color, habits, size and training of the pet.

Perhaps the largest rodent, capable of growing up to 250 grams. The hamster can be either long-haired or short-haired. The color of the fur coat comes in all shades of gold, but a predominance of dark colors is also acceptable - black, brown or gray.

Syrians are real long-livers, life expectancy reaches 4 years. Smart, easily trained animals, willing to make contact. Active and inquisitive. To develop muscles, additional accessories, walks around the apartment and sand for bathing are required. If poorly cared for, the fur coat emits an unpleasant odor.

Djungarians get along well with children. The Djungarian hamster is an adorable fluffy pet. Common as a pet and loved for its sociability, gentle nature and activity. Clean, grows up to 10 cm, weight 35-65 grams.

Depending on the ambient temperature, the color of the fur coat changes; in warm weather it is gray, and with the onset of cold weather it turns white. It is distinguished by its particular agility; when trying to escape, it develops a decent speed, which makes it difficult to catch.

Curious, often exhibits exploratory talent and is easy to train. The animal is prone to obesity and the development of diabetes; a more carefully thought out diet is required.

A calm male or an affectionate female? When choosing between genders, there is not much difference between animals. If the owner is not faced with the question of breeding the breed, then the differences between the male and female consist of a slight discrepancy:

Female hamsters are energetic and capable of being active during the daytime. They can demonstrate aggression, especially towards offspring. They are clean, they take care of their home as diligently as they care for the condition of their coat. They do not tolerate interference on their personal territory. They love to cuddle up to their owner.
Males are calmer, but more odorous. In addition to the ability to mark territory, they secrete secretions from the endocrine system. They exceed females in size, and their possession develops fighting qualities.

Floor

Before deciding on the breed of hamster, you need to decide what gender to choose for your future pet.

Males and females can be distinguished by their behavior. If several individuals are sitting in one cage, then by looking closely you can accurately determine where the female is and where the male is.

Males are slightly larger in size and have a calm disposition. They often act more affectionate and friendly. It is easier to establish contact with a male.

Females are slightly smaller. They are more active, mobile and playful. They do not sit still, constantly running around the cage or rummaging through the litter.

Only individuals of different sexes can be kept in one cage. Same-sex individuals will quarrel and divide territory. They also do not tolerate other types of hamsters on their territory.

But when keeping different-sex individuals, the female will give birth. Such small animals are not sterilized, so the appearance of offspring cannot be avoided. If there are no plans to engage in breeding, then you need to keep one hamster in one cage.

When choosing a male, it is worth noting the disadvantages of keeping it. Firstly, the male has a stronger and more noticeable odor than the female. Secondly, he will mark his territory and his urine will also smell stronger than the female's. Therefore, when keeping males, in order to avoid an unpleasant odor, the cage is cleaned somewhat more often.

To take or not to take

Before you buy yourself a hamster, for example, a Djungarian, you need to think in advance and weigh everything that may be associated with this animal. First of all, remember that the hamster is a very territorial animal, which means it should be kept alone. Two individuals most likely will not get along in the same cage and such proximity will not lead to anything good.

If you live in an apartment and are wondering whether it’s worth getting a hamster, let’s analyze together all the pros and cons of keeping this animal.

Djungarian hamster cage

To make the adaptation period easy and calm for your pet, be sure to equip it with a comfortable home. Now in a pet store you can buy any kind of cages for dzhungarikas, from the simplest and most budget ones, to “palaces”, which are not cheap. Let's look at the pros and cons of various cells.

Traditional cage with bars

This option is good because the hamster can actively exercise by climbing the rods. He will also be provided with a comfortable temperature and constant fresh air.

The main disadvantages are the noise that the pet will make in it at night, and dirt. Be prepared for the fact that while running and playing, the hamster will spread the filler all over the floor surrounding the cage.

Also, the cage is not suitable for those who have other pets. A cat or dog can easily get to the dzhungarik through the bars.

Aquarium

Many readers ask: “Is it possible to keep a dwarf in an aquarium?” We answer: “It’s possible. But there are also disadvantages to this option.”

In the case of an aquarium, the night noise of your pet will practically not bother you. But there are a lot of disadvantages: difficulty in cleaning, difficult flow of fresh air and lack of exercise.

Plastic house

Such a cage will become a real paradise for your dwarf! Many pipes, manholes and secluded corners will provide him with an active and fun pastime. The only disadvantage of such a house is its high price. Remember that you can equip a simple cage yourself - it is much cheaper. Be sure to buy your pet a small house. He will be able to sleep, relax and hide in it, which will make his life much more comfortable. It is worth giving preference to a wooden house. They are less durable than plastic ones, but chewing on them is harmless.

Some hamsters happily live in hanging houses. They are perfect if the cage is small or very crowded. There are also thatched houses. It is not suitable as a main home. But if you are looking for something to pamper your dwarf, think about this purchase.

They make a lot of noise at night

Almost all animals are nocturnal inhabitants. They spend most of the day in a state of sleep, and after dusk they become active. Hamsters are no exception. As soon as night falls, they begin to look for food and go about their business. In nature, they are able to run 12 km in search of food. Since hamsters are most often kept in small cages or aquariums, such noise can create discomfort for household members.

Among the habits of small pets is the desire to loudly gnaw food and cage bars at night. In order not to suffer from insomnia, it is recommended to install a cage with animals where no one sleeps.

Getting a hamster - disadvantages

The pet is very cute and fluffy , as all owners without exception can confirm. Small children are especially happy with the rodent; they like to watch the hamster run around the wheel with its paws, eat on both cheeks and sleep curled up in a ball. Thanks to the presence of a pet animal at home, parents can teach their baby that animals need to be looked after, that they need to be fed and cleaned up after them.

A 6-7 year old child can independently care for a pet, and this will help develop positive character traits in him. The baby will rejoice in his pet and try to care for him, showing himself as a responsible and caring person. It's easy to get the little ones excited by placing them in front of the hamster's cage and showing them what he's doing. During this time, while the baby is sitting by the cage, parents will be able to wash the dishes and even cook dinner.

Observing the life of an animal also calms parents. The hamster's chores help to distract from worries and problems, and in general, the realization that there is another living creature living in the house somehow warms and pleases the heart.

Keeping a hamster is not that difficult , the main thing is to remember what you can feed it and what you shouldn’t, as this can cause an upset stomach for your pet. The pet will hardly be able to cause any big trouble, the only thing is to make sure that the cage is always closed, because the hamster can run away somewhere, and due to its small size it will not be easy to find it.

Advantages of animals

Hamsters are perfect for keeping in apartment conditions.

There are 10 main reasons to get a rodent:

Keeping an animal is very useful for children. The child will learn to be disciplined and learn responsibility.
Hamsters are easily tamed, but quickly lose the habit of being handled, so in order for the animal to be friendly, you need to communicate with it as often as possible and hold it in your palms. You can teach a rodent to eat food from your hands and respond to your name, but this is only with proper “training.”
Easy to care for. The hamster needs to be placed in a suitable cage, fed 2 times a day and cleaned once a week. Pets do not need to be walked, bathed or brushed. They don't need shampoos and expensive toys. Kids don't get bored if their owners are away from home for a long time.
Pets can eat animal and plant foods. You can find special food at the pet store. You can feed your hamster bread, fruits, vegetables and herbs. The animal needs only 10-20 g of food per day, so one package of food will last for a long time. You should not give your hamster food from the table, especially fried, fatty, spicy and salty food.
Hamsters give a lot of positive emotions. These are very interesting animals that never sit still. They love to play and run in their wheel. When such a baby sits in his arms and trustingly looks at his owner with his beady eyes, all the worries and sorrows of the past day immediately go away.
Raising rodents is educational for children. When hamsters have offspring, it will be interesting for the child to watch how the tiny mother takes care of the babies, and in just a month the little lumps turn into adult fluffies.
Among the wide variety of breeds, you can choose a hamster to suit your taste. The most popular are Syrian, Chinese and Dzungarian. Robovsky's hamsters are the tiniest, their maximum length is 5 cm. They are distinguished by protruding ears and a desire for collectivism.
The animals almost never get sick. If rodents do not freeze or suffer from heat, they will live their short lives healthy.
The only thing cheaper than a hamster is the Achatina snail. The cost of the animal is 100−500 rubles. depending on the breed and age of the rodent. The cage and accessories will cost 1-2 thousand.
These are kind, sociable and sociable animals. They quickly get used to people, love their owners and willingly play with them.

What is important is that hamsters are completely insensitive.

How to care for a hamster

To keep your pet healthy, you need to regularly clean its cage. Do this in the evening The ideal home for your hamster, when the animal is awake. Dispose of How to Clean a Hamster Cage stale food scraps from bowls every day. Pour clean water into the drinking bowl. Remove feces and wet areas of litter.

If your home looks clean, but it smells bad, you need to replace the filler completely. Sometimes rodents bury food in it, which eventually begins to rot.

Do general cleaning once a week. All you need is a sponge and a non-toxic disinfectant from a pet store. The latter can be replaced with mild hand soap: aggressive chemicals are poison for your pet. When everything is ready, remove the hamster from the cage and place it in a safe place. Don't forget to keep an eye on him. Thoroughly rinse the structure, bowls, running wheel and other accessories. Make sure everything is dry before putting it back in place.

Nutrition

The key to your pet's health is proper nutrition. Try to feed the dwarf at the same time. 7-8 am and 8 pm are ideal when the hamster starts to wake up.

Morning feeding should include succulent food, protein and boiled vegetables. In the evening, you should give the dzhungarik dry food, cereal and some kind of treat.

If you are caring for a pregnant female, feed her 4 times a day at regular intervals.

Main menu

The basis of the Djungarian diet should be:

dry food designed specifically for Djungarian hamsters;
nuts (except almonds) and seeds;
dried fruits;
grain sprouts;
cereals;
seedless berries (grapes are allowed in small quantities);
fresh fruits and vegetables;
non-starchy vegetables, cooked without salt;
fresh herbs, lettuce leaves;
leaves and dried twigs of deciduous and fruit trees;
rose petals (those purchased at a flower shop are not suitable, as they have been treated with pesticides);
carob and homemade crackers as a treat.

Extra menu

Protein component of the menu (several times a week in small quantities):

boiled chicken fillet;
lean boiled fish;
natural yogurt, kefir and cottage cheese;
boiled egg white.

As complementary food for sick, thin or pregnant hamsters, you can use baby food without salt and sugar, porridge cooked in water.

For constipation, you can give a drop of vegetable oil, and for diarrhea, sticky rice will help.

What should you not give to the dwarf?

List of prohibited products:

spices, sugar and salt;
honey;
kozinaki;
ice cream;
cookies, chocolate;
citrus;
watermelon;
mint;
garlic and onion;
mushrooms;
potato;
fruit seeds;
butter;
milk, cream, sour cream;
sausages, sausages;
coniferous branches.

Cleaning the cage

The unpleasant smell of the cage will not bother you if you regularly clean it once every 1-1.5 weeks. Place the hamster in the carrier. Remove the dirty litter, leaving a small amount (this will make the hamster feel more comfortable), and add fresh litter. Once a month, carry out wet cleaning, washing the bottom of the cage with water and laundry soap.

Bathing

Never wash your hamster in water! If you notice that your pet's coat is matted and not shiny, give him a sand bath. To do this, purchase a special bathing suit (a three-liter jar will do) and sand for chinchillas. Pour some sand into the bathing suit and throw in the dzhungarika. Soon you will be watching him wallow in the sand and clean his skin.

As you can see, caring for dzhungarikas is not very difficult. Clean the cage regularly, provide your hamster with access to water and fresh food and, of course, play with him regularly. These simple measures will ensure your pet has a happy and healthy life!

Hamsters eat their babies

Animal cannibalism has been the subject of numerous scientific studies, and even today it is impossible to say with complete certainty what the exact reasons for such behavior are.

In hamsters this phenomenon is of particular curiosity and concern, but in general we can confirm that it occurs because the mother hamster perceives her children as weak or unable to survive.

However, there are other possible reasons that confirm why your hamster is killing its babies, such as:

We invite you to familiarize yourself with Sterilizing a cat: pros and cons. When is the best time to sterilize a cat?

The stress of feeding and breeding a very large litter.
Nutritional deficiency in infant hamsters.
Having a daddy hamster in a cage.
Lack of space in the hamster cage.
The female's nest is located too far from where she breeds.

This is a solitary animal

Hamsters in the wild lead a solitary lifestyle. They dig deep holes and desperately defend them even from their own relatives, not to mention representatives of other species.

Therefore, hamsters are not at all happy to communicate with a person, especially if we are talking about a child who behaves quite noisily, because he cannot contain his delight at the sight of a cute fluffy animal that looks so much like a plush toy.

Hamsters perceive communication with humans as severe stress, especially considering that these animals are very shy.