Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Providing your hamsters with a happy home
• Part 2 of 3: Feeding your hamster
• Part 3 of 3: Taking care of your hamster
• Tips
• Warnings

Chinese dwarf hamsters are small, nocturnal rodents that are about 10 cm long when fully grown. With their short coat and slightly longer tail, Chinese dwarf hamsters are more similar to mice and rats than to other hamsters. If you have a hamster as a pet, or if you are considering getting one, you will need to learn all about their needs in order to provide them with proper care. Like all creatures, Chinese dwarf hamsters need a clean place to live, nutritious food, clean water, toys, affection, and regular vet checkups. Keep reading to learn how to care for your Chinese dwarf hamster.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Providing your hamsters with a happy home

1. Consider getting two hamsters of the same sex. Although Chinese dwarf hamsters can be kept in pairs, it is not guaranteed that they will tolerate each other. The best chance that they will tolerate each other is if they come from the same litter or are brought together very young. If they are put together as adults, there is a good chance that they will fight.
   • Before getting another hamster, consult a vet to see if it is wise for your pet's health and wellbeing. If you decide to get another hamster, you will likely need a divisible cage to introduce the new hamster to the old one before putting them together in the new cage.
   • Do not get a male and female hamster or they will breed uncontrollably. While baby hamsters may look nice at first, hamsters breed quickly and a hamster population can easily get out of hand. Most people would find it difficult to provide adequate housing, food, and care for dozens of hamsters.
2. Keep your hamsters in a cage suitable for hamsters or mice. Since Chinese dwarf hamsters are quite small, you don't need a large cage, but you can if you want. Cover the bottom of the cage with plenty of bedding such as timothy hay, aspen sawdust, shredded paper, or a pellet backing. Keep the cage or box out of direct sunlight and away from drafts. You don't want your hamsters to get too cold or too hot.
   • Do not use pine or cedar sawdust as the fumes can be harmful to your hamsters.
   • Make sure your hamster has plenty of bedding to dig around in. Hamsters like to dig.
3. Give your hamsters accessories that make them happy. For example, your hamster will enjoy a hamster wheel. Hamsters need a lot of exercise to be happy, and a hamster wheel is a great way to provide that. Make sure there are no gaps on the wheel that could trap your hamster's tail.
   • Give your hamster a nice, enclosed place to sleep. Hamsters like to hide and sleep in tight, dark spaces, so put a small flower pot or box in your hamster cage, for example.
   • Place PVC pipes in your hamster's cage so that he has tunnels and can play.
4. Provide toys for your hamster. Hamsters love to burrow and tunnels, so empty toilet paper rolls are good toys for hamsters. You can also look for special hamster toys at pet stores. You can meet your hamster's need to shred things by giving him paper towels and napkins every now and then.
   • Rotate toys every week so that your hamster always has different things to play with. This will keep your hamster from getting bored.

Part 2 of 3: Feeding your hamster

1. Give your hamster a specially formulated hamster food. Look for a specially formulated hamster food mix at your pet store. Follow the package instructions for how much to feed your hamster per day and feed the food in a small stone bowl in its cage.
   • Limit seeds and nuts as they are high in fat and can make your hamster overweight.
   • Supplement your hamster's diet with alfalfa pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, carrots and apples.
   • Rather give your hamster a large piece to gnaw on, rather than a few small pieces, otherwise your hamster will bury them in the bedding. Remove any uneaten food after your hamster has finished.
2. Buy a water bottle for your hamster. Hamsters should have clean, fresh water available at all times. Use an inverted water bottle with a drinking spout to provide your hamsters with plenty of water. Make sure that the end of the water bottle does not touch the bottom cover or get too close to it, otherwise the water may run out.
   • Check the end of the water bottle daily to make sure it is working properly.
3. Give your hamster something to gnaw on. As with all rodents, a hamster's teeth never stop growing. Hamsters need to gnaw to keep their teeth from getting too long, so make sure to provide your hamster with a pesticide and chemical-free stick to gnaw on. You can also give a dog treat.

Part 3 of 3: Taking care of your hamster

1. Remember that hamsters are nocturnal animals. Hamsters like to be awake at night, so the best time to spend time with your hamster is after the sun has set. For this reason, hamsters make great pets for night owls. Be aware that if you try to pick up your hamster during the day, it will be more likely to bite you.
2. Clean your hamster's cage regularly. To keep your hamster happy and healthy you will need to keep its cage clean. Once a week, you should thoroughly clean your hamster's cage. Remove everything from your hamster's cage (including your hamster) and scrub the sides and bottom with warm water and soap. Then rinse and dry the cage, then put back the new bedding, your hamster's accessories, and your hamster itself. In addition to the weekly cleaning, you must also do the following every day:
   • Remove and replace soiled or damp bedding.
   • Remove and dispose of droppings.
   • Remove old food.
   • Check the corners of the hamster's cage for hidden food. Hamsters tend to hide food for later.
3. Be careful when handling your hamster. It takes time and patience for your hamster to be ready for you to hold it. Build his confidence in you by letting him sniff and even nibble on your hand a little. You can also hand feed your hamster to build his confidence in you. Once your hamster is comfortable with you, you can try to pick it up.
   • To pick up your hamster, bowl around it with your hands and slowly lift it out of its cage. Don't just put your hand in the cage to pick it up or you will startle it and cause it to hide from you.
4. Allow your hamster to spend time outside its cage daily under supervision. Hamsters also need time outside of their cage to be happy. Once you have gained your hamster's trust, you can take it out of its cage once a day to play outside of its cage under supervision.
   • Make sure to keep him in a room where you can keep an eye on him. Otherwise, he may be hiding somewhere and make it difficult for you to find him.
   • Make sure there are no nearby hazards, such as electrical wiring, that your hamster can gnaw on.
5. Have your hamster examined by your vet regularly. A healthy hamster will be much happier than an unhealthy one. If properly cared for, a hamster can live to be 1-2 years old. Take your hamster to the vet for regular checkups to keep it healthy and happy.
   • An unhealthy hamster can have various symptoms, such as dull eyes, a dull coat, weight loss, shivering, a runny nose and diarrhea. If your hamster is sick, take it to the vet right away.
   • Hamsters can catch a cold from humans. If you are sick, do not hold your hamster until you are healthy again so that you do not ignite it.

Tips

• Put your hamster cage in the living room if his nocturnal digging bother you. Hamsters are nocturnal, so your hamster will be most active at night.
• Don't wash your hamster in water, a sand bath is much safer.
• If you lose your hamster, put the cage where the hamster can find it. Usually they don't realize they've escaped and just want to explore.

Warnings

• Never give a hamster cotton wool. It is very dangerous because it can cause blockages if accidentally swallowed, or it can wrap around the hamster's legs, both of which are fatal. Even when it is advertised that hamster wadding is safe, it is still very dangerous and can kill your hamster. A great alternative is shredded toilet paper or napkins.
• Hamsters are not recommended for children under the age of six. Make sure you supervise children with your hamster, and tell children to handle your hamster with care.
• Never give your hamster raw beans, onions, raw potato, rhubarb, chocolate, candy or junk food.