5 essential care tips to keep your pet healthy

Let´s talk about your pet healthy?

Just like other pets, a hamster requires a lot of care, as well as a lot of affection and attention. Future owners of this little one may think that simply keeping him locked in a cage for him to develop is enough.

In practice, this is not quite the case, and hamsters also require attention not only in their physical aspects, but mainly in the mental partso as not to create emotional problems for the furry one.

If you are considering investing in this little rodent, check out 5 tips to ensure they have a healthy and happy life!

Give adequate nutrition 

A happy hamster is a well-fed hamster! They are omnivorous little animals, which means that can eat practically anything. How passionate they are about food and snackssupplement your diet with fruits, vegetables, grains and seeds.

Don’t forget to cut it into small pieces so that your hamster doesn’t swallow it all and suffer from indigestion. Another tip is to not leave old food in the cage, as it can make your hamster sick. Always provide clean, fresh water.

Sanitize the hamster cage

The hamster cage must be sanitized once or twice a weeksince the cat’s hygiene is based on the cleanliness of its natural habitat. Wash it with mild soap and water and let it dry. Change the cage lining and use sawdust to make it more comfortable.

Rodents are as hygienic as cats: they spend a good part of the day licking themselves. This keeps them very clean, but if you want to clean them even more, it is not recommended to bathe them with water, as this can put the hamster’s life at risk. Look for alternatives, such as dry baths.

Rodents are as hygienic as cats: they spend a good part of the day licking themselves. This keeps them very clean, but if you want to clean them even more, it is not recommended to bathe them with water, as this can put your hamster’s life at risk. Look for alternatives, such as dry baths.

Provide space

Despite being small, hamsters need space in their natural habitat, so when it comes to buy the cagedon’t just consider the price, remember that hamsters like to run and play, and a small space can make them bored and sad.

Ideally, it should have at least 20 cm wide and is equipped with essential items for the pet’s health, such as a grainy wooden floor and a food and water bowl adjusted for the rodent.

Respect his schedule

Be aware that rodents are nocturnal animals and are most active after 6pm, so they may become stressed if you try to wake them up in the morning. Respect the animal’s physiological schedule and they will be happier.

 

Invest in hamster toys

Rodents are restless and smart. When they are not resting, they love to play and need to move around to avoid boredom. That is why your pet’s cage must be equipped with toyssuch as a rotating wheel, stairs and tubes that allow him to run in all directions.

The exercise ball is a perfect option for your hamster to play outside of the cage without running into external dangers, such as getting under an appliance, chewing on electrical wires or getting into drains and pipes and never being found again. To keep your cat from getting stressed, playtime should not exceed twenty minutes.

Extra tips to ensure the well-being of a hamster

Did you know that hamsters originate from the semi-desert regions of Asia, Africa and Europe? These places offer the perfect climate for the rodent: little rainfall and milder temperatures at night.

Coming from such scarce places, hamsters need special care to adapt to the different climates and biomes .

Discover some more tips on how to care for a hamster, thinking about offering a better quality of life and longevity to this little furry friend!

Provide species-specific care for pet healthy

When you are considering buying a hamster, know that there is not just one domestic species of rodent.

In total, there are 24 species of hamsters around the world. In Brazil, only two are allowed for domestication. Understand better:

Russian Dwarf Hamster	Scientific name: Phodopus campbelli Allowed: Some Places Average weight: 100 g Average size: 10 cm One of the two species released in Brazil, the Russian dwarf hamster is very small and has a calm and gentle temperament. The animal requires a lot of daily stimulation.
Syrian hamster	Scientific name: Mesocricetus auratus Allowed: Some Places Average weight: 140 g Average size: 20 cm You probably have this species in mind when you think of hamsters, after all, it is allowed to domesticate them, making the small rodent more popular in the country. Find Your Dog’s New Favorite Products! Discover a variety of products for your dog at Amazon.com. LEARN MORE
Chinese hamster	Scientific name: Cricetulus griseus Allowed: Some Places Average weight: 40 g Average size: 12 cm With an affectionate and sometimes aggressive temperament, the Chinese hamster is banned in the country. It is a curious animal that loves human interaction.
Hamster Roborovski	Scientific name: Phodopus roborovskii Allowed: Some Places Average weight: 22 g Average size: 6 cm You may be impressed by the tiny size of this rodent, considered the smallest in the world. Independent and grumpy, it also has its affectionate moments.

Therefore, check exactly what the chosen species needs, as the habits and requirements of the species are different from one to another.

Check your budget

If you want to buy a hamster, how much does it cost? The price varies depending on the species, but you can buy this rodent for around R$ 10 e R$ 50.

Please note that, in Brazil, the sale of young of this species is prohibited, which means waiting for them to reach sexual maturity before being sold, more or less between the second and third month of the animal’s life.

However, it is important to check your budget, as the cost of a pet involves buying a good cage, toys, feeders and drinkers, as well as occasional expenses for the hamster’s hygiene and health.

Be prepared for puppies

If you have a pair of hamsters at home, you should know that they can give birth to babies. If this happens, seek help from clinics and associations that usually take care of these rodents.

Keep an eye on your pet’s health

Hamsters are fragile animals, but they rarely get sick. When this happens, the symptoms and progression of the disease are usually rapid, which requires a lot of attention from their owners.

The signs that things are not good are:

• Hair loss
• Lack of appetite
• Apatia
• Excessive sneezing
• Diarrhea

If this is happening, go to the veterinarian immediately for more detailed examination.

Pay attention to your teeth

The hamster’s oral health must be monitored very carefully. These rodents have two lower teeth and two upper teeth which tend to grow quite a lot, being one of the only species that are born with developed teeth.

So, check that these teeth are not too big and sharp and at risk of accidents, since this species also tends to suffer from a decrease in calcium over time. If you notice these characteristics, take your dog to the vet.

Hamsters are docile, playful, friendly animals and excellent pets for children and adults. Providing toys, offering treats and leaving the cage in a separate room from the rest of the house during the day so that it can sleep well are some basic care measures to ensure that it is a happy and healthy animal.