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MEET THE HAMSTER

Known for filling up their huge cheek pouches with tasty treats, hamsters are one of the most popular pocket pets in the US. There are several different species of hamsters kept as pets from the larger Syrian hamsters to the smaller dwarf species such as Campbell’s, Roborovskis, Winter Whites, and Chinese.

Lifespan

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2 - 3 years

Diet Difficulty

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Low

Good With Kids

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Older, respectful
children

Care Difficulty

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Low

Space Requirement

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Small

Cleanliness

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High

Time Needed Outside Cage

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Medium

Human Interaction Needs

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Medium

Potty Trainability

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Medium

Cuddliness

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Medium

CARE GUIDE

SUPPLY LIST

ADOPTABLE
HAMSTER

ENCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

MNPPR Recommends

DIY IKEA Deltof Habitat

Bin Cage

Aquarium tanks of at least 20 gallons have enough room but can be heavy. Some people choose to flip an IKEA Detolf cabinet on its side and build a custom lid, which provides double the required space and an excellent view of your hamster's living area. We recommend making a DIY tub/bin cage as they are appropriately sized, inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to clean. Store-bought cages such as Habitrails or similar are not recommended because even with the connecting tubes, they do not have enough floor space.

Other Notes

Hamsters prefer deep cages with at least 6 inches of bedding, tunnels, nesting materials, and climbing toys.

 

Cages should have plenty of ventilation but be sure your hamster can’t escape through or chew on the holes. Any cage should have a solid floor since standing on wire can cause injuries and bumblefoot.

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Be sure to keep the temperature inside the cage between  70° and 76° F to prevent your pet from going into hibernation, which is very dangerous to them.

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Inspect your hamster's cage every day for any signs of chewing.

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Hamsters enjoy burrowing and building nests. Soft recycled paper, shredded paper, and paper pellets are all great bedding options either by themselves or mixed. MNPPR strongly recommends avoiding all wood-based beddings due to the general sensitivity of pocket pets.

Minimum Dimensions
One - two dwarf hamsters or one Syrian hamster:
: 30" L x 12" W x 12"H (or 2.5 cubic feet)

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ENRICHMENT REQUIREMENTS

Essentials

water bottle

food bowl

lots of chew toys (wood or lava)

wheel

at least one shelter/hide

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Variety

toilet paper tubes

fiddlesticks

tunnels

bird toys

bits of fabric

ladders

cardboard

treat balls

homemade toys

Other Items
sand bath
animal sand (reptile sand)
pet carrier
bedding (soft recycled paper
such as CareFresh, shredded paper, or paper pellets)

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FEEDING REQUIREMENTS

Staple Diet

Always keep your hamster’s food bowl full. To make sure your hamster has the most balanced diet it's recommended to combine Oxbow Hamster & Gerbil diet with either Mazuri Rat and Mouse or Teklad Lab Diet at a 1:1 ratio. Seed mix food should not be used because they are often missing vital nutrients and many hamsters will only eat their favorite tasting pieces causing an unbalanced diet. If your hamster is overweight it may need fewer treats or more exercise.

 

Finding a suitable feed for your hamster can be challenging. By reviewing the guaranteed analysis on the back of the bag, you can make sure your feed meets the requirements. For adult hamsters, protein should be between 17% - 19%, fat should be within 4% - 7%, and fiber should be maintained between 6% - 15%.

Treats

There are many options for store-bought treats made for hamsters but fresh food can also make great treats. Be sure they are not storing anything in their nests that could rot. Hamsters should never get more than 1/4 tablespoon of treats a day or they may become obese.

Safe Treats

apples

bananas

bell peppers

blueberries

broccoli

carrots

cauliflower

Cheerios

cranberries

cucumbers

cooked eggs

green beans

mealworms

parsley

peas

pumpkin seeds

plain popcorn

raspberries

sunflower seeds 

timothy hay

unsalted crackers

yogurt

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Unsafe Treats

any citrus fruit

apple seeds

cabbage

cheese

corn

fizzy drinks

garlic

milk

onions

peanuts

poppy seeds

raisins

raw beans

raw meat

rhubarb

walnuts

DISCLAIMER

All information shared by MN Pocket Pet Rescue is researched, up to date, and accurate to the best of our ability. We are not a licensed veterinary organization and do not intend to present ourselves as such. All educational material contains our best recommendations for care specific to each species. However, all animals are different and some may have unique needs. MN Pocket Pet Rescue does not assume any liability for the well-being of any animal not under our care. Always use your best judgment and follow veterinary recommendations whenever necessary. If you have any questions or find inaccurate information please contact us.

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