This FAQ was taken from Newsgroups:
alt.pets.hamsters
Subject: alt.pets.hamsters FAQ 2 of 3
Followup-To: alt.pets.hamsters
Summary: Part 2 (of 3) of FAQ for alt.pets.hamsters newsgroup.
Archive-name: pets/hamsters-faq/part1
Last-Modified: June 11, 1997
Version: 4-3
Here's Part Two of the alt.pets.hamsters FAQ, posted on an
irregular basis along with Part One and Part Three.
The latest version of the FAQ (non-HTML) is available at:
http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ax611/
Suggestions/comments/additions/corrections should be posted to
alt.pets.hamsters or e-mailed to
glengower@ottawa.com
**If your hamster is sick and you need help, I cannot help you. Talk to a
vet or to your local pet store.**
Unless otherwise stated, everything in this FAQ has been taken from messages
in the alt.pets.hamsters newsgroup, or from my own mailbox. Whenever
possible, information from publications has been acknowledged, with original
authors credited. Standard disclaimers apply.
See PART ONE for the Table of Contents.
**b01: Do you know anything about the history of hamsters?
The story of hamsters has been embellished and idealized over the years...
here is what probably happened...
In 1839, British zoologist George Waterhouse found hamsters in Syria, naming
them "Cricetus auratus," the Golden Hamster. The hamster's fur was on
display at the British Museum.
Around 1930, zoologist and Professor at the University of Jerusalem Aharoni
found a mother and litter of hamsters in the
Syrian desert. By the time he got back to his lab, most had died or escaped.
The remaining hamsters were given to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem,
where they were successfully bred as Golden Hamsters. They were a bit bigger
than the ones Waterhouse found, so they were named "Misocricetus auratus."
(see #b02)
The hamsters were shipped to labs all around the world. In 1938, hamsters
reportedly reached the United States. All Golden Hamsters are descended from
the original litter found in Syria except for a few that were brought into
the United States by travellers who found them in the desert.
The Dwarf Campbells Russian, Winter White Russian and Chinese were all
introduced to the pet market in the United
Kingdom in the 1970s, and the Roborovski hamster came from Holland into the
UK in 1990.
Hamsters are now used for scientific research. Because hamsters are so
disease-free and breed so rapidly (they can have a new litter every month!)
and because they are so friendly and easy to handle, they are a popular
choice among scientists. They are often used for cardio-vascular research,
as their cardio-vascular system is remarkably similar to that of the human.
In the wild, hamsters are a nuisance to farmers. Hamsters have been known to
hide in excess of 60 pounds of grain to feed them through the winter.
#b02: Where do hamsters get their names from?
Note that "hamsters" is spelled *WITHOUT* a "p". Hamsters got their name
from an old German word associated with storing food. (The word "hamper"
comes from the same root.) One of the characteristics of the hamster, like
many rodents, is to stuff their cheeks full of food, as if they were
hampers.
The Golden Hamster's scientific name is MESOCRICETUS AURATUS AURATUS,
usually shortened to CRICETUS AURATUS. It is also referred to as the Syrian
Golden Hamster.
**b03: What is the life span of a hamster?
It varies from species to species, and pureness of breed is a factor. For
the average hamster, it's under three years.
Approximate life span is 3 years (I have one source that says "1000 days").
Russian and Chinese hamsters live from 1.5-2 years, and Syrian hamster live
from 2-2.5 years.
#b04: Should I buy a hamster or a gerbil?
Steve Hyman sums up the general feeling of alt.pets.hamsters:
"Gerbils have no brains or sense, and are useless. They do not need us at
all, nor do they appreciate us. I have 10 of the
ungrateful creatures, and three wonderful hamsters."
(If hamsters are so much better than gerbils, then how come you have 10
gerbils and 3 hamsters??!! -ed.)
**b05: What are the different breeds of hamsters that exist?
Most common is the golden hamster... in brackets are the lengths of each
breed.
Chinese hamster (12.5cm)
Common hamster (32cm)
Eversmann's hamster (16.6cm)
Golden hamster (18cm)
Longtailed hamster (16cm)
Migratory hamster (13.5cm)
Mouse-like hamster (16.5cm)
Rat hamster (26cm)
Roborovski's hamster (9cm)
Rummanian hamster (varies)
Short dwarf hamster (16.6cm)
Striped hairy foot Russian hamster (9cm)
Striped hamster (13cm)
Tibetan hamster (varies)
For more information refer to the Breeder's FAQ. It's available at:
http://www.cnw.com/~ibis/northbow/hamfaq/index.html
(Note the change of address since the last edition of the FAQ.)
#b06: Are there any places that don't allow hamsters?
So far I only know that Hawaii does not allow its residents to own a
hamster. A law was passed, hoping to keep disease away and to prevent
escaped hamsters from reproducing and messing up the ecosystem.
#b07: What should I use for bedding?
Generally speaking, anything that is non-toxic, dust free, absorbent,
fluffy, and non-staining is great for bedding. In lieu of bedding you might
want to set up an aquarium-and-cage with sand in the aquarium part so they
can do their digging.
Be careful to rip up any facial tissue you're giving your hamster, since
sometimes they get overly ambitious and put a
little too much into their mouths, then have problems getting it out.
Be aware that cedar and pine shavings have been shown to be hazardous, as
some hamsters are allergic to it. The best
alternative to these is aspen shavings, recycled newspapers (but make sure
they aren't too inky), grasses, or corn cob bedding.
To cut down on the smell, putting a layer of ground limestone (Dolomite
Lime) underneath the bedding is supposed to work well. This product is
available at garden stores (it's used to neutralize soil), but make sure you
get the right kind of lime so that you don't hurt your hamster.
#b08: What do hamsters like (and not like) to eat?
They will eat almost anything (broccoli, Kraft Dinner, yogurt...) Their
favourite foods are foods native to their dry habitat, like seeds/cereals
(but make sure that it's natural seeds - no roasting or salt, and that the
cereal isn't sugary).
For protein and variety, they will eat some small insects. They like
vegetables, but don't feed them too many. You might
want to give them a dog bone to chew on - it's healthy for them and is great
for their teeth.
Try not to shock them too much. Give them a regular diet - like a commercial
small animal mix - but supplement it with
treats to give them some variety. Make sure as well that the food is still
good to eat. Be sure that vegetables, bread, and
other perishables aren't moldy or rotten.
DO NOT feed them: Canned or frozen veggies, anything poisonous to humans,
raw beans, sprouting potato buds, fool's
parsley, poison hemlock, laburnum. Chocolate is a bad idea too, but there is
a special variety of chocolate that's sold at pet stores that is safe for
animals.
#b09: What do hamsters like to drink?
Water (make sure they have a good supply - tap water should do unless you
have some strange nutrients in it), and, from an actual scientific journal
found on the Internet:
Hamsters have an extraordinarily high liking and tolerance for alcohol.
Their tolerance is equivalent to 40 times the human tolerance in proportion
to body weight. As a result hamsters have been used successfully in trials
of anti-alcoholism drugs by seeing if they were put off their preferred
choice of a 15% alcohol solution when given the choice with plain water.
Scientists believe they have found ways to moderate "volitional drinking of
alcohol" by hamsters. Tomato juice, chocolate drink, kudzu extract (Kevin
Lauderdale tells me that Kudzu is a plant from the American South known for
its incredible
rate of growth - it can cover a VW Beatle overnight), and other fluids seem
to suppress their alcoholic appetite.
#b10: Should I be cleaning my hamster?
Your hamster should not need cleaning. Hamsters can groom and wash
themselves with no difficulty. If your hamster is not maintaining a quality
level of personal hygiene, he might be sick. Consult a vet before taking any
further action.
Hamsters do not like water (except to drink). They catch colds quickly, or
drown in it. If you feel you must wash your
hamster, try brushing a bit of chinchilla powder or cornstarch onto your
hamster, work it into the fur a little bit, then dust
it off with a dry towel. This will clean dirt off a hamster, but won't help
with fleas (see #b19).
**b11: Do hamsters get lonely?
Television vet Dr. Bernie says, "One cage, one hamster". Hamsters will harm
each other if they are together. Males and
females can be together for mating, but not much longer than that without
risking some sort of fight.
Females hardly ever get along with other females, but you *MIGHT* be able to
successfully raise two male hamsters together if you get them from the same
litter and raise them together from as close to their birth as possible. I
wish I could underline and italicize *MIGHT*, because it's pretty rare that
hamsters can live together without incident.
Dwarf hamsters will live well together. In fact, some people believe living
alone shortens a Dwarf's lifespan. I have
to emphasise again though, for any other breed, MORE THAN ONE HAMSTER IN A
CAGE IS A BAD IDEA.
#b12: Can I brush/comb my hamster's hair?
Unless you have got a teddy bear hamster or a hamster with extremely long
hair, most hamsters can groom themselves. For grooming purposes, pet stores
sell special hamster combs. Apparently toothbrushes work well, too.
If you think your hamster's hair is too long, you can safely clip it with
regular scissors. Be careful.
#b13: Is it safe to cut my hamster's claws?
Although it's rare that they need their claws trimmed, you can do it with a
pair of small, sharp scissors. I'm told that if
you accidentally cut into your hamster's toe, there is not too much to be
concerned about since the blood vessels in that part of the body are
extremely small.
#b14: How can I keep my hamster healthy?
Read this FAQ over, and make sure you are using all the suggestions
contained within it, and your hamster should be
healthy. Here are some extra little tidbits of information to help you
along:
The adult weight of a (Golden) hamster should be about 150g.
Your hamster should be in a room with a temperature of about 20-23 degrees
Celsius.
Make sure your hamster has a wheel, as well as other sources of exercise.
Without exercise, paralysis may develop.
**b15: My hamster looks like he's sick - what should I do?
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR HAMSTER. Do not send me e-mail asking
fr advice, because I cannot answer that type of question. If your hamster is
doing anything out of the ordinary that worries you - coughing, wheezing,
shaking, developing sores or callouses, walking weird, or any other abnormal
behaviour - SEE A VET IMMEDIATELY.
Yes, post info to the newsgroup just so that others can read about the
symptoms and cures and all that, but don't use the newsgroup as a direct
source for advice or help. The problem with the group is that responses will
take at least a day to pour in, and that might be too late for your furry
pal. MANY HAMSTERS HAVE PASSED AWAY BECAUSE THEIR OWNERS DIDN'T ACT SOON
ENOUGH.
In any case, here are some warning signs that your hamster is sick. If you
see any of them, go to the vet immediately!
When animal is awake, it should look alert, not apathetic. Anus should not
be smeared with droppings. (This is a sign
of possible diarrhoea.) Eyes should be clear, without signs of secretion.
Heavy or noisy breathing may indicate disease. There should be no sores or
bald spots.
By the way, many animal shelters will perform euthenasia on hamsters. But
many don't since they're such small and delicate creatures.
#b16: The vet has prescribed medicine... how do I administer it?
According to Dawn Williams:
Hold your hamster by the scruff of the neck, so your hand is closed as if in
a fist, with the hamster's loose skin along the
back and neck between your palm and fingertips. Tip the hamster back a bit
so he is leaning against your palm, belly up. Don't worry, it doesn't cause
harm. (You or your hamster.) Don't give the hamster too much medicine at a
time or he might choke, or just store it in those massive cheeks.
If you have to give your hamster a pill, try putting it inside peanut butter
or some other treat. If they still won't eat willingly, use the technique
outlined above and put small bits in his mouth, allowing the hamster to
swallow in between mouthfuls.
This method is also a great way to administer eye medication.
As a note, there are certain antibiotics that should not be administered to
hamsters. Some vets don't realise the toxicities
of these substances in some rodents:
streptomycin
dihydrostreptomycin
all penicillins (any antibiotic ending in "-illin")
lincomycin
clindamycin
erythromycin
tylosin
some cephalosporins
#b17: Why does my hamster sleep all day?
Your hamster is nocturnal.
Why is your hamster nocturnal? In a nutshell, the combined energy produced
by hamster wheels all over the world is
enough to keep the Earth spinning all night long. (see #c04)
**b18: Do hamsters hibernate?
Sort of. Technically it's not hibernation, but they will slow down their
body functions (they become "torpid") if the room
temperature of the room they are in gets unusually low, but shouldn't just
go into hibernation just because it's the winter
season. If your hamster reaches this state, in most cases do not to disturb
them. Let them come out of it naturally. Golden hamsters become sluggish at
about 14C and torpid at about 10C. Drawf hamsters aren't known to hybernate,
and Syrian hamsters should be warmed to get them out of hibernation because
they can die if they are in this state too long.
I remember reading a post in the group about a family who put their hamster
in the fridge, thinking it was dead, and then
being surprised the next morning when the hamster was in the fridge chewing
on veggies, as happy as can be! My point is, your hamster might not be dead,
just hibernating.
#b19: What if my hamster gets fleas?
Hamsters usually get fleas from other animals in the house who have fleas.
There is a special flea powder available at pet stores that can be put into
the bedding material - eventually it gets into the hamster's fur. You can
also apply it directly to your hamster if she doesn't mind.
#b20: What should I do if I find bugs in the hamster food?
This happens quite often. The solution is to put the food in the freezer to
kill off the bugs. Then, either take the bugs
out or include the dead bugs with the food - your hamster appreciates the
protein.
#b21: Yuck. Should my hamster be eating his poop?
Yes. Hamsters have a different digestive system than humans. Hamsters
produce two types of excrement - one that's
partially digested containing lots of nutrients, and one that's just
garbage. Hamsters practice coprophagy, eating the nutrient-filled excrement
to get the nutrients from it and digest it fully.
#b22: Jeepers! My hamster has escaped! Help me!
Take a deep breath... did you forget to close up the cage? It happens to all
of us, and we usually get our little pals back.
To find your hamster:
Close all doors and windows, and try to figure out what room your hamster is
in. If you are having trouble, try placing a
bowl of food in each room. The hamster is bound to get hungry, so you will
be able to tell which room he's in by whichever food dish is touched.
Once you have narrowed down your search, start looking under chairs, beds,
in corners... put yourself into the frame of mind of the hamster. Also, put
the hamster's cage down somewhere in that room - he might recognize it as
home, and climb back in to his food and his nest.
You could get creative/inventive and devise your own traps. Apparently one
of the best ways is to get some sort of deep
bucket with a ramp heading up to it, with some food as bait. The hamster
will fall into the bucket, and then cannot climb out.
If your hamster's wheel is really squeaky, put it in the middle of the room
that you suspect your hamster to have escaped
into. Once you hear the squeaking, you can run over to the wheel and catch
your hamster.
Good luck. (See one of the stories in question #c08!)
**b23: My hamster is having babies! What should I do?
Calm down, it is perfectly natural.
Keep your hamster well-nourished. Added protein (possibly in the form of
insects) might be a good idea. It has been
suggested that one of the reasons hamsters eat their young is because they
need the protein from them after birth.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BABIES. This changes the scent on the babies, and confuses
the mother. She may not think they are her babies, and won't care for them
properly - she might even eat the babies.
If your hamster does eat some of its young, don't be alarmed. If your
hamster had a large litter, she may get rid of
some of the babies because she can take better care of a smaller number.
Your hamster might also eat its young because of the different conditions of
domestication (as opposed to its life in the wild).
To reduce the likelihood of the babies being devoured by their parents,
separate the father from them as soon as possible, and when you deem it
safe, separate the mother from 'em. You should be aware that the time you
separate the father from the mother varies from species to species. Case in
point: The Syrian/Golden hamsters should only be together for mating,
whereas dwarf hamsters can be kept together because they mate for life, and
the father helps raise the young.
These figures are all for the Golden Hamster, but are probably pretty close
to any other breed of hamster:
Puberty: 4-5 weeks
Optimum beginning breeding age:
males: 10-12 weeks
females: 16-20 weeks
Estrus: Every 3-4 days
Gestation period: 16-18 days
Litter size: 1-18 (average is about 8)
Birth weight: 1/14 to 1/8 oz
Weaning age: 3-4 weeks
For Dwarf Hamsters:
Puberty: 4-5 weeks
Optimum breeding age: whenever they're ready!
Gestation period: 18-21 days
Litter size: 1-14 (average 4)
Weaning age: 3-4 weeks
For more information, refer to the Breeder's FAQ. It is available at:
http://www.cnw.com/~ibis/northbow/hamfaq/index.html
(This address has changed since the last edition of the FAQ.)
#b24: My hamster's dead. What can I do?
Unless you know how to bring beings back from the dead, he's gone to hamster
heaven (or hell) for good. The hamster can be buried in your backyard or at
a park, or you can phone your vet or a local animal shelter for advice.
Please don't flush them down the toilet.
If you're having trouble dealing with the loss of your hamster, you might
want to look into alt.support.grief.pet-loss,
a newsgroup designed to "provide a 'cybershoulder' for grieving animal
lovers in their time of need."
There is also a Grief and Pet Loss FAQ, written by Charlene Douglass and
posted regularly to several pets newsgroups. It's available at:
http://www.io.com/use/tittle/pets/pet-loss.html or e-mail:
douglasc@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu
#b25: How can I tame my hamster?
According to Anna Hayward:
[begin quote]
Let your hamster have the first few days in a cage on his/her own to get
used to it. Put him in a quiet place so he is
not disturbed and give him plenty of bedding. Putting a small cardboard box
in the cage will also give him somewhere to hide, and therefore a sense of
security.
The first few times you get him out, do not go through the cage door,
especially if it is at the top. Take the whole top off
the cage and place the base on the floor. They sit on the floor and scoop up
your hamster. If he is young, he will probably be very skittish so you will
have to be very aware to stop him running away, but let him run on your
body. It is best if this
job is initially done by an adult or older child, as small children do not
have the confidence, usually. Always scoop up
your hamster firmly - it will make him more confident, and never hold him
without first sitting on the floor unless he is *really* tame.
Pick up your hamster in this way once or twice a day, talking in a soft
voice and using lots of gentle encouragement.
Skittish young hamsters usually calm down with age.
Always wait until your hamster is awake before taming him, and *never* pick
up a sleeping hamster.
Most biting is as a result of fear, not viciousness. Remember this if you do
get bitten (it was probably your fault) it does not mean the hamster is
nasty. The most common reasons for getting bitten are grabbing a hamster
from above, picking up a sleeping hamster and accidentally pinching a
hamster when you pick him up. After a biting incident, put the hamster back
in the cage and leave him for a couple of hours to calm down.
Remember that taming is easier if a hamster has been handled since birth,
but I have yet to meet an untamable hamster. It may take months if the pet
shop has allowed an animal to mature without once being handled, but even an
older animal can be tamed with effort.
If at any stage the hamster starts biting and looking anxious, try going
back a step and repeating the process (ie.
leave him alone for a few days).
Once your hamster runs on you without looking frightened, place the cage in
a busier area to get him used to people.
[end quote]
#b26: What are the two symmetrical spots on the hamster's sides?
They are flank glands. Hamsters rub against things and mark their territory
with them.
#b27: Do hamsters really like those balls?
Lister seemed to, and Fluff always said he did. Although my new hamster
Mildred isn't too fond of them.
Most brands have directions that tell you not to leave your hamster in the
ball unattended or for more than about 20 minutes at a time. While I agree
that they shouldn't be left unattended (especially near flights of stairs),
I think that hamsters are hardy creatures, and they can survive more than 20
minutes in the ball. Just make sure they have plenty of water to drink when
they get back in the cage.
Hamsters would prefer running around freely. If you have a closed room with
not too much to get lost under or to chew on, it should be okay.
#b28: How can I interpret the hamster's body language?
From "Hamsters" by Helga Fritzsche (see #c01), as typed in by Fluff Hamster:
[Begin quote]
Body Language:
Convulsive movement, as well as sudden continual face washing, signifies
fright. Defensive raising of both front paws can be observed in males that
have been unexpectedly attacked by females and have no way of escaping.
According to my observations, this gesture prevents or at least delays an
even more serious attack. Puffing up the cheeks and showing the abdominal
regions are to be construed as a threat. Lying motionless on the back shows
resistance and fear. Stiff-legged walking of a young animal, with its tail
stiffly stretched up and its hindquarters turned toward the adult
hamster, denotes fear and submission; it propitiates the old animals. This
can also often be observed in vanquished adult hamsters. Stretching and
yawning with half-closed eyes is an expression of cosiness and inner peace,
just as much as frequent and at the same time joyous and languorous washing.
*Reciprocal cleaning between mother and children, and also between males and
females, that live in harmony with each other indicates affection. Stroking
the head with a paw, sometimes for a long period and sometimes only quickly
and in passing, denotes tenderness. I
observed this frequently with my striped hairy-footed hamster couple; the
male constantly stroked the female, which seemed to enjoy this tender little
act. Reciprocal knocking over can have very different meanings; fighting, if
there is biting; coital foreplay, if the animals lick each other's stomachs
and genitals; playing, if the partners cavort around with each other for a
short time only. "Sitting up" is sometimes noticed, if something excites the
hamster's particular attention.
[End quote]
#b29: Why shouldn't I use the microwave to dry off my hamster?
Timothy Ross put it quite nicely:
Microwaves found in your oven are electromagnetic waves like radio waves
except with a much higher frequency and density. They heat things up by
exciting particles that are electromagnetically sensitive (such as
electrons) and thus
produce kinetic energy. Matter that is in a liquid state is more susceptible
to this excitation because the chemical bonds between individual molecules
are weaker and offer less impedance to excitation. As the kinetic energy
increases the bonds become even weaker and a pocket of increased heat will
heat up even faster. This is why microwaved foods cook "from the inside out"
- the initial heat trapped in the interior acts like a focus for additional
microwave energy.
Animals are mostly liquid, and if put in a microwave they will begin to heat
up internally resulting in organ damage
without any visible injury. Even brief exposure to dense microwaves may
damage the nervous system. All in all, not a good idea.
**b30: Do hamsters make noise?
Hamsters are among the quietest creatures there are - usually the only sound
you'll here from them is the squeaking of
their wheels. Hamsters do vocalize (I'm *certain* mine said "hello" to me
one morning) from time to time, especially Russian hamsters, who are known
to be quite vocal.
They squeak - this is a mating call.
They scream - when they are in distress.
They cough/sneeze - when they are sick.
You might notice your hamster making noises of its own for certain things,
but from what I've heard no generalization can be made for all hamsters -
the noises your hamster makes are unique.
#b31: Do hamsters have souls?
Yes.
**b32: Can I travel with my hamster?
By car:
Make sure it's a short journey on a nice, smooth road. Take out anything in
the cage that can move around and hurt your
hamster. If you are using a special travelling cage, use bedding that's
familiar to your hamster.
Give your hamster a cucumber or similar wet food before the journey. Take
out the water bottle, since they drip too much into the cage.
Try to have a passenger watch your hamster and hold the cage so that he
can't escape. Remember that bumps could knock the cage open, so be sure that
it's extra secure. Without a passenger, either find a way to secure the cage
with a seatbelt, wedge the cage in between luggage, or put it in a stable
place on the floor.
Keep the windows closed so it doesn't get too drafty. Don't leave your
hamster in the car or in the sun, and stop if your hamster looks sick.
By plane:
Deanne did some investigating into American airline regulations for
hamsters. Here are her findings:
Most airlines do not have hamsters on their list of animals, so they fall
into the "other/general" category. U.S. Air, American Airlines, TWA, United
Airlines and Continental require you to put the hamster into the cargo hold.
Delta Airlines allows 1-2 hamsters in the passengar cabin. The cage counts
as carry-on luggage and must meet with carry-on size limitations. Delta
allows only 2 animals in the cabin at a time, so the airline must be
notified at the time the tickets are purchased.
There are some conditions:
Fees: $45-$60 (independent of cabin or cargo). In cargo, the fee is per
cage, and animal quantity is unlimited.
Age: Hamsters must be at least 8 wks old at the time of travel.
Health: Each hamster must have a veterinary statement of good health within
30 days of travel.
#b33: How can I stop the wheel from squeaking!!??
Try putting some vegetable oil, chapstick or vaseline on the axle of the
wheel. You might have a problem with these
lubricants attracting bedding material and dust, in which case you should
try using a dry powdered graphite lubricant, available in most hardware
stores. I am told teflon-based lubricants such as Liquid Wrench or Zep 54 do
the trick nicely, as long as you avoid drips or exposed lubricant.
#b34: Can I let my hamster swim?
No. No matter what you have heard, water is dangerous to hamsters. Even if
they do not drown trying to stay out of the
water, chances are they will catch pneumonia.
#b35: Is it safe for my hamster to jump off the table like that?
From my experience, hamsters have an incredible sense of height, and know
when it is and isn't safe for them to jump. As long as they aren't falling
off of a shelf by surprise, they're usually okay. Be careful with younger
hamsters - dropping them can cause severe damage. The older ones are a bit
more resilient.
#b36: What's the best type of cage for a hamster?
There are three basic types of cages: aquarium, wire, and connectable cages.
Recently, Bently Durant ran a poll on
alt.pets.hamsters on which cages were the most popular. The results: wired
cages: 11; aquarium cages: 3; conectable cages: 1.
It's a lot of fun to watch your hamster run through all of the tubes in the
connectable cages, but they aren't very escape-
proof, and they are really difficult to clean.
Aquarium cages are hard for the hamsters to get out of, although one hamster
owner said that his hamster actually broke through the side of the cage.
Aquarium cages are slightly more difficult to clean than wire cages, and
don't offer as much ventilation for the hamster.
Wire cages are easy to clean, and allow the hamster to swing from the top
and sides of the cage for exercise. However,
you've got to be pretty clever in securing the wire top to the plastic
bottom, as well as making sure the top of the cage is
securely shut. Your hamster will also try to eat through the bottom of the
cage. You'll need duct tape, wire, heavy objects,
and maybe even a padlock to keep your hamster from escaping.
#b37: Will small-rodent repellants harm hamsters?
I don't know the answer to this one. Many people have devices around the
home that are supposed to keep rats and mice and other unwanted pests away.
There are chemicals that can be used, as well as electronic devices. Does
anybody know of their effect on hamsters?
!!b38: Can I put Lego in my hamster's cage?
Hamsters enjoy obstacles and mazes to play with, and Lego's great to make
fun toys for your hamster. Your hamster will chew on the Lego, so don't give
him anything you don't need anymore. There was some concern that Lego might
be toxic, but as one person posted t the newsgroup, studies have shown that
a human baby would have to eat 3kg of Lego each day for a month in order for
the colour chemicals to reach dangeruos levels.
Please read Part One and Part Three of this
FAQ! Maintained by Glen Gower (ax611@freenet.carleton.ca). This FAQ may be
copied freely, as long as you don't modify it or charge money for it. Let me
know if you keep it on a web site or are posting it to other newsgroups.
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