[matwheels]

I note that similar questions are often asked so I compiled a quick guide for newbies. Comments/opinions with reason(s) welcomed.

Starter Kit:

Bedding - Aspen, Carefresh, Pine (may emit fumes that are toxic to hamster but use is subjective since Aspen and Carefresh are not commonly available, non-indicated woodshavings are likely to be Pine)

Cages - Plastic tank, Wired Cages without wired floor (Habitrail, Wild, *Crittertrail etc), use those that is simple, easy to clean and will not break apart easily

Cleaner/Disinfectant - Dettol liquid handwash or others with disinfectant

Food - Prestige Premium, Sluis Supreme, Habitrail Hamster Food etc

**Food (Health) – Brocolli (calcium), Critical Care (not eating), Oat (diahorre), Plain Unflavoured Yoghurt (stomach), Scrambled eggs/Beansprout/Tofu/Wheatgerm (pregnant)

***Hide-Outs/Bed – Toilet Roll Tube, Ceramic Tiger/Hippo, Hamster Igloo etc

Litter/Bath - Habitrail Tidy Toilet/Wild Bath House etc, Sluis Chincilla Bath Sand (not dust)/Wild Hamster Bath Sand etc, large litter/bath with overhead cover can double as hide-outs/bed

Nesting - unscented and unshreaded Toilet Paper, optional but recommended for first 2 weeks of birth

**Treats - Sunflower Seeds, Carrots, Corn, Cucumber, Nut

***Water Bottle - use those that can stay firmly, avoid vacumm suction type holder

***Wheels/Balls – Large Plastic Wheel with no rungs, Transparent Ball (sized to suit)

* = recommended for syrians only
** = feed sparingly or as required only
*** = if item not included with cage

Mantainence:

Do clean your cages at least once a week
Do not breed by keeping different sexed hamster together if you are unable to take care of the offsprings

Caution:

Do not keep syrians together at all as they fight
Only dwarf campbell/ww/robos can be kept together and must be below 2 months if from different source, otherwise barrier sniffing introduction/vanilla essence technique is required, seperate immediatelly if fighting occurs
Do not mix different breeds together in a cage (syrian/campbell/ww/robos are different breeds)
Do learn how to handle and tame your hamster before you obtain one
Do allow newly obtained hamster at least 3 days to get adjusted to it's new environment before handling it
Do not water bath your hamster as it will get sick, provide sand for bathing on it's own instead
Do not use a water container as hamster may drown in it, always use a water bottle
Do not place hamsters under direct sunlight or in a hot location
Do not disturb your hamster while it's asleep

Signs of pregnant hamster:

Sudden weight/size gain, eating a lot more than usual
Red spots appears on the belly (nipples become noticable)

After birth:

Do not touch hamsters or clean the cages for at least 2 weeks after birth
Do remove the wheel discreetly to prevent the babies from getting injured
Do lower the water bottle if the babies cannot reach it

This post has been edited by matwheels: 19 January 2005 - 07:35 PM

[whitedoggy]

Oh, and also for pregnant hamham, you can try feeding them cucumber if they can't reach out for water ^^. Thanks for the information

[Jean]

Hmm, this is a very good quick guide for beginners! Very nice job. Perhaps you shuold explain at the bottom why Pine and Cedar are bad, because a lot of hamster owners don't know, I did not know until I researched online before buying my second hamster (first one I had about 7 years ago).

Also, maybe say that they should clean the cage once a week (maybe a little longer with Carefresh), and wash it with a mild soap, like dish soap.

[bleeder]

A good post! Thanks. ;)

[Emmie]

good post!

[Panther_Shadow83]

You should also add in how long you should wait until you hold your hammie for the first time.

[Hamham200]

thats really useful!! ^_^

[Hamsterhoney459]

Do you have to change the litter everyday? Oh and those toilet things you can buy do they really use them?

[bozo_the_dwarfie]

The easiest way to notice if a hamster is pregnant is taht you will see babies in the cage.lol. just kiddin, nice bit of info there, likely to cut down all those messages that have already been asked.


Keep up the good work!!!

[Onikun]

Don't give hamsters toilette paper roll. My brothers old hamster ate his and died from indigestion.

[hayleyshamsters]

Hamsterhoney459, on Mar 26 2005, 11:39 AM, said:

Do you have to change the litter everyday? Oh and those toilet things you can buy do they really use them?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, but you have to change food and water every day.

Some hamsters use the toilet things as a toilet, but most use them as a bed, or just completely ignore them. Depends on the hamster!

[mcrfan44]

Thanks much! Quite helpful.

[Jblonde]

I'm slightly confused! If I cant use pine bedding what should I use and where can I get it!?

Double Post merged:
oops sorry its ok I get it now! I dont think I'm quite wiv it 2nite!!! Sorry again!

[phanie]

i forgot to change the water yesterday, will they be ok?

[hayleyshamsters]

phanie, on Mar 5 2006, 05:16 PM, said:

i forgot to change the water yesterday, will they be ok?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

they'll be fine. Just try not to forget, it won't hurt them but it is recommended, because the longer they wait, the less interested they become in the water, and it gets warmer each day