HAMSTER CARE

Physiologic
Adult male body weight: 85-130g
Adult female body weight: 95-150g
Life span: 18-24 months (up to 3 yr recorded)

Housing

• Adult enclosure 20" x 20" x 6-10" high
• Must be large enough for exercise wheel, nest area for sleeping, and 1-2 corners well away from eating/sleeping areas for defecation/urination.
• Galvanized stainless steel mesh wire (open-sided) rodent enclosures with solid-floored bases of plastic or aluminum are recommended – easy to clean and keep track of food and animal.
  10 gal aquarium OK with securely fastened, screened top.
• Do not choose popular completely enclosed hamster housing-no ventilation so strong urine odor and ammonia vapors are trapped.
• Do not choose plastic, wood, soft metal materials or poorly constructed cages – hamsters can escape.

• Bedding: hardwood shavings, recycled newspaper, or composite pellets at a depth of 1-2 inches.
  Kleenex-type tissues work fine for sleeping/nesting material, not-synthetic nesting mat’l.
• Change bedding 1-2 times weekly.
• Ideal room temperatures: 65-70ºF. Humidity 30-70ºF. A 12:12 light/dark cycle is adequate.

Diet

• Feed commercial rodent/hamster pellets with at least 16% protein (Ex: Purina Mills Hamster Chow, Purina Lab Chow Code 5001, Wayne Lab Blox, Mazuri Rodent Diet)
  
• Softened pellets may be offered to babies.
  
• Do not feed seed-type "pet-mixes" as they do not provide adequate nutrition for growth and reproduction. Hamsters may pick out seeds they like and stockpile or bury the rest.
  
• Treats = salad sprouts, tiny pieces of apple, walnuts, raisins, various salad greens – no more than ½ tsp. per 24 hr.
  
• Provide small pieces of dog biscuits, dry dog/cat foods, natural wood chew sticks or blocks to wear down front teeth.
  
• Provide water with sipper tube – also small size for young.
  

Behavior

• Nocturnal. Escape artists – well secured cages are mandatory.
  

This material taken from The Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook for Veterinarians

The Animal Health Clinic recommends annual wellness visits for all Hamsters. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at: 701-237-9310