are hamsters safe pets

Hamsters groom themselves often, sometimes many times each day. Aspen shavings, paper bedding, and hemp are all acceptable choices and can even be mixed together in a hamsters enclosure. That makes them a very popular "pocket pet." But like any pet, large or small, it's crucial to feed the right diet to keep your furry friend healthy and feeling good. Dont use bedding that could wrap around their body or limbs to prevent accidents. Use a seed mix that contains a mixture of seeds, pellets, grain, and dried vegetables. Before giving your pet these foods, begin with small amounts and dont feed your hamster any humanmade meal like candy. Before you take your hamster out of the cage (particularly around children), try to create a calm environment. Well, they can be! Hamsters can make great family petsas long as you keep a few things in mind. Not at all! Rule No 4 - Never let the cat or dog or any other pet be in the room when your hamster is playing outside of its cage. Thank you. Unlike dogs and cats, hamsters dont require a professional groomer and can do the grooming job themselves. Certain species, such as some dwarf hamsters, can live together as long as they are properly introduced. Here are some pros and cons of hamsters, which is what to consider before answering the question are hamsters a good pet: Hamsters are considered by many pet lovers as one of the most playful and adorable pets to own. They can be quite fun and they do not need much room due to their size. Whether you want an animal that is low maintenance or one that will be as social as possible, there are many reasons for picking this small mammal. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Salmonella can also seriously sicken a person who's already in a weakened state from other health conditions. However, they can also be a little squeaky at night, and their cages carry an odor that can be bothersome for some people. More so, it would help if you remembered to remove all pips and seeds before giving to your little friend. Just like human beings, there are foods that you can feed on while others are not safe. These include, but are not limited to, a cage, bedding material, nesting area, exercise wheel, tunnels and toys, water bottle, food dish, food, and treats. Ideally, you should keep cats, dogs and other pets in separate rooms for the safety of your hamster. This article has been viewed 1,073 times. 8 Reasons Why You Should Never Declaw Your Cats, Are Guinea Pigs Good Starter Pets for Kids? A child may drop the hamster, squeeze it, or scare it. Sometimes you may soak the bread into the milk to nurse and feed pregnant hamsters and babies. Dont forget to cut the cherry into small pieces for your pet hamster. These fruits contain a lot of water that may expose your pet to gastrointestinal complications and diarrhea. Hamsters are known to be calm and noiseless pets, they dont bark or meow, like other pets. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM). If you ever introduce this type of fruit to your little friends, they will love it. Contributions to the HSUS are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. If your hamster ever gets sick or has health problems, you'll also need to consider the potential of vet bill costs. The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Hamsters are fairly independent and can entertain themselves for extended periods of time, provided their housing is properly enriched with toys, bedding, and opportunities for burrowing and climbing. You should spot-clean your hamsters bedding (removing excrement) once a week, and change her whole bedding once a month, depending on the sort of cage you keep her in. They're easy to care for, and with frequent handling, they can be very docile and affectionate. Any food that is not recommended by a vet should be thoroughly avoided. Hamsters have been known to carry a virus called Lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Cages sold at pet stores are woefully inadequate to meet a hamsters unique needs. If he bites you it can really hurt.. This article will cover the pros and cons of owning a hamster so that you can make a more informed decision about whether or not this is the right pet for you. It also contains theobromine chemicals that can be harmful to hamsters. Dr. Lauren Baker is a Veterinarian and Assistant Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It's illegal to own pet hamsters in Hawaii. This can be frustrating for a guardian who wants to play with their companion during daytime hours. Cat litter, newspaper, and fluff bedding can also cause life-threatening ailments for your hamster and should be avoided. A hamster is considered an exotic animal and must be seen by a specialized veterinarian. If you own Hamsters, then you are ok to give them apples. Peanut is another favorite treat that you can offer your pet. It is also water causing stomach upset and diarrhea to the hamster. Shopping for a wheel with a diameter of at least 11 inches (8 inches for a dwarf hamster) may mean buying something marketed for rats, but it will be better for a hamsters physical well-being and can provide great mental and physical stimulation. They require daily care, exercise, and attention, just like other animal companions. Many people picture an active little creature running around their hamster wheel and keeping them company throughout the day. Peanuts make the best source of protein compared to any other nut. Place the hamsters cage away from direct sunlight or a heat source. Instead of a ball, consider a playpen or hamster-proof a room and allow your hamster to exercise in it under your diligent supervision. While it may seem like a natural ingredient like olive oil should be safe for a rodent, it actually is not. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Can Hamsters Live Alone: Which Hamsters Can & Cant Be Alone? A hamster is a small rodent that is commonly seen as a pocket pet here in the U.S. Hamsters are covered in a soft fur, with large eyes, round bodies, and short stumpy tails. Since hamsters are omnivorous, theyll also appreciate occasional treats of dried mealworms or other insects. You should provide your hamster with enough material to gnaw on. The cage should also be sufficient size to allow for separate sleeping, exercise, feeding, and toileting areas. Hamsters especially dwarf hamsters have a tendency to burrow. This eliminates the need for their human companions to conduct any pet washing. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Cleaning the cage weekly is advised. Lettuce has fewer nutrients, and I cannot recommend it as a good diet for your hamsters. Of course, as with any pet, there may be unexpected expenditures, like vet fees, for which you must budget. Consider purchasing her a hamster ball to run in if her cage doesnt have a wheel for her to run on. According to the CDC's direction for avoiding the transfer of salmonella from rodents, you should avoid washing your hamster's food and water bowls, toys, or cage in an area used for food preparation. Getting them a hamster ball is an excellent method for them to expend some energy. Now allow me to directly take you through a list of 29 safe foods for Hamsters. Read our, Choosing the Best Cage for Your Syrian Hamster, Keeping Hamsters as Pets: Care Information, How to Care for a Pet Winter White Dwarf Hamster, How to Care for a Pet Robo (Roborovski) Hamster. Are you looking for a pet that will never get mad at you? She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg. Giving a small piece of popcorn will provide your hamster but dont feed your little friends hot popcorns. Hamsters can be carriers of different diseases and viruses, such as Salmonella and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. The answer to this question also depends on the type of almond you plan to feed your animal. Not only will it keep your hamster safe, but also it will provide a fun way to burn off some energy. So when you are playing with your hamster, always try to avoid unnecessary or sudden loud sounds or noises. A stressed hamster is more likely to get ill. A hamsters teeth dont stop growing. A great starter pet, right? But the good thing is that you can get a hamster wheel for them to run with. Unlike most other rodents, hamsters only have one toilet in their cage, making them very easy to clean. The type of wood your hamster can eat will depend on the species of hamster you have. The average hamster lifespan is relatively short, around 1-2 years, but they can live up to 5 years. Cucumber is safe for hamsters, and therefore the answer is YES. Supervise kids to ensure proper hand washing. Celery, carrots, squash. Before you get one as a pet, there are some things you should know. This means that if you give your pet too much cucumber may result in watery stools. These rodents will spend most of the day curled up sleeping, and if disturbed, they will become hostile and bite. Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. Doing so will remove all insecticides, chemicals, and pesticides. Kale is full of minerals and vitamins, mostly vitamin A that will enhance your pet hamsters health. Keep in mind that you'll need to thoroughly clean your hamster's cage every week. These fruits are rich in Vitamin C, an essential nutrient to your pet to promote healthy eyes and glossy layers. However, its important to know whats safe, as even packaging for dangerous bedding, such as pine or cedar shavings, may have a cute photo of a hamster on the label at a pet store. Cat Training And Behavior Problems Get advice on cat training and common cat behavior issues, such as meowing or clawing and tips on training your cat or kitten, including litter box training. Hamsters are quite inexpensive to keep once the initial one-time expenditures, such as the cage, are met. Pineapples tend to be acidic, and therefore, I cannot recommend it as a safe food for hamsters. However, the food should be an occasional diet to avoid stomach complications and diarrhea. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? READ MORE, Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind. This will prevent their teeth from overgrowing. 2 Aspen is a safer option if you prefer to use wood bedding, but many people prefer to use paper or other fiber-based beddings. Besides, the seed will also equip your pet hamster with enough nutrients. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If your hamster hasn't eaten fruit before, don't give them peach as a first experience. Cucumber is safe for hamsters, and therefore the answer is YES. Cauliflower, cucumbers, zucchini, asparagus. Dwarf Campbells Russian Hamster: 3 inches. Golden hamsters establish deep relationships with their owners once they have been properly hand-tamed. Are Hamsters A Good Pet? YES, your hamsters can eat Lettuce but, dont give them too much of the item. The answer to this question depends on the type of bread you intend to give your hamster. Remove all seeds and skin before giving it to your little friend. Ultimately, chocolate is perfectly safe, however many owners still feel an initial knee-jerk reaction. Text STOP to end, HELP for more info. Merck Veterinary Manual. Hamsters are popular pets among many people, and they don't need much care. Hamsters love to explore, so a larger space will make your hamster happier and healthier. Remember, your hamster's health is in your hands, so choose treats wisely. There are several options for affordable and safe bedding to give your hamster the home they deserve. Hamsters are adorable rodents that are commonly kept as pets, and as such these creatures often spend time around kids. Despite the fact that you must include in the whole cost of all the items required to care for a happy hamster, the ultimate cost will be far less than adopting a cat or dog. Waking a sleeping hamster can be stressful for them and can prompt them to act nervously or aggressively. Hamsters in captivity are active mostly from dusk to dawn and spend the majority of the daytime in their nest. Its critical to understand and accept that their nocturnal activities may cause you to lose sleep. Hamsters are cute, small, relatively easy to care for, and if socialized and handled gently, they can be quite affectionate for a rodent, as well. The motor skills of children under 8 are usually not refined enough to make a hamster feel comfortable being handled. Due to their predator instinct, they can eat your hamsters. It is important that you make sure your home is safe and conducive for a pet hamster. Bananas are not harmful to hamsters, but you should feed the pet a sufficient amount. Hamster can eat watermelon but, it is not advisable. Hamsters might like peaches but there are better, safer fruits for them to eat. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. These clever creatures can flatten their bodies to squeeze through even the tiniest of openings. Confrontation With Other Animals If you want to keep your hamster safe, it is crucial to keep in mind that other animals are wandering around outside. Dr. Jess explains the answer below: What is a Hamster? It is the largest hamster in the world. Aspen bedding is not the best choice for your hamster's diet, but it is not harmful in small quantities. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Hamsters are small animals that can be very cute and cuddly. Hamsters can comfortably eat Kale because the vegetable is safe and loved by the animals. Hamsters can only enjoy peanut butter in small quantities. Place food in the palm of your hand and open the cage . Grapes are safe because they are berries, unlike citrus fruits. You can feed your pet hamster combinations of rat blocks (rodent chow) and seed mix or hamster. Besides, the fruit is also watery, leading to stomach upset and diarrhea. Other illnesses and infections, some of which can infect people, are also more common in hamsters. When a guardian finally does find a vet who sees exotic animals, its often very costly, which may also prevent some people from ensuring that their hamster receives proper care. Hamsters are active at night (from around 8 pm, but sometimes later), and This is a big con for most hamster owners. Are you looking for a pet that wont drag you to the vet on a monthly basis? Turn down music and/or turn off the TV. If an enclosure is too small, the animal can develop cage rage, a condition caused by stress that can lead to various behavioral issues, including biting, excessive urinating, and incessant cage-bar biting that can cause serious harm to teeth. The initial purchase of equipment and supplies is likely to include: Are you prepared to spend several hundred dollars a year on your new friend, not including veterinary costs, if your hamster develops a chronic condition like diabetes or requires emergency treatment? Watermelon can also be a useful diet component if you give the hamster a moderate amount. If you do they may fight each other to death. Hamsters are easily startled by sudden changes and loud noises. For children who want to play with them during the day, this might be aggravating. They might quickly get disoriented and difficult to locate. Privacy policy. However, there are some misconceptions and often unknown facts about hamsters that you should consider before heading to the pet store to pick one out. Pet hamsters should be kept in a clean cage with adequate space. Waking the hamster from their nap could cause them to feel grumpy, startled, or insecure with their surroundings. Hamsters are susceptible to illnesses and viruses, which may deter some parents from keeping them as childrens pets. Answering this question is a great place to start when first trying to understand which species are safe to keep around your ferret and which are not. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Are you looking for an adorable pet that you wont be working on its cage every day? Bedding depth should be a minimum of 8 and 12 inches. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Chinese Hamster: 3-5 inchesand, unlike other hamsters, they have a noticeable tail as well. While children are handling hamsters, discourage them from touching their eyes or mouths. Hamsters dont require professional grooming services, Hamsters dont require constant attention, Hamsters dont require daily cleaning of their cage, Hamsters dont require daily walks by their owner, Hamsters dont require extensive training, Buying and setting up a hamster cage can be expensive, Hamster veterinarian are difficult to find, Hamsters can be noisy with their wheels at night, Hamsters are not good for kids under the age of 4 years, Signs Of Cat Dying Of Old Age [petcreeks.com]. You can take a few important steps to keep both your hamsters and little ones safe. Children under 5 may be too small to maintain proper handling behavior. A hamster with dental issues may stop eating. Hamsters can bite a lot when they are not properly handled and this makes them unsafe for kids under 4 years of age. Besides, your body may not need too much of a particular food, ending up reacting negatively. One common food, the tomato, is often in question: Can hamsters eat tomatoes safely? Large hamsters should have a minimum of 800 square inches of floor space, and dwarf hamsters should have at least 640. A hamster is an exotic animal that requires the attention of a veterinarian who is familiar with exotic animals. What to feed and not to are common questions that almost all inexperienced Hamster owners have in their minds. Hamsters generally eat grains, seeds, vegetables, and fruits like apples. In addition to the above reasons, hamsters are little, fast creatures and have the potential of getting lost. Keeping your hamsters cage clean is important for both you and your hamsters health. But again, dont feed them with too many bananas; give your hamster a slice of banana. But, if you be cautious and give the fruit in small quantities, tomatoes will not harm your hamster. Text STOP to 77879 to opt out, HELP for info. When you support pet stores, youre supporting places like this horrendous dealer, which supplies animals to hundreds of pet stores across the U.S. To learn more, visit PETAs investigation page. Remember, too much of anything is harmful to hamsters health so, if you give them too many grapes, it may lead to diarrhea and stomach upset. Radicchio, bell peppers, parsnips. Giving your hamster blueberries will be the healthiest treat ever. Just stand close to your hamster and watch it play. The Pets Advisors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Hamsters are one of the most popular pet options for both children and adults. Opt for something milder like blueberry or . Well, they can be! For this reason, you want not want to bring hamsters around kids this young. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an MS in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. So, in my opinion, the answer to the above question is a big NO. Because very few commercially available cages meet these recommendations, we recommend building your own hamster enclosure. Although hamsters are small, they still entail a big commitment. Are hamsters really good pets for young kids, toddlers and preschoolers, in particular? Hamsters sleep during the day and stay up at night, meaning they will play with their toys at night, and this can be a bit loud. This indicates that the owner will be saddened by the animals death after only a short amount of time. You might say, We need to move slowly around Jeffrey, like were in jello. Then you should check out a hamster. It can make an excellent diet again if you provide pets with small or enough quantity. Terms and conditions. Though the price of purchasing the hamster itself is relatively small, the cost of owning a hamster does not stop there. You shouldnt put them together after they reach 10 weeks old. Hamsters can carry salmonella, an intestinal bacteria that causes short but intense bouts of sickness in healthy adults. Rule No 3 - If it is possible place the hamster and its cage in a totally separate room. If you can't make a long commitment to a pet, this characteristic may be appealing. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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