how to take care of a chinese dwarf hamster

Chinese dwarf hamsters are small nocturnal rodents that are about 4 inches in length when they are full grown. With their short coats and somewhat longer tails, Chinese dwarf hamsters tend to resemble a mouse or rat more than other hamsters. If you have a pet hamster or if you are considering getting one, you will want to learn all about their needs in order to provide them with proper care. Like all creatures, Chinese dwarf hamsters need a clean place to live, nutritious food, clean water, toys, affection, and regular veterinary care. Keep reading to learn more about how to care for your Chinese dwarf hamster.

1

Consider getting two same sex hamsters. While Chinese dwarf hamsters can be kept in pairs, they're not guaranteed to get along. The best chance of them getting along is if they were raised in the same litter, or introduced very young. If introduced as adults they're likely to fight.

2

Keep your hamsters in a cage made for hamster or mice. Choose a cage that is a minimum of 450 square inches. Line the cage with plenty of bedding such as timothy hay, aspen shavings, shredded paper, or pelleted bedding. Place the cage or tank out of direct sunlight and away from drafts. You don’t want your hamsters to get too hot or too cold.

3

Provide your hamsters with accessories that will make them happy. For example, your hamster will enjoy an exercise wheel. Hamsters need lots of exercise to be happy, and an exercise wheel is a great way to provide them with that. Make sure that the wheel does not have any openings that may cause your hamster’s tail to get caught.

4

Provide toys for your hamster. Hamsters like to burrow and tunnel, so cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towel rolls are good toys for hamsters. You can also look for special hamster toys in pets stores. You can also feed your hamster’s need to shred things by giving them paper towels and napkins now and then.[6] Rotate toys each week so that your hamster always has different things to play with. This will help prevent your hamster from getting bored.[7]

Feeding Your Hamster

1

Feed your hamster a special hamster food mix. Look for a specially formulated hamster food mix at your local pet store. Follow the package instructions for how much to give your hamster each day and serve the food in a small ceramic dish placed inside of his cage.[8]

2

Provide a water bottle for your hamster. Hamsters need to have access to clean fresh water at all times. Use an inverted water bottle with a drinking tube to provide your hamsters with plenty of water. Make sure that the water bottle’s tip does not touch or come too close to the bedding or the water may drain out.

3

Give your hamster something to chew on. Like all rodents, a hamster’s teeth never stop growing. Hamsters need to chew to keep their teeth from growing out of control, so make sure that you provide your hamster with a pesticide and chemical-free stick to chew on. You can also use a dog treat.[10]

part 3 Caring for Your Hamster

1

Remember that hamsters are nocturnal animals. Hamsters like to be awake at night, so the best time to spend time with your hamster is after the sun has gone down. For this reason, hamsters make great pets for night owls. Be aware that if you try to pick up your hamster during the day, it will be more likely to bite you.[11]

2

Clean your hamster’s cage regularly. To help keep your hamster happy and healthy, you will need to keep his cage nice and clean. Once per week you should also perform a deep cleaning on your hamster’s cage. Remove everything from your hamster’s cage (including your hamster) and scrub the sides and bottom with warm, soapy water. Then rinse and dry the cage before putting in new bedding, your hamster’s accessories, and your hamster. In addition to a weekly deep clean, you should also do the following every day: Remove and replace any soiled or damp bedding.

Remove and dispose of droppings.

Check the corners of your hamster’s cage for hidden food. Hamsters have a tendency to stash food for later.[12]

3

Handle your hamster with care. It will take some time and patience before your hamster is ready to let you hold him. Build up his trust in you by allowing him to sniff your hand and even give you a little nibble. You can also offer your hamster a treat from your hand to build up his trust in you. Once your hamster is comfortable with you, you can try to pick him up.

4

Allow your hamster some supervised time outside of his cage each day. Hamsters also need time outside of their cages to be happy. Once you have established trust with your hamster, take him out of his cage once per day for a little supervised playtime outside of his cage

5

Get regular veterinary care for your hamster. A healthy hamster will be much happier than an unhealthy hamster. If a hamster is well cared for, it may live to be 1-2 years old. Take your hamster for regular check-ups with the veterinarian to make sure that he stays healthy and happy.