Essential Element in Knowing How to Care for a Hamster

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

When it comes to learning how to care for a hamster, your goal should be to remember that your furry friend must be kept warm, dry, and entertained. A hamster’s needs are directly related to the life it would be living were it a wild animal. Hamsters are desert creatures, populating dry, rocky areas in places like Syria, Mongolia, and Pakistan. This is why it’s essential that you meet your hamster’s need for dry, warm housing. Avoid keeping your hamster in an aquarium, as the glass enclosure will promote the locking-in of moisture. Instead, seek out a cage made especially for hamsters-either a standard wire enclosure or one of the popular “habit rail” type cages. For more details visit to www.dishadvice.com .Habit rail cage, with all of its tubes, turrets, and tunnels will also help ensure that your hamster’s need for entertainment is met.

Diet is another essential element in knowing how to care for a hamster. Fresh water should be made available at all times via a specially made drinking bottle. Never put your hamster’s water in a dish, as the dish will quickly be tipped or filled with debris, and then you will have a sad, wet hamster. As for food, there are a multitude of pre-packaged hamster foods on the market, and it’s always a good idea to make those foods the bulk of your hamster’s diet. However, hamsters, like people, appreciate a little variety at dinnertime, so an offering of apple pieces, carrot slices, or crackers is always welcome. Greens can also be integrated into your hamster’s diet, but avoid overfeeding these vegetables to your hamster as they will contract an illness called “wet tail,” which is fatal if left untreated. Keep in mind also that hamsters are hoarders. It is nearly impossible to overfeed them, as they will most likely take much of their food with them into their nest, so remove uneaten foods that might spoil if your hamster decides to save them for later!

Other items that should be on your hamster care checklist include plenty of bedding (try cedar or pine shavings), adequate nesting material (facial tissues work great), and the all-important exercise wheel. Hamsters are nocturnal by nature, so be sure to get a wheel that won’t make a ruckus and keep you awake as your pet makes its nightly rounds. Always be sure your hamster’s wheel is unobstructed and can turn freely. To know more logon to www.100cookingtips.com .The exercise a wheel provides is necessary to prevent your hamster from developing a condition called “torpidity.” When a hamster is torpid, it hasn’t had the activity it needs to maintain proper mental health. This lack of exercise will cause the hamster to snap, and possibly attack you when you reach in to pet it. Also be sure to respect your hamster’s nocturnal habits. Avoid waking your hamster during the daylight hours as much as possible, as this could result in a nasty bite, or in the very least, a grumpy, confused pet.

Now that you’re prepared, it’s time to go pick out your new friend. Make sure you choose a clean, reputable pet store from which to buy your hamster. Look carefully to ensure that none of the animals seem sick, and make sure that the pet store employees are equipped to answer any questions you may have. After bringing your hamster home, allow it a day or so to adjust to its new surroundings before attempting to handle it. This may seem like a lot to remember, but know that the time you devote to learning how to care for a hamster is time well spent! Hamsters are affectionate, fascinating, and of course, adorable pets who will provide you with several years of enjoyment and companionship in exchange for your expert, loving care.

zhu zhu pets zhu zhu hamster carrier and bed combo purple & pink

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

hamster shop

Product Description
Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters – Hamster Pet Carrier and Bed Combo Package. This cozy carrier and bed will keep your cuddly friend comfortable and warm. Hamster sold separately… More >>

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Vo-Toys Hamster Roly Poly Fruit Chews

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

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  • Variety of Colors
  • Promotes Healthy Teeth
  • Necessary for Small Animals

Product Description
18 small round pieces of wooden chew blocks in a rainbow of colors. Allows the pet to hold the block in its paws easily. Small animals need a chew block to maintain healthy teeth…. More >>

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Fascinating Syrian Hamster Facts

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

Although there are several types of hamsters occurring in the wild, only five are commonly kept as household pets. And though there are several differences between the breeds that make them each unique, there are traits common to all hamsters, regardless of type. Chief among these traits is lifespan – the average hamster has a lifespan of roughly 1000 days, or just a little under three years, with male hamsters living on average just a bit longer than females.

All hamsters have cheek pouches which they use to carry food, or in cases of danger, their young. Also common among all hamsters is the presence of scent glands, although the location of these glands differs depending on the type of hamster.

All hamsters reach breeding age in roughly 6-8 weeks, with a very short pregnancy lasting only 15 days. The size of the litter averages about 6-8 pups. As you may already know, hamsters are very susceptible to stress, with new mothers being particularly so. If this occurs it’s not unusual for the new mother to eat her newborn pups, so it’s important to keep stress to an absolute minimum for new hamster mothers.

One of the most common pet hamster breeds, the Syrian hamster is also commonly known as the Teddy Bear hamster, Fancy hamster, and the Golden hamster, among others. Syrian hamsters grow to a full size of about 7 inches in length, with the females usually a bit longer than the males.

If you buy a Syrian from the pet store you may see several young Syrian hamsters kept in the same cage – this is very misleading as Syrian hamsters are extremely territorial and will fight to the death with any other hamster they are caged with. The only reason the Syrian hamsters you see in pet stores aren’t fighting when you buy them is that they don’t develop their territorial nature until about age 6 weeks. After that the rule is one Syrian hamster per cage!

Here’s a story from Tammy Crum, a well-respected hamster breeder:

“A previous partner of mine used a shelving system to store the hamster, with Syrians on top. They were in a fish tank and somehow got out landed in a tank with Roborovskis. Needless to say that by the time he discovered the missing culprit all the Robs were dead.”

Given their large size, Syrian hamsters are more easily held for longer periods of time than dwarf hamsters as they tend not to tire as easily. Another interesting fact about Syrian hamsters is that, even though they have the nickname Golden hamster, they come in over 40 different color types. This is achieved through today’s advanced breeding techniques, allowing for a range of color and fur length.

Most Syrian hamsters, like all other hamster breeds, do not require any grooming on your part. The only exception to this is the Long Haired Syrian hamster. In this case a simple toothbrush can be used to remove any bedding material that may be caught up in his fur.

Visit the Hamster-Zone website for even more detailed information on hamster care, hamster diet, hamster cages, and much, much more. Learn important tips on how to keep your hamster healthy and happy, including proper diet, care, and cage enrichment.

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Carrier, Bed, & Two Blankets – Orange & Green

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

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  • One Carrier

Product Description
Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Carrier, Bed, & Two Blankets – Orange & Green… More >>

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Vo-Toys Bed-e-Bag for Hamsters

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

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  • Soft and Cuddly
  • Great for Cold Nights

Product Description
For those cold nights and when friends sleep over. Give your pet this Bed-e-Bag to snuggle in. Made of cotton fabric with sheepskin lining and cuff. Machine washable…. More >>

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Pet Products For Hamsters

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

Many people that bought hamsters for their children did not heed the warnings of the pet store. They failed to check the sexes of all hamsters that they bought later on to put into one cage and now are faced with a multitude of hamsters on their hands that they are afraid that they can not care for properly. With a few pet products for hamsters in the cage, the hamsters will seem like one large family.


There are pet products for hamsters that are perfectly suited for creating a great environment for baby hamsters and homeowners do not have to worry about having so many of them in the cage either. One popular product for hamsters is hamster grass and this product should be liberally applied to the bottom of a hamster cage so that it is at least 4 inches deep. This pet product should be changed out once a week because hamsters soil the grass with urine and feces.


The only time that hamster grass is not replaced is when a hamster has given birth. There are hamster pet products that are birthing compartments. Some homeowners might not realize the birth occurred because the mother hamster will conceal the babies underneath her body for weeks. A pet owner will know if a hamster is pregnant if they watch them routinely during the course of a week.


It will be a good idea to watch hamsters very carefully because another cage will be needed to transfer hamsters to when a mother hamster is breeding. A fish tank is an excellent pet product for fish that works well as a living environment for a hamster. The lighting used for fish will serve to keep hamsters warm but care must be taken to use a bulb suitable for growing plants so that it will not burn their eyes.


Other hamster pet products that are standard for any hamster are water tubes. These tubes can be easily refilled and hung at various places around the cage to allow all hamsters access to a water source. There are many watering products for hamsters and it is up to the taste of the individual owner on which one is best.


Hamsters are natural escape artists and born to explore at every opportunity. A handy pet product for hamsters that will keep your hamster Houdini inside the cage are made of mesh or plastic coverings which can be purchased at many pet stores.


Some people that use fish tanks as a living environment choose to use hamster pet products like fish covers which have locking mechanisms on them that are perfect for keeping a hamster inside where they belong.


There are exercise wheels that are hamster pet products for fitness and happiness. Hamsters are cold natured and will run for long periods of time. Some people think that they are exercising but they are really trying to raise their body temperatures so that they can be comfortable. Some hamster wheels are quite large and care might have to be taken to ensure that all hamsters have enough room to roam about at will.

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Adventure Ball Exclusive Set with Hamster

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

hamster shop

  • 1 Adventure Ball
  • 1 Rattlin’ Clatterin’ mini bal
  • 1 Zhu Zhu Hamster

Product Description
ZHU ZHU PETS HAMSTERS ADVENTURE BALL EXCLUSIVE SET. INCLUDES ONE RANDOME ZHU ZHU PETS HAMSTER.
Includes: 1 Adventur Ball and 1 Rattlin’ Clatterin’ mini ball
Place the GoGo hamster in the adventure ball for non-stop rock and roll action!
Build your very own magical hamster city!… More >>

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Understanding Hamster Behavior

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

Watching your hamster frolic around his cage can provide you with hours of enjoyment, but what exactly is he up to? Is he just playing, or do his actions have some other meaning associated with them. Hamsters are complicated little creatures and understanding a little more about why they do the things they do can help you keep your hamster healthy and stress-free. It’s a well-known fact that reducing stress for a hamster is the best thing you can do to help your hamster live a long and healthy life.

If you see your hamster creeping along the floor of his cage, your hamster is nervous about something, usually something outside of his cage. Do you have a cat nearby, or is there a lot of commotion that could be startling your hamster? Keep an eye out for things that could be causing your hamster stress. If things get worse and your hamster gets frightened he may put his ears forward and puff his cheeks up. This is a classic sign of fright, and may be quickly followed by an emptying of his cheek pouches if he was carrying any food in them. At this point he’s not happy about the situation at all and is getting ready to run.

If you ever attempt to handle your hamster and you notice that his ears are back then you’d better remove your hand quickly as he’s feeling very aggressive and is likely to bite. Another warning sign if you ever go to handle your hamster is if you see him lying on his back with his teeth bare – you may think this a sign of submission but it’s actually another sign that your hamster is frightened and he will bite you in this state if you attempt to pick him up.

Some of the more pleasant signs to look for in your hamster are burrowing and grooming. If you spot your hamster burrowing (which is very likely) it just means that he’s looking for stray bits of food lying amongst his bedding material that he may have missed before. They’ll spend a great deal of time doing this so it’s an easy one to spot. If you catch your hamster grooming or stretching then you are looking at a particularly content and happy hamster!

If you have particularly good hearing you may occasionally catch your hamster making squeaking noises. Consider yourself lucky, as the average hamster squeak lasts only a fraction of a second, and the vast majority of hamster vocalization takes place in a frequency range that is completely undetectable by humans.

A more noticeable noise is teeth chattering – this is a sign that your hamster is unsettled, and is seen most often when a hamster is introduced to a cage that already has a hamster in it. Watch for the warning signs of potential combat between the two hamsters.

Hamsters use various scent glands on their bodies to mark their territory by rubbing the glands up against the sides of the cage. If there’s a spot in the cage they wish to mark but can’t get to with their glands they’ll scratch their scent glands with their rear feet and then walk around the area they wish to claim as theirs. When males and females in the same cage are ready to mate they’ll both reduce their markings, giving each other the signal that it’s okay for the other to approach.

You may occasionally catch your hamster chewing at the bars of his cage. Although he may look like he’s trying to chew his way to freedom he’s actually keeping his every-growing teeth at a reasonable length. If he didn’t continue to keep his teeth ground down they’d cause serious dental problems and illness. Just make sure the bars on the cage aren’t rusty!

Visit the Hamster-Zone website for even more detailed information on hamster care, hamster diet, hamster cages, and much, much more. Learn important tips on how to keep your hamster healthy and happy, including proper diet, care, and cage enrichment.

Vo-Toys Plastic Hamster Play Barrels

By admin, 19 November, 2009, No Comment

hamster shop

  • Great Hiding Place to Sleep
  • Relieve Stress
  • Promote Exercise

Product Description
This play log is plastic. Color: brownish. Allows you to watch your pet play. Multiple openings to come and go from. Can to used for small animals, and fish. Offers hours of exercise. Ideal for small animals, rodents, and reptiles…. More >>

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