The "To Keep Up" Wiki

Hamsters come in several species, each with unique characteristics that affect their suitability as pets. breeds

Here’s an overview:

(Golden or Teddy Bear Hamsters)

• Size: Largest of the pet hamsters (5–7 inches long).
• Lifespan: 2–3 years.
• Temperament:
• Solitary: Must be housed alone; very territorial.
• Generally docile and easy to tame with regular handling.
• Activity Level: Nocturnal but can adapt to being handled during the day.
• Pros:
• Great for beginners and families.
• Easy to handle due to their larger size.
• Cons:
• Require a larger cage due to their size.
• Can become aggressive if housed with others.

• Size: 3–4 inches long.
• Lifespan: 1.5–2 years.
• Temperament:
  • Can live in pairs or small groups if introduced young.
  • Quick and slightly more challenging to handle.
• Activity Level: Highly active and enjoy exploring.
• Pros:
  • Social with other hamsters of the same species.
  • Fun to watch due to their activity level.
• Cons:
  • Smaller size makes them harder to handle.
  • Prone to diabetes, so diet must be monitored.

• Size: 3–4 inches long.
• Lifespan: 1.5–2 years.
• Temperament:
  • Similar to Campbell’s but slightly more docile.
  • May change fur color in winter (if lighting mimics natural conditions).
• Pros:
  • Gentle and sociable.
  • Unique fur color changes are fascinating.
• Cons:
  • Same challenges as Campbell’s due to small size.

• Size: Smallest species (2–3 inches long).
• Lifespan: 2.5–3 years.
• Temperament:
  • Very fast and energetic, making them harder to handle.
  • Prefer observing over physical interaction.
• Pros:
  • Low-maintenance and entertaining to watch.
  • Can live in pairs or small groups.
• Cons:
  • Not ideal for young children due to speed and size.
  • Less interactive compared to other species.

• Size: 4 inches long.
• Lifespan: 2–3 years.
• Temperament:
  • Shy and gentle but can form strong bonds with their owner.
  • Semi-solitary; best kept alone to avoid aggression.
• Activity Level: Calm compared to other hamsters.
• Pros:
  • Great for patient owners who want to build trust.
  • Less territorial than Syrians.
• Cons:
  • Harder to find in pet stores.
  • May take longer to tame.

• For Beginners:
  • Syrian hamsters are the best choice due to their size, ease of handling, and temperament.
• For Active Observation:
  • Roborovski hamsters are perfect for those who enjoy watching their pets rather than handling them.
• For Social Groups:
  • Dwarf hamsters (Campbell’s or Winter White) are better if you want to keep multiple hamsters.
• For Building a Bond:
  • Chinese hamsters are great for owners with patience and experience.

• Roborovski hamsters: Their speed and size make them hard to handle.
• Dwarf hamsters (in groups): Can become aggressive if they don’t get along.

Hamsters should be at least 4–6 weeks old before being taken from their mother and placed in a new cage at your house. Here's why:

• At 4 weeks, hamsters are weaned and can eat solid food, but they are still developing physically and socially.
• By 6 weeks, hamsters are generally more independent and better equipped to handle the transition to a new environment. This is the ideal age for separating them from their mother.

• Separating them too early (before 4 weeks) may affect their ability to interact well with humans and other hamsters.
• They need time to learn important social behaviors from their mother and siblings before being placed in a new home.

• Ensuring they are old enough helps reduce the risk of health issues caused by early separation, such as stress or immune system weaknesses.

Conclusion: Wait until hamsters are at least 4 weeks old, and ideally closer to 6 weeks, for the best outcome when bringing them to their new home.

The size of the cage you need depends on the number of hamsters and their species, as some require more space than others:

• For One Hamster:
  • Minimum floor space: 450 square inches (e.g., 24“ x 18.75”).
  • Larger is always better, as hamsters are active and need space to explore.
• For Two Hamsters:
  • If you’re housing dwarf hamsters (e.g., Roborovski or Campbell's), they can sometimes live together. You’ll need at least 600 square inches of floor space and multiple hiding spots to avoid territorial conflicts.
  • Syrian hamsters must always be housed alone, as they are highly territorial.

• Ensure the bars are close enough to prevent escape:
  • Dwarf hamsters: ≤ 0.25 inches.
  • Syrian hamsters: ≤ 0.5 inches.

• Bin cages (DIY plastic storage containers): Affordable and spacious.
• Glass aquariums: Provide great visibility and prevent escapes.
• Wire cages: Suitable but must meet size and bar spacing requirements.

• Include the following:
  • An exercise wheel (minimum size: 8 inches for dwarfs, 10–12 inches for Syrians).
  • Tunnels and chew toys for enrichment.
  • Plenty of bedding for digging.

Hamsters need a balanced diet consisting of pellets, seeds, fresh vegetables, and occasional treats. Here's what you should consider when feeding your hamster:

• High-quality hamster pellets or lab blocks:
  • These provide a balanced and complete diet with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
  • Avoid seed-only mixes as they can lead to selective eating and nutritional deficiencies.
  • Brands to consider: Oxbow Essentials, Kaytee Forti-Diet, Higgins Sunburst (with pellets).
  • from another site: Harlan Teklad

• If you use seed mixes, ensure they include pellets for balance.
• Avoid sugary or fatty seeds like sunflower seeds as a primary food source.

• Safe options: Carrot, cucumber, broccoli, zucchini, spinach, kale, bell peppers.
• Serve small, bite-sized pieces 2–3 times per week.
• Avoid: Onion, garlic, potato, and citrus fruits (toxic or too acidic).

• Safe options: Apple (no seeds), banana, blueberry, grape, strawberry.
• Serve sparingly due to sugar content (once or twice a week).

• Hamsters benefit from protein-rich foods:
  • Cooked egg (small piece).
  • Mealworms (dried or fresh).
  • Boiled chicken (unseasoned).

• Toxic foods: Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, raw beans, avocado, and citrus fruits.
• Sugary treats: Avoid sweetened foods to prevent diabetes, especially in dwarf hamsters.

• Frequency: Provide fresh food daily in small quantities. Hamsters will hoard food, so check their stash regularly to remove spoiled items.
• Fresh Water: Always provide clean water in a bottle or bowl.

Sand baths are an excellent way to help hamsters keep their fur clean and healthy. Hamsters naturally enjoy rolling and digging in sand, and a sand bath can mimic their wild behavior. Here's what you need to know:

• Cleans Fur: Sand removes excess oils and dirt from the hamster's fur, keeping it soft and healthy.
• Natural Behavior: Hamsters love burrowing and rolling in the sand, which can reduce stress and provide enrichment.
• Prevents Over-Grooming: A sand bath satisfies your hamster’s grooming instincts, reducing excessive licking or scratching.

• Chinchilla Bath Sand: Specifically designed for small animals and safe for hamsters.
• Children’s Play Sand: If properly sterilized and dust-free, it can be an affordable option.
• Reptile Sand: Ensure it is non-calcium-based and free of dyes or additives.

• Dusty Substances: Sand labeled as “dust” (like chinchilla dust) can irritate a hamster’s respiratory system.
• Scented Sand: Fragrances can be harmful to hamsters.
• Beach Sand: It can contain harmful salt, bacteria, and other contaminants.

• Choose a Container:
  • Use a shallow dish, a small ceramic bowl, or a plastic container.
  • Ensure the container is large enough for your hamster to roll around but shallow enough for easy access.
• Add Sand:
  • Fill the container with about 1–2 inches of sand.
• Placement:
  • Place the sand bath in the hamster’s cage, ideally in an area where they won’t kick bedding into it.
• Duration:
  • You can leave the sand bath in the cage permanently for dwarf hamsters.
  • For Syrians, offer it a few times a week as they use it less frequently.

• Check the sand daily for soiling, such as urine or feces.
• Replace the sand completely every 1–2 weeks or sooner if it gets dirty.
• Wash the container before refilling with fresh sand.

• Monitor your hamster’s behavior to ensure they enjoy and use the sand bath.
• Some hamsters may eat small amounts of sand, which is usually harmless, but excessive ingestion could indicate a problem.