Looking after Hamsters

Hamsters make charming pets and there are five species commonly kept as pets in the UK today.

Syrian (the largest), Dwarf Russian Campbell, Chinese, Dwarf Russian Winter White and Roborovski (the smallest).

Syrians are solitary creatures and MUST be housed singly. Dwarfs are social animals and can be housed in same sex groupings (preferably siblings) but they must be separated and housed individually if serious fighting occurs.
The average lifespan is 2 years.

Equipment A cage or tank, as large as possible to allow them to burn off excessive energy
A solid wheel for exercise
Tubes and tunnels to hide in (empty toilet rolls are ideal)
Wooden toys to gnaw as their teeth grow continually
Water bottle
Suitable substrate (non pinewood shavings, care fresh etc)
Paper wool for bedding material (fluffy bedding is not safe as it can be ingested)
A ‘chinchilla sand bath’ for grooming and fun
Food bowl, although scatter feeding is considered best as it encourages natural behaviour.

Hamsters are an ideal first pet for school age children to teach them the responsibility of looking after an animal (with adult supervision)
Easy to feed with commercially prepared dry mix and fresh fruit or veg 2 or 3 times a week. They also like extra protein such as hard cheese, fish or chicken. A bowl of milky porridge now & again is also very welcome
Active, entertaining, educational & fascinating to watch
Clean creatures who keep themselves and their accommodation spick and span

Breeding hamsters should not be entered into lightly and is not encouraged by the NHC because we see far too many rescue hamsters every year

Full information on the various species, their housing needs and care can be found on the National Hamster Council website at:- http://www.hamsters-uk.org/