Hamsters

Syrian hamsters are the most common pet hamsters. They are nocturnal solitary animals. They also have open rooted incisors which grow continuously. The enamel is often a yellow/orange colour.

Hamsters generally urinate in 1 corner of the cage, and the urine is cream in colour.

	Syrian hamster	Chinese hamster	Russian hamster
Life expectancy	1.5-2 years	2.5-3 years	1-2 years
Sexual maturity	6-8 weeks	7-14 weeks	6-8 weeks
Gestation	15-18 days	21 days	18 days
Litter size	5-9	4-5	4
Weaned	21-28 days	21 days	16-18 days

Hamsters are seasonally polyoestrus, with oestrus every 5-7 days. If disturbed when nursing their young, they may eat the young. The young should not be handled or touched until they are at least 5 days old.

Housing

Hamsters are constantly trying to find ways to escape, and cages need to be resistant to gnawing. An aquarium with a screen top, conventional cages (wire with plastic base) with several floors, or solid plastic caging with plastic connecting tunnels can be used to house hamsters. A nest box should be provided for the animal to retreat into, with paper or hay as nesting material. It should be cleaned regularly as hamsters tend to hoard food.

Hamsters are burrowing animals by nature, and like a deep layer of bedding (e.g. wood shavings).

In the wild, hamsters will travel long distances at night, and thus require plenty of exercise in captivity. They enjoy using exercise wheels and other toys.

Diet

In the wild, hamsters are omnivorous, hoard food and are coprophagic (i.e. consume faeces).

Pet hamsters are generally fed a commercial hamster mix, which can be supplemented with fruits, vegetables and nuts. They begin eating solid food at 7-10 days of age.

They drink 10ml/100g bodyweight of water daily, best provided in a water bottle.

Behaviour

Hamsters have a reputation for being biters, but if handled correctly and not startled, they can be examined without injury.

Ill hamsters become irritable and often bite. They may move reluctantly with a stiff gait. Their eyes may look dull and sunken and often have a discharge.