Hamster Snippets

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Hamster Snippets are just that – “snippets” of bite size information that will help all hamster owners to care for and look after their hamsters that little bit better!

 

Snippet #1

 

Anyone can go out and find a cute little hamster and bring it home.   But it may not be the one for you.  So take your time.  Learn about the things you will need and to look for.  What variety of little cutie do you want?  There are several!  Colours…well they come in almost every colour you can imagine.  Some are longer haired than others and some are more moody too!

You will learn to read the signs of happy or not happy, hungry, playful, curious and needs hugs!  You will learn what to feed, nourish and buy for them.  And knowing what toys to have for their exercise is a big plus, they do that a lot!  So be prepared.  A nice cage is not enough.  You should know what to put in it, down to the type of feeders and work out equipment.  (Which are must haves for a happy hamster!)

Snippet #2

 

When your hamster is yawning and stretching they are telling you that they feel safe and happy.  Hamsters will come and stay to the front of the cage.  But be sure that if your hamster is happy, you will definitely know it because they will yawn and stretch to tell you.

Also, another way to be sure your hamster is content is they will groom themselves.  If Hammie grooms on you be sure he or she is paying you the best compliment because they are very secure with you.  You have built up a strong trust in your hamster and they are honouring you by letting you know.  They will start with their feet and work their way over their whole body.  A happy hamster is a good sign you are doing a great job.  Grooming means your hamster is happy and content.

But don’t forget….they don’t always control their little droppings.  So as secure and happy as he may feel….Hammie still loves to leave you a present!  But who cares…they’re happy, right!

 
 

Snippet #3

 
Ok, one day you reach into the cage to pull Hammie out and right before your eyes you think Satan has moved into your house!  Your normally sweet little hamster scurries to the corner and stands up on their hind quarters in a crouched up position like they’re about to eat you!  Her teeth are showing and you get the most amazing hissing sound!  What does it mean?

First you should know that you should never startle your little hamster.  Hammie is normally a very busy and curious little hamster.   After all, how would you feel if someone barrelled over to you looking like some huge giant and scared the bejeezus out of you?

Your hamster is telling you that he or she is very scared and you startled the life out of him!  It may take a few seconds to calm down, and remember that you are the “hand that feeds him”.  It may take a bit but they will calm down and learn to let it go.

Be sensitive.  They are little, but loyal and need lots of loving kindness.

 

Snippet #4

 

What if your hamster is acting funny?  Hammie is going all over the cage and rubbing its tummy all over everything.  What does this mean?

Hamsters, like any creature, also feel the need to make sure everything is marked as his (or hers)!  Hammie is marking its territory.  Dogs will mark their territory by peeing on things, you will see them run around the garden and tinkle all over the place.  Cats spray their scent.  They especially like to spay your furniture.  (I hate that, not a pretty smell!)

But little hamsters like to run around and mark theirs by rubbing their little bellies everywhere.  Their scent glands are in the middle of their bellies.

However, depending on the breed of hamster you have, they may also be on the sides of their bodies.  But on most they are on their bellies.  So you may see your hamster dragging itself all over the place.  Hammie is not losing it!  He or she is marking its territory.  Hamsters like their scent and like their bed to smell like them.

So when you do see Hammie happily marking his territory…be glad your hamster is not a SKUNK!!!

 

Snippet #5

 

So I use to have two hamsters, both males.  They would make this awful squeaking sound.  When they were little they used to play and play fight.  But as they got older and had to be separated, the squeaking became more profound and loud.

It was clear they were not playing anymore and all “brotherhood” had been lost.  Guess you may say the fighting became territorial.  Not uncommon as they breed very young and are always needing to be dominant over the other.

Another reason you may hear Hammie make a loud squeak or a rapidly repeated squeak is they get startled.  They don’t always go into “Satan’s crouch” and become agitated.  Some will simply scream like a girl in a scary movie because they are scared!  So just pick your hamster up and lovingly let them know it’s ok.

They also will use squeaking to let you know that they want your attention.  Hamsters may be little and curious but did I mention that they are quite smart too?  Don’t let that sweet little, beady eyed, cute whiskered hamster fool you!  He or she is a master manipulator and knows how to wrap you around its little paw!

 

Snippet #6

 

You may not always get a warning before Hammie decides to take a bite out of you.  Hamsters can be unpredictable at times.  Agitation, not feeling good, hungry, and mad, are all among emotions you may not notice before you get a little nip.  Or if your hamster is really losing it, you may get a tooth imprint!

At any rate, you may not have a warning until they decide to do it. In some cases you might notice your hamster either squeaking, pacing, acting fearful and uncertain or they may even grind their little teeth.  Hammie may make a little chattering sound which is a clear sign they’re irritated and may be unpredictable and bite.  They’re trying to tell you now is not a good time to bother them.

Hamsters can be moody at times.  Learning to read their behaviour is an asset you can’t afford to pass up.  Biting can be painful, especially to smaller children and can traumatise both the child and the hamster.

So if this behaviour is noticeable, give your hamster some time to calm down.  Maybe you could bribe Hammie with a treat (they love yogurt drops).  Your hamster will get past it if you have startled them and become your loving little hammie again soon.  If they don’t, you may want to consult a vet.

 

Snippet #7

 

Questions:

“My hamster went from sleeping, rolling on his little wheel and being cuddly to not letting me sleep and trying to get out of his cage!  What is he telling me?  Is he unhappy?  Does he want to run away? ”

“He is gnawing his cage bars, trying to chew through his tunnels.   At times I think he wants me to never sleep again!  Why is he doing this and what can I do to stop it?”

Answers:

Hamsters are nocturnal.  You may have to explain to your kids that they like to sleep all day and play all night.  They don’t understand that you need to sleep.  They can’t talk so one of the ways to tell you, besides squeaking at you, is to gnaw at their cages and bars.   This is a way they tell you that they want to come out and play.  They start tearing up everything in their path!  They want out and they will escape however they can.

One way to help them is to always make sure they have plenty of things to keep them busy.  Be sure you have a wheel in the cage.  They like to run and it makes them tired.  You can also put empty toilet paper rolls on the bars, they will tear the empty paper rolls up and it is fun while they do it.  This helps them not try to chew through the bars and tunnels to get out.  Also you can get them a little ball to run around in if you are up.  That will give them time out of their cages to play and then it will be back to business when you settle in to sleep.  They go to work!

Snippet #8

 

If your hamster suddenly starts sneezing and has a wet little nose… you should be concerned.  Hammie may have a cold.  When this happens, hamsters can breathe heavily and sit in a hunched up position.  They can become very sick.  You should keep your hamster in a warm dry place.

Be sure all of the bedding is clean.  Feed them soft foods and put some honey in the water to encourage your hamster to drink.  Hammie could stop eating and get sicker and if you aren’t careful, can get dehydrated.  She may be a little sleepy or sluggish.  It wears them out to be sneezing and sick.  Just be sure you watch that Hammie isn’t sleeping too much.  Call a vet if she gets too drowsy.

Be sure to wash your hands and dry them well before you handle your little hamster.  And never handle your hamster if you have a cold.  They can catch it very easily.  The most common reason they will catch a cold is because you gave it to them or you gave them a bath.  You don’t have to bathe them as they clean themselves.

If you notice your hamster is scratching a lot….be sure to check your hamster for skin mites.  These are little small spider-like insects that can get under the hamster’s skin and make them very uncomfortable.  They have medicines for this called anti-mite spray for hamsters.  Be sure to follow the directions and disinfect everything.  You can pass it to your other animals if you have other pets.  So be sure to wash your hands too!

Hamsters are great pets.  But they are not maintenance free.  You should learn all you can about them before you bring them home.  They will make great little friends!