Hamster.qxd 4/1/2010 3:27 PM Page 1 Most Common Disorders of Hamsters he most common hamster T Obesity/weight loss species maintained as a pet is the HAMSTERs Diarrhea (transitory) golden or Syrian hamster Wet tail/gastrointestinal disturbances (Mesocricetus auratus). Others Skin wounds/trauma include the Chinese hamster Skin infections (Cricetulus griseus) and Siberian Excess urination (dwarf winter white or Djungarian) Sudden death hamster (Phodopus sungorus). The Malocclusion/ cheek pouch impaction European or black-bellied hamster Malnutrition/starvation/dehydration (Cricetus cricetus) is not usually Hairballs/foreign bodies kept domestically. Chilling/overheating Litter abandonment Antibiotic toxicity The golden hamster originates Heart disease from a very limited range in the Middle East, where owl predators Having your hamster examined on a regular basis by an exotic and destruction of territory are animal veterinarian who is familiar with small exotic mam- threatening the species’ existence. mals can prevent many of the common disorders above. For help in finding a small mammal veterinarian in your area, Today, captive breeding facilities contact the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians supply the pet and research (AEMV) by visiting www.AEMV.org and click on “Find an laboratory markets. Exotic Mammal Vet.” Zoological Education Network provides educational materials about exotic companion animals. ©2010 Zoological Education Network 800-946-4782 561-641-6745 www.exoticdvm.com CompanionH Mammal Care SERIES Hamster.qxd 4/1/2010 3:27 PM Page 2 What Your Veterinarian Looks for in a Healthy Hamster Hair coat in good condition (no hair loss or greasy or unkempt appearance) What to Expect from Your Hamster amsters are small, appealing pets that adapt abdomen of the male hamster will cause the testicles Hwell to captivity. They do not require a lot of living to descend into the sacs. The female hamster’s Bright, shiny eyes space and are relatively inexpensive to maintain. With posterior is pointed toward the tail. frequent, gentle handling a hamster can easily become tame. However, they are nocturnal What Do Hamsters Do All Day? animals and will not tolerate being Syrian golden hamsters should be housed individually ital Statistics V in an enclosure. Hamsters are excellent climbers and Average adult body weight: held still for long. Hamsters may Males have normal scent burrowers and should be provided with safe outlets for Male: 80-130 g bite or show aggression in response glands (dark patches on these activities. They enjoy running in exercise wheels; Female: 95-150 g to rough handling, sudden distur- their flanks) Age of sexual maturity: bances, being around other hamsters however, only wheels with a solid running surface Nails and teeth Male: 10-14 weeks (especially female hamsters that are should be used to prevent limb trauma. A wire wheel Nose and eyes clear not overgrown of any discharge Female: 6-10 weeks pregnant or lactating), or when they can be modified to provide a solid surface for running. Average life span in captivity: 1.5-2 years are ill or in pain. A wheel for an adult golden hamster should be at least 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. If clear plastic exercise To hold your hamster, care must How to Keep Your Hamster Healthy, Happy and Safe! be taken to maintain gentle control and prevent being balls are used for the hamster to explore the home ✓ Set up a schedule of consistent Housing for your hamster should: It is important to prevent hamsters bitten. They can be scruffed by the abundant loose safely, the covers must be secured with tape to prevent time and attention each day to ✓ be made of strong metal to be from accessing: the animal’s escape from the ball. maintain tameness. skin at the nape of the neck, held in the hands (if escape-proof, as hamsters can ✗ electrical cords ✓ Clean the enclosure environ- gnaw through wood, plastic and friendly), or placed in a small container. A small cloth ✗ dogs, cats, ferrets and young What Should You Feed Your Hamster? ment at least weekly to reduce soft metals. may help restrain the rodent without the handler children Hamsters should be fed commercial pellets specifically odors and check for food that ✓ include a secure lid and solid- being bitten. ✗ pesticides and other toxins was hoarded and left to spoil in bottom flooring. designed for small rodents. Young hamsters begin hiding spots. ✗ A unique characteristic of hamsters is the presence ✓ tobacco and cigarette smoke eating solid food at 7-10 days of age, so food and ✓ offer at least 150 square inches of cheek pouches, which are used to store and trans- Use a wheel with solid flooring (967 cm2) of floor space with a ✗ cedar or pine shavings water must be accessible for their smaller size. Treats or modify a wire wheel by cage height of at least 6-10 port food to the hamster's burrow. Similar to other weaving a paper material ✗ toxic houseplants may include such items as tiny bits of apple (no seeds inches (15-25 cm). species of rodents, hamsters have four incisor teeth, through the rungs to prevent ✗ wire exercise wheels or skin), raisins and walnuts. Adding supplements, ✓ include a nesting or hide box which grow throughout life. For tooth health, it is leg damage. ✗ ® with deep litter for burrowing. wire flooring in its enclosure such as HEALx Sunshine Factor * may be beneficial. ✓ Ensure that droppings are important to provide a good diet and to offer safe ✓ ✗ fatty seed diets, too much fresh Drinking water is provided via sipper tubes. The water normal firm pellets. Sticky or be placed in optimum tempera- items in the enclosure for the hamster to chew. soft droppings may indicate tures of 65-79°F (18-26°C), produce, not enough fiber, too should be changed daily to ensure that the tube is diarrhea, while scant, smaller with young maintained between many treats Is Your Hamster a Male or a Female? functional and not clogged with food. Water can also droppings may indicate 71-75°F (21-24°C). ✗ plastic toys that can be broken Male hamsters have rather large scrotal sacs that give be obtained from carrots and other fruits and constipation. ✓ provide a relative humidity apart and consumed ✓ environment of 40-70%. ✗ them a rounded posterior. Gentle pressure on the vegetables. Because free-ranging hamsters commercial wooden chew blocks spend almost all daylight hours ✓ contain a nesting material, such and common household sources underground, exposure to direct as undyed, unscented toilet of wood that may be contami- sunlight in captivity is not tissue. The hamster will instinc- nated with fireproofing material desirable. tively manipulate this to simu- ✗ nesting materials that may lead late the burrow, and it helps the to intestinal blockages or stran- *www.HarrisonsPetProducts.com hamster control temperature. gulated limbs. Text by Susan Leck, DVM, Dipl ABVP-Canine and Feline Practice.