Table of Contents
Syrian Hamster Facts
Do Syrian hamsters like to be held?
The Syrian hamster is the most popular pet hamster. Often referred to as teddy bear, short hair or fancy hamsters they are known to be very docile and enjoy being held.
Do Syrian hamsters know their owners?
In the beginning, your hamster won’t know you from anyone else. With proper socialization, however, not only will your hamster recognize you, he’ll bond with you. In order to maintain this bond, you’ll need to handle your hamster regularly.
Are Syrian hamsters OK alone?
Syrian hamsters must live on their own as they are territorial mammals and will start to fight with each other once they have reached maturity, which is between 8 and 12 weeks. Syrian hamsters should never be kept in pairs or groups once mature.
What do Syrian hamsters like?
Vegetables which are good for hamsters include cucumber, carrots, celery, kale, and lettuce (however iceberg lettuce isn’t good for a hamster). Apples are an appropriate fruit to offer.
Do Syrian hamsters sleep all day?
Hamsters usually sleep for about 12-14 hours a day1 but, unlike humans who typically sleep once a day, hamsters have polyphasic sleep-wake patterns. This means that they sleep multiple times a day so this 12-14 hours will be broken up into smaller segments throughout the day.
Do hamsters have periods?
Hamsters don’t have a menstrual period in the same way women do, but you may notice a discharge during your pet’s predictable, four-day reproductive cycle.
Can you kiss hamsters?
The common cold or an upper respiratory infection can be passed to hamsters from humans. Because these infections are usually spread through respiratory droplets, kissing your hamster is a big no-no.
How do you tell if a hamster likes you?
9 Ways To Tell That Your Hamster Likes You
- A Hamster That Likes You Will Show Off For You.
- Your Hamster Will Try To Get Your Attention If They Like You.
- Your Hamster Will Stick Around After You Give Them A Treat.
- A Hamster That Likes You Will Stretch And Yawn Around You.
Do hamsters poop a lot?
Hamsters poop a lot because they eat a lot and are so small. Just remember to clean the cage regularly and pay attention to your pet’s pooping habits to make sure that everything looks like it should.
Do hamsters like dark?
Hamsters typically eat their meals at night, and they also typically get their exercise at night. Darkness makes them feel energetic and ready to conquer their “days.” Because of that, hamsters need to have the lights off at night.
Should I bathe my hamster?
Hamsters are fastidious groomers and do a good job keeping themselves clean, baths, as we tend to think of them, are not necessary. However, it is possible to spot-clean them, if they truly need it. It is especially important to check their bottom as sometimes bedding can stick after going to the bathroom.
Do hamsters need a wheel?
Hamsters need a wheel to get their necessary activity each day. A wheel is a necessity in a hamster cage. It’s bad for the health of your hamster if you don’t provide a wheel. Your hamster will experience stress and will not get enough exercise, which can cause obesity.
Does a Syrian hamster bite?
It’s rare for a hamster to actually be aggressive, though, and they typically only bite when they get scared. Those tiny teeth may not do as much damage as those of other animals, but a bite will hurt and should be discouraged. Fortunately, you can gradually train your hamster to accept being handled and stop biting.
Do hamsters cry?
Hamsters cry, not through tears, but through sounds such as squeals, squeak, or screams. They usually cry when frightened, in pain, or experiencing stress. Hence, you must monitor your hamster closely as these noises can indicate illness or injury. Getting a hamster is a joyous occasion.
Do Syrian hamsters need sand baths?
Because hamsters naturally clean themselves, they shouldn’t need sand baths. However giving your hamster a sand bath can actually help it clean itself. Additionally, whilst sand baths are allowed for hamsters, dust baths are not recommended, as they could give your pet respiratory problems.
How do you play with a hamster?
Before playing with your hamster, rub your hands in clean hamster bedding so your pet feels safe with you. Then, remove your hamster from its cage and place it in a safe, enclosed area. Then, cuddle with your hamster, let it crawl on you, or place it in a hamster ball so it can explore.
How long should a hamster be out of its cage?
Limit free roam time.
The recommended time will be about 15-30 minutes for the first few times. Your hamster may get disoriented in a bigger environment and prolonged free-roam may stress it out.
Should I cover my hamsters cage during the day?
Cage Covers
Hamsters don’t need darkness to sleep, so it’s also unnecessary to cover their cages in the daytime.
Why is my hamster pee red?
Chronic Kidney/Renal Disease (CKD/CRD)
Just like with humans, your hamster’s kidneys are responsible for flushing toxins from its body, and sometimes, just like human kidneys, they malfunction, resulting in a dangerous build-up of toxins in the body. This condition is usually diagnosed with blood and urine samples.
Are Syrian hamsters blind?
Hamsters do not have good eyesight, they are nearsighted and also colour-blind. Hamsters rely on scent to find their way. They have scent glands which they rub on objects along a path. Syrian hamsters live 2 3 years in captivity, and less in the wild.
Which is the nicest hamster?
The Syrian hamster is the most popular hamster breed, at least partially because it is the friendliest and the largest, but also because it was introduced in the 1940s when lab hamsters were first introduced into captivity and into family homes.
Can hamsters sense when you’re sad?
A new tool to assess moods in the furry little rodents can tell if they are optimistic or depressed. Hamsters can experience happiness, optimism, sadness and depression much the way that we do, suggests a new study that describes a method for determining the feelings of these cute and cuddly popular pets.
Do I have to play with my hamster everyday?
Once your hamster feels comfortable with being held, be sure to hold him and play with him once a day. He’s a nocturnal animal, so he’ll probably want to play with you at night — approach him in the evening after he’s awakened.
How do you grab a hamster?
The best way to pick up a hamster is cupped in the palm of your hand with the other hand over its back. It is best to begin picking your hamster up just above your lap or some other soft surface in case it falls or jumps.
How do you tell if your hamster hates you?
Answer: It sounds like he might be scared of you. You have to give hamsters time to get used to their environment and to your smell. If you keep sticking your hand in his cage when he doesn’t like it then he’s going to be frightened.
How do hamsters show they love?
How to Show Affection. Gently stroking your hamster’s fur is just one way to show affection. You can also hand-feed her vegetables or pieces of non-sugary cereal. Hamsters love to perch on their owner’s shoulder or sleep in a shirt pocket.
How long does it take for a hamster to get used to you?
It will usually take a hamster anywhere from 5-6 days to a couple of weeks to get used to you. So you’ll have to have some patience with them while they’re getting comfortable with you.
What Colour is hamster pee?
Adult males also have a more elongated posterior than females do. Hamsters often pick a favourite corner of their cage to relieve themselves. Hamster urine is milky white and it is normal to find a white stain on the cage bottom that is very difficult to remove.
Do hamsters need litterbox?
Get the right equipment. Once you know your hamster’s favorite spots, all you’ll need is a litter box and litter to start your potty-training adventure. Some commercial litter boxes include a cover to keep the smell inside. Others are corner pans that save space in your hamster’s cage.
Do hamsters poop out of their mouth?
Conversation. Today I found out that it is normal for hamsters to pull out their poop and put it into their mouth to see if it has any missed nutrients. I thought this was the funniest thing I would learn, until I realised a lot of people have asked Quora if hamsters poop out their mouths.
What colors can hamsters see?
Studies on Syrian hamsters have shown their eyesight is basically monochromatic. This means they see all colors as one color. However, in studies hamsters did respond to blue and green stimuli. As a result, scientists now believe that hamsters may be able to see those colors, although perhaps only faintly.
Can hamsters see redlight?
But hamsters exposed to red light at night had significantly less evidence of depressive-like symptoms and changes in the brain linked to depression, compared to those that experienced blue or white light. The only hamsters that fared better than those exposed to red light were those that had total darkness at night.
Can hamsters swim?
Since these animals live in such a warm and dry environment, many people wonder if they know how to swim. The short answer is yes. Your hamster will be able to swim if it encounters water. However, there are several considerations before you should add a small swimming area in your hamster’s cage.
Can hamster shower with water?
Please do not bathe your hamster with water. It strips it’s fur of the natural oils and makes it easy for them to catch diseases, the most common and deadly being wet-tail. As a safe alternative, please give your hammy a sand bath. Only bathe the hamster if there is something toxic is his fur.
Can hamsters eat cheese?
Many hamsters love the taste of cheese, but its high fat and sodium content is not especially healthy for hamsters. If your hamster enjoys cheese and seems to tolerate it well, you can offer it occasionally in small amounts. Hamsters should get no more than a pea-sized amount of cheese just once or twice a week.
How do you tell if a hamster is a boy or girl?
The surest way to tell whether a hamster is male or female is by looking at the anogenital distance. This is the distance between the genital openings (penile opening in male hamsters; vaginal and urinary openings in females) and the anus. This distance is much shorter in females than males.
What time do Syrian hamsters wake up?
Hamsters begin to wake up and move around at dusk and dawn (or twilight). Thus, you may be able to wake your hamster by dimming the lights in your room. If you can make it dark enough, your hamster should rouse in response to the change in light.
Why do hamsters like balls?
How big are Syrian hamsters?
What does it mean when a hamster stares?
Hamsters scare easily and are very skittish, so they will do this even if you do your best to not startle them. So for example if you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and walk past your hamster’s cage, you’ll notice him staring at you blankly. …
How do you pick up a Syrian hamster without it biting you?
Can you train a hamster to sleep at night?
Do hamsters have dreams?
Why is my Syrian hamster chirping?
Chirping
Just like birds, hamsters chirp too! They will usually make this sound for the same reason as squeaking: They could be excited and happy or possibly in fear or anger, and context is important to ascertain the reason.
Why is my Syrian hamster squeaking?
Squeaking: Hamsters tend to make a squeaking sound if they’re feeling distressed or scared. You may notice this noise when you move your hamster into your home for the first time, although they might also vocalise in this way at any time that they’re feeling agitated.
How do you potty train a hamster?
Remove all of the soiled bedding from the cage and place it into your designated potty corner. The cage must be completely pee-free except the potty, so be extra thorough in checking for traces of hamster urine. If your hamster refuses to acknowledge your chosen potty corner, move it to another corner and try again.
What cage is best for a Syrian hamster?
Size. Aim for a minimum of 24 inches by 12 inches, and at least 12 inches tall. However, to keep your hamster active and happy, try to get a bigger cagewhen it comes to hamster cages, bigger is always better. Syrian hamsters need ample space to run and play, and the actual floor space of the cage is important for this …
Do Syrian hamsters need a friend?
While some animals need friends and companionship, hamsters do not. A Syrian hamster can bond with a human guardian, but they should not live with another hamster. They are territorial and will likely fight.
