How Do You Know Your Hamster Has Bonded With You
- Insider asked vets to answer mutual questions near hamsters.
- Hamsters will swallow their own babies if frightened.
- They can fit virtually a quarter of their body size in their cheeks.
Hamsters may be tiny, but they're hugely popular pets.
These little rodents can make ideal companions for people with modest spaces and families with children, but caring for them isn't always straightforward.
Here are the answers to common questions about hamsters, courtesy of veterinarians:
Will startled hamsters really eat their own young?
Veterinary Gregory Rich of the Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital of Louisiana told Insider that hamsters practice kill or swallow their young in certain situations.
"Both male and female hamsters have been known to kill or consume their pups if the parent feels they are in danger or that the nest is being bothered too much," said Rich.
This aggressive behavior tin can be triggered by the presence of larger pets or unfamiliar humans, so it's of import to keep nesting hamsters isolated from loud noises and curious visitors.
Are hamster balls and wheels actually safe and enjoyable for hamsters?
"Hamster balls are an extremely safe and fun mode for hamsters to go exercise and stay fit," said Rich. "If the cage is big enough, hamster wheels are also benign."
Rich added that it's of import to brand certain the ball or wheel is designed specifically for hamsters, and not other rodents similar republic of guinea pigs or mice.
When shopping for a ball or bicycle, make sure it'south large enough for your hamster to employ without severely arching its dorsum.
Do y'all need to trim your hamster'south nails?
Overgrown hamster nails can interfere with normal grooming, eating, and mobility.
Rich told Insider that hamsters with fast-growing nails may need to have them clipped. Even so, hamster manicures are best left to the pros.
"Since their toes and feet are so small, their bones tin be easily cleaved," said Rich. "I'd recommend asking a veterinarian familiar with small mammals to perform a blast trim."
If you practice determine to trim your hamster'due south nails yourself, consult with your veterinary to learn the best manner to do information technology safely.
Is it okay to exit your hamster alone for a day or two?
If you're considering an overnight trip or a weekend abroad, y'all may exist wondering whether it'south okay to leave your pet dwelling alone.
"Hamsters do just fine being left alone for one or two days," said Rich. "If you'll exist gone longer than that, I'd recommend having a friend or neighbor expect after your hamster."
Information technology is vital to make sure your hamster'due south water supply won't be compromised while yous're away. H2o bowls tin exist knocked over or blimp with bedding, and bottles can malfunction or drip constantly until they are empty.
How tin you tell if your hamster is overweight or underweight?
If a hamster takes in also many calories or doesn't go enough practice, information technology tin go overweight.
"One clue that your hamster is overweight is that they aren't able to brawl up to sleep comfortably," Rich told Insider.
On the other manus, a sick or underfed hamster will often look emaciated.
"If a hamster's optics appear sunken or the rib muzzle can be easily seen, that'due south considered prove of unhealthy weight loss ," said Rich.
Practise hamsters demand regular vet visits?
Just similar larger pets, hamsters benefit from regular health checks.
"Yearly to semi-almanac veterinarian visits are highly recommended for hamsters and other rodents," said Rich. "Hamsters are prone to tumors and dental problems, so it'south important to take them regularly examined."
Veterinary checks for hamsters mostly involve examining the position of the incisors, palpating the abdomen for tumors, and assessing their pare and coat for bear witness of ringworm or mites.
Are some hamster types friendlier than others?
A hamster'south species affects more than its size and coat color.
"Some breeds are actually more than friendly than others," said Rich. "Teddy Bear and Robo hamsters tend to be the most tame, but some Chinese and Syrian hamsters can make very sweet and attentive pets."
The most popular pet hamster breeds include Syrian or Golden, Chinese, Campbell's Russian, Winter White, and Roborovski. Talk to a veterinarian or pet-shop employee for guidance on which brood might be right for you.
Can yous continue two hamsters together in the aforementioned cage?
Hamsters may be pocket-size, simply that doesn't mean they don't appreciate having personal space.
"2 hamsters can sometimes go along, but two males or two females in the same muzzle oftentimes fight as a form of territorial beliefs," said Rich.
According to Petopedia, Syrian hamsters, in particular, prefer to alive alone. Information technology's also important to recollect that keeping hamsters of different sexes in the same cage volition likely result in a litter of hamster pups.
Tin can you feed your hamster leftover vegetables or fruits?
The majority of a hamster'southward diet should exist hamster nutrient. But giving your hamster a nibble of your leftover salad is usually OK.
"Hamsters can and will eat leafy greens, carrot slices, apples, nuts, and other salad-type food," said Rich.
When offering fruits and vegetables to hamsters, make sure they are fresh and thoroughly washed.
Exercise not feed your hamster onion or garlic, every bit these foods contain a substance that can interfere with a hamster'due south red blood cells. Hamsters should also never be given food with sauce, spices, or dressing.
Tin you keep a hamster in a cage with another blazon of rodent?
Veterinarian Sara Ochoa, consultant for DogLab, told Insider that information technology'due south a bad idea to place your hamster in the aforementioned muzzle every bit a rabbit, guinea pig, rat, or other rodent.
"Unlike rodents accept unlike dietary and habitat needs," said Ochoa. "Keeping ii dissimilar species together may issue in aggression and injury."
Rich also noted that rats and mice may carry viruses or bacteria that can exist passed on to hamsters, and then keeping your small pets in carve up habitats is a safer choice.
How much food can a hamster go along in its cheeks?
Hamsters are famed for their ability to pack their cheeks with seemingly endless amounts of food.
"Hamsters tin really store about 20% of their trunk size in their cheeks," said Ochoa.
Those cheeks are more than simply roomy — hamsters take special retractor muscles in their cheeks that help them reorient food inside their mouths, assuasive them to pack in as much every bit possible.
What do you practise if your hamster's teeth grow too long?
Hamsters beloved to chew, and this constant gnawing normally helps keep their teeth at a salubrious length.
Merely if your hamster's teeth get too long, Ochoa said, y'all should never try to trim them at home.
"Hamster teeth should merely be trimmed by a vet," she told Insider. "Doing it yourself tin cause the molar to split vertically and may crusade a lot of dental bug."
Do hamsters actually bond with their owners?
Similar many rodents, hamsters have relatively poor eyesight. Despite this, they may be able to differentiate between people.
"Hamsters do recognize people in the family and know which human handles them the most," said Ochoa. "This is probably due to scent rather than recognizing faces."
Thank you to their sensitive hearing, a hamster may also be able to recognize the voice of its owner.
Source: https://www.insider.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-hamsters-answered-by-vets-2021-6
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