HAMSTERS!!!

Mezzing Up Hamster Care

Caring for a hamster is educational, slightly therapeutic and really fun. I know because I have one in my bedroom.

This cheeky, red-eyed chap is Harley. He is a winter white dwarf hamster but his colouring is different. Unlike others, he is cream with a beige stripe. I still can't believe he's already 10 months old!

 

Anyways, here is a guide to caring for a hamster. Its very fun so it simply HAD to be Mezzed Up.

 

HOW TO CARE FOR A HAMSTER

 

Step 1) Buy the hamster. You will need to buy a cage, bedding, food, sawdust, a hamster ball and some hamster treats to train it. Most cages come with a water bottle, wheel, a food bowl and bedroom for the hamster. Buy the hamster and the kit at the same time unless you already know what type of hamster you want.

• All of this should cost between £40 and £50 in the UK.
• Remember that some hamsters will be smaller and need smaller kit. Smaller hamsters can't run in bigger balls.
• Handle the hamster before you buy it so that you get a friendly one.
• Ask the pet shop assistant for help and advice. 

Step 2) Take the hamster home and prepare the cage with sawdust, a ready made bed, water and food before letting the hamster out of the travel box. Put the box in a ventilated, not too warm and not too cold room.

 

Step 3) Cuddle the hamster everyday for up to 20 minutes at a time. Let the hamster settle in though and give it a lot of alone time. BUT DON'T FORGET TO FEED IT, GIVE IT WATER AND GIVE IT PLENTY OF ATTENTION to get it used to humans. Every time you cuddle it, put a treat in front of it/ next to it's bedroom so that it will trust you and recognise good behaviour and bad behaviour. By doing all of this, the hamster will become tame, confident and friendly.

 

If it nips you, put it back in it's cage. If it does a wee on you, that's normal. Just put it back and change clothes. IT WILL POO IN YOU. Just put it in a tissue and bin it. Hamster poo doesn't stink unless the hamster is a bit poorly or has diarrhoea.

 

Step 4) After a few weeks, your hamster should be tame. You can now spend quality time with it. Personally, I like sitting on the sofa with mine and watching TV.

 

 

 

TIPS

 

• Know your hamster's bought-day. It's a nice thing to celebrate.
• Research lots before buying one.
• Only have one hamster. Hamsters are anti-social with each-other.
• Give it a Christmas present. You'd be surprised how many pet-presents there are in Pets at Home.
• Clean the cage every 2 weeks.
• Feed it small pieces of fresh fruit on occasion. That's a nice treat.
• Feed it a nut as a healthy treat but NOT ALMONDS.
• Give it gnawing blocks. 
• If your hamster gets poorly, take it to a vets. Hamsters are small therefore more susceptible to illness.
• The longest you can keep it on it's own is a day. Always make sure you refill it's food and water bottle full before you leave.
• If you go on a holiday to cottage that isn't too far away and in the same country, why not take the hamster, it's cage and supplies with you? Ask the cottage owner first.
• Hamster-sitting and temporary care are easy so ask a member of your family or a friend to care for it when you go away.
• Good equipment to have when you have a hamster are a dust-buster or handheld hoover and a dustpan and brush. Also a pet cleaning spray.
• Be gentle with it.

 

Thank you for reading! Don't forget to comment. XD

 

Mez Out.