Disorders and Diseases of Hamsters

Adequate housing, a good diet, and routine preventive care will go a long way toward keeping your hamster safe, happy, and healthy.   Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders Blood clots sometimes form inside one of the upper chambers of hamsters' hearts. This condition is called atrial thrombosis. The blockages are often found in the left side of the heart. Atrial thro

The best time for hamsters to have offspring is when they are between 10 weeks and 15 months old. Breeders use pairs with 1 male and 1 female, as well as groups of hamsters with 1 male and multiple females. Breeding of hamsters is best left to experienced breeders because hamsters (particularly females) can become aggressive during mating. Also, a number of genetic defects are associated with various types of hamsters, so breeding hamsters without having

To locate a veterinarian for your hamster, check with other pet owners for recommendations, look in directories of exotic animal veterinarians, or check the listings of your state’s veterinary medical society. Select a practice that makes you feel comfortable, has experience in treating hamsters, and offers access to a 24-hour emergency care program. If you travel regularly, you may also want to ask about boarding for your hamster when you must be away from home. &nbs

Because of their small size, hamsters do not require large amounts of space compared to some other kinds of pets. In addition to a suitable cage, your hamster will need a balanced diet and regular time to play or exercise with you.   Housing Your hamster will need a protected and safe environment within your home. Hamsters seem to prefer being housed in enclosures with solid floors, relatively

When selecting a hamster as a possible pet, start by observing its environment. Does it appear and smell clean? Does the food appear fresh and are feeding containers clean? Are there sufficient water bottles for the number of animals in the cage? Are the water containers clean and without stains or deposits of foreign matter? Do the hamsters appear healthy? Do they have bright eyes? Are they alert and curious? Hamsters are most active at night, so you may want to con

Hamsters are small animals with delicate bones that can be easily crushed if they are dropped or if they are handled roughly. In addition, they are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. Because of this, a hamster may not be the best pet for a young child. While the popular Syrian hamsters are normally classified as pets by regulatory agencies, some other types may be prohibited as foreign species. You should check with yo

Adult Syrian hamsters are approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) in length, and weigh 4 to 5 ounces (110 to 140 g). Most other varieties of hamsters are slightly smaller and weigh less. Hamsters kept as pets may live from 18 months to 3 years. A unique feature of hamsters is the outpouching of the cheeks that extends along both sides of the head and neck all the way back to the shoulders. In the wild, these large pouches allow hamster

Hamsters are rodents (members of the biological order Rodentia) and are distant relatives of mice and rats. Hamsters are small, almost tailless, relatively clean, affordable, easy to care for, and popular as pets. Hamster varieties