They can be purchased from most every pet store at a very nominal cost. Be sure to inquire as to the age of the hamster as they do only live for 2-5 years on average so the younger it can be purchased, the longer they can be enjoyed. Additionally, the younger the hamster is, the easier they will be to handle. A hamster that is handled daily from a very young age will be very tame and will not have any reason to bite.

Creating a home for the hamster can be as simple as a small cage or as elaborate as a large cage with tunnels for the hamster to enjoy. There are very few supply requirements for hamsters to be healthy and happy. They need bedding in the bottom of the cage which should be changed weekly. For their nutritional needs, a standard hamster food is sufficient. Hamsters also need to drink water from a bottle so that it is not spilled into the bedding in the cage. Their food bowl needs to be ceramic or metal as they can chew up plastic pretty quickly. They also need an exercise wheel. With all of these very basic supplies, a hamster will live happily and be able to care for its own hygiene, nutritional and exercise needs.

There are some accessories some hamster owners choose to purchase for their pets. An exercise ball is the most popular of these accessories. This is a clear ball that allows the hamster to have free run of the house without getting lost under furniture or getting hurt from being stepped on.

Some hamsters get so accustomed to being handled and trained that it is possible that they could come when called, sit up when they see a human coming as if asking for a treat and even being able to sit on shoulders calmly. They are very resilient animals which makes them excellent teaching items as well as beloved pets so they are worthy of consideration when choosing a pet.

Guinea pigs are not pigs of course, they are rodents. Originating in South America, the first guinea pigs were spread around the world by European traders in the 16th century. Different breeds of guinea pigs have a variety of different fur types and colors, the animals are naturally very shy and spend a lot of time in hiding. Guinea pigs have a long history of being utilized in heredity experiments due to their rapid and prolific breeding.

Hamsters, on the other hand, are also rodents but much smaller than guinea pigs. The Syrian hamster is the most common type of pet hamster today, and most sold as pets today descended from one litter captured in the Middle East in the 1930’s. Syrian hamsters entered the United States in 1938. Hamsters are nocturnal but are often active and curious little rodents during the daylight hours as well. Hamsters are clean and generally gentle, although they can get into fights if caged together.

In the end, the choice of hamster or guinea pig will probably be based on personal preference, as both rodents make perfect (caged) house pets. Direct examination of the two different species’ different characteristics and habits might make the decision a bit easier. Here’s how they compare:

Guinea Pigs

• Guinea pigs are much larger than hamsters and can live about 6-8 years.
• Guinea pigs are very calm creatures, they rarely bite and they are easy to hold.
• Some people find guinea pigs to be very skittish and they often refuse to come out of their “nest” houses.
• Guinea pigs sometimes refuse warm up to people.
• Guinea pigs can sometimes be a bit stinky, and many people think their cages stink.
• Guinea pigs require a little more grooming, hair brushing and toe nail trimming than hamsters.
• Guinea pigs do not like to play inside roll-around balls.
• Guinea pigs are very calm creatures, they rarely bite and they are easy to hold.
• Guinea pigs can subsist on guinea pig pellets exclusively, but they will eat vegetables too.
• Guinea pigs need exercise time every day outside of their cage.
• Guinea pigs require larger cages, as well as more bedding and more food.
• Guinea pigs are not very active and often just sit around with an occasional hop here and there.
• Guinea pigs live longer than hamsters.
• Guinea pigs seldom bite hands and fingers.

Hamsters

• Hamsters are active and love to run, play and explore.
• Hamsters are small and like to be handled.
• Hamsters require less bedding, food and maintenance.
• Hamsters tend to be a little nippy at times.
• Hamsters move faster than pigs and love tubes and wheels.
• Hamsters require very small enclosures and cages.
• Hamsters need very little attention and care.
• Hamsters love to play on tubes and wheels.
• Hamsters can keep you up at night with their activities.
• Hamsters are escape artists and will always be trying to escape.
• Hamsters generally only live for 3 years maximum.

Make sure that you have your dwarf hamster in a cage that is big enough for him or her to run around in. You will need to change the bedding at least once a week by removing wet spots and adding replacement bedding. Use pine or softwoods for the hamster’s bedding. Cedar could really give your pet some respiratory issues. About once a month you should also clean the actual cage with mild detergent. Allow the detergent to dry before placing the hamster back in the cage.

Keep the hamster’s diet fairly consistent: seeds and nuts are great for the dwarf hamster’s teeth and the occasional carrot or celery stick is good too. If you do give the hamster some vegetables, do not leave it in the cage. You do not want it to spoil. A dwarf hamster’s digestive system is sensitive, and spoiled food could really harm him or her. You should change the hamster’s water and food at every single day.

Dwarf hamsters are quite small, and thus, they are very sensitive to heat and cold. Make sure the hamster is in a space that ranges from 60 to 80 degrees. Any hotter or colder could really harm your animal.

Since dwarf hamsters are incredibly social, you should try to play with the hamster at least once a day by letting him or her out of the cage and handling the animal. This keeps the hamster both happy and tame.

If you take the time to care for your hamster, he or she will be incredibly healthy and happy. After all, the key to any animal’s health is to give them their basic needs. The above tips are sure to improve your hamster’s quality of life and make them that much happier to be in your care.

Most normal hamsters can mature about 60 to 90 days old. It really depends on the kind of hamster that is being bread. Some dwarf hamsters can mature at just 30 days old. It is important to know all the facts before your start breeding. Hamsters can start to produce the litters around 4-18 months of age. The average gestation for hamsters is around 21 days.

Should you notice the female hamster start to tail the male hamster by chasing him around the cage then it is probably time for birth, which could be any day. One of the cutest things ever is that the dad hamster is a hands on dad. What woman in the world wouldn’t love that!

When the pups are born do not expect them to have any hair for a while. Their eyes will also be closed to protect them from any harm. Since they are unable to hear the little pups will have the smell to find their way around. When the pups are born the normal thing for anyone to do is to want to pick one of them up. That is a big no, no when breeding hamsters. The mother will more than likely abandon the pup or the worst scenario is that she main cannibalize the pup. It takes about three weeks for the pups to be fully ready to leave the comfort being with their mother and venture off around the cage.

Breeding hamsters can be tons of fun and a lot of work to get them of to a proper start. All hamsters are different and you should take the time to make sure that you breed them properly. A certain type of hamster may require something that another hamster may not. You be sure to think breeding hamsters through first as most pets stores are not in much of a hurry to take the ones that were not sold. You should make sure that you are going to be able to get rid of them before actually breeding so you are not stuck in something that could last for quite a while.

Syrian hamster: Long-haired variety is usually referred to as the Teddy Bear hamster, and they are most often the more sociable of the five most popular hamsters. You may want to get another Syrian hamster as a friend for your first, but refrain! Adult Syrians kept together will fight, they do not like to have their personal space invaded by another hamster. They are quite happy to be left to themselves, enjoying the company of their owner.

Dwarf Campbell Russian hamster: This hamster species is much like the Syrian in looks, but it can be kept in same sex or mixed sex pairs. However, if you don’t want to have multiple litters of “pinks,” as baby hamsters are called, be sure to keep only same sex pairs. The normal coloring for this hamster is much like that of the Roborovskii hamster in general and they are often confused in pet stores.

Chinese hamster: This hamster breed tends to be the most distinguishable of the five. Their coloring is usually white with a grayish stripe down the back from head to tail with its tail being a little longer than other hamsters. Female hamster of the Chinese breed are the only ones kept as pets, as the males have much more noticeable genitalia than that of other species. It is important to note that these hamsters require a permit in some states to keep as pets.

Roborovskii hamster: These are the smallest of the five hamster varieties. Their small stature makes them very skittish as they are used to being prey out in the wilderness. These hamsters are not recommended for small children who will want to handle them all the time. Instead of handling, these hamster are more often kept for children to watch in pairs or small groups. While they do not fight as often as Syrian hamsters, fights are still common.

Winter white Russian hamster: The winter white Russian hamster is categorized by it’s coat. In warmer months it has a dark coat, but once the colder winter months come, it’s dark fur is shed and a white coat replaces it. This white coat helps them in the wild when the snow begins to fall, so they may hide better and blend with the white scenery.

The word hamster came from the German word hamstern, which means “to hoard.” Indeed, hamsters have the unique ability to store massive amounts of food in their voluminous cheeks, and some have been found to store a mass of food heavier than their own body weight. Watching a hamster literally stuff its cheeks is a rewarding and entertaining experience for the prospective pet-owner.

As omnivores, hamsters will eat almost every type of food imaginable. Their recommended diet is usually found packaged on store shelves, though the occasional cracker couldn’t hurt. Because modern hamsters are short-sighted, hamsters do not frighten as other, more observant animals will. They are more likely to tolerate being handled and feel comfortable falling asleep even while being held.

The one drawback to these cute and cuddly creatures is that, like all rodents, they have sharp incisors. If they do decide to nip the hand that feeds them, it could be painful. However, when the right measures have been taken, these teeth can be worn down to harmless nubs and the danger will have abated.

Overall, hamsters are wonderful creatures that make the perfect pets. They don’t become aggressive when handled and as long as the handler doesn’t throw them against the wall, they will remain that way. They are cute, cuddly, and very enjoyable. They have changed much from the deserts of Syria, but they still remain one of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. You’ve just gotta love the hamster.

The Syrian Hamster is the most common pet hamster. It is also known as a Golden Hamster, Black Bear Hamster, Teddy Bear Hamster and Fancy Hamster. They grow to be around six to seven inches and have several different colors and coat types. Being the easiest hamster to tame, it can live around three years if healthy. The Syrian hamster does not do well in social groups and would be better if left isolated from other hamsters as they will attack and kill each other if they feel threatened.

The Russian Dwarf is also a popular pet hamster as it is smaller than a regular hamster. It is also known as a Siberian or Russian Hamster. Originating from the deserts of Mongolia, Asia and Northeastern china, the Dwarf hamster only grows to around three inches. They, however, only have a one to two year life span. These hamsters do well in social groups.

The Chinese hamster is noticeable because it has a longer tail than other hamsters. Small, like the dwarf hamsters, the Chinese hamsters also have a limited lifespan of only a few years. These hamsters are significantly more aggressive than the Syrian hamsters and should never be caged with another hamster.

These are the most common hamsters sold as pets although there are a numerous amount of hamsters available. It is important to remember to never cage different breeds of hamsters together and to avoid caging hamsters together that do not thrive in social groups. As some hamsters can be more difficult to deal with, choosing the right hamster for your family is important in order to make them a great addition to your household.