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Common Name: Hamster Scientific Name: Mesocricetus auratus
Life Span: 2 - 3 years
Temperature range: 65-75 F
Hamsters are small, virtually tailless rodents with enormous cheek pouches. They originated in the Middle East and southeastern Europe. The most common and popular is the golden or Syrian hamster. There are many varieties of the golden hamster including cinnamon, cream, white, and "teddy bear" (a long-haired variety).
Handling:
Hamsters handled frequently from a very young age usually remain docile and rarely bite. The best way to pickup your pet hamster is to gently scoop them up with both hands, then hold them in loosely in both hands or in one hand held against the body. Many hamsters may begin to bite if they have been handled roughly or not handled frequently. Your hamster may nip at you if that are suddenly disturbed or awakened. Do not accidentally drop your hamster or let them fall as this could cause fatal internal injuries to your pet.
Housing:
Proper housing is very important in keeping your hamster healthy. The enclosure should have a solid floor, wire mesh bottoms can lead to injuries to your hamster’s feet or legs. You should choose the largest cage you can afford however the minimum size should be about 9 inches x 12 inches. Provide your hamster with vertical and horizontal tubes for climbing and an exercise wheel. You should also provide a hiding place that they can retreat to when frightened. You can use wood shavings, shredded paper or processed corn cob as bedding materials. Do not use cedar shavings as bedding because the aromatic oils in cedar can be toxic to your pet. Clean the wet bedding out daily. Change out all the bedding, clean and disinfect the enclosure in a well ventilated area or outside weekly, with a dilute bleach solution. Clean the enclosure more often if needed. Pet hamsters are usually housed individually. Mature hamsters must not be housed together because they will usually fight each other.
Food:
In their nature environment hamsters are omnivorous, feeding on plants, seeds, fruits and insects. Pet hamsters should be fed commercial rodent diets. This is a dry blocks or pelleted type food. You should also offer a small amount of hamster seed diets. Whole wheat bread, uncooked pasta, fresh fruits and vegetables can also be offered in small amounts for variety and added nutrition. All foods should be provided in heavy bowls that resist tipping over. The sides of the bowl should be high enough to keep bedding and fecal pellets out of the food, or you may raise the bowl slightly above the bedding. Clean the food bowls often. The incisor teeth of hamsters grow continuously because of this hamsters will chew on anything to keep these teeth worn down. Providing soft wood chews or hiding areas made of natural products for your hamster to chew are better than them chewing on things not intended for that purpose
Water:
Use a small water bottle with a sipper tube to provide fresh clean water. Water containers should be cleaned often. You can add vitamins to the water however the water must be changed daily to avoid bacteria growth.

Note: If your hamster becomes ill or injured consult a Veterinarian immediately.
Note: All animals including pet rodents can carry germs that may infect humans. Here are some simple precautions that can reduce the risk from getting sick from your pet.
Always wash hands after handling your pet or after cleaning up after your pet rodent
Keep your pets cage clean and free of soiled bedding
Clean cages in well ventilated areas or outside, use a diluted bleach solution to disinfect cage, and all nonporous items kept in the cage
Do not kiss pet rodents or hold them close to your face
Do not allow pet rodents around food preparation areas
Do not allow pet rodents to come in contact with wild rodents, their droppings or nests.
Pregnant women or persons with weakened immune systems should consider not owning a pet rodent. If they do have a pet rodent, the pet should be kept in a seperate room and cared for by other people.
Note: This care sheet is a general guide, to learn more about your pet consult a book about it.