Detailed description and care of the Syrian hamster. Syrian hamsters: classification, description and care

Syrian hamsters are the most common type of hamster. Syrian hamsters may sometimes be called Teddy hamsters, panda hamsters and bear hamsters, however, they are all the same species of hamster, Mesocricetus Auratus. They make wonderful pets as they are much calmer and friendlier than the dwarf hamster species. Syrian hamsters are well suited for young children or inexperienced owners as first pets, as they are very easy to learn to properly care for, although these pets require careful handling.

Steps

Preparing for the arrival of a hamster in your home

Buy a cage. A good cage for Syrian hamsters should have a floor area of ​​at least 0.23 square meters. Never put your Syrian hamster in a smaller cage as it will be too small for him. Most hamster cages sold in pet stores are very small; instead, try using a 75-liter wide aquarium, a utility basin, or a homemade cage.

• Avoid cages with metal bars at the bottom.
• Avoid purchasing temporary cages “just for the first time” that will be too small; Instead, immediately select a suitable cage that will last the entire lifespan of the hamster to save your own money.
• Syrian hamsters should never be housed in "tunnel system" cages such as the brands Habitrails, Crittertrails and the like. Hamsters desperately need a larger cage, preferably one with flat floors. In addition, tunnel systems do not provide good ventilation.

1. Buy cage bedding. Remember that a hamster needs safe bedding. Do not use pulverized sawdust, as well as pine and cedar sawdust, as they contain oils that are harmful to the hamster. Try using torn paper, aspen sawdust, and “Care fresh”, “Boxo” and “Katyee clean and cozy” brand litter as bedding. Although these types of substrates are called "bedding", they actually cover the entire floor area of ​​the cage. You will also need to provide your hamster with softer "nesting material" to burrow into while he sleeps. It would be safest to use for this purpose toilet paper, since the fluff usually sold in pet stores can get tangled on the paws, and if swallowed, can cause intestinal blockage.

   Buy your hamster a “house” so he can fill it with nesting material and feel safe and cozy in it. Hamster houses range from simple plastic houses (which can be easily disinfected and cleaned) to attractive wicker nests. Wicker nests are more natural look hamster shelters, but they are difficult to clean, so you will need to renew them if the hamster goes to the toilet inside the nest.

   • Some people use houses designed for hamsters. guinea pigs and rabbits, but they are only good for pregnant females who need a lot of space and do not run around the cage very much.

2. Buy a carrier for your hamster. Most pet stores will be able to offer you a cardboard box to transport your hamster, but the hamster may chew through it during the trip. Buy a special carrier for Syrian hamsters. Cheap carriers with easy-to-remove lids are not reliable, so you should purchase a good quality hamster carrier from a pet store. It will cost more than the cheap option, but will protect you from your pet escaping during transportation.

   • Having a hamster carrier at home is also helpful, for example in case you need to safely transport your hamster to the vet.

3. Buy a running wheel and other accessories. Running wheels and shelter accessories designed for dwarf hamsters and mice are too small for Syrian hamsters! At the same time, provide the hamster with enough free space to run around the cage, and also buy him a running wheel with a diameter of 20-25 centimeters.

   • When purchasing a running wheel, imagine an adult Syrian hamster inside it. Your pet should be able to run in a wheel with a straight back. If the running wheel is too small, it will cause the hamster to bend its spine in the wrong direction (like English letter"U"). When in doubt, buy a wheel largest size that can fit in a cage, such as a running wheel for rats. Also make sure that the wheel is not made of wire bars or mesh, as this can cause injury to the paws.

4. Place your hamster's cage in a quiet place. Your hamster needs silence to avoid stress due to large quantity loud sudden sounds. Also make sure that the cage is not in direct sunlight, and do not keep the hamster's cage in the kitchen where food is being prepared.

   Be prepared for the fact that the hamster will only live 2-3 years. The average lifespan of hamsters is about two years. As your hamster ages, allow him to sleep more and be prepared for a visit to the veterinarian, as hamsters are more susceptible to illness as they get older. If you have small children and your old hamster is sick, try to explain to them that the pet is very old and may not recover, rather than trying to cheer them up with vain hopes.

Hamster care

1. Keep your hamster's cage clean. The hamster's cage needs a thorough cleaning once a week. However, approximately every day (depending on the specific size of the cage) “spot cleaning” should be done, removing the remains of fresh food and areas of soiled bedding. When performing a complete cleaning of the cage, remove it. top part and shake out all the old bedding from the bottom along with the remains of the old food into the trash bin. Sweep up anything that accidentally remains. Wipe down the cage with a pet-safe disinfectant and then dry it paper napkins or towels, depending on your preference.

   • Don't forget to wash the bowls and water bottle. Remove all accessories from the cage and wash them. Dry everything, and then fill the cage with sawdust and nesting material, pour food into the bowl, and pour water into the drinking bowl. Place all the accessories back into the cage and replace the top that was removed. Keeping the cage clean will keep your Syrian hamster happy and healthy.
   • Try providing your hamster with a "toilet," which is a plastic tray with a cover that fits snugly into the corner of the cage. Use a special hamster litter for this litter box, which you can find in online stores, and clean it every other day. Hamsters usually understand the purpose of a litter box fairly quickly, as their instinct tells them to use a corner of the cage to litter, and the nook created by the litter box makes them feel safer doing so.

2. While cleaning the cage, remove the hamster from it. Before putting your hamster back in his cage, make sure you have properly disinfected it and put fresh bedding inside. While cleaning the cage, you can place your hamster in a walking ball or place him in the care of another person.

   • The walking ball for your hamster must be of the appropriate size. Most walking balls are only 15 centimeters in diameter, so these walking balls are too small for Syrian hamsters. Buy a walking ball with a diameter of at least 25 centimeters.
   • Either you place the hamster in a pen and leave it under supervision so that it cannot escape. Cleaning the crate too often can be stressful for your pet, but that doesn't mean the crate shouldn't be cleaned, just clean it once a week and don't forget to spot clean your best friend regularly.

3. Shower your hamster with love. Syrian hamsters are the friendliest and most sociable of all hamster species. They need your attention on a daily basis, however, excessive squeezing can cause stress in Syrian hamsters, leading to poor health. Take your hamster in your hands only for 10 minutes a couple of times a day, and the rest of the time, tidy up his cage and just watch how your pet runs, digs and burrows.

   • Remember that your hamster will most likely be sleepy during the day and active at night. Therefore, it is best to communicate with him in the evenings.
   • Provide your hamster with entertainment in the form of toys. You can purchase toys from a pet store or make them yourself. Never give your hamster rubber toys or toys made from inedible materials that he might chew off pieces of and swallow. They are likely to cause intestinal blockage.
   • Veterinarians usually have special scissors for trimming hamsters' nails, and they know exactly how to do it. this procedure. It is best and safest to leave it to a professional rather than trying to do it yourself at home. If your hamster's nails grow too long, he won't be able to run on the wheel well because it hurts him!

• It doesn't matter what type of hamster you get. What matters is how he was treated when he was little. This will affect his character for the rest of his life.
• If your hamster doesn't like to be handled, try putting some sawdust in his hand and letting him climb on it.
• Hamsters love to be played with. While playing with your hamster, try to come up with new types of entertainment so that the hamster does not get bored.

Warnings

• To prevent illness, offer your hamster new foods only in small quantities, such as half a teaspoon. Then observe the hamster's reaction to this food.
• Pay attention to diseases. If your hamster looks unwell or is not acting as lively and cheerful as usual, or his fur has become greasy or has bald spots, it would be best to contact your veterinarian for advice.
• Some vegetables are harmful to hamsters. Never give them raw salad iceberg, beans, onions, peanut butter, raw potatoes or rhubarb. Any product whose safety you doubt should not be given to your hamster.
• Do not share your hamster with another Syrian hamster. These hamsters are loners and are most likely to fight among themselves.
• If you don't feed your hamster regularly, he may become aggressive and start biting.
• Remember to wash your hands before and after handling your hamster.

Larger than dwarf hamsters, the Syrian hamster is also known as the golden or teddy bear hamster. The Syrian hamster is small rodent, belonging to the hamster family. These hamsters have quickly gained popularity as pets in the West since Professor Aharoni captured a female Syrian hamster and her 12 babies in Aleppo, Syria, in 1930.

Indeed - all Syrian hamsters bred as pets have a pedigree descended from this female. The breed was domesticated in North America and in 1936 it first became widespread as a pet. Syrian hamsters, as the name suggests, are primarily found in Syria and parts of Israel.

What does a Syrian hamster look like?

Syrian hamsters are small rodents, comparable in size to the palm of an adult. Their length is between 13 and 15 cm. Their normal weight is around 110-125 grams. They have a rather thick, stocky body with a small tail that is barely visible under their fur.

They have small, fur-covered ears and short, stocky legs with wide feet. Hamsters have relatively large eyes. The original color of the Syrian hamster is golden brown, hence its second name - “golden hamster”. The most notable feature of the Syrian hamster is its ability to store food in its large cheek pouches.

Syrian hamsters make excellent pets in many ways for people of all ages, especially children. They are naturally docile and easy to tame. They are easy and pleasant to handle, because they are quite slow compared to other hamsters, and have optimal sizes for rodents - not too small and not too big.

Unlike the dwarf species, Syrians are strictly solitary animals and must be kept separately. If you keep Syrian hamsters together, there is a high risk that they will harm or even kill each other.

Even if they don't show signs of aggression towards each other, they will still experience the stress of having to live with another adult hamster. For this reason, it is not recommended to keep them in one even large cage. Syrians can live with their siblings until about 5 weeks of age, after which they must be separated and housed different places or cells.

The Syrian hamster is a nocturnal animal, so it spends most of the daytime in the nest and sleeps. Activity comes only in the evening and at night, which means that they will be ideal animals for those who are at school or at work in daytime.

Life expectancy of a Syrian hamster

Before purchasing any pet you should find out about its life expectancy. You can expect the average healthy Syrian hamster to have a lifespan of 2 to 3 years. IN wildlife they usually have more short life. The oldest Syrian hamster officially lived to be six and a half years old.

Many factors influence the life expectancy of Syrians:

• Quality of life and care
• Diet
• Genetics
• Environment
• Physical activity
• Diseases

Caring for a Syrian Hamster

Syrian hamsters are relatively easy to care for and daily care and with responsible handling they can become completely tame. Syrians may be solitary animals, but they are sociable and obedient towards people.

To avoid upsetting your hamster, be sure to spend time with him every day and give him a wide variety of toys to keep him entertained. Ordinary cardboard boxes, toilet paper tubes, and cereal boxes can be great toys. The Syrian hamster rarely bites its owner, and they usually respond well to frequent contact.

Don't wake your hamster, as this may scare him and he won't be as nice to you anymore. Hamsters are clean animals and will choose the corner furthest from their nest to go to the toilet, so their cage does not need to be cleaned frequently.

What to feed your Syrian hamster?

When it comes to feeding your Syrian hamster, you should base his diet on high-quality foods. A good hamster formula should contain a suitable combination of seeds, grains and nuts with a nutritional balance of approximately 12-15% protein and 3-6% fat. Pregnant females need to get extra protein and fat while they are carrying and nursing their offspring.

You can supplement your hamster's diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. The most suitable for them would be carrots, apples, broccoli, pears and cabbage. Avoid citrus fruits as they are too sour. You need to make sure they eat fresh food every day because hamsters love to store food in their nests. Excess fruits and vegetables can also cause stomach upset and diarrhea.

Any food should be washed thoroughly to remove any pesticides that may be harmful to your pet. Be sure to remove unused food after 24 hours to prevent animals from eating spoiled food.

All species of hamsters have cheek pouches, which in the wild are used to carry food into their burrow. Hamster owners often misjudge their pet's food intake because they do not take into account the food that was hidden in these pouches.

Delicacy

You can give your hamster a treat once or twice a week to provide them with extra protein. Hamsters love these treats, but you should not overfeed them. Store-bought honey crackers or sticks are harmful to hamsters in large quantities. More healthy types the treats are:

• Cottage cheese
• Hard-boiled egg - once a week
• A small amount of timothy hay
• Sunflower seeds or peanuts - a small amount as they contain a lot of fat

Housing - the best cage for a Syrian hamster

Syrians should start living on their own at 4-5 weeks of age. There are several options for housing your pet, and a crate is the most popular. All hamsters should have a large enough environment with plenty of bedding to allow them to dig, as they are burrowers in the wild.

A bigger cage is always better!

Research has proven that cramped environments affect a hamster's mood and can cause them to become chronically stressed, so it is important to provide them with the best possible environment. Syrians are recommended to have at least 1 sq. m, or 10,000 sq. centimeters. Their cage should be high enough - at least 30-35 cm. Hamsters living in small cages are much more likely to show signs of stress and chew on bars.

In addition, it is important to provide the hamster with:

• Substrate or bedding- necessary for absorbing urine and as a material for digging and burying. Excellent bedding materials include wood shavings or paper bedding or litter.
• Nesting material- Hamsters need bedding, and if you provide them with paper litter, they can also use it as nest bedding. Another affordable option, shredded toilet paper is also a great material. You should not use cotton wool or other similar materials as they can restrict movement and even choke your hamster if he tries to swallow them.
• Running wheel- adult Syrian hamsters require fairly large wheels with a diameter of at least 20 cm. Smaller wheels can lead to back problems for the animal. Many hamster cages come with a built-in wheel.
• Drinking bowl- is much preferable to bowls of water, since it is protected from tipping over and contamination.
• Food bowl- your pet should have a large bowl so that he cannot knock it over.
• Toys, Wood to Chew - Hamsters, like other rodents, have continuously growing teeth, so it is important to provide the necessary items that will allow them to keep their teeth in good shape.
• Delicacy- Hamsters love treats every now and then, which makes them happier.
• Toys- Hamsters need toys so they don't get bored. It is vital to give them the mental and physical stimulation they need to distract them from feeling trapped.

Hair Types of Syrian Hamsters

The first domesticated hamsters had short hair, but since then breeders have been able to produce hamsters with 4 main types of hair: shorthair, longhair, rex and satin.

Longhair- have longer fur than usual. The longest fur grows only in male hamsters - its length reaches up to 8-10 cm.

Satin Syrian hamsters are beautiful animals with a glossy coat. Some hamsters have an ultra-shiny appearance. However, breeding two satin hamsters is not recommended, as this will lead to unsightly, greasy and thin fur in their offspring.

Rex- a relatively new type of wool. The main feature of these hamsters is their curly and wavy coat. Their fur is usually very short and dense.

Colors of Syrian hamsters

Many breeders and breeders have been able to produce hamsters with a wide variety of coat colors, patterns, and markings. Syrian hamsters come in several primary colors, including gray, black, yellow, brown, or a mixture of several different colors:

• Golden
• Yellow
• Brown
• Beige
• Black
• Cream
• Dark grey
• Light gray
• Sable
• White
• Red
• Smoky

Differences between Syrian and dwarf hamsters

Both dwarf and Syrian hamsters make excellent pets. The main differences between them are:

• Syrians are larger than dwarf hamsters;
• Syrian hamsters are solitary animals, while dwarf hamsters can live together;
• Syrians come in a variety of colors, patterns, and coat types;
• Syrians remain tame even if ignored for days. Dwarf hamsters need constant attention to stay tame.

Video about the Syrian hamster

Keeping rodents at home is not difficult; the most important thing is to take good care of them and feed them on time. This can be done efficiently only taking into account all the features of the life of a particular species. The Syrian hamster is a medium-sized animal that needs to be provided with the necessary conditions, food and care. The animal is very popular due to its appearance and funny behavior. If you want to take responsibility for the life of such a hamster, then familiarize yourself with the features in advance, buy a suitable cage and special food.

Who are Syrian hamsters?

The animal is a mammal, an omnivore, and belongs to the hamster family. The Syrian or, as the breed is also called the Central Asian hamster, can eat food of both plant origin - seeds, nuts, and animal food - ants, wasps, flies. Recently, these animals have been kept at home. Rodents very quickly adapted to such conditions. Domestic Syrian hamster leads active image: spins the wheel installed in the cage, climbs the loopholes in it, makes good contact with the person.

External features

The Syrian hamster is completely covered in fur, and the length and color depend on the genetics of the Syrian rodent. The coat color of the animal can be beige, brown, gray or black. In most cases it is uniform, but sometimes there are individuals that have spots in some places. The most common Syrian hamster is the shorthaired golden. Depending on the type and length of fur, rodents are divided into the following types:

• fluffy;
• short-haired;
• satin.

Dimensions

The rodent has a body with short legs, a small head, medium round ears and a small tail. The weight of a mature Syrian animal is 100-125 g; the length of an adult rodent, including a small tail and short muzzle, on average reaches no more than 13 centimeters. The animal has 5 short toes on its hind legs and 4 on its front legs.

Habitat

By the name of this animal you can understand where it comes from. In nature, these golden hamsters live in Syria, more specifically, in the vicinity of the city of Aleppo. Recorded at this location maximum amount these animals. But they live not only in Syria: another place of residence of wild hamsters, according to some sources, is in eastern Turkey.

How long do they live?

Anyone who is planning to get Syrians often wonders how long Syrian hamsters live at home. If the animal is 3 years old, then it can be considered an old man. The lifespan of a rodent depends on its size and living conditions. So, wild hamsters often die or die a natural death before reaching 2 years of age. The average life expectancy of a rodent living at home is 2.5 years.

How to determine gender

It is best to find out whether a hamster is a boy or a girl from the 30th day. It is not recommended to handle younger individuals. To understand what gender a rodent belongs to, you need to study anatomical features animals, which include:

• Size of the individual. Females are larger than males.
• Back shape. In males it is pointed, in females it is more straight.
• Well-visible almond-shaped testes. Boys have clearly visible testicles in the genital area.
• Number of nipples. Females have 4, males have 2.
• A girl's excretory organs are located farther apart than those of a boy.
• The amount of fur in the genital area (males have more).

How to care for a Syrian hamster

Several times a week it is necessary to clean the cage: wash all the objects that the animal uses, put fresh bedding. The drinking bowl and food bowl should be rinsed every day. Special care for the Syrian hamster is not required, because he does it perfectly himself: he washes himself, cleans his paws and tail. In some cases, you can comb the fur. If necessary, it can be cleaned, but this must be done with a dry cloth or napkin.

You cannot bathe a hamster - this should be done in rare cases, because the animal does not tolerate water treatments very well. They can cause severe stress and colds.If you decide to bathe your hamster, do it very carefully. Here's what the bathing procedure should look like:

1. Carefully lower the animal into the water so that its face and ears do not get wet.
2. Gently massage the fur in contaminated areas with your hands or a small sponge.
3. Remove the animal from the water.
4. Dry the rodent's fur with a hairdryer.

Syrian hamster cage

Any rodent must be kept in a specially designated place. It is best to place a golden hamster in a cage measuring 30 by 30 or 40 cm. The larger it is, the more comfortable the animal will feel in it. Give preference to houses with metal rods, the strength of which will need to be checked periodically. The cage should also have a wooden or plastic tray.

What to feed your Syrian hamster at home

The rodent's diet should consist of light foods rich in nutrients and microelements. You need to feed your Syrian hamster in the morning and evening. The Syrian rodent's diet should be a combination of dry and succulent food, for example, give it some herbs and grain food. The food bowl should remain in the cage at all times, because many of these hamsters behave night image life. Here's what food you can give him:

• carrot;
• sunflower or pumpkin seeds;
• apples;
• pumpkin pulp;
• persimmon;
• pears;
• apples;
• zucchini;
• greenery.

Reproduction

The most suitable age for mating of a Syrian female is from 4 to 6 months. If pregnancy occurs earlier, then in most cases the female is unable to carry her offspring to term. But the male is ready to mate from the age of five weeks and can produce offspring throughout his life. Reproduction of Syrian hamsters should be carried out during the period when the female hamster comes into heat, because otherwise the individuals will simply fight. If the female is favorable to her partner, then the mating will proceed normally. This process lasts approximately 15-20 minutes.

The female does not always become pregnant the first time. If this does not happen, then the process of breeding Syrian rodents must be repeated until you achieve a positive result. If after 4-5 days the female is not in heat (the presence of which can be recognized by a pronounced odor and the presence of discharge), then this means that she has become pregnant. The gestation process lasts 16-18 days. To give birth, she goes into the so-called nest she created from twigs and pieces of paper. On average, hamsters give birth to 7 to 10 babies.

Diseases

At proper nutrition and care, Syrian hamsters practically do not get sick. Common ailments of this species of rodent include colds and stomach upset. It is easy to identify a sick animal: the hamster becomes inactive, eats practically nothing and loses weight. He is not interested in anything, does not want to play. Sick hamsters go to a secluded, quiet place, away from their relatives, and lie there until they recover.

Diseases that may occur in this rodent include conjunctivitis, diabetes, cystitis, dental problems, baldness, abscesses, eczema, abscesses, herpes, inflammation of the cheek pouches, trichomoniasis, tumors, heart disease, and pneumonia. One of the most dangerous hamster diseases is “wet tail,” in which the back and tail of the animal become wet. If your pet is sick, you need to take the following measures:

1. Take your hamster to the vet. You only need to remove the animal from the cage while wearing gloves.
2. Disinfect the cage and ventilate it well. Move other roommates to another location for a while.
3. Ventilate the cage for several days, only after that put the hamsters back in it.

Rodents with golden fur are very popular among breeders and the question often arises of how to care for a Syrian hamster. Despite their overseas origin, due to the favorable climate, hamsters are quite hardy creatures, adapted to independent life. They are distinguished by cleanliness and the desire to keep themselves and their home clean, and pets here cannot do without the help of the owner.

Where to place a rodent?

Any small rodent definitely needs a personal space where it can feel like a master and arrange its home. The ideal place for a hamster will be a special cage, the minimum dimensions of which will be 40x30x30 cm. It is important to remember that a large area will make the animal’s life even more comfortable, since the presence of free space will allow the hamster to take active walks inside the house. The dwelling must be made of strong metal rods, which must be periodically checked for safety.

When choosing a home for an animal, follow these simple rules:

• don’t skimp and choose a high-quality cage that will last for the entire life of your pet;
• buy a house without metal rods running along the bottom;
• the cage must be spacious, excluding the tunnel system;
• a floor with a flat surface is preferable.

In the case of a large and spacious cage, you can please your pet by installing a special wooden house with a built-in box, allowing the hamster not only to hide, but also to relax and create a nest for raising offspring. Do not forget that a pair of hamsters living together will sooner or later acquire small hamsters and, in the absence of a wooden house inside the cage, there will be a need to provide rodents building material for the nest.

Hygiene and bedding

When choosing a pallet, it is advisable to give preference to plastic materials, since odors generated by the vital activity of a rodent will not be absorbed into the plastic. It is easy to wash and dry, unlike its wooden counterpart. In addition, animals happily chew through the tree, escaping through the resulting hole.

It will be a responsible matter correct selection bedding. It is important to use safe materials here. Do not use pulverized sawdust, pine or cedar sawdust as they contain essential oils, harmful to the hamster's body. For bedding, provide the animals with pieces of torn paper, aspen sawdust, or special fillers like “Boxo” and a number of others.

It is very important to provide the animal with soft building material for a nest in which it will sleep and care for possible offspring. The safest option is regular toilet paper or napkins. Try to avoid special fluff sold in veterinary stores, as it often gets tangled on the paws and, when it gets into the intestines, causes obstruction. Follow simple rules when choosing bedding:

• Wood species must be untreated. When stocking up on sawdust in the store, be sure to check this condition on the product packaging. Beware of sawdust, which is the factory waste of furniture manufacturers, as the processed materials are toxic to rodents.
• Downy fillers, such as cotton wool or filament fillers, pose a threat to the life of hamsters, despite convincing packaging labels that convince the buyer that the material is completely safe. Often, fillers are wrapped around the animal's limbs, causing a stop in blood flow, which can result in the animal losing a paw.
• When using toilet paper, avoid scented varieties.

Subject to uncomplicated conditions the animal will be happy with the created conditions, like the Syrian hamster in this photo.

Choosing a place to place the house

It is necessary to locate the hamster's cage in a quiet place, excluding loud sounds and sudden noises, since rodents experience stress that has a detrimental effect on the body. Do not place your pet's house under straight lines Sun rays and do not place the rodent in the kitchen space, as it is unnecessary high temperatures will also negatively affect the pet’s well-being. IN favorable conditions hamsters will be able to maintain health until old age, which overtakes them after 2-3 years of life. By the way, if the pet belongs to children, try to correctly explain to them the age of the pet, preparing them for further separation, avoiding false hopes for the animal’s endless cheerfulness and existence.

Home care

Mandatory spring-cleaning cages occur weekly, not excluding daily minor cleanings in the form of replacing food and bedding. During a full-scale cleaning, it is necessary to remove the top, carefully sweeping away old bedding and food debris. Afterwards the cage is disinfected safe drugs, wipe dry with paper towels or cotton cloth. Wash the bowl, drinking bowl and cage accessories thoroughly. Before placing your pet back in the cage, make sure that the cage is cleaned properly and that there is fresh bedding.

Carrying and necessary accessories

It is necessary to take care of the availability of a carrier even before purchasing a pet, since stores offer to transport the rodent in a cardboard box without warning about the threat of the hamster escaping. He can easily chew through the box and escape. When choosing a carrier, give preference to quality, since the offers in the form of carriers with removable lids are not reliable and do not protect against the next possibility of escape. This valuable item will be useful not only for the period of purchasing and transporting the animal to your place of residence, but will also serve for safe visits to veterinary clinics or traveling with a rodent.

It would be appropriate to give the animal a running wheel, allowing it to lead an active lifestyle, jogging inside the cage. The optimal diameter of the wheel will be 20-25 cm, depending on the size of the pet. Keep in mind that the hamster should fit inside the device without any problems, being able to move with a straight back. In case of doubt, a win-win option will become a wheel for rats, since it is larger in size. Pay attention to the material of the wheel: it is unacceptable to make it from wire, since the hamster can get injured limbs in such a device.

Food for Syrian hamsters

Care and maintenance of rodents includes a thoughtful diet, well-balanced and periodically containing tasty treats for the animals. The ideal option would be to use ready-made feed for hamsters, since the factory product will provide the animal with the necessary portion of vitamins and nutrients. Food should be given in portions, without overdoing it, since animals are big fans of storing reserves behind their cheeks.

The composition of the feed should contain from 17 to 23% protein, up to 6% fat and about 10% fiber. Among experts, there is an opinion that food is poorly balanced and poor in protein content, so feed your pet hard-boiled eggs, a small amount of dry cat food, and treat your pet to mealworms. After 24 hours, be sure to remove any food your pet has not eaten from the cage to eliminate the risk of possible poisoning.

Study the list of acceptable foods suitable for feeding hamsters. Do not feed him sunflower seeds with the peel, as the rough shells will easily damage the mucous membrane of your pet's cheek pouches. Be careful when feeding your rodent foods that are too wet, such as cucumbers or lettuce, as these foods may contribute to the disorder. gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea.

Make sure there is fresh drinking water in the drinking bowl, check the drinking level daily, replenishing supplies if necessary, otherwise the animal runs the risk of dehydration. Rinse the drinker thoroughly, destroying the bacterial environment. Give your pet special toys for grinding teeth, which will avoid damage to the cage rods and keep your pet's teeth healthy, since metal materials are harmful to rodents. To prevent teeth from overgrowing, be sure to give the animal treats in the form of branches of fruit trees (apple or cherry trees), and treat him to dog biscuits.

Features of keeping and life of hamsters

Hamsters are sociable and friendly, they need constant contact with the owner, who is required to surround the pet with unobtrusive love and care. It is important to remember that too much attention can cause a stress reaction, which will have a detrimental effect on your pet’s health. It is advisable to pick up your pet 2-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes, and devote the rest of the time to putting things in order and monitoring the life of the rodent. Animals are active at night, so the ideal time for communication will be the evening.

Don't forget that hamsters are nocturnal creatures, so when trying to wake them up during the day, be careful not to scare your pet or get accidentally bitten. Follow the basic rules that tell you how to care for a Syrian hamster, and then your pet will not only be healthy, but also happy with life next to you!