THOSE adorable furry animals called hamsters belong to the rodent family and
are the most widely kept of small pets in the world.

Pet hamsters are interesting creatures that hibernate in low temperatures to preserve energy (often portraying the false notion of being dead).

They are also creatures with ever-growing teeth, making gnawing a necessity to prevent overgrowing.

Like most small animals such as rabbits, turtles, and fishes, pet hamsters require careful care and a proper environment to live in.

Hamster cage
Since pet hamsters are such tiny creatures and cannot be left scurrying around without close supervision, your hamster will be spending most of its time in its own little haven: it's hamster cage.

This gives you all the more reason to ensure his sleeping and leisure quarters are comfortable and well equipped.

When you purchase a hamster cage, consider its size. If you own more than one pet hamster, it’ll be a better idea to purchase a larger hamster cage.

The next step is to set up a proper floor covering for the hamster cage. Typically, wood shavings are most appropriate to be used as floor covering for pet hamsters. They also enjoy bedding material with which they can build a “nest”. Hay is usually used and this can be purchased in any pet shop.

Your pet hamster’s cage should be cleaned weekly.

During cleaning, all old food and wood shavings should be removed. During cleaning, be sure to check the cage for signs of illness. Soft droppings by your pet hamster are an indication of diarrhoea and lack of any droppings shows that your hamster is having constipation.

There are a series of other health problems hamsters can suffer from, such as eye problems, colds, lung infections and mites. If you suspect your hamster has any of these problems, play safe and visit a vet.

Exercise wheel
Next on the list would be an exercise wheel (your hamster’s most well-loved item). During the day, you’ll see your pet hamster spending hours on end at this exercise wheel; it’s amazing the kind of leg muscles these creatures must have.

Some owners even go to the extent of purchasing other toy accessories for their pet hamsters, like houses for the creatures to go in and come out of, sand baths, tubes for crawling in, and wooden blocks with holes for them to climb in and out.

Leisure time is very important to pet hamsters. No matter what you choose to include in their cage, an exercise wheel, at least, is a must.

The last but most important items for your pet hamster’s cage would be a water bowl and a food dish. These come in various sizes and can be selected at your own discretion at pet shops.

Hamster Feed
Hamsters have very fussy eating habits. It’s your job (a fun job nonetheless), to find out exactly what your pet hamster fancies. However, you must know what hamsters can eat and what they shouldn’t.

Hamsters can eat most fruits and vegetables. Their favourites include carrot, broccoli, sweet potato and corn-on-the-cob (especially since they enjoy gnawing). If you notice that your hamster isolates a certain fruit or vegetable or spits it out, it simply means you’ve to try something else.

Another food item and a crucial one, that is, is the “Hamster Mix”. This is readily available in pet stores. The mix is selectively created for hamsters with typical ingredients of crushed oats, maize, barley, and dried vegetables.

Tidbits for pet hamsters (which means you should give these really only in moderation) include cooked chicken, boiled potatoes and mealworms.

Needless to say, fresh water should always be available for your pet hamster at all times.

A basic feeding of the Hamster Mix should be given to your pet hamster every evening when it wakes up.