HamsterCare

Hamster Health Companion | Complete Care Guide

Hamster Health Companion

Your complete guide to keeping your hamster happy and healthy

A happy and healthy hamster

Welcome to the ultimate hamster health guide! Whether you're a new hamster owner or an experienced pet parent, this comprehensive resource will help you understand all aspects of hamster care to ensure your furry friend lives a long, happy, and healthy life.

Did you know? Hamsters typically live 2-3 years, but with proper care, some can live up to 4 years!

Basic Hamster Care

Providing the right environment is crucial for your hamster's wellbeing. Here's what you need to know:

Habitat

Enrichment

Handling

Creating the Perfect Habitat

Cage Requirements

Size: Minimum 450 sq inches (bigger is better)
Type: Glass tank or well-ventilated wire cage
Location: Quiet area, away from drafts/direct sunlight
Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)

Bedding & Nesting

2-3 inches of paper-based or aspen bedding
Avoid cedar/pine (toxic oils)
Provide nesting material like torn paper towels
Spot clean daily, full clean weekly

Essential Accessories

Wheel: Solid surface, 8"+ for dwarfs, 12"+ for Syrians
Hideouts: At least one per hamster
Water bottle: Clean, fresh water always available
Food dish: Heavy ceramic to prevent tipping

Environmental Enrichment

Hamsters need mental stimulation to prevent boredom and stress:

Toys & Chews

Wooden chew toys (apple, pear, or willow wood)
Cardboard tubes and boxes
Hamster-safe tunnels
Foraging toys

Play Areas

Create a safe playpen for exercise
Supervise free-roaming time
Provide different textures (sand bath, cork, etc.)
Rotate toys weekly for novelty

Burrowing

Deep bedding (6+ inches) for natural digging
Multi-chamber hideouts mimic wild burrows
Provide different bedding materials
Observe but don't disturb their tunnels

Proper Handling

Building trust with your hamster takes patience:

Important: Never wake a sleeping hamster suddenly. This can cause stress and defensive biting.

Taming Process

Start by offering treats from your hand
Progress to gentle petting while they eat
Use both hands to scoop them up securely
Keep handling sessions short initially

Safe Holding

Cup hands underneath their body
Never grab from above (predator motion)
Hold low over a soft surface
Watch for signs of stress (freezing, biting)

Children & Hamsters

Always supervise interactions
Teach gentle handling techniques
Limit handling time to 10-15 minutes
Wash hands before and after handling

Nutrition Guide

A balanced diet is essential for your hamster's health and longevity.

A balanced diet keeps your hamster healthy

Daily Diet Components

Food Type	Examples	Frequency	Portion Size
Commercial pellets/mix	High-quality hamster food	Daily	1-2 tablespoons
Fresh vegetables	Carrots, broccoli, cucumber, zucchini	Daily	1 teaspoon
Protein sources	Mealworms, cooked egg, plain chicken	2-3 times/week	Small piece
Fruits	Apple (no seeds), banana, berries	2-3 times/week	Small piece
Healthy treats	Plain popcorn, unsalted nuts	Occasionally	Very small amount

Dangerous Foods: Never feed chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onions, garlic, citrus fruits, raw potatoes, or sugary/salty human foods.

Feeding Tips

Feeding Schedule

Feed in the evening when hamsters are most active. Remove uneaten fresh food after 24 hours to prevent spoilage.

Foraging Fun

Scatter food around the cage or use foraging toys to encourage natural hunting behaviors and prevent boredom.

Hydration

Always provide fresh water in a clean bottle. Check daily for leaks or blockages. Change water completely every 1-2 days.

Common Health Issues

Recognizing symptoms early can save your hamster's life.

Wet Tail (Proliferative Ileitis)

Symptoms: Severe diarrhea, lethargy, wetness around tail, foul odor, hunched posture, loss of appetite

Causes: Stress (especially after relocation), bacterial infection, unsanitary conditions

Treatment: Requires immediate veterinary attention with antibiotics. Often fatal within 48 hours if untreated.

Emergency: Wet tail is a life-threatening condition. Isolate sick hamsters and seek vet care immediately.

Respiratory Infections

Symptoms: Sneezing, wheezing, nasal discharge, labored breathing, lethargy, crusty eyes

Causes: Drafts, poor ventilation, dusty bedding, sudden temperature changes

Treatment: Antibiotics from vet, improve habitat conditions, ensure proper temperature/humidity

Prevention: Use low-dust bedding, avoid drafts, maintain stable environment

Mites and Skin Problems

Symptoms: Excessive scratching, hair loss, scabs, flaky skin, visible parasites

Causes: Mites, fungal infections, allergies, poor nutrition, stress

Treatment: Medicated shampoos or sprays (vet prescribed), environmental cleaning

Home care: Freeze bedding before use, clean cage thoroughly, provide balanced diet

Overgrown Teeth

Symptoms: Drooling, weight loss, difficulty eating, visible long teeth

Causes: Lack of chew toys, genetic factors, misaligned teeth

Treatment: Vet can trim teeth; provide proper chew toys

Prevention: Always have wood chews available, monitor eating habits

Tumors and Abscesses

Symptoms: Visible lumps, swelling, changes in behavior, weight loss

Causes: Common in older hamsters, injuries that become infected

Treatment: Surgical removal may be possible for some tumors. Abscesses require drainage and antibiotics.

Care: Monitor quality of life. Many tumors are benign but can affect mobility.

When to See a Vet

Seek immediate veterinary care if your hamster shows: No eating/drinking for 24 hours, severe diarrhea, difficulty breathing, bleeding, obvious pain, sudden paralysis, or any dramatic behavior changes.

Preventive Care

Regular care can prevent many health issues before they start.

Weekly Health Checks

Eyes & Nose

Check for discharge, swelling, or crustiness. Eyes should be bright and clear.

Teeth

Ensure teeth aren't overgrown or misaligned. Front teeth should meet evenly.

Weight

Monitor for sudden weight changes. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy.

Fur & Skin

Look for hair loss, flakiness, or parasites. Coat should be full and clean.

Bottom

Check for cleanliness. Wetness or staining may indicate diarrhea.

Behavior

Note changes in activity level, eating, or drinking habits.

Habitat Maintenance Schedule

Task	Frequency	Details
Spot cleaning	Daily	Remove soiled bedding and uneaten food
Water change	Every 1-2 days	Refresh water and clean bottle
Food dish cleaning	Every 2-3 days	Wash with mild soap, rinse well
Full cage cleaning	Weekly	Replace all bedding, disinfect cage
Toy rotation	Weekly	Swap out toys to prevent boredom
Wheel cleaning	Weekly	Remove debris and wash

First Aid Essentials

Be prepared for common hamster emergencies.

First Aid Kit Contents

Feeding Supplies

1ml syringes (no needle)
Critical Care formula
Pedialyte (unflavored)
Baby food (plain vegetables)

Wound Care

Sterile gauze pads
Cotton swabs
Styptic powder
Saline solution

Temperature Control

Heating pad (low setting)
Hot water bottle
Small towel
Thermometer

Tools

Small scissors
Tweezers
Magnifying glass
Small carrier

Emergency Procedures

Important: Always call your vet first if possible. Have an exotic vet's number saved in your phone.

Emergency	First Response	Next Steps
Bleeding	Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze	Use styptic powder for nail bleeding. Seek vet care for serious wounds.
Broken limb	Confine to small space with soft bedding	No splinting - see vet immediately. Keep warm and quiet.
Heat stroke	Move to cooler area, offer water	Cool gradually with lukewarm (not cold) compresses.
Hypothermia	Warm gradually with body heat	Use warm water bottle wrapped in towel. No direct heat.
Not eating	Offer favorite foods, check teeth	Try syringe feeding critical care. Vet visit if >24 hours.
Seizures	Remove hazards, dim lights	Time the episode. Video for vet. Keep warm post-seizure.

Additional Resources

Websites

Recommended Books

"Hamsters for Dummies" by Sarah Montague
"The Hamster Handbook" by Patricia Bartlett
"Hamster Care" by Peter Fritzsche
"Understanding Your Hamster" by Peter Gurney

YouTube Channels

Victoria Raechel
Erin's Animals
Munchie's Place
Hamster Society

Find a Vet

Locate an exotic pet veterinarian in your area:

Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians - Search their member directory

Animal Health Information