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What is it like to make a hamster. What does it mean to give a man a hamster?

Playing with your hamster gives him the stimulation he needs to stay healthy. Whether you let your little furry pet run around or just watch him navigate a maze, playing with your hamster is good fun. However, you should always remember to handle your hamster properly to ensure it is safe to play in and out of the cage.

Steps

Part 1

Safe handling of your hamster

Do not disturb a sleeping hamster. Hamsters sleep most of the day and are most active in the evening and at night. If you wake up a sleeping pet, he may become irritable and not be inclined to come into your arms. Be sure to always wait until your hamster wakes up on its own before you start playing with it.

Wash your hands before handling your hamster. Hamsters have a very keen sense of smell. For this reason, before interacting with your pet, it is important to wash off any food odors from your hands, otherwise he may taste you.

Rub your hands with clean hamster cage bedding. The smell of the bedding will make your hamster feel safer in your arms.

Tame your hamster. Before you can play with your hamster outside of its cage, it will need to be handled. Start giving your pet treats from your hands. When the hamster begins to approach you without any fear, try letting him play directly in your palm. And as soon as the hamster begins to feel completely comfortable in the palm of your hand, pick him up. Gradually increase the time your hamster spends in your arms.

Make sure your hamster cannot escape from you when playing outside the cage. Play with your pet in a limited, enclosed area. Be aware that hamsters are capable of squeezing into very small openings, such as cracks under doors, so you will need to keep a close eye on your hamster when outside of its cage.

Avoid playing with your hamster in places where the hamster can hide, such as under a sofa or closet.
Typically, a suitable isolated place for playing with your hamster is the bathroom; Just don’t forget to close the toilet lid there first.
Consider purchasing a special playpen for your hamster to make sure your pet can't escape. It should be more spacious than the pet's cage. It is also a good idea to cover the top of the playpen with a mesh screen to prevent the hamster from escaping.
To provide your hamster with limited play space, you can purchase a shallow paddling pool.

To play with your hamster outside the cage, first remove all potential sources of danger to your pet. If they remain, the hamster may try them on his teeth. Be sure to remove all electrical wires from the area where you plan to play with your hamster. Also remove plants that are toxic to your hamster from the play area, such as azalea, false daffodil, oleander, speedwell, buttercup, bindweed, bluebell, ragweed, elderberry, hemlock and privet. The full list of toxic plants (in English) can be read.

Be careful when playing with your hamster on a table or countertop. Hamsters have virtually no fear of falling from a height, and this can lead to serious injuries to the pet. Do not leave your hamster unattended on elevated surfaces and always be nearby to prevent your hamster from falling if necessary.

If you play with your hamster outside the cage, take all other pets out of the room. Just imagine being in the same room with a giant monster that wants to eat you. This is no fun at all. Even if the hamster is actually safe, the close presence of a dog or cat will stress it.

Create a maze using cardboard tubes. Hamsters love to climb inside cardboard toilet paper tubes and paper towels. Try taping several tubes together to create a maze tunnel for your pet.

Create a swing using twine and a cardboard ring from a roll of tape. Simply pass the string through the ring and tie it to the ceiling of the cage so that the ring rises just slightly above the floor.

Tie strings to the ceiling of the cage. String some strings from wall to wall or leave some just hanging from the ceiling. The hamster will love to climb on the laces or pull them towards himself. Just be sure to remove the plastic ends from the laces so that your pet doesn’t eat them and get sick.

Hide a treat inside your hamster's cage and watch him search for it. Hamsters love to search for their food. Hide treats throughout the cage (in tunnels, on platforms, in corners) and watch as your pet searches for and collects them.

Part 3

Games with a hamster outside the cage

Let your hamster out of the cage every day to play outside. To maximize your hamster's health and care for its well-being, it is imperative that you let it run outside its cage. Plus it's fun! But at the same time, it is necessary that the pet is tame and you have a safe, isolated place to play with it.

Pick up the hamster and let it run around on you. Your hamster will enjoy being handled as long as you don't squeeze him too hard; He will also be interested in exploring you if you allow your pet to run around on you. This is a great way to strengthen your friendship with your hamster and develop his trust in you.

Buy a walking ball for your hamster. This can be a special ball made of plastic or rubber, into which the hamster is placed so that he can safely run around the house. In fact, a walking ball is an analogue of a running wheel.

When a hamster grooms its body, starting with its back legs, front legs and fur, it means it feels safe and happy. When a hamster yawns and stretches, it means that he feels peaceful.

The hamster stands upright on its hind legs, ears pricked. This means that he is listening to something that has captured his attention.

Dwarf hamsters have scent glands that are located in the middle of the body, on the stomach. Syrian hamsters have scent glands on their sides, that is, on their thighs. Hamsters often rub against objects, leaving behind their scent. Scent glands are used to mark their territory.

When a hamster squeaks, it means that he is afraid or excited. This usually happens in the first days of being in a new environment. This behavior is normal and stops once the hamster is tamed. Dwarf hamsters squeak when playing, trying to gain dominance, or when they are actually fighting.

This sound means that the hamster is irritated and wants to be left alone. It may also be a warning of an upcoming bite.

Hissing is the loudest sound hamsters make. Basically, this occurs when the body is bent, the mouth is wide open, teeth are visible, and the front legs are raised. This means that the hamster is very upset and scared.

Does the hamster bite the bars? This means that he wants to get your attention. This usually happens in the evening or at night. To stop your hamster from biting the cage bars, let him run around outside the cage. Keep an eye on your hamster to ensure he doesn't get injured. Give him something to chew on. If you place toilet paper or an empty roll of toilet paper between the bars of a cage that your hamster is chewing on, it will play and chew on the toilet paper rather than the bars. It takes time for a hamster to become tame. If your hamster nibbles you, it means he wants to get back into his cage.

If the hamster escaped

Close all windows and doors, put food and vegetables for the hamster on the floor. Be extremely careful when you move around the house, as you may miss your hamster and injure him. If the hamster is hungry, he will certainly approach the food.

Look at all the possible places where he can hide: under the bed, under the dresser, behind the bidet in the bathroom, behind cabinets.

You can also place an open cage on the floor. If the hamster sees the cage, it will enter it. Or you can use a bucket. Place a bucket with some food and vegetables with a stand for your hamster to climb up on.

When the hamster gets to the top, he will smell the food, fall into the bucket and will not be able to get out of it. True, he can be injured if he falls into a bucket. Don't forget the bucket for a soft landing.

Training your hamster to use the toilet

Can toilet training a hamster be successful? Yes, that's right! To start, buy a hamster litter box or adapt a suitable item for your hamster's litter box and place it in a place that he prefers. Place urine-soaked paper and some droppings on the bottom of the litter tray. When your hamster is not sleeping, place him in the litter box so he can understand what's inside. Natural instinct will do its job. Tell him where to go to the toilet. Most hamsters can be easily trained to use a special litter tray.

Hamsters are clean animals that tend to relieve themselves in the same place, usually in the corner of the cage.

How to choose the right tray? Triangle-shaped trays fit perfectly into the corner of the cage. Trays also come in rectangular shape.

You can also use a glass litter box that is resistant to your hamster's teeth. The great thing about the glass tray is that you will need a 500ml wide mouth jar or a 250ml jam jar for your dwarf hamster. Place the jar in the corner of the cage and that's it! The hamster's toilet is ready! It's easy to clean, resistant to chewing, and will last your hamster a lifetime. Just make sure the litter jar is large enough for your hamster.

Available in pet stores with a small garbage bag and dustpan.

We will tell you how to provide comprehensive care for your hamster and what you need to do to maintain his health and good mood. It's not difficult, just follow the tips to make your beloved little friend feel great!

Method 1. Ideal habitat

1. Provide enough space. Your hamster may seem to sleep most of the time, but at dusk he becomes active and needs space to play. Provide as much space as you can! The hamster uses different parts of the cage for different activities and there should be sufficient distance between them.

So: cage dimensions: 30x30x50 cm. Bigger is better.

Mesh cages and aquariums, plastic and glass, are also suitable. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. A lattice cage provides more climbing space but takes longer to clean.
Make sure that the bottom of the cage is deep enough, at least 3-5 cm, and take care of high-quality filler.

2. Make sure there are enough toys. Hamsters are active creatures who spend a lot of time having fun and playing. The wheel is necessary, but they alone cannot do it:

Wooden twigs and other shaped toys are not only fun, they help maintain the proper shape of your teeth. The tree must be clean and safe.
You can make toys yourself. For example, an empty cardboard box is both a play tunnel and a chew item.
And if you fill a small box with special shavings, the hamster will be happy to dig around in it.
Do not use cardboard with glue or paint residue.

3. Give the hamster a wheel. A win-win option for running and channeling energy into a peaceful direction. The wheel must be made of a smooth material, in no case from mesh! If your hamster gets stuck between the bars, it can injure its paw.

Large wheels designed for rats are also suitable for a hamster.
Another option that allows you to run for a long time is a special ball.
Lure the hamster out of the cage by placing a ball at the entrance and pretending you don't care. Make sure the room is safe and free of other animals.

Method 2. Safe living conditions

If the room is cold, take care of a warm house.
And no drafts!

2. Make sure that there are no sources of loud noises or bright lights near the cage; hamsters are very sensitive. Do not place the cage in a room that you use at night for work or socializing with friends. It must be dark at night!

Move the cage away from the ultrasound source - TV and computer.
There is no need to place it near running water or loud appliances. This is very upsetting for hamsters.

3. Clean the cage regularly. The hamster should be in a clean, healthy environment.

Take a few minutes each day to throw out wet litter.
Do a general cleaning once a week.
Cleaning too infrequently or too often confuses your hamster.

Method 3: Provide your hamster with a healthy diet

1. The amount of food matters. A hungry hamster is an unhappy hamster. An overfed person becomes fat and develops clumsiness and health problems. As a rule, a tablespoon of a special mixture of seeds every day is enough for a hamster.

2. Don't forget the treats. Why not make your baby happy? A little greenery, a couple of pieces of green apple and carrot, raisins, cabbage will probably please him. Throw away any uneaten treats the same day.

Some dog treats are also suitable for hamsters. Ask at a pet store.
It is enough to give hard treats for teeth once a week.
Remember that hamsters like to save food for a rainy day, so just because there is no food in the bowl doesn't mean it's all over.

3. Clean water! Try to change the water every day. Use filtered water rather than raw tap water. Clean the drinking bowl from dirt.

Method 4: Spend time together

1. Meet your hamster. Take the time to pay attention to his behavior and get to know his character better. Some babies are calm and shy, others prefer to run around the cage all night. Each hamster is an individual, and if your baby is too shy, do not bother him again.

For example, if he lays down on the ground and ducks when you reach out, it's best to check in another time. Now he is not in the mood to communicate.
If your hamster squeaks, he may be excited or scared. This is normal in a new environment, let him adjust.

2. It takes time to tame. Be consistent and patient, you won’t be able to make friends on the first day. Place your hand next to the hamster and let him smell it. Don't pick it up even if he starts running on top. Let him consider her a new toy. Give me a treat.

If he is scared, slowly remove your hand. Be patient, some kids are very careful.
Over time, he will get used to it and will walk on your hand without hesitation.

3. Continue communication. Place a treat on your outstretched hand or feed it to your hamster while he walks along your hand. Begin to slowly raise your palm. If the animal gets scared, stop training immediately.

Always do this over the floor or wide table so he can jump onto a flat surface.
If he gets angry and bites, let him go and give him a treat.
Never touch your hamster while it is sleeping.

4. Consider creating a play area outside the cage. Find a clean, level area of the floor and block it off so your baby can't escape. Place some toys inside, such as a tunnel from a box or an extra wheel.

You can carry the hamster there in your arms or use a ball.
Don't let him out of your sight.
Instead of a fenced area on the floor, you can use a box.

There is nothing difficult about making your hamster happy! Just put in a little effort and see what a wonderful friend this cute creature can be.

Hamsters can be trained to come when called, just like dogs and cats. The key point in this matter is to find a favorite treat that will motivate the animal; thanks to the treat, the process of so-called “training” will be consistent and regular. If you want your furry pet to come to you as soon as you call his name, stock up on healthy treats that your hamster will love, and also be prepared to set aside a few free minutes every day for training. In addition, you can use a special clicker for more effective training - this will help the hamster learn its name faster.

Steps

Training with treats

If you just got a hamster, leave it alone for at least a couple of days and give the animal time to get comfortable. Chances are your new friend will be very scared when you bring him home and put him in his cage. And when an animal is frightened, it is reluctant to make contact, so it is worth choosing a different time for training. After a couple of days, the hamster will more or less get used to the new environment and calm down - then training can begin.

Advice: If you are still thinking of a suitable name for your new pet, try to choose something shorter and simpler, because this will make it much easier for your hamster to remember his name. For example, a simple nickname like "Ruby" is easier to remember than "Prince Charles."

Buy healthy treats in advance that will help you with training. Treats are a kind of motivation for the animal - thanks to the reward system, the hamster will quickly learn its name and learn to come when called. You can buy such treats at a pet store or simply take sunflower seeds (raw) as a “reward”. Another good option would be small pieces of vegetables and fruits, such as sweet potatoes, peaches, strawberries or broccoli. If you decide to give your hamster pieces of vegetables and fruits, be sure to make sure that they will not harm the animal!

Some foods, including apple seeds and peels, grape seeds, fruit pits, peanuts, almonds, onions, eggplant, garlic and chocolate, are poisonous to hamsters.

Place the treat on your palm and hold your palm at the entrance to the cage. First, open the cage so that the hamster can come closer to your palm. If your hamster lives in a clear plastic cage, open the door at the top and place your hand so that the palm with the treat is on the bottom of the cage.
- If the hamster is sleeping, it is better to wait for the right moment when the animal wakes up and cheers up, and only then begin training. The hamster is unlikely to wake up to take the treat from your palm, and you should not wake him up on purpose, otherwise you may scare him.
Call the hamster's name several times while waiting for the hamster to come take the treat from your palm. When you call an animal by name and invite it to take a treat, you automatically create an association of its name with the treat.
- Try to call your hamster in a low, soft voice so as not to scare him. If you call him too loudly and sharply, the hamster may become frightened and is unlikely to come to your hand.
Did you know? In fact, hamsters do not understand and do not remember their names, as people do, they only recognize a familiar set of sounds. If you regularly say the same word (animal's name), over time the hamster will associate a set of these sounds with something good and pleasant (for example, receiving a treat).

Let your hamster calmly take the treat from your palm. When your hamster eats, say his name again - this will strengthen the association of his name with the treat. Do not squeeze your hamster while he is eating, otherwise you will scare him and complicate the training process.
- If your new pet seems completely uninterested in the treat, try again later. Or give the animal a little more time to get comfortable in the new house and get used to you.
Repeat this process a few more times until you no longer need the treat. After some time (with regular training), the hamster will firmly know that he will receive a treat if he comes to you when you call. The key point in regular training is that you need to train every day. Once the hamster learns to respond to its name, gradually reduce the amount of treats and give them less often each time.
- For example, if your hamster has learned to obediently come to your hand when called to take a treat, next time try just calling his name without holding out the treat. See if it fits this time. If the hamster comes up, start giving him treats a little less often.
- It may take a few weeks for your hamster to learn to come when called, so don't get discouraged or give up if you think your pet still hasn't learned his name. Keep training - train your hamster every day, eventually you will succeed!
Clicker training
1. Again, if you just got a hamster, give it a couple of days to get used to its new environment. Your hamster will likely be frightened by its new surroundings when you bring it home. It will be difficult for you to train a hamster, because a frightened animal usually does not respond well to contact. Therefore, first, give the hamster a couple of days to get used to the new environment.
  - During these couple of days, do not squeeze the animal or take it out of the cage at all. Give him the opportunity to relax and mind his own business.
2. Buy a special clicker and treats in advance to train your new pet. A clicker is a simple small electronic device that makes a clicking sound when you press a button. If your pet does everything correctly (for example, comes to your hand when you call), you can use a clicker to reproduce the clicking sound, and only then treat your pet with a treat. Over time, your hamster will begin to associate the clicking sound with treats and good behavior, making it easier to train.
  - The clicker can be ordered from an online store or purchased at a regular pet store.
  - During the training process, you can use a special treat for hamsters, purchased at a pet store, but sunflower seeds (raw), pieces of vegetables and fruits are also good options. But remember that hamsters should not be given apple seeds and apple peels, grape and other fruit seeds, peanuts, almonds, garlic and chocolate - these foods are poisonous to hamsters.
  Advice: If you don't want to buy a clicker, you can use a ballpoint pen with a button instead. When you press the button, a clicking sound is heard - this sound is very similar to the one that a clicker makes.
3. Provide your hamster with an enclosed area where he can be trained. For example, a cardboard box, a special pen for hamsters, or even a bathtub are suitable for this. If you choose a bathtub, be sure to plug the drain with something so that the hamster does not accidentally fall into it.
  - The training area should be as empty as possible so that your pet is not distracted by anything. Therefore, you should not put various toys and other distractions there.
4. Click on the clicker and give your pet a treat as soon as he runs up to you. At this stage, you don't have to worry about calling him by name. To begin with, you just need to train your hamster to run up to you at the sound of the clicker and take away the treat. Repeat this exercise until the hamster begins to run up to you to get a treat.
  - If you are not sure that the hamster is running towards you purposefully, simply move to the other end of the room and watch the animal. If the hamster immediately changes direction and runs towards you, then the training can be considered successful.
  - If your hamster isn't particularly interested in approaching you, continue clicker training and give your hamster a treat every time he comes to you. Eventually, your new pet will learn to come when called for another treat.
5. Then, while pressing the clicker, say the hamster's name, and then give him the treat again. Thus, gradually the hamster will begin to associate its name with the action of the clicker and receiving a treat. Make sure that the hamster has already learned to come to you on its own. Only then press the clicker, repeat the hamster's name and give him a treat. Otherwise, the animal will not associate this behavior pattern with receiving a treat.
  - Do not press the clicker or give the hamster a treat if he does not move or even runs away from you. If you mistakenly ignore this point, your hamster will soon associate "escaping" or inaction with the reward of a treat. This will significantly complicate the training process.

Curious beady eyes, oversized cheeks where you can hide food in reserve, a round fluffy belly and an abyss of charm... Meet the decorative hamster, the sweetest creature who is not averse to living with you and at your expense, and in return - to brighten up loneliness and bring a lot of pleasant impressions.

Hamster is man's friend

The popularity of hamsters as pets is growing every year. There are many funny competitions with their participation in the world: hamster sprint races, competitions for the fattest, the thriftiest, the most charming... and so on ad infinitum.

Few people know that the most common type of hamster, the common hamster, is not at all the “ancestor” of domestic animals. The common hamster is an official agricultural pest, a large and aggressive animal that cannot be tamed or trained. The most popular varieties of hamster, which are most often sold in pet stores, are Syrian and Djungarian.

Better - alone

Most species of domestic hamsters are solitary animals. In the wild, they live alone, rarely communicating with nearby comrades, fiercely defend their territory and form pairs only for the purpose of leaving offspring. Grown-up children leave their mother and begin to live a separate, independent life. Hamsters constantly living in the same cage will inevitably sort things out.

Interesting facts from the life of hamsters

Life in a hamster cage is strictly ordered. The animal is very clean: it sleeps in one place, eats in another, and fulfills its physical needs in a third, and never next to the “bedroom” or “dining room.” If you clean the cage regularly, then unpleasant odors will not bother you. But there is one rule: when putting a rodent’s home in order, be sure to leave everything as it has distributed and arranged for itself. Otherwise he will be stressed.

If you decide to get a Syrian hamster, be prepared for the fact that from now on your nights will be filled with mysterious rustles and fuss. If you are an “owl”, congratulations, in this case the wakefulness of the animal will only please you. But other species, smaller ones - the Djungarian, Campbell's hamster, Roborovsky's hamster - are ready to communicate with a person at any time of the day.

The best gift for a hamster is a good running wheel with a solid running surface. From about 12 at night, every self-respecting hamster gets ready to hit the road. Watching an animal running in a wheel is almost a meditative experience. Don't bother him - he knows where he's running and why he needs it, because from time to time he stops, jumps off the wheel and looks around.

The average speed of a hamster on a wheel is from two to three and a half kilometers per hour. And during the night he is able to cover a distance of 6–10 kilometers.

Hamsters have no sense of heights. The animal simply doesn’t see her, so he’s not afraid. Therefore, be careful when letting him out of his cage for a walk.

A hamster is a rodent, so its teeth are constantly growing and need to be ground down. It’s good if there is a birch branch in your home, which animals love to gnaw.

Hamsters are more afraid of heat than cold. Never leave the cage in the open sun.

It’s hard to believe, but in the wild the contents of one hamster’s closet can amount to tens of kilograms. Hamsters carry food from one place to another in their cheek pouches. And in some species of these rodents they are so large that at one time the hamster is able to carry an amount of food equal to half its own weight.

And one last thing. The day is not far when hamsters will become real astronauts! And not as some experimental animals, but as companions. “The appearance of a pet, such as a hamster, on board the International Space Station will create a favorable psychological atmosphere,” ISS commander Alexander Skvortsov recently said.

Well, if even distant stars are sad without hamsters, then it is apparently impossible for a person to do without them!