Adorable small rodent of the Cricetidae family, the hamster turns out to be a great pet. Every year, thousands of homes fall in love with one of these seductive little fur balls. Be careful, however, behind its air of living plush, the hamster remains a sensitive being with multiple needs and specificities. Before you embark on this wonderful adventure that is the adoption of a hamster, here is some essential information to know ...
. The hamster, a nocturnal animal whose tranquility must be respected
First of all, it should be known that the hamster is above all a nocturnal animal. It does not hesitate to sleep for long hours during the day and to wake up as soon as night falls. This peculiarity is explained by the living conditions of wild hamsters. The latter have always tended to avoid going out during the day because of the heat and the omnipresence of predators. Even domesticated, the hamster keeps certain instincts related to its species.
This atypical lifestyle should be taken into account before buying a hamster. Many novice owners, especially children, are dying to play with their hamster during the day. They are then disappointed to see that the small animal prefers to stay in the arms of Morpheus ... However, the rhythm of life of the hamster is imperatively to be respected. Hamsters can not stand to be woken up at times that are not in line with their biological clock. Lack of sleep and tranquility can even lead to health problems.
During the day, it is therefore preferable to let your cute companion rest quietly and to impose to your entourage to do the same. Don't hesitate to concoct a cozy nest for your little protégé, such as a cabin made of natural wood for example. To avoid excessive noise and light, it is possible to isolate the cage in a quiet and sieved place. The cage can also be insulated during your own sleep. Indeed, the hamster, when it plays in its wheel, can be a little noisy, which may prevent you from sleeping ...
. Give love to its new little companion!
As you will have understood, the hamster is a rather independent animal, which cannot be manipulated all the time. However, the hamster will also appreciate living real moments of tenderness by your side. Like most animals, the hamster is a curious, intelligent mammal, capable of appreciating human presence from time to time. So enjoy every evening a few hours of play with your little fur ball!
Outside its cage, the hamster will enjoy exploring the environment. Note however that it is essential to take it out in a secure place. Before opening the cage, make sure that there are no dangerous objects in the vicinity. Also, your hamster must never be left unattended.
It is quite normal at the beginning that your hamster is not very sociable or even slightly aggressive. With gentleness and patience, it will gradually get used to you and its new home. To help him get familiar with the environment, avoid changing his cage and accessories at first. During the first 72 hours, avoid even touching it. Do not force him out of his cage either. However, you can open his habitat every day for a short period of time, so that he can discover the outside environment when he feels ready.
. Provide a space in the image of your hairball.
To welcome a hamster in the best conditions, it is important to prepare its "house". Contrary to popular belief, the hamster will not be able to be satisfied with a tiny cage, at the risk of being unhappy all his life. The minimum size is 80 X 50 centimeters. However, keep in mind that the bigger the cage is, the more room your animal will have to let off steam. The golden rule is: the bigger the better! So don't hesitate to offer your small animal a spacious cage that will make it happy every day.
It is also possible to choose a cage with several floors, which will allow your hamster to do some acrobatics. The hamster generally enjoys climbing everywhere, and discovering every nook and cranny of its living space. The richer its environment will be in surprises, the more stimulated it will be. The cage of your hamster must also contain some essential elements, such as a wheel, a sleeping area, a good layer of bedding, and of course unlimited water and daily food, such as seeds, but also some fruits and vegetables ...
The wrong good idea: offer a little companion to your hamster! Some misinformed owners may think that several hamsters will be less bored. But this is not the case... The hamster is a solitary animal. He does not appreciate the presence of his fellow hamsters. When there are two of them in the same cage, they can quickly get into conflict, or even into a fight.
. Where to buy your hamster?
To buy a hamster, most people tend to turn to pet stores. Although these specialized stores do indeed have many breeds of hamsters, it is not always the most suitable solution. Indeed, in pet stores, the animals are poorly socialized and sometimes even in poor health. Buying a hamster in a pet store also means financing excessive reproduction, in conditions that are not always ethical. Fortunately, other solutions exist to adopt a hamster. Among them, we can of course mention shelters and associations!
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