Essential Dwarf Hamster Keeping Tips

Although they may be smaller to the cousin species, Syrian Hamsters, the dwarf hamster requires the same amount of care. There are several different species of dwarf hamster and they all can make wonderful pets.

Hamster's First Birthday by Dan Derrett

Dwarf hamsters can often be more delicate, skittish, and faster to make an escape. Their small size allows them to fit into small cracks and spaces so they need a secure enclosure. Hamsters make their homes in tunnels that they dig themselves in the sand and dirt of their native homelands. Even though hamsters hoard food in their nests instead of leaving in a bowl, they'll still require a constant supply of new food and fresh water daily. But, because of their small size, the hamster habitats might be too large for them to be able to climb and maneuver in properly.

Luckily, they now make tubular habitats that are built smaller and specifically for mice. Dwarf hamsters do better in these types of enclosures. They will also do well in a 10-20 gallon tank or a wire cage. Hamsters are naturally active creatures. So a wheel that can be placed inside the cage and can be used to run on is extremely important. Some research has indicated that hamsters can run up to five miles on their wheel. There are smaller wheels specifically made for dwarf hamsters.

A substrate on the bottom of your dwarf hamster's cage will satisfy their natural burrowing instincts. Owners need to use a dust free and absorbent material like wood shavings but not cedar or pine based products due to the repertory problems these materials can cause. The substrate in the hamster's cage should be completely emptied out and replaced every week. Hamsters like to make nests out of the substrates in their cages. Owners can also offer their hamsters a number of other nesting materials like paper towels, cotton, shredded paper, or tissues. Their next will often be constructed in small places, kind of like a nesting box. Because they are naturally shy animals, they like the privacy that these boxes offer.

Because of their high metabolism, dwarf hamsters eat as much as the larger Syrian hamster. They eat different types of pellets, seeds, dried fruits and vegetables. Although hamsters tend to hoard their food in their nests rather then leaving it in their bowls, they still need to be offered a constant supply of fresh foods and a fresh water supply. Another important aspect that owners need to be concerned about is ensuring that their hamsters receive chewing toys. Dwarf hamsters have a high metabolism making them each as much as the larger Syrian hamster. Without soft wooden toys to keep them busy they are liable to chew on plastic accessories which could injure them if chewed to become rough and broken.

In addition to replacing the substrate of the hamster's cage on a weekly basis, the cage and all of its accessories need to be washed weekly. Owners can use a light solution of soap and water and make sure to rinse everything thoroughly. The cage should also be completely dry before new substrate is added to the cage. Never use harsh chemicals because this can irritate hamsters. Although they require a moderate amount of care, the joy of owning a dwarf hamster far out weigh the amount of effort that needs to be put into the care of these amazing creatures.

Author Resource: Mary Wilbur is a Dwarf Hamster expert. For more great information on Dwarf Hamster Pet for Kids, visit http://www.dwarfhamsterscare.com

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Gregarious Gerbils Make Great Pets

Gerbils make excellent first pets for your children (and you!). They don't smell, they're active at various hours of the day, not nocturnal like most rodents, and are very inquisitive and playful by nature. They love to explore and are easy to tame, traits that make them a sure hit with all the members of your family. Another great thing about gerbils is that they rarely bite, making them ideal pets for kids.

Snowy, the White Gerbil, Getting a Bit of Exercise by benmckune

If you're thinking of getting a gerbil as a pet, it's always a good idea to get a pair. If you don't want them breeding then get a same sex pair such as two males or two females. Gerbils are social creatures and do better with a companion.

Before bringing your gerbil home, prepare its habitat. Gerbils can be kept in wire cages or glass tanks (such as aquariums). Gerbils love to chew so plastic cages are not a good idea as they will chew through them. Glass tanks make the best gerbil cage but make sure it has a wire mesh top to provide adequate ventilation. As gerbils are very active, the bigger tank you can afford the better. Gerbils are great jumpers so make sure the top is secure!

Provide your gerbils with toys and things to gnaw on to prevent boredom. Ramps, platforms and ladders will also be appreciated by your pets as they love to climb and explore. A solid spokeless exercise wheel will ensure they don't get their tails pinched or snagged when exercising.

As gerbils love to burrow, make sure you put an adequate amount of bedding for them to burrow in. Hay, tissues and shredded paper will do. Never use pine or cedar for any rodents as it is unsafe and can cause respiratory infections, tumors, kidney and liver damage.

Commercial gerbil seed mixes and pellets or lab blocks are available for feeding your gerbils. A varied diet is the best and you should try to offer your gerbils a combination of each. Occasional treats such as vegetables and fruits, nuts and sunflower seeds can be given, as can small pieces of cheese, raisins, boiled egg and mealworms. Dog biscuits can be offered sparingly and on occasion as well. Remember that treats are not to be given in large quantities, only as a training tool or treat so as to avoid diarrhea and the risk of your gerbils becoming overweight.

Author Resource: Written by Russell R. Fesio
Russell likes to write on various topics and has been doing so for several years. His most up-to-date internet site is http://tuftedheadboard.org which provides people with information on bookshelf headboards.

Understanding Hamster Behavior

Watching your hamster frolic around his cage can provide you with hours of enjoyment, but what exactly is he up to? Is he just playing, or do his actions have some other meaning associated with them. Hamsters are complicated little creatures and understanding a little more about why they do the things they do can help you keep your hamster healthy and stress-free. It's a well-known fact that reducing stress for a hamster is the best thing you can do to help your hamster live a long and healthy life.

Hamster Periscope by mascht_i

If you see your hamster creeping along the floor of his cage, your hamster is nervous about something, usually something outside of his cage. Do you have a cat nearby, or is there a lot of commotion that could be startling your hamster? Keep an eye out for things that could be causing your hamster stress. If things get worse and your hamster gets frightened he may put his ears forward and puff his cheeks up. This is a classic sign of fright, and may be quickly followed by an emptying of his cheek pouches if he was carrying any food in them. At this point he's not happy about the situation at all and is getting ready to run.

If you ever attempt to handle your hamster and you notice that his ears are back then you'd better remove your hand quickly as he's feeling very aggressive and is likely to bite. Another warning sign if you ever go to handle your hamster is if you see him lying on his back with his teeth bare - you may think this a sign of submission but it's actually another sign that your hamster is frightened and he will bite you in this state if you attempt to pick him up.

Some of the more pleasant signs to look for in your hamster are burrowing and grooming. If you spot your hamster burrowing (which is very likely) it just means that he's looking for stray bits of food lying amongst his bedding material that he may have missed before. They'll spend a great deal of time doing this so it's an easy one to spot. If you catch your hamster grooming or stretching then you are looking at a particularly content and happy hamster!

If you have particularly good hearing you may occasionally catch your hamster making squeaking noises. Consider yourself lucky, as the average hamster squeak lasts only a fraction of a second, and the vast majority of hamster vocalization takes place in a frequency range that is completely undetectable by humans.

A more noticeable noise is teeth chattering - this is a sign that your hamster is unsettled, and is seen most often when a hamster is introduced to a cage that already has a hamster in it. Watch for the warning signs of potential combat between the two hamsters.

Hamsters use various scent glands on their bodies to mark their territory by rubbing the glands up against the sides of the cage. If there's a spot in the cage they wish to mark but can't get to with their glands they'll scratch their scent glands with their rear feet and then walk around the area they wish to claim as theirs. When males and females in the same cage are ready to mate they'll both reduce their markings, giving each other the signal that it's okay for the other to approach.

You may occasionally catch your hamster chewing at the bars of his cage. Although he may look like he's trying to chew his way to freedom, he's actually keeping his every-growing teeth at a reasonable length. If he didn't continue to keep his teeth ground down they'd cause serious dental problems and illness. Just make sure the bars on the cage aren't rusty!

Author Resource: Written by Adam King
Visit the Hamster-Zone website for even more detailed information on hamster care, hamster diet, hamster cages, and much, much more. Learn important tips on how to keep your hamster healthy and happy, including proper diet, care, and cage enrichment.

Taking Care of Your Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are a rather unique creature that also have a very interesting history. They, at one time, existed in the wild and they were also raised by Inca Indians in Peru. Several centuries ago, this unique animal was also introduced in Europe as a pet. Many people still enjoy having the guinea pig as a pet, both because of its gentle nature and because of what it is able to bring to a family. If you love guinea pigs yourself and would like to have one as a pet, there are a number of things for you to consider which can really help to make your pet as happy and healthy as possible.

Guinea Pigs Along for the Ride by Richard Carter

As with most types of animals, your guinea pig is going to need to eat a well-balanced diet in order to remain healthy. Much of the commercially available guinea pig food is going to suffice in this regard, but many people also like to supplement the guinea pig diet in order to provide them with additional nutrients and some interesting eating. Feeding them alfalfa, hay, various types of sprouts and other raw vegetables from the refrigerator is always an excellent choice for these animals. Make sure that whatever you feed them, however, is pesticide free.

Interestingly enough, a guinea pig is unable to produce its own vitamin C as many other animals in the wild are able to do. Humans share this inability with the guinea pig, and just as you would want to supplement your own source of vitamin C, you would want to make sure that your guinea pig has a ready supply of it available as well. Sprinkle a little bit of vitamin C on their food on a daily basis, and it will help to keep your guinea pigs as healthy as possible.

Something else that every guinea pig needs is a great place to sleep. Many of us tend to take the guinea pig out of its hutch on a regular basis, but it is still going to need to be put into its own area from time to time. It is not necessary for you to go to the extremes as far as the guinea pig hutch is concerned, but there are some that are commercially available which do a fairly good job. Choosing the right type of bedding, such as pine shavings is also a good idea in order to keep your guinea pig as healthy as possible.

One final thing that I would like to mention about the guinea pig is the fact that it requires a lot of interaction and absolutely loves human contact. That is one of the reasons why so many people fall in love with this unique animal and want to have them as part of their family. Make sure that you are giving the guinea pig what it needs in this regard, and you will help to make it as happy as possible. As with most animals, a happy animal is a healthy animal so giving it attention can really make you a responsible pet owner.

Author Resource: Alison Wood shares her tips for living with all different types of pets over at the aptly named pet blog, Pet Hooligans. To find out more about all your favorite little hooligans and how to increase their health and happiness, take a look at the website today ==> http://www.pethooligans.com/

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Dwarf Russian Hamster Care

Dwarf Russian hamsters are often preferred over larger hamsters due to size and appeal of small hamsters. Dwarf Russian hamsters make great pets provided the owner keeps a few things in mind. This article will elaborate on the things you need to know to care for your dwarf Russian hamster.

Dwarf Russian hamsters need a cage that is escape proof since these little critters try to escape whenever possible. The cage you choose should either be an aquarium or a wire cage with sturdy metal. If you are choosing a tunnel or tube play cage then you should ensure that you pick up a cage that is large enough for your pet hamster. The cage you choose should also be easy to clean since you will need to wash the cage twice or thrice a month.

Dwarf Russian Hamsters by Alensha

After choosing a cage for your dwarf Russian hamster you will need to choose suitable bedding. Bedding soaks up urine and also keeps your pet warm. The bedding you choose should be absorbent but it should be safe for your pet. Pine shavings and cedar shavings are harmful to hamsters since they cause skin and respiratory problems. If you are on a budget then you can use clean old newspapers for bedding. You should also make sure that you change the bedding at least once a week preferably twice a week. Old bedding that collects urine and poop can cause skin problems for hamsters and it also accumulates harmful organisms like mold, mildew and insects.

The dwarf Russian hamster's diet consists of seeds, vegetables and fruits. These hamsters also eat hamster pellets but you should not feed hamster pellets more than thrice a week since hamsters also require fresh food. Vegetables should be given to your pet dwarf Russian hamster every day, fruits should be given thrice a week and seeds should be given twice a week. Most Russian dwarf pets love tomato and cucumber but both these foods should be fed maximum thrice a week. You can definitely give your hamster small pieces of cheese, boiled egg and cooked chicken twice a week.

Chocolates, avocados, coffee, sodas and processed foods meant for humans should not be given to hamsters. If you allow your hamster to play around the house or if you have kept a small plant in his cage then you should ensure that the plants in your house are safe for hamsters. Plants or vegetables that have been sprayed with pesticides should not be given to hamsters since this can cause gastrointestinal problems. Teflon fumes and deodorant fumes are toxic to your furry pet so you should make sure that your pet does not inhale these fumes. Paint and household cleaners should also not be used close to your pet cage.

Dwarf Russian hamster make wonderful pets and they are fairly easy to care for you just have to follow a few simple instructions and make sure they have the proper food, housing and water at all times.

Author Resource: Written by Dawn Morris
For the most complete and up to date information on the care and raising of your pet dwarf hamsters. Go to www.friendlydwarfhamster.com

Understanding the Behavior of Gerbils

Gerbils are popular pets and can provide hours of fun as you watch their antics. Part of this comes from the fact that they are inquisitive creatures, almost to the point of being meddlesome. A new smell or object entering their cage will bring them out of their houses or tunnels. Often if there is a strange noise, a gerbil is more likely to come out of hiding for a look than cower in a safe place.

Gerbil by Mike Lawrence

Gerbils communicate via high-pitched squeaking sounds, often when they are playing or frightened. These are usually inaudible to humans, but very young or old gerbils tend to squeak louder.

Gerbils also communicate by many non-verbal signals. By looking for the use of body language you may be able to interpret what your pet is experiencing.

One common action is what looks like rubbing noses when they meet. This greeting action is actually a licking of each others mouths, as gerbils recognize each other by the taste of their saliva.

Another typical action is called 'drumming'. The gerbil stands up and quickly thumps the ground with its hind legs. This can be a warning signal to other members of the group when danger approaches, or a courting behavior between males and females. This 'drumming' is a learned action and you will sometimes find young gerbils imitating their parents when there is no danger around.

A gerbil that is excited will jump into the air with all four feet. Boxing movements of the front paws sometimes accompany this. These boxing movements are often playful, but sometimes can lead to something more serious. When gerbils fight they tend to box each other with their heads before starting to wrestle.

A gerbil will often sit upright. If it sniffs around while moving its head up and down, the animal is just being curious. However, if it stands in a frozen position with its paws folded as if praying, the gerbil is frightened.

If a gerbil rolls in front of another gerbil while turning its head and offering its throat, it is asking for a cleaning session. The other gerbil usually finds this an irresistible request and a thorough cleaning session ensues. If you see a gerbil thoroughly grooming itself it is a sign that they are relaxed and happy.

Although gerbils are very sociable creatures they can become irritated and want to be left alone. In this case a gerbil will push others away with its head. It will even push your hand away in this fashion.

An understanding of your pet gerbils' body language can add to your enjoyment of keeping these friendly creatures and help assure you of their well being.

About the Author: Written by Andi Wize
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Which Hamster Breed is the Most Popular?

I suppose it's only fair that the very first hamster to be formerly introduced, around 1930, the Syrian hamster has ascended to the throne of the most popular of all of the hamster breeds, out ranking both other standard hamsters and dwarf hamsters alike. They were originally used as laboratory test animals, primarily because of their friendly demeanor and propensity toward rapid reproduction. Luckily however, they eventually made their way out of the lab and into the pet shops, and we're all certainly happy with that transition.

Teddy Bear Hamster Posing Pretty by Alix Clinkingbeard

Contributing to their huge popularity is their easy handling qualities, which means that, unlike their dwarf hamster cousins, they are considered a great pet for children. They're the largest of the pet hamsters stretching out somewhere near 6 inches long with some females reaching a maximum length of 7 inches. The typical lifespan of the Syrian hamster is between 24 and 30 months with a few exceptions living as long as 48 months.

Probably best known as the Golden hamster or Fancy hamster, the Syrians show up in a mixture of colors and popular subspecies names. In the wild, the natural coloration of the Syrian is golden brown or "agouti", which means dark and light banded hairs. In their natural setting, the Syrians are solitary animals and quite territorial. And, they're no different in captivity, as they are extremely non-social towards other hamsters and can quickly engage in a fight to the death when caged together. They may get along with others when quite young, but by the age of 10 weeks, it's essential that they be caged separately.

The variety of colors, common to the captive bred Syrian hamster, serves as the foundation for the various names popularized by the lucrative pet shop market. The European Black Bear hamster, Honey Bear hamster, Panda Bear hamster, Teddy Bear hamster, Polar Bear hamster, Dalmatian hamster, and Black Bear hamster. Regardless of the name, it's important to remember that a Syrian is a Syrian. They are sociable to humans, but aggressive and deadly to each other, except when very young. So, no matter the color, the rules for safety still apply.

The Golden hamster is a nocturnal (nighttime) or to be more accurate, a Crepuscular (dusk and dawn) member of the rodent family. This means they spend most of the daylight hours snuggled up in their hideaways fast asleep. But, as the sun begins to decline behind the horizon, these little critters come alive and begin their ritualistic foraging and exercising. Out in the wild this is the safest time of the day for the hamster to be roaming about in search of food, as predators are most active either during the hours of daylight or the dead of night, leaving dusk and dawn as the least likely time to be discovered and devoured.

As you'll discover with most hamsters, the Syrian is relatively low maintenance. They clean themselves (no bath recommended or required), need a reasonably inexpensive cage and consume modest amounts of specialized hamster food and treats. Fresh fruits and vegetables supplement the diet and are served in moderation. The only required equipment is the water bottle with metal tube spout to provide an ever-ready supply of fresh water and the incredibly important, hamster wheel that facilitates the essential requirement for life sustaining physical fitness exercise.

Copyright 2010 Walter Tekman. All rights reserved. Please feel free to share the entire contents of this article with your friends or post it on your site as long as it is left intact with all links unchanged, including this notice.

Walter Tekman is a pet hamster enthusiast and author of The Best Ever Guide To Dwarf Hamsters available at http://www.careofhamsters.com/bestever.html. He spends much of his time advising others on how to setup and maintain the perfect hamster habitat, while selecting the best possible hamster as a pet. Go to http://www.careofhamsters.com/ for his complimentary 10-day free email mini-course.

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Guinea Pigs Are Great Pets For Children

It is good for a child to have pets. Rodents like hamsters and guinea pigs are usually the choices for a first pet. Before you decide to let your children have them as pets, you have to know how to care for them. You might want to know if guinea pigs are great pets for young children.

Sophie with a Guinea Pig by Ian Turk

They are very gentle and social animals and they seldom scratch or bite. You have to buy a pair so that your pets will not be lonely or suffer from depression. Parents should help the children care for the guinea pigs though, as they cannot care for their pets alone.

Keep them in a cage or hutch made from wire or other sturdy material. The cage can be taken indoors and placed inside the children's bedroom at night. Be sure to take them out during the day so that they can breathe fresh air. They also need to be groomed and fed. Always remind the children to feed their pets.

Guinea pigs eat dry grass and vegetables. These are their main diet. They should also be provided with fresh, clean water. During feeding time, you need to be there to guide the children in how to do it because they might have difficulties in carrying out the chore. Having a pet is a great responsibility and children need to share it with an adult.

Guinea pigs don't have the health problems that rabbits do. You just have to make their cages clean and change the bedding regularly as the guinea pigs will urinate and discharge of their waste inside the cage. To make sure that they are always healthy, clean the hutch at least once a week.

They can be kept in the child's bedroom as they are not nocturnal like hamsters so they will not keep your child awake at night. There are many types or breeds of guinea pigs, a short haired breed will make a better pet than a long haired one as they don't need much attention. Guinea pigs will make great pets for the children.

Author Resource:
Written by Danny Leighland
To save time, you can find a selection of pre-fabricated guinea pig hutches and cages that will not only save you money but time. Visit GuineaPigHutch.com.au to find the right guinea pig hutch for your pet.

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My First Guinea Pig: What Shall I Do?

Contemplating a first guinea pig? Concerned about what you need to know in those first few days? Don't worry; this article will give you the answers you need to know.

Your baby pigs need specialized care. You first and foremost need to make their areas safe. Start by considering a box rather than a cage as a location to adapt your baby. Boxes have no trapping like wire mesh, and are smooth so they do well for the first couple of weeks. Baby Pigs are not able to climb, so don't worry about them climbing out.

Guinea Pigs by photon y

The down side of course is that your new family member cannot see out. But their little heads and feet cannot get stuck in wall mesh and wire floors. Once you have your pet's home, talk softly and feed regularly. Watch your guinea pig squeal with joy shortly.

If the new pet is fearful, soft voice and trying not to hover over her will work wonders. Read below where you can obtain more interesting facts about creating a great home for your pig.

What to feed your guinea pig? This is a lot cheaper and easier. Start with some little bits of fresh veggies like cucumber, shavings of carrot and carrot greens. Add apples and other fruits, but not grapes. Hay is easy to buy at any pet store and is cheap and useful. Hay is a great vitamin C enhancement and they love the flavor.

Caging is very important. A cage with a solid bottom is usually preferable but not always available. Make sure the cage is large enough for a house (not too big) and room to run. You can find out more for free at our web site on caging and supplies. During the first few days, be gentle, slow and deliberate. Do not rush your guinea pig into liking you. Get to know him or her and then they will be cuddly and loving always to you.

Guinea pig babies are always welcome additions and wonderful loving creatures. However, they require careful handling in the first few days or they could become afraid and withdraw from humans.

Lastly, what will you name your guinea pig? We have a helping hand there. We have a data base of over 1000 names to be easily searched. We named our guinea pig Daisy because that is the favorite flower of my wife. What will you name your guinea pig? We hope you enjoy your first guinea pig as much as we did, once we knew what we were doing.

Author Resource: Jim and Gabe Balladis jointly wrote "My First Guinea Pig: The Ultimate Guide," See our story for our interesting story. We became guinea pig experts out of necessity. If you have a new guinea pig, and need some FREE practical advice, visit My First Guinea Pig . There you will find tons of helpful information, and free courses on guinea pig care.

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Hamsters - Fuzzy Balls Of Fun

As a child, most of us grew up with hamsters or friends who had hamsters. Even our children are fascinated with the small fuzzy creatures. There are many types of hamsters, dwarf, Syrian, Russian, Chinese, and hybrid. The hamster is a burrower so they prefer to have lots of bedding to hide under as well as tubes to create little nests in. The most difficult aspect of hamsters is telling if they are female or male and being wrong. Who has bought two hamsters thinking they were the same gender and ending up with ten hamsters? I certainly have.

Pocket Hamster by Jane Cockman

A lot of biologists and geneticists use hamsters and other rodents to show genetic possibilities. In genetics, we often discuss the genome and how genes are dispersed in relation to eye color, hair color, and other traits. When you have hamsters as pets you are seeing this first hand. I had one gold hamster and one white hamster. When they bred I ended up with several color traits from gold, white, black, white and black to many more. Half the fun for kids is seeing the baby hamsters grow up with different colors. It can be a great science project for school as well as having a wonderful pet.

Hamsters are relatively easy to take care of. You can feed them hamster food, vegetables, and little hamster treats to give them a good life. The bedding should be changed weekly or twice a week depending upon how many hamsters you have. The downside to hamsters is their short lives. Most live only a year or two making it difficult on the younger children.

There are lots of hamster accessories from tubes to wheels. Hamsters like other pets need to have exercise so giving them wheels to run on or having a hamster ball to run around the house in is good for them. The tubing and cages come in a variety of colors to add to a child’s fun. You can create straight pathways to other larger home areas or curve them around to reenter the same cage. Most of the caging is plastic and your hamster will try to chew or claw there way free. You will want to monitor their activity when you clean the cage to make sure they are not producing a hole. Some hamster owners go with a metal wire cage with tiny slits to avoid the chewing escape. Your preference will determine the type of accessories you purchase.

Handling hamsters should be kept to a minimum and you should always wash your hand before and after. Hamsters can have a tendency to bite if they are not handled at least once a day or if they become scared. Be cautious with little children.

Hamsters are a lot of fun for all ages whether you have a budding scientist or just want an easy pet your child can care for. You will want to make sure you feed your hamster properly by not over feeding them while maintaining proper exercise. When your hamsters procreate, you will want to separate out the mother and children from the rest of the crew. A cautionary note before concluding this article: Dwarf hamsters are very susceptible to infections with cedar chips because it can tear holes in their tiny mouths.

Author Resource: Written by David Peterson
For more information on Hamsters, visit Jinga's Pet Article World.

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Hamster Care - How to Assure Good Hamster Health

Hamster by cdrussorusso

Hamsters are adorable, small creatures which create a smile on the face of nearly everyone who sees or owns one. They are in fact one of the original "pocket pets" and there are very few people who have not owned one or wanted one.

Dwarf hamster care is relatively easy, but there are a few things that are necessary in order to assure that they are healthy and well-nourished.

Your dwarf hamster needs adequate room in his or her cage. They need room to spread out, to exercise and to move around. A cage with one room will suffice unless you're breeding hamsters, in which case you really need to give the mom hamster somewhere to hide.

Keeping your cage clean is imperative. At least twice a week you will need to change the bedding and nesting materials in order to assure that your hamster stays healthy and your cage stays odor free.

Hamsters are gnawing animals. They are a member of the rodent family. One thing that is very uncommon about hamsters is that they need to chew, very literally, in order to stay healthy. Provide them with chew sticks or tough wood that can grind their teeth down to size. They will grow continuously over their lifespan and if you don't provide a way to grind them off, the teeth of your hamster can actually grow down through their lip and cause severe problems for the hamster.

The hamster normally lives in desert conditions. This means that they sleep most of the day and will be awake most of the night time. They like warmer climates and really depend on their warmth. Keeping your hamster in a cage that is too close to a cooling area or an air conditioning vent may result in a cold for your hamster that they won't recover from.

Photo Credit: cdrussorusso

Hamsters normally live in burrows when they are in the wild. This means that you need to give your hamster some cover area in order to permit them to feel safe when they are sleeping. Add some extra bedding materials in order that they can cover themselves up and get beneath the bedding.

Feed your hamster a good diet of hamster food that is rated for small rodents. Typically you can supplement it with vegetables and other items but pay attention to anything that may cause a loose stool in your hamster. When hamsters have loose stools it can cause great problems because they dehydrate very rapidly being so small.

Keep an ample supply of fresh water for your hamster and don't use a bowl to supply it. You need to use a hanging water bottle in order to assure that the bowl doesn't tip and wet your small friend.

If you pay attention to what your hamster is telling you and watch to be sure that you are offering him a healthy clean environment in which to live, your hamster will live to a ripe old age of about 2 to 3 years and you will have provided great dwarf hamster care.

About the Author
Written by Robert Sands
These are just a few tips but if you want to learn more about what is proper hamster care then you need to Click the blue link to learn more about dwarf hamster care. If you want the healthiest, happiest, and best behaved little Hamster around then click the blue link hamster pets info
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Gerbils - The Best Pet Option for Young Children

If you have young children under foot begging for a puppy, you're likely concerned that even after they've promised to feed it, walk it, and clean up after it, you'll in fact be the one taking care of the poor creature. Then you'll have a furry child to add to your brood.

Schimmel Gerbil Trio by Ben McKune

As a dog person - allergic though I am - I'm an advocate of children growing up with one (maybe even 2) but that said they are a lot of work, and where younger kids are concerned they may not be the best option. As kids get older and can appreciate that a dog or cat requires a lot of care and work, and is in fact a member of the family once adopted, this idea may be more appealing. However, if your tiny loved ones are just that, tiny, but you still want them to have a pet to love and learn to care for (with your guidance of course), let me make a case for gerbils. But before I do, let's run through a few other pet options that may seem appealing but may not be as suitable for a host of reasons.

Other small animals and their drawbacks

I suppose before I assume your little critters will want one of the furry and cuddly variety, I should address the cold-blooded sort. Personally I like snakes and lizards well enough, but I wouldn't necessarily want one living in my house. Also, young children are very tactile and many of these creatures need to be handled carefully or don't necessarily like to be handled at all. Beyond that, their set-up can be expensive and difficult to maintain. As reptiles can't regulate their own body temperatures it is crucial that their domiciles are maintained at a certain constant temperature. Their diets can also be tricky. For these reasons it is very easy for them to fall ill if not watched closely for signs of distress.

Now onto our fluffy friends. Bunnies are some of the cutest animals around but experts will tell you that they are not good pets for young children. They are prone to biting, even with a lot of gentle handling and "training" to get them used to being pet and cuddled. Of even greater concern is the fact that they are a lot more fragile than they look. Rabbits have very delicate bones and even older children and adults need to be conscious of how they pick them up, handle them, and replace them to their homes. They also need a lot of care, and can be a lot of work to clean up after to keep their cages neat and odor-free.

Guinea pigs have a lot of the same pitfalls as bunnies. Though they actually need a lot of love and attention which may seem like a match made in heaven for kids who want nothing more than to bestow hugs and kisses upon them, it's a lot more work than one would think. If you have one guinea pig, you must spend at least a couple of hours a day taking it out of its home and playing with it. If you have two (highly recommended as they are very social and get lonely), they still need to be taken out of their cage at least once a day for an hour or more for play time. They also require a lot of different toys to play with and places to hide and explore to keep them happy and healthy. Once again diet is crucial and clean-up can be a job unto itself. The benefits are well worth it - ask any guinea pig lover - but that's a lot of work for anyone.

Rats (if they don't creep you out) are very social but the downside once again is that they require a lot of attention and care. Mice are great but they are lightning-fast, pee a lot, and need a lot of things to climb and play on to be happy. They are a great option though, as they are easy to care for in terms of diet, don't require a lot of attention from you if they are kept in pairs or groups, and don't require a large cage. And, the more you give them to play with, the more entertaining they become. I would definitely rank them in the number two spot.

Hamsters, though one of the cutest little critters around, aren't all that easy to take care of. Diet is simple, and again they don't require a large cage (though with any animal the more space you can give it, the happier it will be). They do however need to be trained to be held without freaking out or biting, they are fragile, and they pee a lot too which means their bedding needs to be changed regularly. There are also different types of hamsters and each type has different requirements to be healthy and happy. Some can and should be housed in multiples, others need to be solitary, like Teddy Bear hamsters. And though this should be intuitive and applies to any pets you may have, don't house both sexes together or you will end up with more pets than you bargained for. Hamsters (any type) would be better for a slightly older child with a little more patience.

What's For Dinner? by hinayana

Gerbils really are a great option

We now come to gerbils. They should be housed in groups of at least two or more females to keep them happy as they are very social little munchkins. They are fast but they won't bite and they can be trained easily to get used to being held. They don't seem to mind too much if a child comes along, startles them, and scoops them up without warning. The only time a gerbil has even so much as nibbled on my finger was when I forgot to wash my hands after making a peanut butter-and-jam sandwich - who could blame the little guy?

Gerbils are desert creatures which means they drink less water than other furry animals and thus they pee far less. This means their bedding stays cleaner longer and they should never have a smelly cage for you to deal with. They also love to dig and burrow but introduce a wheel into their environment and once they figure it out it will be their new favorite toy!

Their diet is simple (you can buy a two-kilo bag of gerbil food at your nearest Walmart for $4.00 and it will last two gerbils quite a while) and so is their home set-up. The only thing I recommend you don't do is buy one of those Habitrail hard-plastic homes for them. They love to chew and will make cracks in the plastic eventually, but this doesn't mean they are difficult to house. You may like the look of the store-bought sanctuary but trust me, they don't care. All they want to do all day is burrow and run on their wheel, and maybe box a little - this is typical of gerbils, especially sisters like the gerbils I have, Lola and Yvette. They may squeak and fight but so long as they cuddle up together at bedtime, you know they're fine.

I bought my little duo the biggest Rubbermaid container I could find, filled it with recycled cardboard bedding (also available at Walmart and pet stores of course) - as wood chip bedding is not safe or healthy for any animal as it can cause respiratory issues - a wheel, a $5 wooden hut, food, and a water bottle and they're in hog heaven. They live an average of one to 3 years and mine have already passed the 3-year mark!

A reminder - lots of space is key to your new pet's welfare

As an animal lover I am a huge advocate of making sure you do all of your research before adopting a pet of any kind. This is essential to ensure that everything from their bedding to their food and home set-up is appropriate and of the highest quality.

Another crucial issue is space. Commercial cages aren't that big and pet store "experts" will be only too happy to direct you to a cage with all of the bells and whistles and convince you that this will keep your new pet happy, but this is not the case. Again, if you do your research you will find that commercial cages are made to be big enough to house the appropriate animals and give them room to move around a bit, but that doesn't mean they're adequate by any stretch of the imagination.

Imagine if someone had you in a cage for almost twenty-four hours a day. The issue is that manufacturers need to make cages that are easy to ship, can be easily stacked once they reach the pet store, and can be sold at an outrageous mark-up for what is little more than heavy wire and/or plastic. Down the road when the kids are older and you decide you may want to graduate to one of the animals I have mentioned, have a look online for easy and inexpensive DIY pet homes. It if often more fun to design and create your own habitat and this way your pet will have all the room it needs and then some. This will be evident in its behaviour and you'll all reap the benefits of a happy, healthy, and playful new addition to your family.

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Written by Ardra Taylor

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