Rodent - Hamsters - Things You Should Know

These small rodents can be found in the wild in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, China and Siberia. All the Golden hamsters in captivity in Britain are said to be descended from one male and two females imported from Syria in 1931. A wide variety of coat colours are available and long-haired varieties and a number of different species becoming more common. For example, the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) and the Russian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) as well as the common Golden or Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

The hamster, has simple housing needs and is relatively odourless (if cleaned regularly) but it is predominantly nocturnal. These animals have to be kept alone as they fight when housed together and can inflict a considerable bite to a human who picks them up in an incorrect manner. Sadness may result from their short lifespan - the larger species live an average of 18-24 months, while smaller species have a shorter lifespan.

What type of housing should I provide my hamster?

A captive environment needs to offer space and exercise facility plus privacy and warmth. Cages should be escape-proof and gnaw-resistant and plastic or polypropylene cages are excellent. Metal cages are less warm and comfortable while wooden cages are not gnaw-proof and are difficult to sterilise.

Hamsters need plenty of bedding which absorbs moisture. Thick layers of paper (including newspaper are ideal. Shavings may contain aromatic compounds that may be directly irritant or may react with urine. Cotton wool should be avoided as it can cause severe constipation (if ingested) and any strands of material, artificial or natural, can wind around legs causing restricted blood flow.

How should I pick up my hamster?

Hamsters are best picked up by encouraging them to walk into cupped hands. Startling them will result in a bite which is more the fault of the handler than the handled! Remember when holding by the scruff that they have large cheek pouches and a lot of loose skin so can still turn!

What do hamsters eat?

Hamsters should be fed predominantly on commercial rodent mixes. Too often owners give too much vegetable matter and high-energy sunflower seeds. Remember that these animals are used to a fairly dry environment without many green vegetables in their diet. Using supplementation with seeds, grains, fruit and greens is useful but should not be given in excess resulting in an unbalanced diet. Water should be given freely.

What are the common problems that hamsters suffer from?

Wet tail

The most common problem in hamsters is 'wet tail' (proliferative ileitis or transmissible ileal hyperplasia). The causes are unclear and various bacteria can be isolated from animals with the disease, which can be transmitted by direct contact. However there are probably a host of factors which predispose to the condition, most of which may be linked to stress (eg overcrowding, new home, etc) The small intestine in these cases is thickened, which may cause the signs, resulting in death in the early stages of the disease but also just when the animal seems to be recovering. Treatment should be started as soon as possible and should include antibiotics and fluid therapy (by mouth and by injection).

In older female hamsters wet tail must be distinguished from womb infections where pus may be emitted from the vulva thus looking like wet tail.

Parasites

In hamsters a gut parasite (Hymenolepis nana) may be a significant problem and can lead to intestinal obstruction. It can be treated by your veterinary surgeon, as can pinworms, although many consider these not to be a clinical problem in hamsters.

Pneumonia

In hamsters, as with other rodents, respiratory disease is common and can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Because hamsters are kept singly by most owners the sort of respiratory problems seen in big colonies of mice and rats are less likely to occur.

Skin problems

Itchiness is frequently caused by mange (a mite infestation). Again, this may be associated with stress and changes in husbandry. In older hamsters hairloss may be caused by another mite (demodex) or by internal tumours (especially adrenal or brain tumours). Ringworm is an occasional problem and may be transmissible to people.