Hamsters and Gerbils

Pet Advice

follow this blog subscribe by email

46 followers

1104 daily readers

rank of 47

Stats, Links, & Widgets

Cheap Pet Supplies, Care Books, Etc.

Pet Advice

Google Privacy Policy

Site Information

[ more ]

Pet Tips and Information

Laws & Regulations

Pet Names

Pet Stains

Pet Tips

Pets & Kids

Veterinary Care

[ more ]

Pets

Amphibian

Arachnids

Birds

Cats

Chinchillas and Degus

Dogs

Ferrets

Fish

Guinea Pigs

[ Not ] Hamsters and Gerbils

Hedgehogs

Insects

Livestock

Monkeys

Pot Bellied Pigs

Rabbits

Rats

Reptiles

Skunks

Sugar Glider

[ more ]

Pictures and Videos of Pets

[ And ] Pictures

Videos

[ more ]

Wildlife

In Captivity

In The Wild

[ more ]

Hamsters and Gerbils - Pet Advice

Next Page (11-20)

Hamster Having Breathing Problems

March 10th 2010 15:17

If your hamster is having breathing problems, especially persistent problems, then you want to see a veterinarian for diagnosis. Respiratory conditions can sometimes heal on their own, but in some cases, you want to have the symptoms treated before they become more severe. For example, like people, hamsters can get over a cold on their own, but if that common cold worsens, people need antibiotics, so will your hamster.

Common breathing problems generally include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and labored breathing. A sneeze once in a while usually won't be a concern, but persistent sneezing could be a sign of an allergy, cold, respiratory infection, or even pneumonia.

You want to be especially cautious if your hamster is also showing signs of lethargy, lack of appetite, a matted/ unkept coat, and/or struggling to breath (stretching out and gasping for air). You don't want the illness to progress until it develops into something more severe.

A veterinarian can give you a full diagnosis and treatment. Treatment will probably consist of an antibiotic. If the breathing problems are caused by an allergen, you'll want to figure out what is causing the allergic reaction so that you can remove it.

If you think that your hamster is sick, don't risk his health any further. Locate a veterinarian that is familiar with small animals.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils

Email this Post to a Friend

Common Hamster Illnesses

March 6th 2010 15:04

Hamsters are usually pretty hardy pets, but they, like any other animal, can get sick. In a lot of cases, the health of the animal will depend on how you care for it. With proper care, diet, and caging, your hamster can live a full and healthy life.

Dirty cages, unbalanced diet, leaking water bottles, stress, a drafty environment, other hamsters, other pets, and other factors can all lead to health problems.

Common health problems in hamsters can include:
* Abscess
* Allergies
* Broken bones
* Common cold
* Diarrhea
* Fungal infections (Ringworm)
* Upper respiratory infection
* Wet tail

Common Hamster Illnesses

If you think that your hamster may be sick, you should really consult a veterinarian. Hamsters generally don't show signs of illness until the illness is a little more progressed, so it is very important that you seek veterinary assistance. Some illnesses can easily develop into more severe illnesses. For example a common cold or even an upper respiratory infection can develop into pneumonia if not treated.

It is important that you keep a close eye on your hamster if you change anything in or around the cage so that you can spot signs of a reaction or stress right away.

There are some illnesses, though, that a vet may not be able to treat or willing to. Depending on the severity of the illness and the symptoms that your hamster is having, your vet may find that the hamster is already stressed and may not recover through treatment. For example, if you notice a lump on your 2 year old hamster, your vet may feel that removal is not an option because the hamster is already very old.

Let your veterinarian make the call. If your hamster is sick, take him to the vet if the symptoms persist.

Common signs of illness in hamsters include:
* Curled position
* Diarrhea
* Discharge from eyes and/or nose
* Fatigue
* Hunched back
* Labored breathing
* Lack of appetite
* Lethargy
* Lump
* Matted or unkept coat
* Shivering
* Sneezing
* Weight loss
* Wheezing

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils

Email this Post to a Friend

Is a Hamster Right for You?

September 6th 2009 00:12

Hamsters are not the right pet for everyone. You'll find that it takes time to tame them, and without proper socialization, hamsters can be very nippy. But, even with all that hamsters can be good pets if you're ready to take the responsibility to caring for them and for working with them to make them great family pets.

I know a family, who always had hamsters. They had one at a time, and would all watch TV together with the hamster. Whenever the hamster got out of his cage (because they are escape artists), the hamster would always go to the TV wanting attention from them, no matter what time of day or night it was.

When thinking about getting a pet hamster, consider the temperament and personality of the three main types of hamsters.

Syrian hamsters- Most common pet hamster. Always house one Syrian hamster in a cage at a time because they will fight if kept together. Over time, they can be tame, easy to handle, and friendly.

Dwarf hamsters- (Campbell's Winter White Russian, and Roborovski hamsters) are more social and better kept in pairs of the same species. If going to be housed in pairs, it's best to introduce them at a young age, and keep them in same sex pairs.

Chinese hamsters- These are not true dwards. They can be very friendly, but are also very quick and agile.

NEVER keep different species of hamsters in the same cage.

Consider whether or not you can handle that they just don't live forever. You'll find on average hamsters live 1-3 years. Check out the average lifespan to hamsters below.

Average Life Span
Syrian Hamster: 2-3 years
Dwarf Campbells Russian Hamster: 1.5 - 2 years
Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster: 1.5 - 2 years
Roborovski Hamster: 3 - 3.5 years
Chinese Hamsters: 2.5 - 3 years

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils

Email this Post to a Friend

Bathing Syrian Hamsters

February 28th 2009 20:37

Hamsters can be great pets, but at times they may become a little dirty or smelly. I mean, so would you if you lived in a small cage. Well, if you notice that your hamster is getting a little dirty, you want to be careful of how you groom him. You don't want to throw him in the sink with warm water and shampoo; that really is the last thing that you want to do, because for the most part a hamster will groom and clean himself as needed, although there are a few things that you can do to help him.

When grooming a hamster, you want to first check out the hamster's skin and fur for mats and skin abrasions. If you have a long hair hamster, you can use a fine toothed comb to brush out and bedding or wood shavings. Regular combing will keep mats out of your hamsters fur, which can potentially become painful as he mats begin to pull on the skin.

You can use a soft, damp washcloth to go over any dirty areas such as around the butt. You want to make sure that he washcloth is warm but not too hot. You don't want to scrub or soak the hamster because you will remove the essential oils in the hamster's skin and coat, so it's best to just stick with the warm washcloth.

It's good to keep the hamster's cage cleaned on a regular basis. You also want to make sure that you regularly check out your hamster's skin and coat so that you can watch for any signs of illness or potential concern.

You may want to add a small bowl of sand or chinchilla dust to your hamster's cage so that your hamster can roll in the sand in order to remove any excess oils from the fur. A small sand dish is actually great for dwarf hamsters.

If you notice that your hamster constantly has a dirty tail or butt, you'll want to consult a vet so that you can have the hamster properly examined to make sure that the hamster doesn't have wet-tail, which can be fatal.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils

Email this Post to a Friend

General Hamster Behaviors

February 26th 2009 19:23

Hamsters are probably one of the more popular small pets that parents buy children. They are small and typically take up minimal room when compared to guinea pigs, rabbits, and other small animal pets. Now, personally, I don't think that hamsters are the best pet for younger children, but with care and socialization, they can make pretty good pets.

As for basic behaviors of hamsters, you'll find that the main behaviors will be pretty similar amongst the different hamsters- Syrian, Chinese, Russian, etc., but generally, you will find that there are also specific behaviors for the different the different hamsters. For example, you will find that Syrian hamsters should not be housed in pairs or small groups after the age of about 6 to 8 weeks because they can be come very territorial over their space, whereas many of the dwarf hamster species are live better in pairs.

As for the general hamster behaviors that your hamster, you may see the following behaviors in your hamster.

Food Storage
You may notice that your hamster has enlarged cheeks. Well, this is for a reason. Hamsters use their cheeks to store food so that they can easily carry the food to their nesting area. You may even notice that your hamster may hoard a small or large collection of food in a corner of the cage.

When cleaning your hamster's cage, you will want to leave a small hoard of food because if your remove the entire collection, you will thoroughly confuse your hamster, so to reduce the stress level, it's a good idea to leave at least a little of the food in the hiding spot. You will want to make sure to remove any perishables, such as any fresh vegetables that you may give your hamster, as well as any food that may have spoiled, in order to minimize mold in the cage.

Wheel Usage
Another common behavior, that may even become a problem depending on where your hamster's cage is and what kind of wheel is in the cage, is the excessive wheel usage. There are many wheels that squeak and even more that are just a pain to clean, but your hamster will use his wheel!

There really isn't a 100 percent reason as to why hamsters run on the wheel so much, but it is definitely a common trait among most hamsters.

You may find that if you have a larger cage, your hamster may not use the wheel as frequently than if you are using a small cage. Some people believe that hamsters use their wheel for enrichment, so the more tubes and tunnels that you provide, you hamster may be more physically engaged than if the tubes weren't there, which means potentially less wheel use.

Grooming
Hamsters will generally groom themselves when they are happy and feel secure, so if your hamster starts to groom himself while in your hands, that means that he is secure with you.

Yawning and Stretching
Now, this may be a sign of plain being tired, but when your hamster stretches and yawns, it also means that he is happy and comfortable.

Listening
Although, you may not believe it, but your hamster will listen to his surroundings. You know that your hamster is listening when he stands on his hind legs with his ears standing straight up. Basically, something in the are has caught your hamsters attention, and he's trying to figure out what it is.

Scent Marking
Hamsters will mark their territory using the scent glands that they have. Typically, the scent glands are in the middle of the body on the stomach area or even on the hip. Your hamster is marking his territory when he is rubbing his flanks on an object.

Squeaking
There are different noises that your hamster may make, but the more common one is probably going to be squeaking. Typically if your hamster squeaks really loud or in repetition, he is agitated by something. It may even mean that he just wants some attention. By carefully listening to your hamster, you will soon be able to figure out what squeaks mean what.

You will notice that with dwarf hamsters, they may squeak when playing and fighting, so you will want to make sure that you can figure out the difference between a playful squeak and a hurt squeak.

Hissing
Hissing is another noise that your hamster may make. Typically if you hear your hamster hissing, it will mean that he is upset, frightened, or startled. Usually, the hamster will hiss in a crouching position with his mouth open, teeth showing, and front paws raised. If your hamster does this, you'll want to leave him be to calm down.

Teeth Grinding
If you hamster grinds his teeth, it means that he wants you to leave him alone. If you continue to pester and try to handle him, you just may get bitten.

Biting Cage Bars
This is a behavior that my hamsters always did. Well, when biting and playing tug of war with the cage bars, your hamster is trying to get your attention. You may notice the behavior more at night or in the early morning when your hamster is more awake.

If you want the hamster to stop, it can be a good idea to get a hamster ball and let him run around the room to exercise the excess energy. Sometimes if you throw a new chew toy into the cage, giving the hamster something to gnaw on, will help the cage biting.

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils

Email this Post to a Friend

Pictures of Gerbils

October 4th 2008 17:03

Gerbils are often a very popular pet among small kids. The only good thing about them is that they are social in the sense of you can have more than one in a cage, unlike hamsters. But, gerbils can still be nippy and really aren't the best choice of pet for younger kid. That still doesn't stop parents from buying them though.

The one downfall that I see with many parents allowing their kids to get a gerbil is the tail. For so many people, the gerbil's tail reminds them of a rat, which is funny because gerbils and pet rats have completely different personalities

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils, Pictures

Email this Post to a Friend

More Pictures of Cute Hamsters and Hamster Cages

June 25th 2008 14:24

So, I have found even more cute pictures that what I posted in my blog post "Cute Pictures of Hamsters." Plus I've added two cage ideas near the bottom, so that if you need help trying to design or redesign your hamster's cage, you can check out on version of an aquarium style cage and one example of a plastic cage with extension options.

Remember that with the aquarium style, you want to be weary of ammonia buildup, as the hamster spends most of his time in the cage, and the aquarium doesn't allow for too much ventilation even though there's a wire screen top (that you need to have on at all times as hamsters are escape artists). So if you opt for an aquarium style, you'll want to make sure that you keep it cleaned

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils, Pictures

Email this Post to a Friend

Pictures of Dwarf Hamsters

May 29th 2008 14:26

There are different species of dwarf hamsters; the most common being Campbell's Dwarf Hamsters, Chinese Dwarf Hamsters, Roborovski's Dwarf Hamsters, and Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamsters.

Unlike Syrian hamsters, you can typically house more than one dwarf hamster in the same cage; just make sure that you have ample room for the hamsters to be able to get away from each other if need be. Remember that it's best to keep same sex pairs, and to watch out for bullying amongst males. If you want to house 2 males, it's best to get brothers, as by introducing male hamsters at different times, you may run into territoriality and bullying

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (10)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils, Pictures

Email this Post to a Friend

Cute Pictures of Hamsters

May 21st 2008 14:02

Ok, so this one isn't so much advice and tips, but just fun and cute pictures of Syrian Hamsters, also known as the Teddy Bear Hamster. A little background is that no matter what color pattern or price you pay for your "fancy" hamster, it's nothing more than a regular Teddy Bear Hamster.

Syrian hamsters come in a variety of colors and color patterns. Some of the common color patterns include panda bear, tortishell, black bear, albino, cinnamon, calico, cream banded, cream, rex, gray, Dalmatian, and golden hamster (the typical coloration of most Syrian hamsters

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (4)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils, Pictures

Email this Post to a Friend

Hamster Health Concerns - Is My Hamster Sick

May 7th 2008 15:03

Hamsters are probably one of the most commonly kept small mammal pet. They're small and cute, and usually the top pick for kids. Granted, it wouldn't be my top child's pet, but it usually is. Parents love them because they're small and take up just a small bit of space. Children love them because their cute and furry.

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Whitney - Category: Hamsters and Gerbils

Email this Post to a Friend