Help! Hamster questions!?

Question

What are some good tips on owning a hamster? Do they smell? Do they make noise? How much bedding should i put in the bottom of the cage? How often do they get sick? On average, how long do they live? Do males live longer? Do they bite? How often should i clean its cage?

Please answer as many questions of these you can. Im getting a hamster and have no experience! Please help!

Answer 1

1) hamsters dont smell, its the cage that smells

2)yes, they will make noise on their wheel at night sometimes if it isnt silent( put vegtable oil on the axle for it to stop squeaking) sometimes hamsters do squeal

3)1-2 inches, so they can bury things

4)if u treat the hamster right, and care for it properly, it shouldnt get sick. a very serious sickness is wet tail

5)1- years depending on what type of hamster it is

6) no, it depends on if it is a dwarf hamster which lives for about 1-2 years or a syrian hamster which lives for 2-3 years.

7)they will bite if they are startled, teased etc.

8)clean the cage on average every weak

NO syrian hamsters are solitary and HAVE to be housed alone.

hope i helped!!

Answer 2

Ah, owning a hamster is a responsibility. 1.) The hamsters themselves don't really smell, but if you don't clean their cage, it can start to smell bad. 2.) I wouldn't recommend putting a hamster in your bedroom since they are nocturnal and will start running on their treadmill which can be noisy. Try putting the cage where the noise won't disturb your sleep or anyone else. 3) Put about 2-3 inches in the cage. that should suffice. 4) Hamsters don't really get sick often but there are reasons that hamsters do get sick

Living Conditions, temperatures(like humans, hamsters can get colds if it's too cold also they can get heat stroke easily), A hamster can get sick if there's not enough food or water, stress and etc. 5) A Hamster's lifespan can last about 2-4 years depending on species. 6) I'm sure they both have the same lifespan. 7) Yes they do bite but when they are startled or stressed. 8) Clean the cage every week.

9) No, don't put 2 female Syrian in the same cage. Syrians are solitary hamsters and they are known to fight aggressively. If you want two of them, you have to get separate cages for them otherwise they will end up killing each other.

One thing, make sure you spend time with your hamster. The more you play and spend time with it, the more tame it will be. You can do this handling the hamster, although expect it to bite. But don't worry because one your hamster is tame enough, it won't bite you

Answer 3

1. Bond with them. Sit in a room with nothing in it like an empty bedroom or an enclosed shower or bathtub and just let them crawl around on you to get to know your smell and stuff. It would probably help with any biting issues you might encounter, too!

2. They can if you don't clean their cage regularly. They p**p and pee just like everything else.

3. They make noise at night. They sleep during the day and do all of their activities at night. If you have a hamster wheel that will be going at night. If they feel like burrowing in their bedding they will do that at night. Etc Etc.

4. About... oh... half an inch? a little more then enough to cover the bottom evenly. If your hamster doesnt like like it dont worry... he will move it!

5. My hamster didn't get sick ever... just died when my mom forced me to put the cage on the back porch (I live in southern Florida) but any kind of rodents are liable to get what is called wet tail. They get a kind of diarrhea on the butt and will most likely die if not treated immediately upon seeing symptoms. But dont worry, "treatment" usually involves putting a few drops in their water bowl. They just usually cant be held during this time. (Not that you would want to... they've got p**p on their butt)

6. I don't know how long they live my guess is anywhere between 2-4 years max... but I honestly don't know.

7. Um... I wouldnt think so...

8. They can. I guess some are just biters and some arent, though. Sometimes they bite as warnings, too... like saying "I dont like that". Mine bit me once and never again.

9. I would suggest once a week, or if the smell gets too bad more often. I wouldnt see any reason to do it more than once a week, though.

I found this website that might help you...

http://www.hamster-heaven.com/faq.html

Good Luck!