I need help on how to care for my hamster?

Question

Ok, so I've got like a MILLION questions about hamsters!!!

I've previously had a Hamster... and just found out that I was practically killing my poor little guy, by using Cedar shaving, a Plastic hide-out and a bowl of water.

So, my questions are:

1. What should I name it? Boy and Girls names are ok. I was thinking Juno, but I'm not sure! :)

2. I have an Aquarium tank for my hamster, and I've been giving them water in a bowl, because I have a tank, I can't attach a water bottle to the cage. Are bowls ok?

3. How often should I clean its cage?

4. Will Hamsters choke on Carefresh?

5. Was it hard to train your Hamsters to use litter box?

6. And my last question is, if you used Chinchilla sand to clean your hamsters fur, did It work? Could you see a visible difference?

THANK YOU SOO MUCH!

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!

:)

Answer 1

you can still give it a water bottle. buy a water bottle protector and it will have a thing where you can attach it to your tank.

you should clean its cage out once a week.

the best bedding is aspen.. but i dont think carefresh will choke them.

i hope i helped.

Answer 2

If you email me with all your questions, I can sit and answer all of them.

[e-mail]

I'm a forum moderator on hamsterific.com so I consider myself knowledgable on hamsters. lol.

Answer 3

sorry i only know a few answers. the first one is that you should clean its cage once a week. you should get a cage for your little dude. its not okay to give your hampster water in a bowl because if the hampster falls or sits in the water he/she is going to get wet tail which kills hampsters. you dont train a hampster to use a litter box well you can but its actualy hard.and you shouldnt bath you hampster they do that themselves.    

Answer 4

I can answer most of your questions, so if I don't answer one it's because I don't know the answer to it.

1.Juno sounds fine, but I'll give you 2 suggestions anyways, Tina, this is a girl name, and Nibbles, this is a boy name.

2.Yes, bowls are fine to use on your hamster.

3.Once or twice a week is a healthy routine for your hamster

4. I don't know what carefresh is, but if you e-mail me a picture of it, I'm sure I can answer that question.

5.Again, never did it, I just let my hamster go where he pleases! But, here's a link to directions to doing so: http://www.ehow.com/how_2074136_potty-tr...

6.I've never done that, but here is another link that will hopefully help: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Hope I helped and good luck!

-Pumpkin ;)

Answer 5

Answers on their way -

1. Juno sounds cute to me, it would be a good name.

2. You can use suction caps to fix the water bottle to the tank. Check the below link -

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/...

Water dishes can be used but can be a bit messy since the hamster always puts the bedding in it or sits on the dish and wets its fur.

3.Normally cleaning the cage once a week is fine if you are using good bedding like carefresh since it absorbs the smell of urine and is very comfortable for the hamsters. This cleaning must be an elaborate cleaning including washing the whole cage and all components like tunnels, food dishes, water bottles, wheels etc with soapy water and a mild disinfectant and drying them thoroughly before laying out fresh bedding and putting the hamster back in.

4. Carefresh is the best bedding for hamsters, never heard of them choking on this bedding

5. Yes, it is a bit hard. Some hamsters take to it easily while others take some time. The trick is in finding which corner of the cage the hamster is using for its litter and put the box there.

6. The idea of chinchilla sand is for the hamster to have some fun along with cleaning the fur. If your hamster has greasy fur, a roll on the sand would definitely give a visible difference to the hamster's fur

Answer 6

1. when i name a hamster i take gender, variety, color, and temperament into consideration

2. water bowls are not ok. they will quickly become soiled and unhealthy. either get a water bottle that attaches to aquariums or get a wire cage, which are better anyway.

3. clean the cage once a week.

4. probably not

5. never did

6. hamsters are very clean and do not need any kind of bath.

Answer 7

1. Shari, Buddy

2. Bowls actually make it a little hard for them to drink. Seeing as though when they eat, the usually have support from the food in the bowl and are able to sit on the bowl. Hamsters don't exactly like getting wet. It is best the drink out of a water bottle, but i think that if you somehow mount it to the side of the tank, it will support the bowl from tipping over.

3. It depends on how much bedding you put and how often your hamster uses the bathroom. There will come a time when you absolutely have to clean it due to it looking messy and such, but a good amount for a regular sized hamster would be like once a week or every 2 weeks.

4. I am not sure about this for I have never used or seen that brand. I always use the same bedding every time, except now for a particular reason.

5. Well, you can't exactly train a hamster to use the bathroom when you want it. The point of covering your cage with bedding is so wherever your hamster walks, perfect place to use the bathroom: ANYWHERE!!!

6. I am pretty sure that if you use chinchilla sand, there is a distinction between your hamsters fur before and after, but I believe that you should use it for cleaning problems like if your hamster doesn't groom his/ her fur.

hope this helps. I am honestly saying that I wasn't sure about questions 2 or six. It is an educated guess. Good luck!

Answer 8

Hope these help!

1. Eek and Meek (I had a pair of russian dwarf hamsters), Trixie, Bob, Freddy, Mimi, Sumo... really whatever you want!

2. I've used aquarium tanks before and you can find holders for water bottles that hang over the side. Just make sure you have a lid so they don't use the water bottle to climb up and escape!

3. Once a week is fine for most hamsters.

4. No, they shouldn't choke on it.

5. I'm not sure what you mean about a litter box for a hamster. Most hamsters choose a spot in their cage (like a specific corner) to use as a toilet.

6. They don't need chinchilla sand as they clean themselves often on their own, but if you do want to use it give them some in a small bowl and allow them to use it when they want. Make sure to replace the sand when you clean their cage. Also make sure to get SAND and not dust.

You may want to consider investing in a book on hamster care as well.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I think Juno is a lovely name would suit a hammy perfectly!!

You can buy water bottles that attach from the roof of the tank i use this for my gerbils,They have a hoop at the top of the bottle that the wire gos through,then you thread i through the wire! You should be able to get these from most good petshops.

As bowls are not really best as they get poohs in them..

The cage should be cleaned at least once a week preferly twice a week.

No your hamster shouldn't choke on carefresh bedding well i have used this and none of mine have!

It can be hard to toilet train but they can learn pretty fast so it should be ok.

You can use chinchilla dust to clean it,but an even better way is to use a piece of,velvet or silk,to make it shine!

Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Ok here I go:

Q1 Umbro, Angel Hammy Shimi Remy

Q2 It is ok to use a water bowl, but if you have a aquarium, they

made a special water bottle with suction cups, Try and find one of them!

Q3 Once a week should be okay,

Q4 No they wont

Q5 No, instict tells him to go to that in the litter box, no training needed

Q6 Yes it works, it works better than anything else and you should see a diference.

So there you go, also you should remeber to research this sort of stuff BEFORE you get a Hamster, this is basic stuff, you should know this,

Anyway Good Luck

EDT

JKID if a hamster falls in his bowl of water he wont get wet tail, The thing is that bedding and foob can get into his bowl of water and makes a breeding ground for bacteria

Answer 11

an answer to number 2 is no you cant use a bowl for water it wont work just use duck tape to hold the water despencer onto the wall.

Answer 12

princess.bubbles.bubba,hammy,cuddles cupcake,baby

I think if you put water in a bowl it could drown it

clean the cage 1 a week

not sure i just asked that on a qestion like ten minites ago:}

never did

never used it