What Not to Do With Hamster

How Not to Handle HamstersYou might make a few innocent blunders with your new pet as a novice. However, hamsters are susceptible to a lot of items that you might consider safe, such as the strings in their favourite food, muffins, and celery, which pose a choking threat! Additionally, since this results in temperature swings, you should refrain from placing their cage near windows or in hallways. Providing them with daily supervised exercise time outside of their cage is also a smart idea.

1. Don’t feed them table scraps

A high-quality, well-balanced meal consisting of commercial pellets and occasionally fresh fruit and vegetables is required for hamsters. Even though it could be tempting to include additional foods like fruits, dried herbs and flowers, high-fat seeds like sunflower and pumpkin, or other foods, these should only make up a tiny percentage of their diet—no more than 5%. Other foods, such as meats, cheeses, and dried fruits, have too much sugar in them to be good for hamsters and should only be given on occasion. Not only that, but waking them up in the middle of their sleep can be distressing for both you and the animal. Rather, hold off on handling them until later in the day or evening, when they're more active and safe. Additionally, it will guarantee that they are rested and composed for their management sessions.

2. Avoid giving them plants.

Because they are not accustomed to eating items like table leftovers, hamsters may develop GI tract problems. Additionally, they may find them a little too hot. They may get mild diarrhoea as a result of this, and their appetite may even be affected. Although kitchen herbs really entice them, you have to be cautious about what you feed them. Some culinary herb plants, like garlic, can be dangerous for tiny pets or offer a choking threat. However, plants like dandelions, cow parsley, water cress, clover, and basil are safe options. Additionally, since almonds contain traces of cyanide, which is lethal to hamsters, they should not be consumed. Avocado is fine, but because it's high in fat, it should only be consumed rarely.

3. Don’t bathe them

Except in severe circumstances, hamsters are exceptionally clean animals and don't require bathing. They maintain their fresh scent and groom themselves similarly to cats. A hamster that smells awful probably has a problem that needs to be fixed right away. To start, give them a sand bath, brushing, pruning, or spot cleaning to help control the issue. Additionally, this will lessen the likelihood of shedding, which can make your hamster uncomfortable and dry. Finally, locate your hamster's cage in a peaceful area away from commotion in the kitchen, draughty windows, and loud noises. They will experience less tension as a result, which will maintain their happiness and well-being! Because hamsters cannot see well and must rely on their sense of smell and touch to travel, this is crucial information for them.

4. Avoid waking them up.

Being prey, hamsters sleep during the day to keep themselves safe from predators. Although it's not always a bad thing to wake them up, it's crucial to do it gently. Yelling and other loud noises will stress them out and interfere with their regular sleep schedule. Rather, attempt to rouse them with a kind touch or hushed speech. To avoid startling and biting, it's also advisable to pick them up after they've had some time to become acclimated to being handled. Over-waking hamsters can disrupt their circadian rhythm and lead to stress, both of which are detrimental to their well-being. When it's absolutely essential, as for cage cleaning or a veterinarian visit, you should be the one to wake them up.

5. Keep them out of the microwave.

Being solitary animals, hamsters have little desire to share their space. If you put two hamsters in the same cage, they would probably fight, and if one of them is a female, she might get pregnant and give birth to unwanted babies! Though many seeds contain tiny levels of cyanide, which can be fatal, they pose a choking hazard and appear to be the ideal bite-sized feast for hamsters. Due to their modest fat content, almonds should only be consumed in moderation. Big pets like dogs and cats can be extremely terrifying to hamsters and should never be kept close to their cage. Bright lights can also frighten them. Make sure their habitat is stocked with a variety of chewy and hard toys, an exercise wheel, and a tonne of platforms, ladders, and tubes for them to climb.