Common Mistakes in Hamster Care and How to Avoid Them

If you have recently adopted a hamster or want to include a tiny hamster in your life, you need to learn about the misconceptions regarding hamster care. Increasing your awareness of your hamsters' daily needs helps them live both happier and healthier lives. Compared to other pets, hamsters seem to have fewer care needs because they are small and live in cages, but it is known that they also have specific requirements. In this article, you can find information about common mistakes in hamster care and the correct ways to avoid them.

Wrong Cage Selection

Because hamsters are small, hamster cages are often chosen from among the smallest models possible. This negatively affects both the hamster's health and comfort. Although hamsters are small, it is important not to overlook their high exercise needs. Experts frequently emphasize that in order for hamsters to exercise ideally in their cages, their cages should be as large as possible, and the ideal cage for hamsters should be 100x50x50 cm in size. When evaluating cage dimensions, the space that cage equipment will occupy should also be considered. After placing hamster food bowls, hamster litter boxes, water bowls, and toys, there should be enough space in the cage for the hamsters to move around comfortably.

Neglecting Cage Cleaning

Cage cleaning should not be neglected to protect the health of hamsters. The rodent bedding placed on the floor of the hamster cage should be cleaned every day. The cage and cage equipment should be cleaned every week. It is also extremely important not to leave old food in the cage. When cages are not cleaned regularly, odors may occur and, in addition, the hygiene expectations of hamsters may not be met. In such a case, the risk of skin problems and infections increases. In our article "How Should a Hamster Cage Be?", you can find detailed information from hamster cage cleaning to the equipment that should be in a hamster cage.

Buying the Wrong Toys

Hamsters, like many pets, cannot resist new toys. Hamster toys placed in their cages are extremely important for their mental and physical stimulation and for keeping them away from stress. However, care should be taken when choosing toys, especially ensuring the correct size of items they love, such as wheels. Make sure their toys are made from materials that won't harm them and won't increase the risk of injury. Click here to discover safe hamster toys for your hamster.

Not Giving Them Time to Get Used to People

Hamsters are animals that need to be socialized early. However, it should be remembered that this process has certain rules. After adoption, when the hamster is brought home and placed in its cage, a period of 24-48 hours should be waited for it to get used to its cage. Giving them time to get used to their new environment is very important. After a few days of adoption, you can try to interact with them by using the power of hamster food and treats. When offering treats, be gentle and allow the hamster to smell the new food. The hamster may not approach the food at first and may exhibit shy behavior. Patience is important as the acclimatization process is critical. A significant milestone is reached when a hamster begins to respond to offered food. In later stages, the treat should be placed in your hand, and you should wait for the hamster to come to your hand. Initially, it may come to your hand, take the treat, and quickly run away; this behavior is perfectly normal. Over time, it will learn to stay in your hand. As the bond between human and hamster strengthens and the hamster's trust is gained, a pleasant friendship will begin. Hamsters are diurnal sleepers and nocturnal active animals. Waking them up during the day is considered a very wrong choice. Care should be taken not to disturb hamsters, who stay awake all night, during the day. The right moment to spend time with them should be waited for. Early mornings and/or evenings can be used to respond to their socialization needs and take steps to strengthen the bond between you and your hamster.

Waking Them Up During the Day

Hamsters are daytime sleepers and nighttime active animals. Waking them up during the day while they are sleeping is considered a very wrong choice. Care should be taken not to disturb hamsters who stay awake all night during the day. The right moment should be waited for to spend time with them. Early mornings and/or evenings can be used to respond to their socialization needs and take steps to strengthen the bond between you and your hamster.

Choosing a Too Small Exercise Wheel

An exercise wheel is one of the most popular pieces of equipment in a hamster cage. Hamsters love spending time on their wheels, where they burn off excess energy. Choosing a wheel that is too small can lead to injury and strain on the hamster's spine. Since hamster sizes vary, you should choose a product that is suitable for the size of your hamster. For example, the ideal wheel size for Syrian hamsters is around 28 cm, and for dwarf hamsters around 20 cm. It is also important to ensure that the hamster wheel has a sturdy base. The design of the base can damage the hamster's feet and cause them to get stuck in gaps.

Failure to Recognize Disease Symptoms

Hamsters are extremely delicate creatures, and it is necessary to consult a veterinarian immediately when disease symptoms appear. Common disease symptoms in hamsters can be listed as follows: decreased appetite, inactivity, hiding in the corner of the cage, diarrhea, wetness in the tail area, hair loss, nasal and eye discharge, sneezing. Unfortunately, ignoring these symptoms is among the common mistakes made in hamster care.

Keeping Multiple Hamsters in a Single Cage

Hamsters mostly enjoy living alone in their cages. Keeping more than one hamster in a single cage causes fights between hamsters due to territoriality and leads to stress in the hamsters. There are additional consequences to male and female hamsters living together: Female hamsters, which become sexually mature at around 8 weeks, can give birth to up to 20 pups at a time.

Improper and Overfeeding

You may see that your hamster's food bowl is empty when you look at its cage; this does not mean they have consumed all the food. Sometimes hamsters hide their food in their cheek pouches and/or in certain areas of their cage that they deem suitable. Feeding them more than the ideal amount can lead to both picky eating and weight problems.

There are several factors that can cause excessive weight gain in hamsters, including overeating. If they gain weight, their health can be seriously jeopardized. Obesity is often accompanied by liver problems, diabetes, and various chronic diseases that shorten lifespan. Therefore, it is essential to ensure they maintain their ideal weight. Providing the right foods for your hamster's health forms the basis of hamster care. For detailed information, you can read our article titled "What Do Hamsters Eat, How Should They Be Fed?".