Looking After Your Pet Hamster

Many people think that hamsters are one of the best household pets that you can get. They are fun, cute and relatively easy to look after. Because of this, they make a great pet for families because children can feel a sense of responsibility from looking after them, although do ensure that you check on them too in case your child has forgotten anything or hasnt noticed something wrong.


You will need to make sure that your hamster always has access to fresh food and water. You can buy specialist hamster foods in most pet shops, and they often like a lot of fruit and vegetables, also. You can put water in a bowl for your hamster, but you may find that they will get sawdust, bedding or food in it. To stop this happening, you can find lots of special water bottles which allow for your hamster to drink water whenever it feels like it.


When youre looking for a cage for your hamster, it is best to buy the biggest that you can afford because hamsters love being able to run around and stay active. Glass or plastic tank-style cages are ideal for hamsters, but a lot of people prefer buying wire cages because these allow for your hamster to climb which provides them with fun, exercise and it can be quite amusing to watch! Keep the cage somewhere away from direct sunlight and out of reach of cats or dogs.


You will need to keep an eye on your hamster in case any health problems arise. Pet health is very important since you do not want your hamster to be suffering. There are several common health issues that your hamster may pick up in its lifetime, so make sure you read up about diseases and other problems that may start to occur so that you know what to do when these arise. If you feel that something is wrong with your hamster, you should take it to the vet immediately. Pet behaviour that is out of the ordinary may signify that there is something wrong, so keep a close eye.


Making sure that your pet hamster is fit and healthy is very important and, because of this, getting an exercise wheel is essential. This means that your hamster can exercise whenever it feels like it. Because hamsters are generally nocturnal, you may not want to keep their cage in your room since it means that they may keep you awake by running on their wheel all night.


Another great way to keep your hamster fit is to get them an exercise ball. These allow you to put your pet hamster inside so that it can run around and explore your house. When using these, ensure that the opening is secured tightly, that dogs or cats arent nearby in case your hamster manages to escape and so that they dont stress your hamster out by following or nudging the ball, and that the ball is not left unattended. You must definitely be careful to ensure that the exercise ball is not somewhere that may be unsafe, like at the top of stairs for example.


While not many people would consider insurance for a pet hamster, you may want to look into it anyway, particularly if you already have pet insurance for your dog or cat. There are many websites where you can compare pet insurance and this will allow you to get the best deal for your family pets.


Hamsters make absolutely wonderful pets that many people love to keep, and should you choose to buy one you should do everything in your power to ensure that it is kept well. Having said that, hamsters are pretty easy to look after and you will find all that you need to know on the internet or in books in your local library. With the right treatment, you can share many happy times with your hamster.


About Animal Friends Insurance:


Animal Friends Pet Insurance is the UK's only not-for-profit ethical pet insurance company. AFI has been trading since 1999 and since then has helped thousands of needy animals all over the world by donating 100% of their net profits to worthy causes. Buy pet insurance online from Animal Friends or simply call our friendly staff if you prefer on 0844 55 70 300; the policies won't cost you more and you won't be disappointed!