[ad_1]
Syrian hamsters are one of the standard selections for small pets. They’re so cute they’re also referred to as Golden or Teddy Bear hamsters. Should you’re desirous about getting one, you would possibly surprise what goes into their care so you may resolve in the event that they’re appropriate for your loved ones. Syrian hamsters are comparatively low-maintenance pets, simple to tame, and ideally suited for newcomers. So, let’s take a more in-depth take a look at what which means.
| Measurement: | 5 – 9 inches |
| Weight: | 4 – 7 ounces |
| Lifespan: | 2 – 4 years |
| Comparable Breeds: | Chinese language hamster, Dwarf hamster, Winter White Dwarf hamster |
| Appropriate for: | Novices |
| Temperament: | Curious, docile with people, solitary, simple to tame, comfy being dealt with |
The Syrian hamster comes from arid areas of Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. They’re typically golden brown with a lighter stomach; nonetheless, because of selective breeding, they’ll additionally are available in different hair lengths, patterns, and colours. Whereas they aren’t massive pets, that doesn’t imply they’re not stuffed with persona. Syrian hamsters are identified for growing quirky personalities and quirks which can be completely their very own.
Syrian Hamster Traits
How A lot Do These Hamsters Value?
Syrian hamsters typically price between $5 and $25 relying on their hair size, coloration variations, and whether or not you resolve to undertake or store. Hamsters from respected breeders can price round $70, however you’ll come away with greater than only a hamster in these instances. For instance, many respected breeders will tame the hamster to be dealt with and offer you a start-up equipment to make the transition smoother.
When shopping for a hamster, it’s vital to decide on the place to amass one properly as you don’t wish to inadvertently assist a rodent mill, the place hamsters are mass-produced for revenue in poor circumstances, typically with out entry to medical therapy or correct care.
When taking up a hamster, it’s essential to consider every little thing you must look after them in your preliminary prices. Hamsters want correct housing, toys, and meals, which might all be fairly pricey originally.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Syrian Hamster
When you’ve got had any expertise with hamsters, the Syrian hamster received’t shock you a lot as they’re similar to different breeds. They’re nocturnal, in order that they sleep for extra of the day, which implies they’re at their loudest at evening. It’s subsequently vital to think about fastidiously the place you select to deal with them.
Sure hamsters would possibly adapt to their proprietor’s schedule, however you shouldn’t depend on this taking place. You also needs to keep away from selecting up a sleeping hamster as they might chunk you when startled or mishandled.
Syrian hamsters are comparatively sensible and luxuriate in shifting round in tubes of their enclosures. They create a rest room at some extent removed from the place they sleep, making it easier for you when it’s time to clear them out.
Do These Hamsters Make Good Pets?
Many mother and father get a Syrian hamster as a primary pet for his or her kids as they’re so docile with people and are simple to take care of. They’re additionally good for educating kids duty and traits like compassion, endurance, and being light. Nevertheless, as hamsters do sleep primarily through the day, think about that generally your hamster will get up as your little one goes to mattress.
Syrian hamsters are additionally not like a canine within the sense they bond intently with their homeowners. They’ll often come to the facet of the enclosure you’re standing at and run round your lap, however you received’t get as a lot again from them as you’ll, for instance, from a cat or canine.
Moreover, ensure you’re taking time to deal with your hamster every day to make sure they keep tame.
Does This Hamster Get Alongside With Different Pets?
These hamsters are extremely solitary, territorial animals. They need to be housed alone, so in the event you breed them, it’s essential to separate them earlier than they attain maturity. Should you fail to separate your Syrian hamsters, they’ll combat so severely that one kills the opposite. Relating to different pets in the home, hamsters are pure prey animals and are skittish, so they need to be stored separate to keep away from stressing them out or inflicting damage.
Issues to Know When Proudly owning a Syrian Hamster:
Hamsters don’t have a very lengthy lifespan, however that doesn’t imply there are usually not issues you are able to do to make sure they reside as lengthy and wholesome a life as attainable.
Meals & Food regimen Necessities
As omnivores, Syrian hamsters will eat a mixture of cereals, seeds, insect larvae, and bigger bugs like crickets within the wild. As a pet, they want a balanced, high-quality, and diverse food plan containing all of the minerals and vitamins required to thrive. They will get this from:
A mix of various seeds or compound pellet ration
Small portions of fruit like apples, greens, and clear root greens. Keep away from rhubarb and grapes, as they are often toxic.
They will take pleasure in grains, seeds, and nuts as a deal with often.
Add a feeder insect or hardboiled egg as a protein increase often.
A teaspoon of meals each day ought to be sufficient to your hamster; it may not appear to be loads, however keep in mind, they’re small pets. Overfeeding your hamster may cause well being issues like weight problems.
Enclosure Necessities
A giant mistake many first-time homeowners make is getting an enclosure that isn’t large enough. At a minimal, you need one thing round 1’ x 2’ x 1’, however a bigger cage can maintain extra of their equipment and supply extra working area.
They may want a sleeping hut or nest within the nook, which you may get from a pet retailer. Should you’re getting an train wheel, the strong ones reduce the chance of damage in comparison with the wire ones. You too can get wood chew blocks for his or her dental hygiene and tunnels and bridges for climbing and hiding.
As for substrate, they’ll want a few inches of bedding, both from aspen or paper merchandise. Keep away from cedar or pine for the reason that sturdy odor can hurt their lungs, and the sharp items can reduce them. You’ll have to scoop out moist spots each day, change the bedding weekly, and scrub the enclosure with cleaning soap and water.
A great choice to your hamster whilst you do it is a hamster ball to allow them to run round and train. Monitor them as they may get caught behind furnishings, and make sure the stairs are blocked off in the event you’re upstairs.
Train & Sleeping Wants
Should you present your hamster with an train wheel and sufficient area to roam round, they need to get loads of train. They have to train each day as a result of it’ll stop well being points similar to weight problems.
Your hamster typically sleeps 12–14 hours a day, however hamsters even have polyphasic sleep-wake patterns, which signifies that these 12–14 hours of sleep will likely be damaged up all through the day. As nocturnal animals, they sleep through the day and are awake at evening.
Coaching
You don’t have to coach your hamster, however they are often taught a number of easy methods. For instance, in the event you name your hamster by its identify repeatedly, they’ll be taught to acknowledge it. Hamsters may also be litter-trained.
Grooming
Hamsters are fairly low upkeep when grooming, as they have a tendency to groom themselves. Should you personal the long-haired model, you may need to provide them a brief weekly brush to take away meals, substrate, and dust from their coat. You should utilize a small animal comb or perhaps a advantageous, comfortable toothbrush.
A hamster’s enamel by no means cease rising, so they’ll want a chew stick, toy, or mineral chew to put on them down. Contact your veterinarian in the event you discover chipped or damaged enamel or in the event that they change into overgrown.
Hamsters don’t have a tendency to wish their claws trimmed, however in the event you discover them scratching themselves when grooming or that the nails are curled beneath their ft, take them to the veterinarian.
Lifespan and Well being Situations
Syrian hamsters reside for round 4 years on the most, however on common, are inclined to reside round 3 years, which is normal for a hamster. There are some well being circumstances you will have to be careful for. That you must look at your pet for fur and ear mites; fortunately, they’re simple to deal with. Usually, your vet will present a topical therapy, shampoo, or mud. To forestall it from taking place, use sterile bedding and alter it repeatedly.
They will develop a moist tail, which is a bacterial an infection affecting the GI tract that causes comfortable droppings and diarrhea. Your hamster will want a course of antibiotics from the vet to deal with it.
As your hamster ages, they’re extra vulnerable to growing tumors. Look ahead to sudden bumps and lumps, and make contact with your vet instantly. Another issues also can come up with improper care, similar to weight problems.
Minor Situations
- Mites
- Weight problems
- Cheek pouch impaction
Male vs Feminine
Male Syrian hamsters are typically calmer than their feistier feminine counterparts. They’re additionally smaller than the females. Moreover, females will likely be in “mating season” each 4 days or so for a number of hours. Whereas in warmth, she is going to give off a potent and musky odor.
3 Little-Identified Info About Syrian Hamsters
1. They Can Go Into False Hibernation
If the temperature dips beneath 40 ̊F, Syrian hamsters have been identified to enter false hibernation. This implies they may look asleep and even useless. Should you suspect this has occurred, progressively increase the temperature, and your hamster ought to wake once more.
2. They Have Versatile Cheek Pouches
Syrian hamsters have versatile cheek pouches used after foraging to carry meals to their burrows. They’re so versatile they develop to their shoulders, which has earned them a reputation in Arabic that interprets to “mister saddlebags.”
3. They Can All Be Traced Again to One Mom
In 1930, exterior of Aleppo, Syria, the Jewish biologist Israel Aharoni captured a feminine hamster and 12 of her pups. Finally, they started to breed after a tough begin, and now all Syrian hamsters might be traced again to this captured feminine.
Closing Ideas
Syrian hamsters are great pets, are docile with people, like being dealt with, and are sensible sufficient to be taught easy methods. They’re territorial and pure prey animals, in order that they shouldn’t share their area with some other pets, and when you’ve got different bigger pets, ensure you maintain them separate. Syrian hamsters are nocturnal and comparatively simple to deal with. They not often chunk however will if startled or scared.
Featured Picture Credit score: Johannes-Menge, Shutterstock
[ad_2]