today's pet care: hamsters
Housing
Hamsters are not hardy animals and cannot live outside. Ideal housing for hamsters are cages or terraria approximately 60cm wide x 30cm wide. Hamsters can run long distances in the wild and have lots of energy, so need plenty of space. Dwarf hamsters can squeeze through tiny spaces and are better in a terraria with a tightly fitted wire lid. The cage should ideally be kept as close to a constant temperature as possible - placed out of the sun, away from radiators and sheltered from draughts.
Bedding
Wood shavings are ideal for hamsters, although sawdust is better for longhaired breeds as it doesn’t get tangled in their coats. Don't use cedar or pine shavings as they can cause allergic reactions.The cage should be completely stripped out and scrubbed, ideally at least once a week. Your hamster will enjoy having shredded paper to burrow and snuggle in to sleep. Hamsters arrange their living environment into separate areas - sleeping, playing, feeding and toilet areas - the cage will need 'tidying' everyday and the toilet area will need to be cleaned out more frequently then the weekly scrub.
Nutrition
Hamsters are omnivores and require some animal protein in their diet. The easiest way to do this is with a complete food specifically for hamsters, which provides all the nutrients in the correct amounts and proportions - check the label for how much to feed. Water must be accessible at all times and bottles are often easier to keep clean - your hamster will need this refilling with fresh water every day.
Your hamster may like an occasional treat, such as a small piece of fruit or vegetable. Don't feed too many treats as even hamsters can get overweight and remove any uneaten food at the end of the day.
facts taken from another of my sites called pet care online.