It is sometimes hard to believe that our friendly, tail-wagging canine companions are closely related to wolves and jackals, which wouldn’t hesitate to devour a hamster in the blink of an eye. Fortunately, with the proper training and hamster setup, many pet owners are able to enjoy keeping a dog and a hamster. It is possible to keep a hamster if you have a dog. Always keep the hamster’s safety as your top priority. Dogs should be introduced to the hamster slowly, and calm reactions should be rewarded. Keep the hamster cage out of reach and provide deep bedding so it can hide if it feels stres ..read more

Getting a new pet can be exciting, but how do you choose which one? Hamsters are often thought of as good starter pets for kids, but that is one of the worst reasons to get one. There are several reasons why hamsters aren’t good pets for small children, but they can be excellent pets for older kids or adults with limited space. We love hamsters and would never change anything about them, but they do have some downsides that prospective owners should be aware of before bringing one home. There is much more to caring for a hamster than just buying a cage and giving it food. Should I Get A Hamste ..read more

Your hamster pal should feel like the king or queen of its castle, not a prisoner in a tiny cell. Many shoebox-sized cages for sale in pet stores are much too small for hamsters. Since hammies don’t run around too much during the day, it can be difficult for owners to know if their hamster’s cage is big enough. The base of a hamster cage must be at least 24 inches by 12 inches. This is the absolute smallest size for a single hamster; if possible, it should be bigger. The Animal Humane Society recommends providing plenty of ramps and platforms to create different levels to extend the space. The ..read more

If you think that doubling your hamsters will double the fun, think again. It turns out that when it comes to sharing space, our hammie pals are quite particular, and they can get a little cranky if someone else moves into their cage. Hamsters prefer to be solitary pets. While it is possible to keep two same-sex hamsters, this should only be done under strict supervision, and they should be separated if there are any signs of bullying. Dwarf hamster breeds cope better when kept in pairs than larger breeds like Syrians. You may have seen groups of hamsters in pet stores, so it can be confusing ..read more

Rats are becoming increasingly popular as pets, although they are still far outnumbered by cute hamsters. Maybe it’s their long naked tails or the bad rap they got as carriers of filth and disease that put people off, but things are changing, and rats are coming into their own as excellent small pets. Rats are bigger than hamsters, more social, and can be trained to do tricks. Hamsters are cuter, less friendly, and can be kept on their own. They have a similar lifespan. Both are clean animals that spend a lot of time grooming. Rats and hamsters are both excellent pets for anyone with limited s ..read more

We know that hamsters can’t see very well – in fact, if they didn’t have all their other acute senses, they would need teeny-tiny little hamster guide dogs! Hamsters can see to a limited extent out of their super cute twinkly eyes, but don’t expect a big reaction if you add a few bright colors to their cage – it turns out hamster vision is very different from yours. Hamsters are colorblind. They see in black, white, shades of grey, and subtle tones of green and blue. Like many nocturnal animals, hamsters have more rod-shaped cells in their eyes compared to animals that are active during the da ..read more

If you are worried that your hamster spends too much time on its own and must be lonely, don’t be. They are the rulers of their own little kingdom and usually aren’t keen to share their good fortune or space with other hamsters. Your hammie is content to do its daily workouts on the wheel, followed by a long soak in its sand bath, and solve a quick maze puzzle before curling up for a power nap. Hamsters are not social animals and do well as solitary pets. Syrian hamsters, in particular, should never be caged together. They are territorial, and fights will result. Dwarf hamsters may be more tol ..read more

When it comes to healthy snacks, bread is not on the top of most lists. So when you sense a pair of imploring little eyes fixed on the sandwich you are munching, you may feel bad not to share it with your buddy. Luckily, bread is one of the human foods hamsters can eat, so go ahead and give your little guy a tiny crusty corner to nibble on so you can enjoy your snack without feeling guilty. Hamsters enjoy bread, but it must be given in limited quantities. While bread can be offered as a snack or treat, it must not replace a balanced staple diet of pellets. White bread, in particular, should be ..read more

Hamsters have extremely short lifespans compared to other pets, and inevitably the time comes that all pet owners dread. You may notice that your once lively hamster has become inactive, and it may no longer respond to you or enthusiastically look about for treats. Knowing what to do when you know your hamster is nearing the end of its life can be incredibly difficult. Hamsters can be allowed to die naturally if they are comfortable and pain-free. A sick animal should be assessed by a veterinarian who may treat the condition, offer symptom relief or suggest euthanasia to relieve suffering. The ..read more

Spotting a suspicious-looking lump or bump on your beloved hamster pal can be frightening. All sorts of thoughts immediately start rushing through your mind as you begin to expect the worst. Hamster tumors are relatively common, and depending on the type of tumor, the prognosis may not be as dire as you imagine. Some localized single mass tumors can be surgically removed, and a hamster may recover fully. Malignant tumors are more challenging as they spread around the body and may shorten the animal’s lifespan. Owners must work closely with their vet to determine the best way forward for the ha ..read more