The smallest pets arehamsters. It is noteworthy that even the very short lifespan of these babies does not diminish their popularity. After all, caring for a hamster is quite simple, and it brings no less joy than the dogs and cats we are used to. Of course, the hamster will not respond to its name (even if you call it something), will not happily greet you at the door and purr tenderly on your lap. But it quickly gets used to a person and begins to take treats from your hands with pleasure. But the most important thing is that these babies are very interesting to watch. So, wanting to please yourself or your child with a funny pet, you can safely buy a hamster. However, you must remember that you also need to take care of the hamster. There are quite a few types and breeds of domestic hamsters. Among them, there are very small ones, for example, Djungarian. There are larger species - Syrian. So, we will talk about Syrian hamsters today. And at the same time we will learn how to care for them, what to feed them and where to keep them.
Description of the species
The Syrian hamster is the onlyrepresentative of its genus. This is a fairly large species for hamsters, approaching the size of guinea pigs. The Syrian hamster is distinguished not only by its size, but also by its unique golden color of fur. Although recently, multi-colored breeds of the Syrian hamster have been bred. But by the type of fur, Syrian hamsters can be long-haired and short-haired. The body length of Syrian hamsters reaches thirteen centimeters, and the weight is one hundred and twenty grams. Their body is stocky, their paws and muzzle are short, and their ears are round. The eyes are black, small, resembling shiny beads. There are five fingers on the front paws, and only four on the back ones - the fifth finger is rudimentary. A huge advantage of this type of hamster over others is its resistance to various diseases. And this, as you understand, makes it much easier to care for hamsters. In the wild, they live in Syria, Iran and eastern Turkey. Natural habitats are meadows, steppes, foothills, and also cultivated lands. Syrian hamsters feed on roots, seeds, meadow grasses and insects and are omnivorous animals, although they belong to the rodent family. Representatives of this species live alone, forming pairs only during the rutting season (the time for procreation). In fact, all this determines the requirements for maintenance, as well as care for the Syrian hamster at home.
Conditions of detention
If you are not going to breedhamsters, it is best to buy one animal, since Syrians get along with their relatives with difficulty, and sometimes do not tolerate forced neighbors at all. The most suitable home for this animal will be a cage with metal bars measuring forty by sixty centimeters. An aquarium of the same size will also do. The cage must be equipped with additional accessories and have a comfortable and safe bedding for the animal. Special fillers or pressed sawdust can be used as bedding. In no case should the bottom of the cage be covered with scraps of newspaper or toilet paper, cotton wool, fabric and napkins. And the following additional equipment will be needed for the cage:
- a special toilet for small rodents, which can be purchased at a pet store or manufactured independently;
- wheel of suitable size with a bottom without a lattice and with transverse stepped protrusions;
- A drinking bowl with a volume of at least fifty milliliters;
- a house attached to the wall, which will become a place for storing supplies;
- a feeder measuring up to ten centimeters;
- Stairs, branches, perches and dry roots, which will serve as a kind of simulators for this active animal.
By the way, today you can buy it completelyequipped cage, supplied with all necessary accessories. Or you can equip your pet's home with all additional devices yourself.
Hygiene
Basic hygienic care for a hamster comes down toto periodic cleaning of the cage, which is carried out approximately once every five days. The hamster is removed for the duration of the cleaning, and the cage is washed with a safe disinfectant. The bedding is also changed at the same time. Once a month, the cage must be washed with products containing bleach, after which it is thoroughly rinsed and wiped dry. Do not forget that from time to time it is necessary to wash all the items used by the hamster, and its drinking bowl and feeder must be cleaned every day. The Syrian hamster does not need special care, since it knows how to take care of itself. If necessary, you only need to comb and clean the fur. Soiled fur is dry cleaned, wiping it with a soft cloth, paper napkin or handkerchief. Syrian hamsters are bathed only in exceptional cases, but it is still better not to do this, since during water procedures the hamster can experience stress or get hypothermia and get sick. If such a need arises, then bathe the animal under a stream of warm water, leaving the head and muzzle dry. You need to wash the baby very carefully and very quickly, and immediately after bathing, you need to dry the fur with a hair dryer. It is necessary to monitor the health of the animal. The first symptoms of diseases can be:
- slightly wet to the touch, fur,
- liquid stool,
- apathetic condition of the animal,
- severe or shortness of breath;
- formation of wounds and ulcers on the skin;
- the appearance of fleas or lice,
- loss of fur;
- manifestation of aggression.
In all these cases, you must contactveterinarian. But if you take proper care of the animal, then all diseases will most likely pass it by. After all, as we have already said, these rodents are very resistant to diseases.
Feeding
Proper care of a hamster meanscorrectly compose a menu and feed your pet on time. Syrian hamsters are omnivorous. However, this does not mean that you can feed them anything. This means that animals can and should be given animal and plant food. In the wild, the Syrian hamster eats plant seeds, roots, green grasses and small insects. At home, there is no need to maintain exactly the same diet. Your hamster will do without insects and will happily eat seeds, root vegetables, fruits and greens. Therefore, the animal's diet should include:
- pumpkin seed and sunflower seeds;
- apples,
- radish,
- zucchini,
- pumpkin,
- carrot,
- pears,
- persimmon;
- greenery.
Products prohibited for these animals:nuts, citrus fruits, lard, butter, sour cream, kefir, sweets, cabbage. Remember that the hamster prefers juicy food, and do not stuff it exclusively with dry mixtures. Although such grain mixtures are certainly useful for hamsters, especially if they are enriched with vitamin supplements. The hamster eats grass only in green form - it uses dry grass to build a nest. So hay is not food for the hamster, but a building material for its house. Naturally, the food should always be fresh. By the way, the hamster likes to make reserves, which, over time, can begin to spoil. Therefore, from time to time, check its bins, but do not ravage them completely. And remember that the Syrian hamster is prone to obesity. Therefore, the animal is fed only twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. As you can see, caring for these funny babies is actually quite simple. They have practically no disadvantages except for a very short lifespan, which does not exceed three years. However, even during this short period, the life and health of the baby is completely in your hands. And no matter how miniature and unpretentious it is, remember that you are responsible for those you have tamed.
