Temperament and company
The Chinese hamster is a small, slender hamster with a longer tail than other hamsters. In the wild it lives alone, so keep one per cage at home too: two Chinese hamsters in one cage start fighting and can injure each other.
It is a nocturnal animal. It sleeps by day and starts running, digging and climbing at dusk. Do not wake it during the day: a hamster woken up feels unsafe and may bite. Tamed with patience, it becomes calm and curious.
Housing
A Chinese hamster needs as roomy a cage as possible, with bars close enough that it cannot squeeze through. It is an agile climber, so several levels, ladders and branches help, but keep the heights low so a fall does no harm. A deep layer of bedding lets it dig, and a house is for sleeping.
A wheel is essential, but its running surface must be solid, not bars or rungs, so a leg cannot get caught. Keep the cage somewhere quiet, away from draughts, direct sun and heaters. Clean it regularly, but not all at once: a hamster likes its own scent and its food stores.
Feeding
Hamsters are omnivores. The basis is a food made for hamsters, with a small amount of fresh vegetables and greens. Animal protein, such as feeder insects, can be offered now and then.
A Chinese hamster carries food in its cheek pouches and hoards it, so pick perishable food out of its stores. Do not give sweets, citrus fruit or human food. Clean water must always be available, and new foods should be introduced gradually.
Handling
Spend time with your hamster in the evening, when it is awake anyway. Let it sniff your hand first and offer a treat from your palm. To lift it, scoop it up in both cupped hands rather than grabbing it from above.
A Chinese hamster is small and quick, so hold it low, over a soft surface. Children should handle it sitting on the floor, with an adult watching.
Everyday health care
Check your hamster every week: clear eyes and nose, a clean coat around the tail, front teeth and nails that are not overgrown. Weigh it regularly: weight loss may be the first sign of illness you notice.
Low climbing frames and a solid wheel prevent injuries. Find a vet who sees rodents before you need one.
What you will need
- A roomy cage with several levels and closely spaced bars Cages · 923 products
- A deep layer of bedding for burrowing Bedding · 401 products
- A wheel with a solid running surface Wheels · 74 products
- Food made for hamsters Food · 2,670 products
- A heavy bowl and a water bottle Bowls & Feeders · 258 products
- A sleeping house and hideaways
- Climbing and chewing toys Toys · 259 products
- A carrier for trips to the vet Carriers & Crates · 57 products
The links lead to product categories, never to a product or a brand. Not a recommendation.
When to see a vet now
See a vet straight away if your hamster stops eating or drinking, is dull, has diarrhoea or a wet tail, breathes with effort or you see blood. A small animal weakens very quickly, so do not wait.
Sources
Lifespan, weight, social needs and diet are taken from these sources. The text is our own.