Caring For Your Syrian Hamster

Common Name: Syrian Hamster

Also Known As: Golden Hamster

Latin Name: Mesocricetus auratus

Native To: Northern Syria

Life Span: 2-3 Years

Adult Size: 6-8 Inches

Average Weight: 175g

Housing Your Hamster

Your hamster should be kept in as large a cage as possible. In the wild, hamsters travel up to 4 miles per day. Your hamster should always have a wheel available for use, the diameter of which should be slightly longer than the hamster to avoid back injuries. Cages should never be placed in draughty areas or direct sunlight.

Dietary Requirements

A complete Hamster food should be fed daily, hamsters tend not to overeat. Most hamsters will carry their food to a ‘store’, usually in their bed, using their cheek pouches. When the cheek pouches are full of food, the hamsters head can easily become 3 times its normal width. Hamsters are omnivores, they often enjoy mealworms, small pieces of egg white, broccoli, carrot and apple.

Behaviour & Handling

At 6-8 weeks of age, hamsters begin to become extremely territorial. After this point they will fight with other hamsters, even siblings. Adult Syrian Hamsters should always be kept alone. Hamsters are nocturnal so tend to be good pets for teenagers and adults who won't want to handle them until later in the evening. Syrian Hamsters are fun, friendly little pets who enjoy spending time outside of the cage. A hamster ball is a great way to allow your pet to exercise safely outside of the cage.

Habitat Maintenance

Cages should be cleaned out as often as needed, this is usually weekly. Hamsters will often use a particular area of their cage to toilet, so this area should be cleaned daily. A pet-safe disinfectant used once per week will prevent odours. Food and water containers should be emptied and rinsed daily.

Grooming & Health

Hamsters keep themselves clean and do not need bathed unless they are aged, ill or overweight. Longer haired hamsters will need brushed regularly to prevent tangling. Signs of ill health include weight loss, lethargy, lack of interest in food, sticky eyes, a wet tail area, difficulty breathing and snuffling. Hamsters are very rarely affected by parasites.

Chewing & Dental Health

You should ensure your hamster always has access to a selection of safe, wooden chews. Some hamsters will chew on the bars of the cage, often this can be prevented by moving to a bigger cage. It is normal for hamsters’ teeth to be yellow. Hamsters’ upper incisors grow throughout their lives, so provide chew toys and hay to help keep teeth at the correct length.

Hibernation

Pet Syrian hamsters have retained the ability to hibernate, so if your hamster is kept in colder conditions they may hibernate for 2-3 days at a time. It is not advisable to allow this as the heartbeat slows to 4 beats per minute and owners sometimes believe their pet has passed away. To prevent hibernation, make sure your hamster is kept indoors at temperatures higher than 16°C. Obesity has also been linked to higher rates of hibernation.