nocturnal habits make them unsuitable for very young children . A supervising adult is required for kids younger than 10 years old to fully enjoy the hamster ’ s companionship .
HAMSTER BEHAVIOR
Hamsters bite . This nipping behaviour is caused by stress due to loud noise , sleep disturbance , rough handling and food-smelling hands . The solution is taming the pet to people and situations gradually . They should get used to playing , grooming and petting at an early age .
Bathing is almost unnecessary as hamsters clean themselves well . Cold temperature makes them vulnerable to diseases . However , dirty beddings can cause bad odour , which can be eliminated by using chinchilla sand .
HEALTH CONCERNS
A sick hamster should be isolated from others and treated by a veterinarian immediately . The first two days of disease are crucial so prompt action is needed .
They are also susceptible to common colds from humans so make sure to practice good hygiene . Prevent disease transmission by washing hands after handling hamsters or place a sanitizer bottle next to the cage that you can use . Maintain the ideal temperature . Give medications as instructed by the veterinarian and encourage the pet to eat and drink it normally with their favourite food or honey .
Taking care of a hamster is quite demanding but when you learn to love them , they are the easiest and cutest pets you can have .
Signs to look for :
• Lack of appetite • Overgrown teeth • Dull-looking eyes • Hair loss
• Mites • Matted fur • Dehydration • Weight loss • Shaking
• Swollen scent glands • Abscesses • Ulcers • Sore nose and eyes
• Slow breathing • Sneezing • Runny nose • Abdominal pain • Diarrhoea
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