EXOTIC PETS :: HAMSTERS

Pet Potential/Behavior

  • Adapt well to captivity.
  • Small, do not require a lot of living space.
  • Relatively inexpensive to maintain.
  • Can easily become tame with frequent, gentle handling.
  • Nocturnal animals.

Hamsters may bite or show aggression in response to rough handling, sudden disturbances, being around other hamsters, or when they are pregnant, lactating, ill or in pain. Hamsters should have a set schedule where a consistent amount of time and attention is given each day. This is especially important for maintaining tameness. Common household dangers include predators (dogs, cats) and inappropriate by small children.

Sexing

Male hamsters have rather large scrotal sacs that give them a rounded posterior. Gentle pressure on the abdomen of the male hamster will cause the testicles to descend into the sacs. The female hamsterÕs posterior is pointed toward the tail. Males have a greater anogenital distance than females, and a pointed genital papilla with a round opening.

Housing

Syrian golden hamsters are solitary and should not be housed in multiples under any circumstances. Many golden hamsters have been injured and killed when litter mates were kept together past sexual maturity. Hamsters prefer bedded (litter), solid Ðbottom flooring to wire-flooring. An escape proof cage is a necessity, as hamsters can gnaw through wood, plastic and soft metals. At least 150 square inches of floor space is recommended. Solid connector tunnels provide for environmental enrichment but should be cleaned weekly. Preferred temperatures are 65-79 F (18-26 C) with young maintained between 71-75 F (21-24 C). Relative humidity should be between 40-70%. The enclosure should be well cleaned at least weekly to reduce odors and decrease the likelihood of respiratory or skin inflammation associated with soiled bedding. A hide box with deep litter for burrowing is recommended. An optimal nesting material is undyed, unscented toilet tissue. The hamster will instinctively manipulate toilet tissue to stimulate the burrow, and it helps the hamster control local environment temperature. Commercial nesting materials (commonly called fluff) are not recommended because they may leas to intestinal blockages and strangulated limbs. Aspen litter shavings are safe, but the oils on cedar shavings have been anecdotally with hair loss and respiratory disease. Wheat straw or pelleted, recycled newspaper products are alternative products for appropriate bedding.

Environmental Enrichment

Hamsters are excellent climbers and burrowers and should be provided with safe outlets for these activities. They enjoy running in exercise wheels; however, in order to prevent leg injuries, only wheels with a solid running surface should be used. A wheel for an adult golden should be at least 8 inches in diameter. Wood chew blocks are rarely effective means for keeping hamstersÕ teeth worn down. If clear plastic exercise balls are used for the hamsters to explore the home safely, the covers must be secured with tape to prevent the animalÕs escape from the ball. Exposure to direct sunlight in captivity is not desirable. Lab blocks of chew sticks specifically designed for rodents may be recommended.

Diet

Young hamsters should be fed a pelleted diet with a minimum of 16% protein and 4-5% fat. Hamsters eat solid food at 7-10 days of age, so food and water must be accessible for their size. Mature adults thrive on a slightly lower protein level (12-14%). Treats may include such items as tiny bits of apple (no seed or skin), raisins and walnuts. Drinking water should be provided via sipper tubes. The water should be changes daily to ensure that the tube is functional and not clogged with food. Water can also be obtained from carrots and other fruits and vegetables. Obesity may result from offering fatty seed diets or feeding too many treats; this may lead to atherosclerosis. The food bowls should be carefully monitored to avoid mistaking seed hulls for whole seeds. Hamsters also tend to hoard food and hide it, leading to spoilage. Hamsters pack large quantities of food into their cheek pouches. Offering too much fresh produce and not enough fiber may result in diarrhea.

Restraint

Care must be taken to maintain control of the hamster and to prevent the handler from being bitten. Hamsters can be scruffed by the abundant loose skin at the nape of the neck, held in the hands (if friendly), or placed in a small container (such as a can). A small cloth may help restrain the rodent.

Blood Collection

Routine hematology testing is seldom done in hamsters due to the difficulty of obtaining a blood sample. In research laboratories, the following areas are utilized for blood collections: toenail clip, tail vein cut, orbital sinus bleed and cardiac puncture (the animal must be anesthetized).

Injection Sites

  • Intravenous: Saphenous vein-difficult, anesthesia may be required.
  • Intramuscular: Quadriceps gluteals-may be hard to restrain 9 0.1ml per site)
  • Subcutaneous: Easy abundant loose skin, can inject 3-5 ml
  • Intraperitonael: Can inject 3-4ml in lower right quadrant.

Physical Examination

Annual veterinary visits should include a physical exam and a review of the diet and husbandry. Biannual or quarterly examinations to assess weight, dental health, nail trimmings and overall health are recommended.

Most Common Disorders

  • Obesity/weight loss
  • Diarrhea (transitory)
  • Wet tail/proliferative ileitis (usually fatal)
  • Bite wounds/trauma
    • Dermatitis/demodectic mange
  • Cutaneous lymphoma
  • Hyperadrenocortism-assocaited alopecia
  • Sendai virus infection/pneumonia
  • Cilia-associated respiratory bacillus
  • Corynebacterium kutscheri
  • Malocclusion/cheek pouch impaction
  • Malnutrition/starvation/dehydration
  • Hairballs/foreign bodies
  • Hymenolepis parasitism
  • Septicemia or toxemia
  • Chilling/overheating
  • Litter abandonment/Cannibalism
  • Amyloidosis/protein-losing nephropathy
  • Antibiotic toxicity
  • Cardiomyopathy/atherosclerosis
  • Neoplasis
  • Rectal prolapse
  • Stroke (with swift recocery)
  • Polycistic Disease
  • Diabetes mellitus in Chinese hamsters

Zoonotic Potential

  • Tularemia Francisella tularensis
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (lcmv)
  • Dernatophytosis (trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum spp.)
  • Salmonellosis
  • Hymenolepis nana
  • Leptospirosis
  • Campylobacteriosis