Archive-name: pets/hamsters-faq/part2
Last-Modified: June 19, 1996
Version: 4-1
Here's Part One of the alt.pets.hamsters FAQ, posted on an
irregular basis along with Part One and Part Three.
The latest version of the FAQ (non-HTML) is available at:
http://www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ax611
FAQs can be mailed out on request. Contact the maintainer.
Suggestions/comments/additions/corrections should be posted to
alt.pets.hamsters or e-mailed to ax611@freenet.carleton.ca
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Unless otherwise stated, everything in this FAQ has been taken
from messages in the alt.pets.hamsters newsgroup, or from my own
mailbox. Whenever possible, information from publications has
been acknowledged, with original authors credited. Standard
disclaimers apply.
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See PART ONE for the Table of Contents.
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#b01: Do you know anything about the history of hamsters?
The story of hamsters has been embellished and idealized
over the years... here is what probably happened...
In 1839, British zoologist George Waterhouse found hamsters
in Syria, naming them "Cricetus auratus," the Golden Hamster.
The hamster's fur was on display at the British Museum.
Around 1930, zoologist and Professor at the University of
Jerusalem Aharoni found a mother and litter of hamsters in the
Syrian desert. By the time he got back to his lab, most had died
or escaped. The remaining hamsters were given to the Hebrew
University in Jerusalem, where they were successfully bred as
Golden Hamsters. They were a bit bigger than the ones Waterhouse
found, so they were named "Misocricetus auratus." (see #b02)
The hamsters were shipped to labs all around the world. In
1938, hamsters reportedly reached the United States. All Golden
Hamsters are descended from the original litter found in Syria
except for a few that were brought into the United States by
travellers who found them in the desert.
Hamsters are now used for scientific research. Because
hamsters are so disease-free and breed so rapidly (they can have
a new litter every month!) and because they are so friendly and
easy to handle, they are a popular choice among scientists.
They are often used for cardio-vascular research, as their
cardio-vascular system is remarkably similar to that of the
human.
In the wild, hamsters are a nuisance to farmers. Hamsters
have been known to hide in excess of 60 pounds of grain to feed
them through the winter.
#b02: Where do hamsters get their names from?
Note that "hamsters" is spelled *WITHOUT* a "p". Hamsters
got their name from an old German word associated with storing
food. (The word "hamper" comes from the same root.) One of the
characteristics of the hamster, like many rodents, is to stuff
their cheeks full of food, as if they were hampers.
The Golden Hamster's scientific name is MESOCRICETUS AURATUS
AURATUS, usually shortened to CRICETUS AURATUS. It is also
referred to as the Syrian Golden Hamster.
#b03: What is the life span of a hamster?
It varies from species to species, and pureness of breed is
a factor. Approximate life span is 3 years. (I have one source
that says "1000 days", just under 3 years.)
#b04: Should I buy a hamster or a gerbil?
Steve Hyman sums up the general feeling of
alt.pets.hamsters:
"Gerbils have no brains or sense, and are useless. They do
not need us at all, nor do they appreciate us. I have 10 of the
ungrateful creatures, and three wonderful hamsters."
(If hamsters are so much better than gerbils, then how come
you have 10 gerbils and 3 hamsters??!! -GG.)
#b05: What are the different breeds of hamsters that exist?
Most common is the golden hamster... in brackets are the
lengths of each breed.
Chinese hamster (12.5cm)
Common hamster (32cm)
Eversmann's hamster (16.6cm)
Golden hamster (18cm)
Longtailed hamster (16cm)
Migratory hamster (13.5cm)
Mouse-like hamster (16.5cm)
Rat hamster (26cm)
Roborovsky's hamster (9cm)
Rummanian hamster (varies)
Short dwarf hamster (16.6cm)
Striped hairy foot Russian hamster (9cm)
Striped hamster (13cm)
Tibetan hamster (varies)
For more information refer to the Breeder's FAQ. It's
available at:
http://www.pacificrim.net/~ibis/northbow
or e-mail:
ibis@pacificrim.net.
#b06: Are there any places that don't allow hamsters?
So far I only know that Hawaii does not allow its residents
to own a hamster. A law was passed, hoping to keep disease away
and to prevent escaped hamsters from reproducing and messing up
the ecosystem.
#b07: What should I use for bedding?
Generally speaking, anything that is non-toxic, dust free,
absorbent, fluffy, and non-staining is great for bedding.
In lieu of bedding you might want to set up an
aquarium-and-cage with sand in the aquarium part so they can do
their digging.
Be careful to rip up any facial tissue you're giving your
hamster, since sometimes they get overly ambitious and put a
little too much into their mouths, then have problems getting it
out.
Be aware that cedar and pine shavings have been shown to be
hazardous, as some hamsters are allergic to it. The best
alternative to these is aspen shavings, recycled newspapers (but
make sure they aren't too inky), grasses, or corn cob bedding.
To cut down on the smell, putting a layer of
ground limestone (Dolomite Lime) underneath the bedding is
supposed to work well. This product is available at garden
stores (it's used to neutralize soil), but make sure you get the
right kind of lime so that you don't hurt your hamster.
#b08: What do hamsters like (and not like) to eat?
They will eat almost anything (broccoli, Kraft Dinner,
yogurt...) Their favourite foods are foods native to their dry
habitat, like seeds/cereals (but make sure that it's natural
seeds - no roasting or salt, and that the cereal isn't sugary).
For protein and variety, they will eat some small insects.
They like vegetables, but don't feed them too many. You might
want to give them a dog bone to chew on - it's healthy for them
and is great for their teeth.
Try not to shock them too much. Give them a regular diet -
like a commercial small animal mix - but supplement it with
treats to give them some variety. Make sure as well that the
food is still good to eat. Be sure that vegetables, bread, and
other perishables aren't moldy or rotten.
DO NOT feed them: Canned or frozen veggies, anything
poisonous to humans, raw beans, sprouting potato buds, fool's
parsley, poison hemlock, laburnum. Chocolate is a bad idea too,
but there is a special variety of chocolate that's sold at pet
stores that is safe for animals.
#b09: What do hamsters like to drink?
Water (make sure they have a good supply - tap water should
do unless you have some strange nutrients in it), and, from an
actual scientific journal found on the Internet:
Hamsters have an extraordinarily high liking and tolerance
for alcohol. Their tolerance is equivalent to 40 times the human
tolerance in proportion to body weight. As a result hamsters
have been used successfully in trials of anti-alcoholism drugs by
seeing if they were put off their preferred choice of a 15%
alcohol solution when given the choice with plain water.
Scientists believe they have found ways to moderate
"volitional drinking of alcohol" by hamsters. Tomato juice,
chocolate drink, kudzu extract (wat dat? -GG), and other fluids
seem to suppress their alcoholic appetite.
#b10: Should I be cleaning my hamster?
Your hamster should not need cleaning. Hamsters can groom
and wash themselves with no difficulty. If your hamster is not
maintaining a quality level of personal hygiene, he might be
sick. Consult a vet before taking any further action.
Hamsters do not like water (except to drink). They catch
colds quickly, or drown in it. If you feel you must wash your
hamster, try brushing a bit of chinchilla powder or cornstarch
onto your hamster, work it into the fur a little bit, then dust
it off with a dry towel. This will clean dirt off a hamster, but
won't help with fleas (see #b19).
#b11: Do hamsters get lonely?
Many people will argue that hamsters will appreciate having
a companion of the opposite sex to live with, but I don't think
that hamsters will really mind too much if they are left by
themselves.
Television vet Dr. Bernie says, "One cage, one hamster".
Hamsters will harm each other if they are together. Males and
females can be together for mating, but not much longer than that
without risking some sort of fight.
Mind you, Dwarf hamsters are known to be quite sociable, and
*MIGHT* be able to live in pairs without too much risk.
Females hardly ever get along with other females, but you
*MIGHT* be able to successfully raise two male hamsters together
if you get them from the same litter and raise them together from
as close to their birth as possible. I wish I could underline
and italicize *MIGHT*, because it's pretty rare that hamsters can
live together without incident.
#b12: Can I brush/comb my hamster's hair?
Unless you have got a teddy bear hamster or a hamster with
extremely long hair, most hamsters can groom themselves. For
grooming purposes, pet stores sell special hamster combs.
Apparently toothbrushes work well, too.
If you think your hamster's hair is too long, you can safely
clip it with regular scissors. Be careful.
#b13: Is it safe to cut my hamster's claws?
Although it's rare that they need their claws trimmed, you
can do it with a pair of small, sharp scissors. I'm told that if
you accidentally cut into your hamster's toe, there is not too
much to be concerned about since the blood vessels in that part
of the body are extremely small.
#b14: How can I keep my hamster healthy?
Read this FAQ over, and make sure you are using all the
suggestions contained within it, and your hamster should be
healthy. Here are some extra little tidbits of information to
help you along:
The adult weight of a (Golden) hamster should be about
150g.
Your hamster should be in a room with a temperature of
about 20-23 degrees Celsius.
Make sure your hamster has a wheel, as well as other
sources of exercise. Without exercise, paralysis may develop.
#b15: My hamster looks like he's sick - what should I do?
If your hamster is doing anything out of the ordinary that
worries you - coughing, wheezing, shaking, developing sores or
callouses, walking weird, or any other abnormal behaviour - SEE A
VET IMMEDIATELY.
Yes, post info to the newsgroup just so that others can read
about the symptoms and cures and all that, but don't use the
newsgroup as a direct source for advice or help. The problem
with the group is that responses will take at least a day to pour
in, and that might be too late for your furry pal. Many hamsters
have passed away because their owners didn't act soon enough.
In any case, here are some warning signs that your hamster
is sick. If you see any of them, go to the vet immediately!
When animal is awake, it should look alert, not apathetic.
Anus should not be smeared with droppings. (This is a sign
of possible diarrhoea.)
Eyes should be clear, without signs of secretion.
Heavy or noisy breathing may indicate disease.
There should be no sores or bald spots.
By the way, many animal shelters will perform euthenasia on
hamsters. But many don't since they're such small and delicate
creatures.
#b16: The vet has prescribed medicine... how do I administer it?
According to Dawn Williams:
Hold your hamster by the scruff of the neck, so your hand is
closed as if in a fist, with the hamster's loose skin along the
back and neck between your palm and fingertips. Tip the hamster
back a bit so he is leaning against your palm, belly up. Don't
worry, it doesn't cause harm. (You or your hamster.) Don't give
the hamster too much medicine at a time or he might choke, or
just store it in those massive cheeks.
If you have to give your hamster a pill, try putting it
inside peanut butter or some other treat. If they still won't
eat willingly, use the technique outlined above and put small
bits in his mouth, allowing the hamster to swallow in between
mouthfuls.
This method is also a great way to administer eye
medication.
#b17: Why does my hamster sleep all day?
Your hamster is nocturnal.
Why is your hamster nocturnal? In a nutshell, the
combined energy produced by hamster wheels all over the world is
enough to keep the Earth spinning all night long. (see #c04)
#b18: Do hamsters hibernate?
Sort of. Technically it's not hibernation, but they will
slow down their body functions (they become "torpid") if the room
temperature of the room they are in gets unusually low, but
shouldn't just go into hibernation just because it's the winter
season. If your hamster reaches this state, be sure not to
disturb them. Let them come out of it naturally. Golden
hamsters become sluggish at about 14C and torpid at about 10C.
Dwarf hamsters are less active at low temperatures.
I remember reading a post in the group about a family who
put their hamster in the fridge, thinking it was dead, and then
being surprised the next morning when the hamster was in the
fridge chewing on veggies, as happy as can be! My point is, your
hamster might not be dead, just hibernating.
#b19: What if my hamster gets fleas?
Hamsters usually get fleas from other animals in the house
who have fleas. There is a special flea powder available at pet
stores that can be put into the bedding material - eventually it
gets into the hamster's fur. You can also apply it directly to
your hamster if she doesn't mind.
#b20: What should I do if I find bugs in the hamster food?
This happens quite often. The solution is to put the food
in the freezer to kill off the bugs. Then, either take the bugs
out or include the dead bugs with the food - your hamster
appreciates the protein.
#b21: Yuck. Should my hamster be eating his poop?
Yes. Hamsters have a different digestive system than
humans. Hamsters produce two types of excrement - one that's
partially digested containing lots of nutrients, and one that's
just garbage. Hamsters practice coprophagy, eating the nutrient-
filled excrement to get the nutrients from it and digest it
fully.
#b22: Jeepers! My hamster has escaped! Help me!
Take a deep breath... did you forget to close up the cage?
It happens to all of us, and we usually get our little pals back.
To find your hamster:
Close all doors and windows, and try to figure out what room
your hamster is in. If you are having trouble, try placing a
bowl of food in each room. The hamster is bound to get hungry,
so you will be able to tell which room he's in by whichever food
dish is touched.
Once you have narrowed down your search, start looking under
chairs, beds, in corners... put yourself into the frame of mind
of the hamster.
You could get creative/inventive and devise your own traps.
Apparently one of the best ways is to get some sort of deep
bucket with a ramp heading up to it, with some food as bait. The
hamster will fall into the bucket, and then cannot climb out.
If your hamster's wheel is really squeaky, put it in the
middle of the room that you suspect your hamster to have escaped
into. Once you hear the squeaking, you can run over to the wheel
and catch your hamster.
Good luck. (See one of the stories in question #c07!)
#b23: My hamster is having babies! What should I do?
Calm down, it is perfectly natural.
Keep your hamster well-nourished. Added protein (possibly
in the form of insects) might be a good idea. It has been
suggested that one of the reasons hamsters eat their young is
because they need the protein from them after birth... but it
could also be due to territorial instincts thrown off kilter by
captivity.
To reduce the likelihood of the babies being devoured by
their parents, separate the father from them as soon as possible,
and when you deem it safe, separate the mother from 'em. You
should be aware that the time you separate the father from the
mother varies from species to species. Case in point: The
Syrian/Golden hamsters should only be together for mating,
whereas dwarf hamsters can be kept together because they mate for
life...
These figures are all for the Golden Hamster, but are
probably pretty close to any other breed of hamster:
Puberty: 4-5 weeks
Optimum beginning breeding age:
males: 10-12 weeks
females: 8-9 weeks
Estrus: Every 3-4 days
Gestation period: 16-18 days
Litter size: 6-8
Birth weight: 1/14 to 1/8 oz
Weaning age: 3-4 weeks
For more information, refer to the Breeder's FAQ. It is
available at:
http://www.pacificrim.net/~ibis/northbow
or e-mail:
ibis@pacificrim.net.
#b24: My hamster's dead. What can I do?
Unless you know how to bring beings back from the dead, he's
gone to hamster heaven (or hell) for good. The hamster can be
buried in your backyard or at a park, or you can phone your vet
or a local animal shelter for advice. Please don't flush them
down the toilet.
If you're having trouble dealing with the loss of your
hamster, you might want to look into alt.support.grief.pet-loss,
a newsgroup designed to "provide a 'cybershoulder' for grieving
animal lovers in their time of need."
There is also a Grief and Pet Loss FAQ, written by Charlene
Douglass and posted regularly to several pets newsgroups. It's
available at:
http://www.io.com/use/tittle/pets/pet-loss.html
or e-mail:
douglasc@wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu
#b25: How can I tame my hamster?
According to Anna Hayward:
[begin quote]
Let your hamster have the first few days in a cage on
his/her own to get used to it. Put him in a quiet place so he is
not disturbed and give him plenty of bedding. Putting a small
cardboard box in the cage will also give him somewhere to hide,
and therefore a sense of security.
The first few times you get him out, do not go through the
cage door, especially if it is at the top. Take the whole top off
the cage and place the base on the floor. They sit on the floor
and scoop up your hamster. If he is young, he will probably be
very skittish so you will have to be very aware to stop him
running away, but let him run on your body. It is best if this
job is initially done by an adult or older child, as small
children do not have the confidence, usually. Always scoop up
your hamster firmly - it will make him more confident, and never
hold him without first sitting on the floor unless he is *really*
tame.
Pick up your hamster in this way once or twice a day,
talking in a soft voice and using lots of gentle encouragement.
Skittish young hamsters usually calm down with age.
Always wait until your hamster is awake before taming him,
and *never* pick up a sleeping hamster.
Most biting is as a result of fear, not viciousness.
Remember this if you do get bitten (it was probably your fault)
it does not mean the hamster is nasty. The most common reasons
for getting bitten are grabbing a hamster from above, picking up
a sleeping hamster and accidentally pinching a hamster when you
pick him up. After a biting incident, put the hamster back in the
cage and leave him for a couple of hours to calm down.
Remember that taming is easier if a hamster has been handled
since birth, but I have yet to meet an untamable hamster. It may
take months if the pet shop has allowed an animal to mature
without once being handled, but even an older animal can be tamed
with effort.
If at any stage the hamster starts biting and looking
anxious, try going back a step and repeating the process (ie
leave him alone for a few days).
Once your hamster runs on you without looking frightened,
place the cage in a busier area to get him used to people.
[end quote]
#b26: What are the two symmetrical spots on the hamster's
sides?
They are flank glands. Hamsters rub against things and mark
their territory with them.
#b27: Do hamsters really like those balls?
Lister seemed to, and Fluff always said he did. Although my
new hamster Mildred isn't too fond of them.
Most brands have directions that tell you not to leave your
hamster in the ball unattended or for more than about 20 minutes
at a time. While I agree that they shouldn't be left unattended
(especially near flights of stairs), I think that hamsters are
hardy creatures, and they can survive more than 20 minutes in the
ball. Just make sure they have plenty of water to drink when
they get back in the cage.
Hamsters would prefer running around freely. If you have a
closed room with not too much to get lost under or to chew on, it
should be okay.
#b28: How can I interpret the hamster's body language?
From "Hamsters" by Helga Fritzsche (see #c01), as typed in
by Fluff Hamster:
[Begin quote]
Body Language:
Convulsive movement, as well as sudden continual face
washing, signifies fright.
Defensive raising of both front paws can be observed in
males that have been unexpectedly attacked by females and have no
way of escaping. According to my observations, this gesture
prevents or at least delays an even more serious attack.
Puffing up the cheeks and showing the abdominal regions are
to be construed as a threat.
Lying motionless on the back shows resistance and fear.
Stiff-legged walking of a young animal, with its tail
stiffly stretched up and its hindquarters turned toward the adult
hamster, denotes fear and submission; it propitiates the old
animals. This can also often be observed in vanquished adult
hamsters.
Stretching and yawning with half-closed eyes is an
expression of cosiness and inner peace, just as much as frequent
and at the same time joyous and languorous washing. *Reciprocal
cleaning between mother and children, and also between males and
females, that live in harmony with each other indicates
affection.
Stroking the head with a paw, sometimes for a long period
and sometimes only quickly and in passing, denotes tenderness. I
observed this frequently with my striped hairy-footed hamster
couple; the male constantly stroked the female, which seemed to
enjoy this tender little act.
Reciprocal knocking over can have very different meanings;
fighting, if there is biting; coital foreplay, if the animals
lick each other's stomachs and genitals; playing, if the partners
cavort around with each other for a short time only.
"Sitting up" is sometimes noticed, if something excites the
hamster's particular attention.
[End quote]
#b29: Why shouldn't I use the microwave to dry off my hamster?
Timothy Ross put it quite nicely:
Microwaves found in your oven are electromagnetic waves like
radio waves except with a much higher frequency and density.
They heat things up by exciting particles that are
electromagnetically sensitive (such as electrons) and thus
produce kinetic energy. Matter that is in a liquid state is more
susceptible to this excitation because the chemical bonds between
individual molecules are weaker and offer less impedance to
excitation. As the kinetic energy increases the bonds become
even weaker and a pocket of increased heat will heat up even
faster. This is why microwaved foods cook "from the inside out"
- the initial heat trapped in the interior acts like a focus for
additional microwave energy.
Animals are mostly liquid, and if put in a microwave they
will begin to heat up internally resulting in organ damage
without any visible injury. Even brief exposure to dense
microwaves may damage the nervous system. All in all, not a good
idea.
#b30: Do hamsters make noise?
Hamsters are among the quietest creatures there are -
usually the only sound you'll here from them is the squeaking of
their wheels. Hamsters do vocalize (I'm *certain* mine said
"hello" to me one morning) from time to time.
They squeak - this is a mating call.
They scream - when they are in distress.
They cough/sneeze - when they are sick.
You might notice your hamster making noises of its own for
certain things, but from what I've heard no generalization can be
made for all hamsters - the noises your hamster makes are unique.
#b31: Do hamsters have souls?
Yes.
#b32: Can I travel with my hamster?
By car:
Make sure it's a short journey on a nice, smooth road. Take
out anything in the cage that can move around and hurt your
hamster. If you are using a special travelling cage, use bedding
that's familiar to your hamster.
Make sure there's plenty of food and water, and that the
water can't drip. Give your hamster a cucumber or similar wet
food before the journey.
Try to have a passenger watch your hamster and hold the cage
so that he can't escape. Keep the windows closed so it doesn't
get too drafty. Don't leave your hamster in the car or in the
sun, and stop if your hamster looks sick.
By plane:
Deanne did some investigating into American airline
regulations for hamsters. Here are her findings:
Most airlines do not have hamsters on their list of
animals, so they fall into the "other/general" category. U.S.
Air, American Airlines, TWA, United Airlines and Continental
require you to put the hamster into the cargo hold.
Delta Airlines allows 1-2 hamsters in the passengar cabin.
The cage counts as carry-on luggage and must meet with carry-on
size limitations. Delta allows only 2 animals in the cabin at a
time, so the airline must be notified at the time the tickets are
purchased.
There are some conditions:
Fees: $45-$60 (independent of cabin or cargo). In cargo,
the fee is per cage, and animal quantity is unlimited.
Age: Hamsters must be at least 8 wks old at the time of
travel.
Health: Each hamster must have a veterinary statement of
good health within 30 days of travel.
#b33: How can I stop the wheel from squeaking!!??
Try putting some vegetable oil, chapstick or vaseline on the
axle of the wheel. You might have a problem with these
lubricants attracting bedding material and dust, in which case
you should try using a dry powdered graphite lubricant, available
in most hardware stores. I am told teflon-based lubricants such
as Liquid Wrench or Zep 54 do the trick nicely, as long as you
avoid drips or exposed lubricant.
#b34: Can I let my hamster swim?
No. No matter what you have heard, water is dangerous to
hamsters. Even if they do not drown trying to stay out of the
water, chances are they will catch pneumonia.
#b35: Is it safe for my hamster to jump off the table like that?
From my experience, hamsters have an incredible sense of
height, and know when it is and isn't safe for them to jump. As
long as they aren't falling off of a shelf by surprise, they're
usually okay. Be careful with younger hamsters - dropping them
can cause severe damage. The older ones are a bit more
resilient.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Please read Part One and Part Three of this FAQ!
Maintained by Glen Gower (ax611@freenet.carleton.ca)
This FAQ may be copied freely, as long as you don't modify it or
charge money for it. Let me know if you keep it on a web site or
are posting it to other newsgroups.
[End of Hamster FAQ Part 2]
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On to Part 3.