Hamsters are some of the most adorable pets that you are ever going to come across. They make for a great roommate, as well. For many of us, the presence of a hamster in the bedroom serves as a form of comfort.
They’re like little, furry nightlights in that way. However, you need to know what to expect before you make a decision of this magnitude.
It may seem like a simple choice to make, but there are a number of considerations that need to be made. If you are not willing to provide the hamster with all of the comforts that they need, they are not going to be comfortable in your room.
Their presence will test you, and you will be upset. So how can we avoid these types of issues in the future?
You’ll need to keep the little fellow happy and make sure that your expectations remain in check if you’re looking to achieve the best results. Read on to learn more about the most important tips and pointers.
Those who follow these tips are sure to have a far more rewarding experience than those who do not.
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Setting Up The Hamster’s Cage
When you are in the process of setting up the hamster’s cage, there is one primary concern that has to be addressed early on: the odor. If you are not taking the proper steps, your room is not going to have a very tolerable scent. It does not matter if you are keeping the hamster in your room or a different section of the home.
The cage has to be cleaned out on a regular basis. If waste is allowed to accumulate, the bedroom is going to smell rather unpleasant. Don’t allow the cleanup to fall by the wayside.
This is not a humane way for your pet to live. Scoop out their cage at least once a day. Dump all of the bedding out of the cage on a weekly basis as well.
Once these steps have been completed, clean out the whole cage with water. A mild detergent is the best choice for this task. Dry the cage thoroughly and apply a fresh lining.
The cage should not be stored in an area of the bedroom where it will be exposed to drafts and/or direct sunlight. Direct sunlight and drafts cause smells to become more potent. They also create health concerns for the pet.
The hamster will only be comfortable in your bedroom if you are willing to keep it warm. If you are someone who likes it cold while you are sleeping, a different area of the home will be better for the hamster.
When temperatures are too cold, the hamster is more likely to begin hibernation. The temperature should remain somewhere between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Playtime Scheduling
In most instances, the average hamster is fine with taking care of themselves. When you compare them to, say, a puppy, the amount of playtime that they need is minimal.
On the other hand, that does not mean that the hamster can simply be left to fend for themselves all of the time. If the hamster does not receive your attention on a daily (or nightly) basis, they are sure to start complaining.
The hamster is a nocturnal creature, and they think nothing of begging for some attention when you are trying to get a little shut-eye.
In order to keep the cage in your room, you need to be willing to pay attention to the hamster each night before bed. If you don’t? The hamster is going to spend the night clawing at the cage and whining for some love.
If the hamster is awake when you first get up in the morning, this is another great time to play with them.
Providing The Hamster With Chew Toys
Chewing is one of the hamster’s favorite activities. This is not their fault at all. Their teeth never stop growing. If they do not keep them filed down, your tiny pal is going to have a rough go of it.
They will need a hard chew toy, such a branch, or a chew toy that has been specifically designed for hamsters. Your tiny pal does not need to be grinding his teeth down on the bars of the cage.
If you have chosen a metal cage, the clanging is sure to keep you awake all night long. Those who have chosen a plastic cage or wooden cage are in even more trouble. The hamster will eventually chew through these materials and make a daring escape.
Those who do not wish to wake up in the middle of the night and go searching for their pet will want to act accordingly. Purchase chew toys that are not as loud and provide the hamster with at least two chew sticks per week. This is a surefire way to keep the noise to a minimum.
Making The Right Noise Adjustments
Hamsters are nocturnal creatures (as mentioned above), and it does not matter how much attention they are given. Even if you provide them with plenty of chew toys, they are still going to make noise during the nighttime hours.
The hamster is a very active animal that will much of the night scampering around the cage and doing lots of digging.
He’ll squeak a lot, and he’ll run around the hamster wheel a whole lot, too. These are normal activities that you do not need to be worried about. Light sleepers need to take a moment to reconsider their decision.
It won’t be very easy to get any peace and quiet. There’s no way to convert a hamster into a nighttime sleeper. Deeper sleepers probably won’t even notice their nighttime hi-jinx.
What Are The Most Common Mistakes?
A prospective hamster owner should be ready to do all of the necessary research before making any final decisions. Unfortunately, even the best researchers miss out on a few common pitfalls during the learning process.
That’s why we are here to point out a few of the most common mistakes when it comes to placing a hamster in your room:
Using Bedding That Is Unsuitable
While there are some pet stores that may provide bad advice in this regard, there are certain types of bedding that need to be avoided at all costs. Newspaper, pine and cedar wood shavings, corn cobs, cat litter, scented bedding, and all fluffy bedding are all a no go.
Choosing a Poor Diet
Hamsters cannot subsist on a poor diet. They need healthy, balanced meals if they are going to be able to survive. Do not provide the hamster with slices of onion or pieces of citrus fruit.
These foods are not good for the hamster’s digestive process. Make sure that their foods are not sharp or sticky. Any foods like these are a major risk to the hamster. They can get caught in their cheeks, leading to infections and injuries.
Lack of Proper Caging
The hamster needs a cage that is suited to their size. We have all seen the hamsters who are crammed into pet store cages that are too small for them, and you don’t want to duplicate that mistake. A hamster that is living in the wild will run for miles each night. If their cage in your room is too cramped, they are going to have a miserable existence. Take the time to research the proper cage for your particular hamster.
Not Providing a Large Enough Wheel
This is one of the essential aspects of any hamster cage. Your pet needs plenty of exercise, and these wheels are the best way to provide it. The wheel cannot be too small, or the hamster may experience serious harm.
When the wheel is too small, the hamster is forced to arch their back in an uncomfortable manner when they run. Be sure to choose a sizable wheel that gives them plenty of room to roam.
No Regulation of The Hamster’s Out of Cage Time
Sure, it can be lots of fun to put the hamster in a ball and let him run around the house. There are precautions that must be taken, though. For starters, the hamster cannot be left unattended, and the animal can’t be allowed near the stairs.
Even if the hamster is in a ball at the time, a fall down a flight of stairs will likely leave them severely injured. The hamster should not be allowed to run loose under any circumstances.
Allowing The Hamster To Become Overweight
A hamster that does not have a proper diet or enough exercise is going to gain weight as time goes on. Hamsters are much like humans in this regard.
Much like a human, a hamster is going to experience numerous health problems when their weight is not under control. Don’t allow the hamster to eat poorly and make sure that you are giving them the tools they need to exercise regularly.
A healthy hamster is a happy hamster!