Hamsters are a very popular pet with children. They do not need a lot of looking after and live until about two years old although sometimes they can live to about three years old.

Many breeds of hamsters live on their own as they do fight amongst each other, although there are some breeds such as the Russian Dwarf which can live together.

A hamster does not cost very much to look after. When you first get your hamster you will need a cage with plenty of space as they do like to run around. The bottom of the cage should be covered with sawdust and bedding should be nice and soft so it does not scratch the hamster. You will also need a bowl and a water bottle. Hamsters do need toys to chew on and play with, they also like a wheel to run around in to get their exercise. You can also buy a big ball and the hamster goes inside and then they can run around the room.

A hamster is a nocturnal animal so will sleep all day and come out to play on the night time so remember this if you want the hamster in your bedroom as the running around on its wheel might wake you up.

The cage should be cleaned out every week and you will probably find food stored away, you should remove all of it as it can rot and will upset the hamsters stomach.

A hamster can be very shy so try and stroke it on a regular basis so it will learn to trust you, soon you will be able to pick it up but remember to be very careful as they are a tiny animal.

You can even teach a hamster its name. Hold some food in your hand and call it, when the hamster comes to you, give it the food.

Because the hamster has a very short life, the female hamster is only pregnant for about two to three weeks. She can have up to ten babies in one litter. The mum will probably have the babies during the night and should be left on her own. Don’t touch the babies as the mum hamster does not like this and could kill the babies. When the babies are born they are blind and have no fur. After a few days, they start to open their eyes and the fur starts to grow. When the babies are about six weeks old, they can leave their mum and start a new life in their new cage otherwise they may start to fight with each other.

HAMSTER CHECK LIST 

1. SUITABLE CAGE

2. GNAW PROOF FOOD DISH & WATER BOTTLE

3. HAMSTER FOOD

4. WOODSHAVINGS

5. SOFT BEDDING

6. MINERAL BLOCK

7. GNAW BLOCK

8. TOYS

9. EXERCISE WHEEL OR BALL