Syrian hamsters - care at home

Contents:

• Description of species
• Conditions of detention
• Health
• Feeding

Most miniature domestic animals - hamsters it. It is noteworthy that even a very short period of time the lives of these kids do not detract from their popularity. After all, take care of a hamster is quite simple, and the joy he brings no less than the usual for us dogs and cats. Of course, the hamster will not respond to the name (even if it somehow call), there will be happy to meet you at the door and gently purr on your lap. But he quickly becomes accustomed to humans and begins to be happy to take food from hands.

But the most important - these kids is very interesting to watch. So, wanting to please yourself or your child funny pet, you can safely buy a hamster. However, it must be remembered that in the hamster is also necessary to take care of.

Species and breeds of domesticated hamsters, there are not so little. Among them are very small, for example, Jungar. There are kinds of larger - Syrian. That's just about Syrian hamsters we are today and we'll talk. And at the same time learn how to care for them, than to feed and which contain.

Description of species

The Syrian hamster is the only representative of its genus. It is large enough for the kind of hamsters, approaching the size of guinea pigs. Features of the Syrian hamster is not only size, but also a kind of golden coat color. Although recently withdrawn and multicolored rocks Syrian hamster. But by the form of wool Syrian hamsters are long-haired and short-haired.

The body length of Syrian hamsters reached thirteen centimeters and weighs one hundred and twenty grams. The body they stocky, short muzzle and paws and ears round. Eyes are black, small, resembling a shiny beads. The front legs of five fingers, and rear only four - the fifth finger is rudimentary.

The great advantage of this type of hamsters to others - resistance to various diseases. And this, as you know, greatly facilitates the care of hamsters. In the wild, they live in Syria, Iran and eastern Turkey. Natural habitats - a meadow, steppe, foothills and arable land. Syrian hamsters feed on roots, seeds, grass and insects and are omnivorous animals, but belong to a family of rodents. Living members of this species alone, forming a pair during the rut (the time for procreation).

Strictly speaking, all this determines the content requirements, as well as care for Syrian hamsters at home.

Conditions of detention

If you do not intend to breed hamsters, it is best to purchase one animal, since relatives Syrians coexist with difficulty, if at all do not tolerate forced neighborhood. The most suitable housing for the animal becomes a cage with metal bars of forty to sixty centimeters. Suitable and tank of the same size.

The cage should always be equipped with additional accessories and have a comfortable and safe for the animal litter. As litter can use special fillers or compressed sawdust. In no case can not obscure the bottom of the cell fragments of a newspaper or toilet paper, cotton cloth and napkins. And accessories for cells need the following:

• special toilet for small rodents, which can be purchased at a pet store or make your own;
• wheel of a suitable size with a bottom and without a grate with transverse protuberances staggered;
• troughs of not less than fifty milliliters;
• mountable to a wall of the house, which will be a place to store supplies;
• feeder up to ten centimeters;
• stairs, twigs, perch and dry roots that serve as a sort of exercise equipment for this active animal.

By the way, today you can buy already a fully-equipped cell, equipped with all necessary accessories. And you can equip your own home your pet all the additional devices.

Health

The basic hygienic care of a hamster is reduced to the periodic cleaning of the cells, which is carried out every five days. Hamster is deposited on the harvest and wash the cage with a safe disinfectant. At the same time and change the litter. Once a month, be sure to wash the cage agents containing bleach, then rinse it thoroughly and wipe dry. Do not forget that from time to time it is necessary to wash all items Use the hamster and his water bowl feeder and cleaned every day.

Special care Syrian hamsters do not need, so how to care for him, he knows himself. If necessary, only need to comb and brush your fur. Stain coat is dry cleaned by wiping it with a soft cloth, paper towel or handkerchief. Bathe Syrian hamsters only in exceptional cases, but it is better not to do so during water treatment hamster may experience stress or too cold and sick.

If the need arose, then bathe the animal under a stream of warm water, leaving a dry head and muzzle. Wash the baby must be very careful and very quickly, and immediately after bathing is necessary to dry fur hairdryer.

It is necessary to monitor the state of health of the animal. The first symptoms may include:

• slightly moist to the touch fur,
• loose stools,
• apathetic condition of the animal,
• difficult or labored breathing;
• the formation of wounds and ulcers on the skin;
• the appearance of fleas or lice,
• loss of fur;
• manifestation of aggression.

In all these cases you need to contact your veterinarian. But if you properly care for the animals, all the disease is likely to bypass his side. After all, as we have said, these rodents are very resistant to diseases.

Feeding

Properly care for a hamster - means write a good menu and the time to give your pet food. Syrian hamsters are omnivorous. However, this does not mean that you can feed them anything. This means that the animals can and must give the animal and plant food. In the wild Syrian hamsters fed plant seeds, roots, green grass and small insects. The home support in exactly the same diet is not necessary. Your hamster is quite complete without insects and with pleasure will eat seeds, roots, fruits and herbs. Therefore, in the diet of an animal is necessary to include:

• pumpkin and sunflower seeds;
• apples
• radish,
• zucchini,
• pumpkin,
• carrot,
• pears,
• persimmon;
• greenery.

Prohibited for these animals foods: nuts, citrus fruits, bacon, butter, sour cream, yogurt, sweets, cabbage.

Remember that the hamster prefers succulent food and stuffed it exceptionally dry mixes. Although such grain mixes hamsters definitely helpful, especially if they are fortified with vitamin supplements. Herbs hamster is used solely in the form of green - the dry grass it uses to build the nest. So the hay - it is not food for the hamster, and building material for his house. Naturally, the food should always be fresh.

By the way, the hamster likes to stocks that may eventually began to deteriorate. Therefore, from time to time, check its coffers, but not to destroy them completely. And remember that the Syrian hamster is predisposed to obesity. Therefore, animal feed only twice a day - morning and evening.

As you can see, to care for these fun kids it is actually quite simple. The drawbacks have virtually none except for a very short period of life that does not exceed three years. However, even in this short period of life and the health of your baby in your hands. And as if miniature and unpretentious it may be, remember that you are responsible for those who tamed.