Domestic hamster: care and feeding
Cute fluffy hamsters with beady eyes are loved by both adults and children. They can be trained, they take up little space. Keeping the animal does not require large expenses, moreover, caring for these unpretentious animals is very simple.
How to care for a pet hamster
Having decided to get this cute animal, you need to start by choosing a suitable cage. It should be spacious enough. The distance between the rods should not be too great, so that the animal does not escape from the "house". In addition, you will need to purchase accessories for your pet: a feeder and drinker for water, a special stone to sharpen its teeth (do not forget that you are purchasing a rodent), as well as a running wheel so that your hamster is always in good physical shape.
Of course, a good filler is required. To avoid unpleasant odors in the apartment, it will have to be changed quite often. In addition to filler with good absorbent properties, you will need to pour sawdust into the cage: hamsters love to bury themselves in them. 
Under no circumstances should the cage with the hamster be placed in drafts, since the animal can catch a cold, and this is destructive for him. The animal must be constantly monitored, at the first sign of malaise, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.
Hamsters are very susceptible to stress, so take care of the animal's nervous system. To do this, you need to follow a number of rules:
- Never yell at your hamster, they are very afraid of loud noises.
- Do not make sudden movements near the cage, otherwise the animal begins to feel in danger.
- Provide peace and quiet to the animal. They don't like change, so you don't need to move the cage often.
- Avoid showing your hamster other pets or sharing it with other hamsters.
- Try not to bathe your pet. If this leads to a cold, the animal may die.
- Do not punish hamsters, this can cause too much injury.
- Only useful indoor flowers that do not emit strong odors.
- Animals should not be taken out into the fresh air: direct sunlight is deadly for them.
How to feed a pet hamster
As for the nutrition of hamsters, special attention should be paid to it. Feeding should take place several times a day, and the rodent's diet should contain a special grain feed rich in vitamins and minerals. You will determine the serving size yourself, according to the hamster's appetite. Usually, no more than three teaspoons are enough for an animal.
You also need to make sure that the hamster always has water. So that he does not knock over and throw sawdust into the bowl, you can buy an automatic drinker. 
The most suitable food for hamsters is grains, nuts and seeds, as well as vegetables and fruits, but not all. From vegetables, without any harm to the health of your pet, you can give potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, apples and pitted pears. Prohibited ones include onions and garlic, irritating the delicate stomach of the animal, citrus fruits and various exotic fruits. Fruits and vegetables with a high water content are also undesirable: cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons.
You can include lean boiled meat in the hamster's diet and fish fat, as well as pamper him with healthy vitamin supplements.
It is advisable that the animal always have some food in the bowl. In addition, these animals are very zealous and like to store food for future use. Children love to watch a cheerful glutton rush around his cage, hilariously hiding especially tasty morsels of food in reserve.
We must not forget about an important rule: it is unacceptable to feed the hamster from your table. Animals love it very much, but such a habit shortens their already short life.
How long hamsters live at home
Unfortunately, the age of hamsters is short-lived. When buying, you need to consider that they live less than other pets. On average, this is 2-2.5 years, however, with care and good care, your pet can live up to four years.
Taking into account the short life of the hamster, it is worth buying a young animal. It is best if the hamster is about three weeks old so that he can eat on his own. 
A hamster is a painful animal, and it is difficult to treat them. Therefore, you need to pay special attention to the selection of a healthy animal. You can even visually determine the state of his health. The hamster should have shiny eyes and even breathing, the coat should be smooth and without bald spots. Since hamsters can carry dangerous diseases, it is best to purchase them at a pet store, where all animals are checked by a veterinarian.
To prolong the life of your pet, carefully monitor the cleanliness of the cage. Any germs and infections can be fatal for him. The hamster must have a good appetite, therefore, if the animal stops eating, this is also a serious reason for contacting a specialist.
Buying a hamster will bring a lot of joy to the whole family. If you follow the simple rules of care, a fluffy ball with a wonderful character will bring a lot of pleasure to both you and your children.
