AboutHeather S Expertise ***PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BEFORE ASKING, IT WILL SAVE US BOTH TIME AND FRUSTRATION***
NO DWARF OR GERBIL QUESTIONS I REPEAT NO DWARF OR GERBIL QUESTIONS!I CAN'T answer them, even if I'm the only expert available. I specialize in SYRIAN HAMSTERS ONLY like black bears, goldens, teddies, and more. I'm an experienced breeder and raised hamsters for the past 10 years. I can help with how to buy your first, how to house and care for your hamster, nutrition, showing, and other general questions. I can help with most behavioral problems too. I am the longest running hamster expert on this page, since 2001. ***I WILL NOT answer questions regarding:
Gerbils
Dwarf hamsters(Robo and Russian are dwarfs!!)
Taming
Illness, Cause Of Death, or "My hamster is dying please help me"
I can't fix your hamster. If your hamster has a broken leg PLEASE TAKE IT TO A VET don't bother asking a question to anyone because we obviously can't repair it, we don't like the animals to suffer. If you can't take the time to read this then I don't take the time to read your question and may write you a rude response because your too impatient to read!***
Experience I have worked with hamsters all my life.
Question QUESTION: My mom is finally letting me get a hamster. I've had one before but that was when I was six. My mom did most of the work. Can you please give me some tips on good ways to care for one? Also, my brother might be getting one two but he doesn't want to care for it. I don't want it to die so I offered to take care of it. I've read some of your answers but I'm still not sure if two regular hamsters you get at PetSmart can live together. Thank you if you get the time to answer me. =D.
ANSWER: If by "regular hamster" you mean a large Syrian hamster (goes by names like teddy bear) they CAN NOT live together. Even though at most pet stores they are in one tank, it's because they are young. This is very misleading, because as the hamsters age, they become very territorial and will fight each other for tank space, usually leading to the weaker of the 2 being killed. If you must have 2 hamsters, they have to have separate tanks and never be introduced for "play time" like so many ignorant owners do.
Keep them in an aquarium with a lid, minimum 10 gallon for under 6 months old, 20 gallon long if they are full grown. That way you can customize the tank with whatever YOU want to put in it. Buying pre made plastic homes allows for no personalization, not to mention the hamster usually chews it up and it becomes fragile, and plastic tanks are hard to clean. Put down a layer of aspen wood bedding and change it once a week. Make sure you have at least one hiding place large enough for the hamster like a plastic igloo. As long as they have food and water access 24 hours a day, there isn't much to keeping a hamster, keeping it's living space clean seems to be the only thing owners have trouble with.
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QUESTION: You mention to that buying a 20 ft aquarium would be best for my hamster. My mom won't let me get on of those only the plastic ones at PetSmart. Would that be okay for it to live in? If so, are the tubes that can connect to them safe? Also, they have this play pen that's like a metal gate that goes around in a circle, I was wondering if I can take it outside and set it up and let my hamster run around on the grass, but then I wasn't sure because I have no clue if the grass would be safe or not. Thank you again if you have the time to answer me.
Answer Actually I said 20 gallon long not 20 feet long, as opposed to 20 gallon tall size. 20 gallon aquariums are only around 2 ft long, not 20ft. Sorry for the confusion, they only cost like 32 dollars, about the same as one of those plastic get ups, I'd really try and convince your mom on getting a 20 gallon aquarium. Most of those plastic cages are really too small for a typical Syrian, and not worth the high price tag. They will find a nice corner to chew up, which destroys the plastic and keeps you up at night with the noise.
As for play pens, they are ok for indoor use, but NEVER take your hamster outdoors. It's easier then you think for them to get out of the playpen and scurry away, and even easier for a hawk to swoop down and take it, even if you're supervising. Plus you really don't want any insects to land on your hamster like mosquitoes or fleas.
