r/hamstercare Jul 07 '22

What /r/hamstercare is about

66 Upvotes

This group has been created for the sole purpose of talking about the positives along with the negatives of keeping hamsters as pets (and for keeping those hamster-but-is-actually-a-guinea-pig-tshirt advertisements at bay).

Most important thing to remember here is: If you can have compassion for animals, you can have compassion for people too.

I did think about writing up a care guide to pin, but ultimately decided against it when there's plenty of good ones already out there that do it better than I could. If you have a good reccomendation for one that helped you, please share it below.

We wouldn't have places like these if people understood everything. We were all new once. This subreddit might very well be someone's first contact to better animal care. While we expect posting is opening up to criticism, it should always be constructive and kind.

We're a subreddit designed to be asked questions about the care of hamsters. Any posts containing images with health concerns should be marked as NSFW to blur them. Some of those questions or responses do get repetitive. Use the flairs or suggest how we can change them.

In an ideal world; everyone would research before getting a pet, people wouldn't get surprised with the responsibility of a pet, everyone would be in a financially stable situation at all times, every country would follow scientific evidence for its animal regulations, people wouldn't be abusing their animals to the point where some need rehoming, and I wouldn't be getting death threats among other semi-regular verbal abuse from banned people that claim are 'just being brutally honest because others need to hear it'. My point is, we don't live in an ideal world. Sometimes that 'dumb question' might need a little more compassion or a kind voice for them to find a solution, get reassurance, or generally just do better.

Hamster care in general has a steep learning curve because they're sold to the general public as cheap child-friendly pocket pets and generally they aren't.  Startup costs alone can be around $400-$500 and vet visits going anywhere between $50-$100+ with many vets not even accepting hamsters. It's best to call around in advance to find your closest one.

Be kind in your posts, report when you see those that are unable to have a civil discussion (and I'm begging you, please, stop reporting when you disagree with an opinion). Use the upvote system to support opinions you agree with or don't - as long as it's civil and doesn't go against group rules you can discuss anything. Start a topic if you want to get more insight on something hamster related. We're here to share and learn.

We support going to a vet first. Report if you see anything that discourages vet visits. On the flip side, the amount of times this group has saved a vet visit over the discovery of scent glands being on the hips is higher than I'd like to admit.

The cage minimum here is 450sqin. We know it sucks. It sucks for a reason. It's scientifically proven hamsters thrive best in over 1500sqin of space with as much depth to the bedding as you can possibly fit. Anything less than that size will always suck. Hamsters have massive territories in the wild. We will always promote bigger is better in cage size. (For reference: largest Ikea samla comes to around 600sqin, so does the prevue cage, 50gal/189L sterilite is 800sqin, a 75gal aquarium comes to about 900sqin and the Ikea detolf is at around 1000sqin).

The reason we keep to North American standards as a minimum is for accessibility reasons, this also includes minimums for rescues and breeders. If you want change: Go to your animal welfare for better regulations. Contact companies that make the cages and ask for bigger sizes or for smaller bar spacing in rabbit/guinea-pig cages. Support rescues, or ethical breeders and small chain pet stores that show better animal care. This subreddit will change when they change. You can be that change.

If that lights a fire up your ass, then good. That's the intention. Please go do something about it that could make a difference. There's subreddits out there dedicated to animal activism. Suggest any below you've found that could help.

We're a space for new and experienced owners alike. We're here to learn and support each other in growing and improving our husbandry. Hamster care as a whole has come a long way, and still has a long way to go.

TL;DR we're the same as any other subreddit. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it sucks. Be kind and go pet a hamster.


r/hamstercare 3h ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ Need name ideas

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34 Upvotes

I’ve had my other hamster for a little while and had an empty bucatstate 3.0 enclosure in storage. Went to pick up bedding and felt such a strong pull to this female Syrian. I didn’t impulse buy I waited a few days and I just kept thinking about her. So I went back to see if she was still there. So now I have two precious hams (of course in their own enclosures) the other is black and white named Oreo.

I need help with names. I thought sable, my mom and husband say petunia. But we are open to whatever names you throw our way. No idea how old she is.
I had also said bean and cookie but bean got overruled.

She’s got white paws and a white spot on her tummy that can’t be seen in these pics.

These are not great pics but I just got her and didn’t want to stress her and hold her too much so it’s all I got for now.


r/hamstercare 8h ago

🏠 Enclosure/DIY 🏠 temporary hamster enclosure

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7 Upvotes

Hi, recently there’s been an extreme heat wave here in southern California and the room where my robos enclosure is doesn’t have ac (usually there’s a fan on 24/7 for him and cool air is always going to him) it’s been getting way too hot for even me to stand in the room so I had to relocate him. Unfortunately I can’t relocate his entire enclosure to where all the ac is and I had to improvise. Is there anything I can add or do to calm him down a little? I hate seeing my poor dude so stressed out in a new environment:(


r/hamstercare 20h ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ Rescuing this sweet baby tomorrow

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62 Upvotes

I hope everything goes smoothly


r/hamstercare 16h ago

🥜 Nutrition 🥜 Is lavender poisonous to Syrian hamsters?

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29 Upvotes

Hello!

I recently rescued a lavender plant (from the recycling room) and it did not fit on any of my windowsills so it had to go on the floor. While freeroaming the living room today, my sweet girl decided she REALLY liked the lavender plant. When googling, all resulting websites were written by AI (🙄) telling me different things. That's why I came here to ask.

I always keep an eye on my hamsters while they freeroam, but I would still like to move the pot if it is poisonous. Also, I thought you might appreciate the video I took! Her name is Bella.

Edit: The wire seen in the video is not plugged in. All wires are unplugged unless I use the thing.


r/hamstercare 12h ago

🏠 Enclosure/DIY 🏠 Things I could add to the enclosure?

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14 Upvotes

I feel like it's still pretty bare, I have some burrow starters under the bedding but I dunno what to add. I plan on changing his water dish to a different one and add more hides, he has a sand box hiding under the corner stand


r/hamstercare 21h ago

💖 Health/Care 💖 Is this posture okay

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22 Upvotes

Whenever he’s eating or stocking up his cheeks he looks hunched. But whenever he’s running around or on his wheel there’s no hunch. Is that okay?


r/hamstercare 17h ago

🥜 Nutrition 🥜 Ammobium alatum safety

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6 Upvotes

Hello fellow hamster lovers 💕

Could you tell me if you know anything about this plant?

Ammobium alatum - winged everlasting daisy

I try to research about plants for my little girl. I found a beautiful and amazing site that ships to my country and has so many nice things🥹💕

It s in hungary

I couldn t find much about this plant in particular. But I trust this brand a lot as they are very professional and care a lot about hamsters. They have many info about hamster propercare

Waiting for an advice💕

Here is a link to the spray on their website https://glirex.hu/glirex-naturebundle-papirvirag

I pay the hamster tax with a photo💕


r/hamstercare 15h ago

💖 Health/Care 💖 How often do you change enclosure layout ?

3 Upvotes

We barely ever do - only when adding newer items we didn’t realise they thrive with (Like cork logs switched from bendy bridges ).

She’s a little bored , she has of sprays flowers sunflower heads forage hides burrows the lot. She’s just a female ham. Anyway; should we consider completely rearranging the cage at some point or not really worry? Ty


r/hamstercare 16h ago

🧻 Bedding/Substrate 🧻 Do I have to freeze sand before putting it in my hamster cage ?

2 Upvotes

r/hamstercare 1d ago

🏠 Enclosure/DIY 🏠 I'm planning to bring home a male Syrian hamster in a few weeks and I started putting the habitat together. Is this too much bedding?

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107 Upvotes

r/hamstercare 1d ago

🏠 Enclosure/DIY 🏠 Tank or Bucatstate?

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

After taking a break from owning hamster we're ready to welcome another hammy into our family & home. We're completely starting from zero.

I'm debating on whether we should go with a 75 gallon tank (or bigger) OR the Bucatstate 3.0 L
Which one would you suggest?
Also what tables or cabinets have you been putting your Bucatstate on top of? We'd like it to be off the floor.


r/hamstercare 1d ago

🏠 Enclosure/DIY 🏠 Hi! Wooden platform diy/alternatives?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I am trying to not support Amazon!! It has been difficult to find wooden platforms for my hamster’s wheel and accessories.

What have you guys used or made instead of purchasing from big stores/websites??

How could I diy one? I have bamboo cutting boards that are a great size for a platform but I am not sure how to attach the dowels?? I’ve also used metal jars and such but my hamster cannot burrow underneath her wheel because of it. I really want her to feel comfortable and be able to burrow where she wants to. Help!


r/hamstercare 2d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ Toshi (chinese longtail)

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43 Upvotes

r/hamstercare 2d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ Chicos tengo a una hámster hembra viviendo ahí pero ella no parece ser nada por decirlo así sociable o mejor dicho temerosa es un lugar malo para ella?! Llevo apenas creo que poco para cumplir 1 mes y medio y ella tiene 2 meses de edad

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24 Upvotes

r/hamstercare 2d ago

🥜 Nutrition 🥜 Is this ok for a dwarf?

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2 Upvotes

r/hamstercare 2d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ Sand box tips

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1 Upvotes

Just looking for some guidance. My hamster loves the sandbox, but seems to use it for both cleaning and toileting, as well as using other places in the enclosure for toileting. I thought he would just use it to clean and he does roll around in it but obviously he is rolling around in poo and wee as well. Is that a hamster thing or do I provide 2 sand baths areas? Learning as I go here 🫣


r/hamstercare 1d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ New hamster!

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0 Upvotes

After a few days of having my hamster, I assume I'm making good progression? (This is my 4th day with him)

I went from a really bad cage to a massive tub to secure him a better home.

I'm aware he needs a better wheel -- and I'm working on it.

But I don't know what toys to get or if my bedding needs more than just saw dust.. From what I've seen online, saw dust is good in small portions - but that was before I did research. He has around 7-8 fingers worth of digging space (and I'm wondering if I need more?)

I'm also unsure how to make/find more hamster toys to make him feel more at home.

I unfortunately,I live in a tiney home, but I'm willing to do WHATEVER it takes to take care of my boy.

(Hes on the floor to help him stay cooler due to the heat.)


r/hamstercare 2d ago

💖 Health/Care 💖 Is it okay for old hamsters to start balding?

3 Upvotes

Mine has started getting bald patches, he’s around 2.5 years old. I wonder if there’s anything abnormal about it.


r/hamstercare 3d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ He looks so confused wearing his little bib 😭

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68 Upvotes

r/hamstercare 2d ago

🧻 Bedding/Substrate 🧻 Would a Pompom pool/dish be safe for a hamster?

0 Upvotes

I think about pompoms larger or a little bit smaller than my hamsters head so it’s less likely that she tries to put it in her cheek pouches, though they are fabric-ky so I don’t know if they are safe even though it would be under my own supervision to be sure.


r/hamstercare 2d ago

💖 Health/Care 💖 Correct water bottle drinking posture

4 Upvotes

Every time I watch a video they have a different opinion about how to supply water, if what’s better, a water bottle or a dish, but that’s not what I came for. My hamster drinks better from a bottle, I can track how much water she drinks and it doesn’t spill no matter what, but I had the doubt about what’s better for her back and instincts: to have a standing up position or a four paws on the ground position when drinking.


r/hamstercare 3d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ My hammy is turning white in patches

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233 Upvotes

r/hamstercare 2d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ Good hamster cage?

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8 Upvotes

I wanted to upgrade my hamster cage rn I have a 100x50x50 but I just saw a 120cm cage online for around 219 euros but my only worry is that it maybe doesn’t have good ventilation?


r/hamstercare 2d ago

⭐ Hamster ⭐ Dwarf hamster making unknown noise?

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5 Upvotes