As an adult, I have never had a pet; as a child, I had cats and turtles. Does anyone have firsthand experience with hamsters? Do you smell even after a good cleaning? Can I go on vacation for 3-4 days and return to a lively Hammy?
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Nocturnal scratching may annoy you and your neighbours.
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They require a lot larger cage than most people believe, a massive wheel on which they will race all night, and fresh feeds rather than simply seed. You should clean the cage on a regular basis. Mine never smelled. Someone should come check on it while you’re gone.
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Hamsters are extremely sensitive animals that are not very social. They have numerous demands, yet the majority of readily available health-care information is inadequate. For optimal results, seek out a dedicated hamster community.
Mammals consume food on a daily basis because they require energy to maintain bodily functions such as temperature regulation. If you’re going away for three or four days, you’ll need a petsitter.
I employ a sitter for my animals on long weekends because they all require some type of daily care. I’ve got rats, a crested gecko, and a leopard gecko.
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Hamsters are a lot of fun but can be surprisingly costly and time-consuming, especially since they’re considered “exotics,” meaning vet bills can rival those for cats or dogs. Syrians, in particular, need large enclosures, and females can be quite picky. From my experience, RCD/WW dwarf hamsters tend to be the most laid-back with the sweetest temperaments.
They don’t smell if kept clean, but finding and cleaning their deeply burrowed nests and toilet rooms can be tricky. Hamsters need daily fresh water, so they can’t be left alone for 3-4 days without someone checking on them.
Finding a suitable enclosure can be tough. We ended up building ours, which was cheaper in the long run, but large aquariums work too. Ignore the “350 sq inch” minimum; they need much more space, ideally 1000+ sq inches. Commercial hamster food often needs supplementing, so a bit of research is necessary.
It’s been a while since I’ve kept hamsters, but this website has great care information: LINK
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