Hamsters are one of the most chosen pets for family households. Hamsters are stocky, small, resilient little rodents. They have a lifespan of 1-2 years but some can reach the grand old age of 5 years!
This cute guy is our little Fang and he is named because he has fangs and he is not afraid to use them! HA!
Hamsters are nocturnal and love to hoard food and burrow! Due to the love of burrowing, hamsters need a cage that is around 68 to 90 liters and a solid floor is a must! These extremely cute little rodents are also great escape artists, so an escape-proof cage is also a definite! Hamsters are very territorial and should be housed alone. There are a few exceptions to this rule but generally, they should be alone. As small as they are a hamster can cause significant damage to another hamster.
Let's talk stimulation!
Even though hamsters are nocturnal and we hardly see them out and about, (unless you are a night owl) stimulation can often be missed when it comes to giving your pet the best! Like all rodents hamsters need to keep on top of their teeth, to do this hamsters chew objects. They also like to climb and exercise and are actually very playful little creatures! To meet all your hamster's needs you need to invest in toys for their cage. A hamster will utilize any toy to meet their needs. When choosing toys for your hamster it's best to choose some that can meet their need to explore, climb, burrow, chew and hide in! 
Feeding your hamster!
Hamsters love food. They love it so much that they actually stuff their cheeks and hide it in their nests. Hamsters do extremely well on a commercial diet, pellets, blocks, etc. All food needs to contain around 16% protein. Hamsters also love fruit and veg and you can feed them a variety to supplement their food. Some ideas are greens, seeds, carrots, apples, strawberries, raisins, peppers, and cucumbers. As with any animal, new foods can sometimes upset their bellies so try not overfeeding too many new foods and watch their digestive habits to make sure they are coping with a new food introduction. A favorite for my hamster is dried mealworms! These are Fang's ultimate food!!
Handling your pet Hamster.
Hamsters have very poor eyesight which makes them wary of being handled than other rodents. This is the main reason as well the l as the lack of handling that bites from hamsters happen. This is why it is not recommended to get very young children a hamster. Although the above seems as if you'll never hold your hamster there are ways to build trust and turn your hamster's fearfulness around. Talking to your hamster before attempting a pick-up is always recommended. By doing this you are making your hamster aware that you are near and they do get used to your voice. Giving a high-value treat to gain trust and build a relationship is also a good idea. Many pet shops sell high-value treats for hamsters. When going to handle your hamster always use the cupping method to pick up your hamster. This is a less threatening maneuver for handling them and will cause less stress.
Building trust and a relationship with any animal is important and should be the main priority when you first bring home your new pet!
