How to take care of a hamster (care for a baby hamster)

Hamster Species
Good pet hamster care isn't difficult, but there are a few things you should know. This page will cover ways to lovingly care for your tiny, sweet, furry hamster.

So, keep reading to learn how to take care of a hamster!


Pet hamsters are known by many names, including dwarf hamsters, teddy bear hamsters and golden hamsters. The hamster species available today are usually one of five species: the Syrian hamster, the Roborovski dwarf hamster, the Campbell's dwarf hamster, the Winter White dwarf hamster and the Chinese dwarf hamster. The Roborovski, Campbell's and Winter White are known as Russian dwarf hamsters. The Syrian hamster is the largest species and sometimes referred to as a golden hamster. A longhaired Syrian hamster is sometimes called a teddy bear. Syrian hamsters are solitary and must have their own habitat. The dwarf hamsters can live together in same-species groups if introduced at a young age.

The pet hamster species originated in arid areas that include Syria, Russia, China and Mongolia. The Syrian hamster was the first to arrive in the United States in the late 1930s and gained popularity as a pet in the 1950s. Since that time, many people have fallen under the spell of these furry busybodies.

Hamsters have been immortalized in children's books, television shows, video games and movies (who could forget Rhino the hamster from the movie Bolt?). Hamsters even inspired the famously addictive Hamster Dance and, since 1996, a hamster for president campaign. And the recent Zhu Zhu pet toys are a phenomenon. Pet hamsters are here to stay.

Once a hamster is added to the family, hamster owners soon realize that learning all about hamsters and becoming familiar with hamster facts helps in caring for hamsters. So be sure to check out all the hamster information on SmallAnimalChannel.
Hamster Behavior



Hamsters are crepuscular, being most active at dawn and dusk, but their schedule can be modified a few hours either way if lighting conditions are right and food is offered at set times. A good rule of thumb is never to wake a sleeping hamster, because that usually causes a grumpy hamster.

Although patience and proper training can get a hamster to perform simple tricks like begging for a treat or running an obstacle course, hamsters are mostly a pet to enjoy watching. When awake, hamsters always seem to be busy doing something, be it tunneling through bedding, rearranging bedding, running in an exercise wheel, sniffing and just ambling or running around their habitat. Even the way hamsters eat can be fascinating.

Hamsters are prey animals, so owners usually must work to gain their trust. Hamsters also seem to be masters at hiding and escaping, so keep them in a secure habitat and take care whenever you let them out to play.