Chinese hamster: care, maintenance, reproduction, disease

The Chinese hamster in natural conditions, as its name implies, lives in China. More precisely, in its northern part. And also this wonderful rodent can be seen in the vastness of Mongolia. He also conquered lovers of living creatures, settling in our apartments. What is this handsome man and how to care for him? Let’s try to find out!

Chinese hamster: how is he looks like

That you can tell about the appearance of this cute a rodent?

• Chinese a hamster is sometimes also called a “dwarf hamster”. Indeed, it is miniature – in length this rodent grows up to 9-12 cm. Weight is in the range of 35-45 g. As you can see, the animal is really quite small. Although, of course, you can find more little hamsters, so the name “dwarf” is very conditional. males, as is often the case, somewhat larger females.
• Muzzle slightly elongated. On it are located attentive black eyes, pink nose surrounded by long white whiskers. Ears are small and round. Of course there are and cheek pouches, which can brag to all hamsters. fit in there can be about 20 nuts.
• On the front paws is located on 4 finger. On the back – 5 each. Paws – both front and back are slightly longer, than in other breeds.
• Also this hamster is noticeably different from his own relatives with a long tail. Exactly for this reason Chinese hamsters often confused with mice. Ponytail length is 2 or 3 cm. In many hamsters, as we remember, ponytails are very short – much shorter than the indicated indicators.
• That As for the fur, it is short. The main color is brown-brown, and also has a dark stripe stretching along the spine. Light Coloured plot, except that it is the abdomen, which has a beige tone. It is in this form hamsters can be found in their natural living conditions. Thanks to this the color of the rodent can effectively hide in shady areas. However, of course being in captivity affected the color: breeders brought out a couple of new ones – it is white and white with gray spots, located on the back. Remarkably, that even white hamsters have black eyes – that is, they are not albinos.

What is the nature of the Chinese hamster

Character Chinese hamsters have:

• Chinese hamster – that another introvert! With his relatives he doesn’t really want to talk. And the matter it can even come to blows! That’s why if possible better than these cute keep pets alone. Or, if you want to find a companion, let it be heterogeneous individuals. Two male, like two females, are permanent skirmishes and showdowns.
• This The rodent is a real ball of energy! He loves to spend time on the move. Run, jump, look for something or something to gnaw, play – without it Chinese hamster can’t imagine own life. If someone wants to start calm pet, it is better to look another variant.
• To communicate Chinese hamsters can with their owners – by the way, with people they are excellent hamsters get along if they feel trust in them. Most often, communications between a pet and the owner is not hindered by the nature of the rodent, namely his nocturnal hamster lifestyle. The most interesting thing is that in communicating with people this pet is meek, friendly. It’s quite easy to tame him. Many hamsters are not particularly willing to go to contact with people, but Chinese is a pleasant exception to the rule. Bite it will only be if there will be a good reason – for example, his something very scary.

Maintenance and care of Chinese hamster: nuances

That same can be said about the content of these pets?

• Despite for the miniature size of a rodent, better don’t buy a small one for him cell. As mentioned earlier, Chinese the hamster is still an active lover spend time! Therefore, in miniature his home will be clearly cramped. yes, the bottom should be at least 30×50 cm in size. But, of course, the larger the dwelling for pet, so much the better! Especially if everything the owners decided to keep several rodents. The rods should be located not at a wide distance from each other, otherwise, the pet can get out into the wild. It is believed that the maximum the distance between the bars is 5-6 mm.
• It’s desirable set up a cage where there are fewer people. Many this advice is really surprising, because Chinese hamster is a sociable rodent with people. In fact, he will always be frightened if the hosts who reside in the same room with him, inadvertently become wake him up all the time. Such awakenings have a negative effect on habituation pet to a new home. At the same time and a hamster can interfere with people, because at night it will certainly start to make a lot of noise and enjoy life. So it’s better move the pet separately, and then just come to him for care him and for games.
• That to choose as a bedding? Sawdust, hay, special fillers for various rodents. Sawdust is also approved, but only if the wood is not belongs to the coniferous species and not from mahogany. Paper is fine too. if it is not completely colored – napkins, paper towels case are suitable.
• Of course same, you need to put a bowl in the cage and drinker. The bowl must be made stainless steel, and highly desirable to be deep. Perfect drinker – one that is made in the form tubes – a pet and will not choke, and does not litter in it.
• Hamsters – rodents are clean, they often defecate in the same place. It is recommended to install either a special tray for rodents, or self-built. Preferably so that it is closed, and inside you can pour a special filler or sawdust.
• House – Desirable purchase. In him the pet will sleep. Special Ready house, own made product of wood or plastic, stretched between the bars a fabric awning – all this suitable as a place to rest.
• Considering Chinese hamster activity definitely need to buy what let him vent his energy. it running wheel, tunnels, ladders – in a word, everything that will entertain the pet. And the more, the better!
• Bathe hamster is not needed. Here to help him arrange sand baths – it’s worth it! It is this kind of hygiene that the inhabitants of China and Mongolia is very fond of. small container made of metal or ceramic sand – and the pet will be happy take a shower whenever you want. By the way, when the animal does it, the cage is smaller smells like a pet. Of course, the sand from the sandbox in the yard not suitable – too much in it any harmful substances. And here is the special sand for chinchillas worth buying in a zoological shop.
• Also something to put in the cage grinding of the teeth that grow in these rodents all the time. Ideal Items for grinding – wooden blocks, twigs from fruit trees, mineral stones. The latter will also help to saturate body with beneficial substances.
• Time a week you need to clean the cage. The sawdust is completely changed, but the cage space must be washed with using a disinfectant. You also need to wash the feeder, drinker, toilet – in a word, to conduct a general cleaning.
• Than feed a rodent? Basis his diet – grain mixtures, preferably buy special food rodents. Blog include fruits and vegetables in your diet e.g. apples, pears, pumpkin, banana, carrots, corn, plums, peppers Bulgarian, broccoli. Beans and green beans peas are allowed, but in small quantities. Useful and greens – parsley with dill, nettle, lettuce green, clover. Suitable for dried fruits like prunes, dried apricots, dried apples, raisins. Nuts, of course, too give, but it is better to exclude almonds.

Chinese breeding hamsters: let’s talk about the nuances

That need to know about Chinese breeding hamsters?

• Ready to breeding these rodents aged approximately 12-14 months. Everything is desirable to involve them in this matter of the month in 14 so that they have time to grow properly, to make the body as strong as possible.
• Как only the pet has grown up, it is in the spring begins to experience heat, like many other animals. Estrus in the case of hamsters, it usually happens every 4 days. As soon as the right day comes, you can introduce the couple to each other. Preferably do this in neutral. territory – so to all acting people are more comfortable. If the female does not attack on the groom, which means that things are going to success.
• В in the latter case, you just need to leave couple alone. The first mating is celebrated the appearance of blood in the female. Knitting, by the way, usually happens quickly after as male and female are alone.
• After the mating of the boy from the girl must be separated. The female will quickly gain weight, make a nest. It is worth preparing a secluded a corner for her, putting more flooring – the female herself will lay it so how comfortable she is. Sometimes the mother-to-be be aggressive, which is natural in her case. Pregnancy lasts from 18 days to 21 days.
• gives birth hamster alone. From the owner do not touch for the first 3 weeks nest at all. Cleaning the cage is worth it postpone during this period. Otherwise female may panic, which will hurt cubs – sometimes she even has them in a fit panic can kill! For the same reason no need to make noise near the cage.
• Toddlers and mom should be fed with bread, soaked in milk. You also need to give the food mentioned earlier. Feeding should be carried out at least three times a day.
• Как babies are only 4 weeks old they should be separated from their mother. Truth, Chinese hamsters can not be planted, however, most hosts prefer play it safe.

Diseases of Chinese Hamsters: what owners need to know

С what ailments are more common hamsters?

• Skin problems – very often the owners of hamsters contact veterinarians for dark spots that appear on the sides of their pets. In fact It’s not a disease, but a consequence of that the glands are overpigmented. Also often in hamsters are injured skin sacs – this is due to eating sticky food or getting awns from blades of grass, chips. In this case need to see a specialist help to carefully unscrew the bags, clean them, disinfect them. After this few days hamster better not feed so that the cheeks have time to heal.
• Respiratory diseases – they can be identified by shortness of breath in pets. Sometimes it may arise due to the banal runny nose, which these pets also get sick like people. And sometimes it’s all about lung diseases – and here it is already necessary consult with a veterinarian.
• Gastrointestinal diseases are especially common occur in long-haired hamsters, in which their pile accumulates and forms balls. For prevention this phenomenon is highly recommended treat pets twice a week a small amount of honey – then wool will stick to it and come out from the body. Hamsters also have diarrhea, and they occur due to poor quality feed. В in such a case, as soon as possible take your pet to the vet accurately determine the nature of the infection. Otherwise treatment will be ineffective.
• Urological ailments such as cystitis, which characterized by frequent urination mixed with blood. Treatment prescribes specialist, and during this treatment it is recommended to treat the hamster with a large the amount of fruit. Found in Chinese hamsters and diabetes, which can be identified by increased thirst and a lot of urine. Such an affliction treated with special drugs, and it is desirable to exclude such individuals from breeding, taking into account the propensity for diabetes to be inherited.
• Gynecological diseases also occur – for example, purulent discharge from the vagina. treatment endometritis does not give in, therefore the pet will have to live with him. But sometimes for endometritis take white discharge, that occur at the end of estrus, and are a signal that the female is ready to reproduction.

Hamster – a wonderful pet. Long walks and haircuts, no claws needed, furniture and wallpaper does not spoil. Truth, many are upset when they find out how much live these pets – with excellent care, they survive up to 4 years, no more. However, still Chinese hamsters are regularly captivated hearts of millions of home lovers animals.