How to Care For Your Chinese Hamster
Give Your Pet Hamsters a Long and Happy Life
Chinese Hamsters come under the description “dwarf hamster” as they grow no longer than 9 cm long. This makes them the longest of the dwarf hamsters currently kept as pets.
Their bodies are longer and thinner than Russian Dwarf hamsters. They come in two colours, the natural agouti or brown with a dark brown stripe down the backbone and dominant spot, which is mainly white with patches of brown. The stripe can still be seen, but is often broken by the white patches.
Chinese Hamsters are shy in nature and very quick, but with patience they can become quite tame. There are articles on Suite 101 on how to tame your new hamster. When they are accustomed to you, they will cling to your fingers rather than scurry over them as some hamsters do.
Chinese Hamsters Live in Pairs
Chinese hamsters are sold in pairs because dwarf hamsters live in social groups in the wild. The males are easy to tell as their testicles are usually seen clearly, so there is less likelihood of being sold a male-female pairing by mistake. Two females or two males can live together, but all dwarf hamster owners should be aware that their hamsters may fall out and have to be split into separate cages.
Squabbling is normal, but sometimes it gets more serious. One or both hamsters exhibit bite marks or wounds. You will hear them chatter at each other when they fight, as a warning, but it can be difficult to separate them if they are locked together.
Housing Your Chinese Hamster
Chinese dwarf hamsters require a small barred cage (often called mouse bars) so that they cannot escape. A good alternative is an old fish aquarium, well-cleaned and with a mesh roof fitted. The aquarium will have plenty of space for toys and items of interest.
They eat normal hamster mix and enjoy vegetable treats such as cucumber, carrot and lettuce. Hamsters should never be offered human chocolate. It is best to feed in small amounts so that the food is not stored and does not go off. They require fresh water daily.
Breeding Chinese Hamsters
Chinese hamsters have been kept by breeders in pairs or colonies. Colonies however can be cruel to the weaker hamsters who will be bullied sometimes to death. Keeping hamsters in pairs to breed can lead to a litter of babies every three or four weeks. The female hamsters can be very bad-tempered when pregnant and the males may be attacked. It is best to leave breeding Chinese hamsters to those who know what they are doing.
Health
Chinese hamsters are healthy with relatively few ailments. They can sustain bite wounds and scars from a partner and develop cancer tumours. They can live up to three years and are the longest lived of the hamsters available as pets.
They can make lovely pets and if cared for properly will give you lots of enjoyment.
Normal Chinese Hamster
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