Pets Stack Exchange
Pets Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [hamsters]

A small, furry rodent kept as a pet; this tag works for the hamster and variants including the dwarf hamster.

Not to be confused with , , , or , this tag is for questions specific to hamsters of any variety, including dwarf hamsters.

If the question is not hamster-specific, consider using instead.

62 questions
18
votes
6 answers

How much space does a hamster need in its cage?

How much space does a hamster need in its cage? My friend's always tries to get out, and I think he might be a bit cramped.
Timtech
  • 3,271
  • 6
  • 25
  • 48
11
votes
4 answers

When and for how long can my hamster safely play in a hamster ball?

I know there is a special ball for hamsters, which they get in start to moving in; it's called a Hamster Ball. I want to buy one for my hamster, but I have two questions: At what age can a hamster start to play in the ball? My hamster is about 40…
Omid Kashmari
  • 111
  • 1
  • 4
10
votes
3 answers

Can a hamster and a tortoise/land turtle coexist peacefully?

We're interested in keeping a hamster in the house, and I know my wife is fond of small reptiles. Is it possible to keep a tortoise and a hamster in the same enclosure? I'm thinking this is possible. The tortoise shouldn't try to eat the hamster,…
Brendan
  • 201
  • 2
  • 5
10
votes
2 answers

Light spectrum visible to hamsters

I'd like to build an infrared tachometer for my hamster's wheel, but I don't want to distract him with a light source. Therefore I want to choose the wavelength of the LED for my hamster not to see it. Being a nocturnal animal, I suspect him of…
bot47
  • 203
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
9
votes
4 answers

How can I stop my hamster biting the bars of her cage?

My hamster absolutely loves to bite the metal bars in her Rotastak enclosure. I know that this is to wear her teeth down but it's so annoying. How can I stop her from doing it? I have already tried giving her gnawing sticks, but she always goes back…
Andy Holmes
  • 278
  • 2
  • 3
  • 11
8
votes
2 answers

Is it safe to take a small (such as a Robo or Chinese) hamster in airplane, or can they "explode"?

I am planning to fly from USA to Hong Kong and wanted to take my small Chinese hamster with me. My understanding is that a hamster would probably have to ride in the cargo hold with other animals (dogs, etc.). But I was told by a friend that very…
user100487
  • 183
  • 1
  • 4
8
votes
1 answer

Does chocolate hurt hamsters?

I know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but is it bad for hamsters too? I would like an answer from a credible source.
Andrew
  • 973
  • 2
  • 9
  • 21
8
votes
1 answer

Plants suitable/safe for a hamster?

I am trying to create a 'natural' looking hamster cage. I want to create as much enrichment as I can by using rocks, moss, wood, leaves, sand, dirt and other elements that would be natural to a (dwarf) hamster. I've seen cages with plants in them…
Summer
  • 287
  • 1
  • 5
7
votes
1 answer

Can a hamster be allergic to cats?

I live in an apartment with my Roborovski hamster, and my roommate has a cat. Occasionally the cat will get into my room and get close to him, and shortly after, I will notice him scratching himself a lot. Is it possible he might be allergic to…
Kt96
  • 85
  • 6
7
votes
2 answers

Hostile hamster - Biting hands whilst holding

I recently got a Syrian hamster at the age of seven weeks. Now, at the age of three months, he is not curiously nibbling me, but actually biting until I am bleeding (three times already). What am I supposed to do? Background story: We had a rather…
Robin Kramer-ten Have
  • 181
  • 6
7
votes
2 answers

Is my hamster's (fancy dwarf) cage too small?

It's not trying to escape or anything, but I'm just wondering if the cage is too small. Please look at picture provided.
Vivian Z.
  • 71
  • 1
  • 2
7
votes
1 answer

Should I bathe my hamster?

While reading the Hamsterific hamster FAQ, I read about never giving hamsters a bath. That's a naughty word in the hamster world; hamsters don't like water sports. Nature has provided hamsters with a natural oil to maintain the condition of their…
user34
6
votes
2 answers

Will my hamster take damage if I film him with an active IR camera?

I'm currently using my Raspberry Pi combined with a NoIR camera module as a camera to livestream my hamster's home to my mobile phone. Now, the IR-camera itself does not output any good pictures at night without an additional source of IR light. I…
rqnn
  • 163
  • 5
5
votes
1 answer

Why does my hamster freeze?

I've had several hamsters and was wondering why they do a certain behavior. Sometimes my hamster will suddenly stop whatever it is doing and stay completely still until I move around or say something. After moving/saying something, my hamster will…
Jacob B
  • 657
  • 1
  • 10
  • 30
5
votes
2 answers

Is Cotton Wool an acceptable substitute for Hamster bedding?

I've got two Roborovski Hamsters which both have good sized cages. I like to try and change their bedding frequently which obviously increases the cost of the bedding. It seems there are two types of material required for a hamster: Absorbent…
Henders
  • 5,135
  • 5
  • 21
  • 54
1
2 3 4 5