Hamster Questions! Help?

[PinkMouse]

Ive made this on the mouse place now, but Ive got questions on hammies too. I know Ive asked bunches of questions before, but oh well, never hurts to get a bunch of different opnions, right? :P Anyways.. Ill just ask questions that I know and some that I dont (for thoes who need to know) so you can try to anwser the, :D lol

1. Is there a difference between male and female hamsters as far as bonding goes? Like, in rats most of the time the males tend to be more cuddly and form a outstanding bond.. is there such a 'gender difference' in hamsters?

2. Do hamsters get sick easily? I've heard that some do, some dont, so just want to get it straight. And if so, what are normal sicknesses that occur in hamsters, and how can they catch it (like, being exposed to something, etc)?

3. What would be the best type of wheel to use in a hamster cage? Ex: theres the wire and solid plastic.

4. Whats your opnion on the ball/harness for hamsters? Ive got my opnions on them, but I always like to hear what other people think :D And dont nag or attack other people and their opnions, so if you think you'll get all huffy and fired up please avoid this question.

5. As far as bonding goes, do rate how good you think your bond is with your hamster (1=no bond at all, 10=awesome bond)? And state how many hammies you have too, because from what Ive seen is that people with more than one hamster usually have more on the lower side of a bond to none at all, but people with only a few or less have better bonds.

6. Are hamsters generally more indipendant, or do you think they would enjoy staying out of their cage most of the day? I know some types of animals that would love to stay out all day and stay on your shoulder, etc, but I also know of some that would basically like to be left alone, and taken out every once in a while.

Thanks! Try and anwser things as best as possible :)

-Mila -propeller

Oh.. and if possible, post pics of you hammies :) I <3 looking at hammie pics, lol

[shadowolf]

1:a)Dwarf hamsters, and Chinese hamsters are social, they should be housed in same sex pairs..

b)Syrian hamsters are Solitary, they will fight to the death once sexually mature... No Excuses..

2:The most common illness in syrian hamsters is Repsitory infection and wettail.. Respitory infection is caused by being housed on pine or cedar bedding. Wettail is genetic, caused by stress in young hamsters, and is also HIGHLY contagious..

3:Solid wheels are always your best option, their little legs are fragile(break easily), so a wire wheel is out of the question... Solid wheels are usually machine washable too..

4:Balls are ok, but hamsters cannot see where they are going so they tend to smack into things and even roll down stars injuring them selves... Harness's are useless because hamsters can squeez out of them with ease.

5:Hamsters are not like Rats, they dont bond as well to humans.. They are nocternal creatures, so they are up at night.. They get cranky when they are woken up during the day.. They do however CRAVE attention, they need at leaste an hour out of their cage a day to explore.. They dont learn their names like rats do.

6:Hamsters are nocternal animals, they need at least 12 hours sleep a day.. They sleep in their cage. you can let them out once in a while, they can wander SUPERVISED.. But I wouldent trust them Alone, like I would a rat.

Good luck with your research.. I hope you find the pet for you :).

[PinkMouse]

Thanks!

Also- for the first question I was meaning a hamster/human bond, not hamster/hamster :P

Thanks, again

[shadowolf]

ok... well.. now you know the answer for both bonding issues... hehe ;)

[7GameSavvy]

Hey Pink:D

1. I don't think there is much of a difference with the bond male vs female, I find the bond comes more with time then anything else.:)

2. As long as they have a clean cage (cleaned once a week at least), are free from drafts, have a room temp. between 70-80 degrees F., get good quality fresh and dry food, and aren't handled much when their owners are sick because they can ketch human sicknesses, they are relativley hardy:)

3. Solid wheels are best because their legs can get caught in the wire barred wheels and the wire wheels that are made out that wire mesh stuff isn't good for their feet. In my opinion the best wheel is the Silent Spinner, it comes in sizes gfor dwarf and syrian hamsters and a huge size for rats.:)

4. You know my opinion on harnesses vs balls. I think harnesses are cruel and uncomfortable and that balls are the best way to exercise your ham short of getting him a play pen and jungle gym.:)

5. Smidget - 8 (I've had her 7 months)
Twig - 3 or 4ish (I've had him 2 months)
I have 2 hams (obviously, lol). I also got Smidget at a younger age and I think that had something to do with it.:)

6. Hams are nocturnal so they should have time to sleep all day until they descide to wake up. When they are up they enjoy getting out and running around (mine chew their cages if they don't get let out), but they get stressed easily so their time out should be split between handling, 10-20 minutes depending on their comfort level, and independent running around preferrably in a ball for at least 20 minutes.:)

Hope I answered your questions ok.:D

Savvy

[PinkMouse]

Thanks, Savvy :)

[BellaItalian]

I am not sure of all the answers but...

#3
I would go with the wire cage because, witht he other kind the hampsters poop in them so it is extra work for you, they also tend to make it a bed for themselves and will pile bedding and food in there.

#6
I would say they are very independent. They love to play ,but my dwarf that I had didnt really like to play with me that much I mean he would run on my arms, but I think he prefered his wheel.

[PinkMouse]

Ok, thanks :)

[PinkMouse]

Update
Were in the process of moving, so I think Ill be getting a hammie in a few months :)