Here at Brookhurst Animal Medical Center, we love treating furry little hamsters! While they may be small, they’re certainly have big attitudes and hearts. Like any other pet, your hamster requires love, attention, and proper medical care to stay happy and healthy. Talk to our Anaheim veterinarian to find out exactly what you need to know to ensure your hamster leads a long, fruitful life.
Remember, a pet is a big responsibility, no matter how small the animal. Owners need to be prepared to provide for their pets!
Different Types of Hamsters
Hamsters are a part of the rodent family and they come in many shapes and sizes.They also have different temperaments and life spans. We recommend doing some research about hamsters before making one a part of your family!
Hamsters make excellent house pets because of their small size and sweet demeanor, but certain breeds are more “friendly” and easy to domesticate than others. Most of these fuzz balls are also crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn. This is perfect for busy pet owners who don’t have time to play or feed their animals in the middle of the day. However, some hamsters are nocturnal, so they won’t like to be bothered in the day time. Some hamster breeds fight while others thrive when placed together. If you have a child in your household, you’ll definitely want to take these issues into consideration.
The most common hamsters for pets include:
- Syrian “Golden” Hamsters
- Winter White Dwarf Hamsters
- Roborovski Hamster
- Chinese Hamster
- Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster
While there are over 20 species of hamsters, not all of them are well-suited to the domestic life. If you see one in the wild, leave it be! You can find hamsters at your local pet store that are ready to be welcomed to a new home.
Common Hamster Complications
Most hamsters only live for 1 to 3 years at most. Since they have such short lives compared to humans, we need to help them make the most of it! Keep an eye on your hamster to make sure it’s not exhibiting any symptoms of illness. Many vets recommend doing a weekly checkup to ensure your hamster stays healthy.
Below are the most common illnesses that hamsters struggle with.
- Common cold: Colds are contagious! Even to hamsters! Humans can spread their virus to hamsters, causing the creatures to suffer similar symptoms. Hamsters can get runny noses, fevers, and fatigue just like us.
- Fur and ear mites: Mites are itchy and uncomfortable for hamsters. They can be spread from contaminated bedding, food, or other hamsters. Hamsters with mites will start scratching and balding. Other parasites, such as fleas, can harm hamsters, too.
- Wet tail: This is a stomach infection that is caused by stress and bacteria imbalance. Hamsters with wet tail may experience fatigue and diarrhea. It can be fatal if it is not treated quickly.
- Cataracts: Hamsters of old age may struggle with cataracts. While you may not be able to afford cataract surgery, there are ways to make your hamster’s living situation easier if it’s struggling to see.
- Ear infection: If your hamster starts walking in circles, it may have an ear infection.
- Bar rub: Hamsters need to chew on things and if they don’t have anything to chew on, they may resort to chowing down on their cages. This can lead to fur loss, bleeding, and damaged teeth.
- Injuries: If your hamster suffers from an accident, fall, or altercation with another animal, they may need immediate treatment from a vet. Small animals can suffer tremendously from blood loss.
Hamster Services and Treatments
At Brookhurst Animal Medical Center, our lead vet is an expert at treating exotic animals like hamsters. We provide many preventative services and treatments to hamsters of all types. Our veterinary clinic in Anaheim is easy to access from anywhere in Orange County and it is fully equipped with the tools and medication to treat hamsters. Here are our most common services for hamsters:
- Wellness exams
- Fecal exams for parasites
- Sex determination
- Nutritional counseling
- Mite, flea, worm treatment
- Tumor removal
- Antibiotic medication prescription
- Wound and laceration repair
- Internal abscess treatment
If you have questions, please call our office in Anaheim, CA. Brookhurst Animal Medical Center is a veterinary clinic dedicated to providing its pet patients with the best service and care possible. We’re happy to answer your questions!
Hamster Care 101
The best treatment is prevention! If you keep your pet healthy with proper diet and care, you can minimize visits to the veterinarian’s office (besides annual checkups). Here are some tips on how to keep your hamster in great shape 365 days a year!
- Keep your hamster’s home clean! That means changing out the bedding regularly and cleaning the actual cage, so no mold or bacteria can form.
- Maintain a nutritious diet. Hamsters eat lots of different foods, so it’s important to do research about what your hamster can and should be consuming.
- Provide entertainment. Being stuck in a cage all day with nothing to do is no fun. Make sure your hamster has lots of chew toys and exercise tools.
- Keep your hamster hydrated. All animals need clean water to survive. Keep your hamster’s water supply full at all times.
- Do research. As we’ve mentioned earlier, all hamsters are different. Some need companions while others do not. Some are nocturnal while others are not. Cater to your pet’s needs, so it can thrive in its new home.
Hamsters are adorable pets and they make great pets! If your hamster doesn’t warm up to you immediately, give it some time. It can be difficult adjusting to a new home and family. If you do plan on getting a hamster, don’t forget to book an appointment with the veterinarian to make sure your pet is in tip-top shape!
