Dwarf Hamster Escape – How to try to catch them
If your pet dwarf hamster has escaped out of their cage and gotten loose then be prepared to catch him safely. You will need to find a small box or can and then can quickly place this over him. If this plan doesn’t work or seems bothersome to you then you can use a hand towel or bath towel to throw over your hamster. Use the towel as you would a net. Just remember to act swiftly and after throwing the towel to roll him up in it or then cover him with a box.
Another thing you may choose to do to capture your little furry friend is to use a small humane trap. This trap can be found at your local pet store or from a feed store. If you don’t have these stores available or you find the cost to be a bit high, then you can also rent or maybe borrow a trap from the humane shelter. After getting a trap take it home, put your hamsters favorite treat in it and then place it where it will be easily gotten to and in a quite area that has low lighting.
If you can’t purchase a trap or find one to borrow, don’t despair, you can make one that is safe and inexpensive. Take a large size coffee can or small bucket, you could even use a plastic box, then tilt a small ramp made out of wood, plastic, screen, or cardboard against the container you chose. Next bait the trap with treats leading to it and inside of it. Your hamster will follow the line of treats up the ramp and inside. By your hamster following the scent he will climb the ramp and then follow it on down into the container. The trap (container) will have smooth enough sides that your hamster will be unable to climb back out.
If you decide to use a trap to catch your dwarf hamster don’t be surprised if it happens in late evening when your little pet is the most active. During the day he will probably sleep or stay hidden from sight.
Whatever trap(s) you decide to use be sure and check them several time throughout the day. Naturally by the time you’ve caught your little pet hamster he will be thirsty and hungry and might require care. Look over your hamster carefully to make sure that he has not injured himself while he was “out and about”.
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Dwarf Hamster Baths
The Roborovskii sand baths!
There are a few breeds of hamsters that love cleaning the oil from themselves by actually rolling around in a sand bath. One of these particular breeds is the Roborovskii hamsters. Now this doesn’t mean just any old sand but means a special type of sand called “chinchilla”.
Hamsters, in general, do a very fine job of keeping themselves clean overall. Usually upon awakening is when the dwarf hamster loves to groom himself, but he will also do this several times a day as well. Normally the way in which a dwarf hamster cleans himself is by putting both of his front legs over the top of his head and pushing his fur forward. It looks similar to you trying to pull your top over your own head.
Next the little hamster will wash it’s face and then painstakingly clean it’s hind legs and feet and it’s sides. Once the hamster has started his initial grooming it can and does usually take him a quite a bit of time. If you notice, your hamster will do the exact same grooming pattern to himself each and every time he cleans and grooms.
Maybe a sign of sickness or a problem if they aren’t self grooming
If you notice your hamster stops grooming himself, this is usually an indication that your pet is sick or has a problem. You also will notice that your hamster will spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning around his scent glands. We may not smell our hamsters but to the hamster his scent glands will play an important role in his behavior. It also plays a large role in his communication and territoriality, especially during breeding cycles.
Skip the grooming and the water
Now you won’t have to groom your dwarf hamster and be out the expense of buying all the brushes, shampoos and combs for your tiny little pet any longer. Actually you do not need to bath your hamster as this can and will make him/her become ill. As well many shampoo products could make your little pet become sick.
No shampoo please!
As you probably already know you do not want to use any type of shampoo that may contain pesticides. Most of those products are made for use on cats, dogs or larger animals. Since they are made for larger animals and not animals like tiny hamsters, then the amount of pesticides in these products could very well kill your pet hamster. Also the perfumes used in many of grooming or bathing products will impede with your pets natural scent glands and body oils.
Parasites – yikes! Contact the Vet
If for any reason you might suspect your hamster has parasites then contact your veterinarian. You veterinarian will be able to identify if this parasite is contagious to you, or any other pets you may have. Even another hamster. Your veterinarian will know which product that will be safe to use on your animal.
Hamster Balls and Hamster Cars
Hamster balls can be purchased from your local pet store(s) and are made of clear plastic. They can be taken apart so that you may place your hamster inside of it and then your little hamster can run around. While a hamster ball is very cute and it looks entertaining to your hamster it is actually not a the best of toys for them.
When contained inside your hamster can become frightened of being enclosed or trapped. This could make your hamster panic. Even though the balls have holes for air ventilation, the holes are very tiny and could quite possible not provide your hamster with enough air while inside of them and also it could heat up inside. These toys have the potential to be more cruel than they are entertaining and fun for your pet. Please think of your pet and their safety!
One toy I highly recommend is the tunnels or tubes for your hamsters enjoyment. To be safe make sure the tubes are wide enough and allow enough space to play comfortably. They need to be at least 2 inches in diameter. Make sure as well that they are not to long, this will ensure that the hamster has the proper amount of ventilation that is needed. You also do not have to spend a large amount on expensive, colorful tubing from your pet store. You can make a simple tube out of pvc pipe, however check the ends and make sure they are smooth. Paper towel inner cardboard rolls can also be fun for your pet.
More Dwarf hamster toys information
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Dwarf Hamster Toys
Have you got a dwarf hamster and been looking for a toy? Maybe wondering what type would be fun and appropriate for them to play with? Since they are so tiny it would be best if you found toys that are specifically aimed towards their small size.
Hamsters are busy, inquisitive little animals and it only makes sense that a toy would be a worthwhile asset for your pets overall life. Toys would stimulate and enrich your pets life by learning to play and investigate.
Ramps, tunnels, ladders and wheels would provide as much entertainment for your hamster as it would for you. As well hamsters just love to chew. Since their front teeth are continually growing and must be worn down, it would be good to provide them with a rodent chew toy that is safe. I recommend buying a rodent chew toy from your pet store.
If by chance you give your little hamster a wooden chew stick or block make sure it has no sharp or rough edges that they could harm their inner mouth pouches with. Remember that regardless of what toys you choose for your hamster that they are going to be chewing on them. So it is a good idea to make sure that they are made out of non toxic or chemically treated materials.
Hamsters need exercise and one of the best toys for this is the running wheel. The wheel should have a solid floor and I do not recommend the wire running wheels. These can be dangerous because your little hamster could trap his leg in the rungs causing injury to himself. As well these wires could also injure your little fellows tiny little feet.
Dwarf hamster balls and hamster cars
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