Cute and small, the hamster is a great and a rather quiet pet. However it is fun! This furry little friend comes in a variety of types so you have where to choose from!


The hamster is probably one of the cutest pets, although the hamster is also one of the smallest pets you can find. There are several types of hamsters you can get to be your best buddy; the best known species is the Syrian hamster (or golden hamster) you can find the Syrian hamster under several names though because pet stores have taken to calling them by different names depending on their color and if they have short hair or long hair.
Note: the long hair variety usually needs special care because it can grow quite long.

There are several other types of hamster though, not just the Syrian; there are four other types or species to be more exact. There is Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster, some people call this the Russian Dwarf, there is also the Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster; a very interesting hamster actually because this hamster’s coat turns white during the winter when the days become shorter. A true athlete of the hamster world is the Roborovski Hamster, he is without a doubt the most active out of all hamster species, and the only hamster that has a real tail is the Chinese Hamster.

Everybody knows that in the dog world you have "show" quality dogs and "pet" quality dogs….did you know that this is true in the hamster world as well? That’s right, there are hamster breeders out there that are breeding towards producing hamsters of excellent health and temperament. If you are looking for a hamster to buy but don’t want to give the extra money on a show quality hamster do not despair because there are plenty of people out there that are breeding their pet quality hamster…and if all else fails there is always the petshop.

There are two types of cages that you can get for your hamster one is the normal everyday cage, you know with bars and everything else the other is the terraria (looks like a fish tank). Both types of housing have their pluses and their minuses, the cage provides plenty of climbing (the bars) but the fish tank keeps all the litter inside and provides a more sheltered interior then the ordinary cage does. I guess you can always get both and connect them with one of those hamster tubes, that way your pet has the best of both worlds.

Regardless of the cage type you decide to get for your little friend, make sure that he is kept in a nicely lit room that has a constant temperature….too much heat and your friend can die of heat stroke, or a temperature that constantly varies can make your hamster sick and animals that small usually do not do too well when they are sick.

One way to make sure that the little guy is nice and comfortable in his home is to make sure that he has a nice thick bed of litter, there are a lot of different types that you can get from your local pet store, try to get something that has not been perfumed…never use cat litter as it can seriously injure your animal.

To avoid serious health issues get an exercise wheel for the little guy because hamsters are usually hyper active and they love to run and run and run, this not only keeps them in shape physically but mentally as well. Avoid wheels that have individual rungs because this will provide unsure footing and it is possible that the hamster will hurt himself. Some people just put their hamster in plastic pet balls for a while to provide the necessary exercise, but if you are going to do this, make sure that you are going to keep a close aye on your pet because he can injure himself very easily.

Food that can be bought at any pet shop usually consists of dried seeds and sometimes fruits, but it is always a good idea to supplement their diet by giving them vegetables and fruits.

The hamster may be little but he makes up for it in the happiness he brings to anyone that wants to take care of him; even if they don’t make a sound during the day the hamster sure will make up for it as soon as the lights go out!

Cats, by their nature, are independent and require little attention beside cleaning out the litter box, feeding and the stroking they get on their owner's lap. You can be sure that your cat will always come back to your home once he has had his fill of chasing mice and exploring the territory around your home.

But just because they are independent creatures does not mean that you can ignore their health needs. Like your own health, if you want Fuzzy around for a long time, you should be aware of certain health requirements your cat needs beyond insuring they get their distemper and rabies shots.

Stress is not just exclusive to humans. A move, the loss of human companionship or a change in family routine can lead Fuzzy to stop eating or claw up the furniture in frustration.

As a cat ages, free radical damage occurs and the best way to keep the cat healthy is by supplying them with herbs and anti-oxidants like quercitin and rutin to maintain their vitality.

We don't always think in terms of our pet's health assuming that all that's necessary is to feed it. Cat food alone doesn't provide the kind of nutrition that leads to a shiny coat of fur and good digestion. Just like you and me, your can also needs some herbal help as can be found in echinacea and reishi mushrooms. Prevention from sickness is just as important as it is for you.

One of the best ways to keep your cat healthy is by feeding it the kind of food that a cat really needs. A quality canned food meat diet is preferable over dry kibbles. The type of protein found in dry kibbles are often too high in plant-based protein. Cats are carnivores and require meat rather than grain in their diets. It's what they normally eat in the wild. Water is an essential element of the diet and you don't find much in a bag of Purina Cat Chow. Cats need to consume water with their food as the drive for thirst is not very strong in cats. Without water, the cat will experience kidney and bladder problems down the road.

And if you think your veterinarian knows what's best for your cat, think again. Even the prescription diets sold by veterinarians are not formulated for your cat's optimal health. They often contain corn, wheat and other ingredients that put a high carbohydrate load on your cat. Before you consider a vet for your cat, find out if they have a good knowledge of pet nutrition, especially for cats.

While millions of people suffer from the effects of diabetes, your cat can get it too! Because those dry kibbles are plant-based, they can affect the blood sugar levels in your cat. Dry kibbles is the junk food for a cat. The manufacturers coat the kibble with an enticing animal digest spray. This makes it difficult to wean a cat to meat-based canned food like chicken or beef just as it is to get your children to eat what's best for them.

Joint health is an important factor, even in a young animal. You should allow your cat to roam around in the outdoors. That provides them the exercise they need to stay flexible. An indoor cat becomes bored and lazy as well as fat. As a pet owner myself, I've observed my cat getting fat during the coldest months of winter and slims down during the summer when it feels more willing to romp in the grass rather than the cold and wet snow of winter.

While your cat may seem quite frisky and agile, joint health starts at an early age which becomes evident as the animal ages. Any abnormal development shows up in limping and restricted movement the older the cat gets. Hip dysplasia occurs in both cats and dogs, even in animals as young as 5 months old. It only gets worse as the animal ages. Osteoarthritis isn't limited to us humans..

If your pet limps and has limited mobility, consider giving it natural minerals such as glucosamine sulfate, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM), devil's claw or boswellia serrata. Don't assume that your cat's limp is due to old age. Feed your cat the herbs and minerals it needs to stay agile longer. You can't do much if your cat has hip dysplasia, but it will see more mobility with less pain.

So if you want to have a healthy cat, consider these points. Feed it "muscle" meat, such as chicken or turkey rather than organ meats. Leave out the dry kibbles. By all means give it the shots it needs, but don't reply completely on your vet. Most vets have a poor education when it comes to nutrition.

By following the basic rules, your cats will live long and pain-free lives.