Important rules for caring for Dzungarian hamsters. All the most important about breeding Dzungarian hamsters at home Dzungarian hamsters content

Dzungarian hamsters are very friendly creatures that can make great pets. V wildlife they live in groups in the forests, meadows and deserts of China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Siberia. There are several types of Dzungarian hamsters: winter white, campbell and roborovski. They should be kept in a cage equipped with obstacles and other activities for the hamster. Find out how best to arrange a home for your pet, and let your pet live happily ever after!

Steps

Build a home for your pet

Choose a cage for your hamster. Dzungarian hamsters grow up to 10-11 cm in length, they need a lot of space to play and run. The cage should be large enough to accommodate toys, a house, a food bowl and a drinking bowl. Choose one of the following options:

If you have multiple hamsters, set up a cage for them. Dzungarian hamsters love to live in small groups.

Buy litter for your hamster. Fillers are very beneficial for the health of your pets: they absorb moisture and warm the hamster. Fillers made from recycled paper, sawdust, or recycled corn cobs work well.

Think about where to put the cage. Hamsters are most active at night, so they need to be placed in a room that will be dark at night. This room should be warm. If your hamster catches a cold, it can get pneumonia.

• Do not open the windows in the room where you put your hamster cage.
• If you have other pets, place the crate where other pets cannot reach it.

1. Keep your hamster's cage clean at all times. A clean cage will keep your hamster healthy and happy. Change your hamster litter several times a week, wash the cage once a week. Wash it with antibacterial detergent and hot water to disinfect the cage. You can use white vinegar for washing. Wash your hamster's wheel, toys, bowl, and drinker.

   Give your hamster treats. In addition to the main food and seed mix, give him a treat from time to time. These can be fruits, vegetables, and other fresh produce. Don't give your hamster too many fruits and vegetables to avoid an upset stomach!

Play with your hamster

There should be enough toys and other entertainment in the cage. Hamsters are very energetic animals and need to run and play a lot (especially at night). The hamster must have toys and various obstacles.

• The jogging wheel is considered a classic toy for a hamster. The wheel is mounted on the bottom of the cage or attached to the wall. These wheels are usually very noisy, so it is better to move the cage with the hamster to another room at night.
• Another very popular hamster toy is the walking ball. The hamster is put in a plastic ball, the hamster starts to move and the ball rolls. Place the ball on the floor away from the stairs.

1. Learn to handle your hamster. For the first few days, don't touch the hamster, just stick your hand into the cage and let the pet sniff you. The hamster needs to get used to your scent. Remember that your hamster has very fragile little bones, so don't squeeze it. When you pick up your hamster, try to put your hand under it rather than grab it from above. This will make your hamster feel more relaxed. Try to hold the hamster in your arms when it is on the floor. When the animal sees that it can easily retreat and hide, it will not resist and bite.

   Help your hamster to keep himself clean. Dzungarian hamsters are very clean and do not need your intervention. However, once a week you can put some fine sand in a special container. The hamster will take sand baths because hamsters often dig in the sand in the wild.

   • If you notice that the hamster looks dirty and unkempt for some reason, take a small, wide brush, which is usually used for dyeing hair, or a toothbrush. Wet it and rub it gently over the hamster's fur. Then dry it off with a dry towel.
   • Never bathe your hamster in water! Your hamster can become seriously ill.

Take care of your hamster's health

1. Assess the health of your hamster. Usually Dzungarian hamsters are rather stocky, with large pouched cheeks and short tails. Check your hamster for eye or nose discharge. Russian Dzungarian hamsters are especially prone to diabetes. If your hamster is sick, he will drink a lot and urinate frequently. If you suspect your pet has diabetes, consult your veterinarian.

   Check if your hamster has a wet tail. If the baby has just recently been weaned, or is very anxious, he may have diarrhea, which will cause the tail to be wet. Consult your veterinarian for correct diagnosis and treatment.

   Check your Djungarian hamster's eyes and nose regularly. They are especially susceptible to various viruses and can get infected from humans. The hamster can develop pneumonia. If your pet has pneumonia, you notice discharge from the eyes and nose, the hamster will refuse to eat. This is serious! Therefore, take your hamster to the vet immediately.

The Dzungarian hamster is a small rodent, its size does not exceed 10 cm, the average individual reaches 5-7 cm in height, and its weight ranges from 50 grams. The fur of the animal is very beautiful, it tends to change color depending on the season of the year. Their distinctive feature from other breeds of hamsters is a dark stripe along the ridge. The wool itself is variegated with light blotches, this feature allows them to mask themselves as much as possible from predatory animals in the wild.

Dzungarian hamster

The color of domestic jungars can be:

• tangerine;
• pearl;
• sapphire;
• black;
• standard (gray-brown).

Most often in winter, rodents are prone to molting, the animals shed their old wool and turn white with their inherent dark stripe on the back.

Unlike other breeds of hamsters, Dzungarian ones are absolutely not fetid. They are clean, and if you regularly sanitize your home, you can eliminate the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Dzungariki become attached to their owners, willingly walk into their hands and can be on a person's lap for some time.

However, this does not mean at all that an animal can be used to make a toy for a small child. They can also be quite shy and do not like loud noise. It is worth noting that the dzungars are active at night, it is worth accepting this feature, or placing the cage in such a way that its nightlife does not interfere with the sleep of its owners.

Necessary purchases. Dzungarian hamsters, although small, are able to very actively defend their territory. Based on this fact, you cannot buy two hamsters and put them in one, albeit a large, cage. Regular fights and the struggle for survival, the extraction of food will lead to the fact that the animals will die.

The first purchase after purchasing the animal will be a spacious cage. The larger its size, the more comfortable the pet will feel, the minimum size of its dwelling should be 50 × 30 cm.This volume of space will be enough for it to live and play. If you choose a cage with horizontal rods, the hamster will be able to climb over them, warming up additionally. If you do not provide the animal with the necessary space to move, run and play, it will simply die. The cage can also be two or three tiered.

The Dzungarian hamster's dwelling must be equipped with the following equipment:

1. A house for privacy.
2. Drinking bowl;
3. Feeder;
4. Capacity for "bathing";
5. Sports (game) equipment;

Since Dzungarian hamsters are fearful, they need safety, therefore, in order for them to retire and hide in a cage, they need a small house. These structures are sold in pet stores, they can be made of various materials: wood, plastic, ceramics, cardboard. Cardboard houses are not so practical; ceramic and wood products are preferable. The higher the practicality of a small shelter, the higher its price. Plastic houses combine both reliability and comparative cheapness, therefore they are more popular among buyers.

The high mobility of Dzungariks was mentioned above, therefore, to maintain this feature of the breed, his cage must be equipped with sports equipment. These can be wheels for running, labyrinths, rope bridges, ladders. When picking up a wheel, you should carefully examine it. It is desirable that the structure does not contain holes, otherwise the animal's leg may get stuck, the consequences are fraught with fractures or dislocations of the pet's limbs.

Too large a wheel radius can provoke a curvature of the spine in a rodent, so the inventory must match its size, do not hesitate to ask a pet store consultant for advice. Equipping the cage with playful elements will help the pet to spend time actively and fun, which is important for a loving owner.

The food feeder itself may not be needed, hamsters do not eat from a bowl, and most often they love to turn it upside down, spilling the contents. A bowl is needed only in order to spread food on it, and then the hamster will take it to his bins. A ceramic feeder is preferable - it is heavier, it is more difficult for a small rodent to move and turn it over than a plastic one. When choosing a drinking bowl, you should know - they are different.

You should not take a simple bowl for these purposes, the hamster will easily turn it over and wet the filler. An excellent solution for cages is automatic drinkers, nipple design. Its device is quite simple - water is poured into a plastic container, at the bottom there is a special long metal spout with a valve, when the animal wants to drink, it presses on it and gets water for itself. The advantage of such a device is that it is easy to attach to the cage, the water does not overflow and does not get dirty. Dzungariks cannot be bathed in water, but they need to keep their fur clean. Therefore, in the cage, as needed, you need to put a bathing container with clean sand.

The filler for the cell is vital for the animal. You can buy special sawdust for hamsters at the pet store, or you can use fillers made of wood, corn, cellulose. You can dilute the filler with paper napkins, toilet paper, it is necessary for rodents to arrange nests. You should not use cotton wool and synthetic winterizer as a filler, rodents will clog their cheeks and may choke, and the material adheres to the limbs of the animal and contributes to impaired blood circulation in them.

Basic care

Dzungarian hamster care

The most important thing in caring for a Dzungarian hamster is to provide comfortable living and nutritional conditions. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the placement of a cage with a rodent. Animals do not like noise, so you should not equip his home next to a TV, computer or other source of loud sounds. A place near a heating battery is also not the best option for a pet. In order to avoid the development of diseases, it is impossible to place the cage in places where drafts form. Direct Sun rays undesirable for hamsters.

Dzungarian hamsters are very clean animals, so it's easy to take care of them. By itself, the animal does not exude unpleasant odors, and the cage should be cleaned on average once every three days, with the replacement of the filler once a week. Cleaning should begin by transferring the hamster to a safe place from which he cannot escape, such as a can or portable container. Then you can start cleaning the items. It is worth noting that all dirty filler cannot be removed, a small part of it must be left. It is necessary to wash the cage with laundry soap on a monthly basis. Sawdust must be poured, and the pallet must be washed and dried, then a new layer of warm bedding must be added.

In order for the rodent to sharpen its teeth, it is necessary to put a stick made of wood into the cage; for the same purpose, a mineral rock is also suitable. To clean the fur, if necessary, you should arrange a "bath day" for the hamster. You can determine that it is time to clean the fur by its appearance. If the wool has lost its shine and pellets have formed, you need to take a bathing container and pour clean sand into it, put your pet in it. Floundering in the sand, the hamster will clean the fur.

Optimal nutrition

The average life expectancy of Dzungariks is 3 years. Mature animals are sedentary and practically do not move. To ensure full life, the rodent requires a balanced diet. It is necessary to teach the animal to take food in one place to the cage, and not to drag it around its entire perimeter. For these purposes, both the feeder and the drinker are installed in one corner. The Dzungarian hamster is omnivorous, but this does not mean that it can be fed from "your own plate". The animal is prone to rapid obesity, and this fact negatively affects its health.

When composing a diet for a hamster, it is necessary to understand that it should not differ significantly from what they eat in the wild. The best and easiest option would be to buy food from a pet store. Special food for dzhungariks is balanced and additionally supplied with vitamins and microelements necessary for the growth and health of the animal. Most often, commercial feed contains corn, sunflower seeds, nuts, oats, peas.

Dzungarian hamster food

In addition, hamsters love to feast on vegetables:

• zucchini;
• carrots;
• cucumbers;
• tomatoes;
• lettuce leaves.

Cabbage, garlic and onions are categorically not suitable for dzhungars. You can replenish your pet's diet with fruits: peaches, apples, bananas, apricots. It is advisable not to offer citruses.

Rodents also need protein food to diversify the cereal diet. Once a week, the hamster should be offered meat, about 2-4 small pieces. It can be boiled chicken. Also, low-fat cottage cheese, boiled chicken eggs... In the summertime, it would be good to pamper the jungarik with juicy greens, for example, dandelions, nettles, clover, plantain, parsley. It is better to refuse sorrel and mint as a treat for a pet.

In mint - essential oils, and the sorrel is too sour, which may not please the hamster. It is important to know that you should not add salt, spices, baked goods, pasta, sausages to the food of Dzungarian hamsters. Fried and sweet foods are also prohibited. A serving of a healthy adult rodent should be no more than 2.5 tablespoons of prepared food. The hamster eats up to 2 times a day, and also hides food behind his cheeks, so he will not be hungry.

Diseases

Pets get sick, and this fact cannot but upset the owner. Dzungarian hamsters are also susceptible to various types of diseases. Deviations in the normal behavior of the animal can become an alarming signal for the development of the disease. For example, refusal to eat, immobility, excessive solitude, stool changes, and other signs. First of all, you need to visit your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment for your pet.

The main diseases of the jungariks can be classified into groups:

1. Mechanical damage.
2. Colds.
3. Diseases of the digestive tract.
4. Eye diseases.
5. Hair problems.
6. Dental diseases.
7. Oncological diseases and neoplasms.

Hamster activity can often lead to various injuries to organs or limbs. Often in their short life, fractures and dislocations of the legs from falling or excessive love of the owner. It is possible to understand that an animal has received a mechanical injury by uncharacteristic behavior or visually. The wounded leg can be deformed, the hamster has difficulty walking, does not eat and is inactive - all this means that he may be in pain.

Signs of colds in a dzhungarik are sneezing, runny nose and low mobility. You should know that a hamster can catch a disease from the owners of the house, or catch a cold in a draft. Treat the animal with warm milk, heated bedding and moving the cage to a warm place. Additional treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian. Sticky eyelids in a hamster are a sign of an eye disease. It may be conjunctivitis or some other infection.

The eyes of the animal are washed with tea leaves or saline. Cataract is a clouding of the lens, often found in Dzungarian people in adulthood. Unfortunately, this disease cannot be cured in rodents.

Dzungarian hamsters often have dental problems. If the pet refuses to eat, it may be worried about the teeth. It is necessary to examine the oral cavity, perhaps the incisors have grown too much or the animal has been injured. In any case, it's best to show it to the veterinarian.

And for oral hygiene and grinding teeth, there should always be a wooden stick or a mineral pebble in the cage. If a dzhungarchik falls out of wool, it is possible that he is sick. He may have eczema either allergic reaction for food or filler. A course of antibiotics will help cure the animal.

Organ diseases gastrointestinal tract are not uncommon in the life of Dzungarian hamsters. Signs of the disease - diarrhea, seething in the abdomen, foul-smelling discharge. Infections of bacterial etiology are treated with antibiotics, so in this case, the way out is a direct road to the veterinarian. Dzungariki are highly susceptible to development oncological diseases and neoplasms. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by an experienced veterinarian.

Dzungars breed throughout the year. The female hamster brings from 1 to 10 babies of various colors. The term for bearing offspring is 3 weeks. The youngest female may be 4 months old, and she is capable of becoming pregnant one day after giving birth. It is better to plant the male immediately after the appearance of the offspring, otherwise there will be fights. But the newly-made mother needs peace and comfort. Their life is short, therefore, all important processes occur rapidly among the Dzungarians.

If you need a relatively easy to care for, but at the same time adorable and cute pet, then good choice can become a Dzungarian hamster! These small hamsters are native to the south of Western Siberia, in the wild in winter time they change their gray coat to white. Despite the fact that at home, animals do not change color, they still have an adorable character, thanks to which they become amazing pets!

Steps

Arrangement of the cell

Choose a cage with an area of ​​at least 0.2 m² and a height of 30 cm. Hamsters love to run and climb the cage, so the larger the cage, the happier your pet will be. A classic aquarium with a volume of about 75 liters is also suitable as a home for a hamster, as it will provide him with the minimum floor space required, as for hamsters of any size it is usually recommended to use cages with a horizontal area of ​​more than 0.3 m² to be able to run around. Remember that the space requirement cannot be replaced by the running wheel. You should also make sure that there is a trellis on top of the aquarium so that the hamster cannot escape.

• If you are going to have more than one hamster, add approximately 0.1 m² for each additional hamster.
• Hamsters need a lot of horizontal space, so a cage with a large, flat floor is preferable to a modular cage with a large number tunnels.
• If special cages are too expensive for you, use a clear plastic storage container instead. For ventilation, make a cutout on the lid and attach a metal mesh over it that will not interfere with air circulation.

1. For added safety, opt for a plastic or glass container to house your hamster. Some metal hamster cages have rods too wide to contain inside dwarf hamsters. Even if the hamster is unable to squeeze between the rods to escape, it may just get stuck between them. A container with smooth walls will avoid such troubles. Also, you should never use a cage with a metal grill floor for your hamster, on which it can hurt its delicate legs.

   • Be sure to spot clean your hamster's plastic or glass house every day, removing soiled bedding. Ventilation in this type of cell is not very good, so the concentration of ammonia in the air (from the urine of the hamster) can quickly rise to a critical level. Just remove the dirty litter regularly and replace it with fresh ones.
   • Despite everything, metal hamster cages are still quite popular, with some cages equipped with plastic bumpers and a metal grill in the upper half. If you do decide to purchase a metal cage, make sure that the distance between its rods is no more than 5 mm.
   • If you have chosen an all-plastic cage, attach a metal grate to one of its walls. The ability to climb is an important part of your hamster's daily physical activity.

2. Place your hamster cage in a quiet room out of direct sunlight. Your hamster will feel safer when there is little noise, so avoid placing his cage next to noisy appliances, TV, or the busiest areas of your house during the day. Also consider the hamster's sensitivity to heat - keep it away from windows with strong sunlight.

   • Also, don't keep your hamster's cage in the bedroom. This is a nocturnal animal, so the pet will definitely run around the cage and chew on something while you try to sleep.

   Advice: loud noise and constant stress can have a negative impact on the health of the hamster. However, even with good health lifespan Dzungarian hamster is about 2 years old.

   Place a layer of litter about 5–7.5 cm thick on the bottom of the cage. Buy soft bedding for your hamster and spread it in an even, thick layer over the bottom of the cage. The litter can be sawdust, torn paper, or something else. However, avoid using aspen and pine sawdust, as some hamsters are allergic to them.

   • In winter, Dzungarian hamsters love to bury themselves deep in the ground so as not to freeze. A thick layer of bedding will provide the pet with the ability to burrow and feel comfortable.

3. Place a food bowl and drinker in the hamster's cage. Pouring food directly onto the cage bed will make it more difficult to remove old food debris before the next feed. To avoid this, place a shallow bowl in the cage and always put the food in it. Also use a wall-mounted dwarf hamster drinker.

   • To eliminate competition and aggression between pets, use additional bowls and drinkers if you have more than two animals.

4. Place a one-piece plastic running wheel in the cage. Metal grill running wheels can cause serious injury to your hamster's legs. It is safest to use a monolithic plastic wheel... Opt for a wheel with a diameter of at least 20 cm, as it will make your hamster run more naturally and he will not have to arch his back unnaturally, as in a wheel of a smaller size.

   • Usually, treadmills are sold with a stable base, so all you have to do is place one in a cage.

5. Place a hamster litter box in the corner of the cage. If you want to make it easier for yourself to cleanse the cage, encourage your hamster to go to the same place to go to the toilet. To do this, install a special rodent litter box in the corner of the cage. The first time your hamster enters the litter box, transfer some of the soiled litter to the litter box. When the hamster wants to use the toilet again, he will climb into the tray, guided by the smell.

   • Always wear gloves when replacing bedding in a cage.

6. Give your hamster a hiding place. In the wild, in case of danger, hamsters usually hide underground in their burrows. To keep your pet always safe in a new cage, provide him with a shelter. And do not be surprised if you see that the hamster sleeps in this house during the daytime!

   • When using plastic items inside your hamster's cage, be sure to check them regularly for damage. If your hamster begins to chew on plastic, remove the item from the cage.

7. Provide your hamster with plenty of wooden toys to chew on. A hamster's teeth are constantly growing, which can be dangerous for the animal if he does not have the opportunity to grind them down. In the wild, hamsters gnaw countless amounts of food and twigs to keep their teeth in optimum condition. Place 2-3 wooden toys in the hamster's cage. They will not only help him take care of his health, but they will also be great fun for the pet!

   • Keep spare toys handy so that they can be replaced when needed (for example, when they require cleaning).
   • Check the label information of the toys you buy to make sure they are made from wood that has not been exposed to pesticides.
   • You can also allow your hamster to chew on cardboard, for example, cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels.

   Communication with your pet

   1. Before picking up your hamster, give it at least one day to get comfortable in a new place. When you bring your hamster home, it is very likely that it will be under the stress of transportation. Place it carefully in the new cage and lock the door securely, then allow the hamster 24 hours to acclimate. This way he will be able to explore the cell without additional stress.

      • Try to be as quiet as possible on the first day. Hamsters themselves do not like loud noise, and at first, in a new place, the Dzungarian hamster will be especially sensitive to it.
      • If the hamster is clearly nervous and continues to hide after the first 24 hours, give him a few more days to get used to his new home.

   2. Introduce hamsters to each other before they are 12 weeks old. If you plan on keeping multiple hamsters, make sure they are all the same sex and introduce them as early as possible. In addition, you should be aware that pairs or groups of males are usually less likely to fight among themselves than females.

      • If you notice hamsters fighting, have them back as soon as possible. However, be careful as hamsters can bite.

   3. After the first day, introduce the hamster to your hand and offer him a treat. When the hamster is already comfortable in the new place, open the cage and lower your hand inside. Hold the treat in your open palm and place it directly on the mat. Next, keep as still as possible to allow the hamster to come to your hand and examine you at will. After about 5 minutes, remove your hand.

      • Remove your hand from the cage if the hamster starts to hiss or squeal. This is a sign of fear.
      • If you've got a particularly shy hamster, it may take several introductions before the hamster gets close to your hand. Be patient as you need to build trust with your pet.
      • Let the hamster continue to get used to your hand for a few more days before you try to pet it, then wait a few more days before picking up the hamster.

      Advice: since Dzungarian hamsters belong to nocturnal animals, it is better to communicate with them in evening time.

      When you think the hamster is ready to go into your arms, pick it up from below. Using both hands at once, grab the hamster under the belly. Cup your palms together to better control the movement of your Djungarian hamster. When picking up your pet, always sit down with it closer to the floor or keep your hands above the table so that an accidentally fallen or jumped hamster is not injured.

      • Be careful when handling your hamster. Do not make loud noises or squeeze your pet in your hands.
      • Never try to lift your hamster from above. He will consider you a predator, because of which he may try to bite and run away.

   4. When the hamster is already feeling completely comfortable, start interacting with him for at least 30 minutes a day. Spend time with your pet every day to socialize and improve your pet's comfort level. Although the first contacts should be short-lived, gradually increase their duration to 30 minutes and even more, when the hamster already begins to enjoy your company.

      • As the comfort level increases, the hamster can also be introduced to a walking ball or playpen.

   5. Every time you take your hamster in your arms, check its health. When playing with your hamster, make sure it looks healthy and alert. If it seems to you that the Dzungarian hamster is ill or you notice a sudden change in its behavior, immediately take your pet to the veterinarian.

      • Signs of some health problems include a wet tail, bald patches, loss of appetite, gnawing on one's own paws, and discharge from the nose or eyes. If you notice these symptoms, call the veterinarian and make an appointment.
      • Changes in your eating, drinking, and litter box habits can also be signs of ailments.
      • If your hamster has stopped showing its usual activity and does not move, and your house is cold enough, move its cage to a warmer place. He could simply go into a state of numbness close to hibernation.

   6. For physical activity, put your hamster in a walking ball several times a week or let him run in a playpen. Be sure to provide your hamster with a safe place to get all the physical activity it needs. Prepare for him either a walking arena or a reliable walking ball and let him play there for 15-20 minutes 3-4 times a week. Longer or more frequent play sessions can stress your hamster.

      • One of the options for a playpen can be a bathtub with a towel laid on its bottom and a running wheel installed inside, several wooden toys, as well as a bowl of food and a drinker. Just make sure that there is no water in the bathtub and that the drain is closed with a plug.
      • Use the walking ball only on carpet or rug. On hard floors, a hamster in a walking ball can reach too high a speed, which can cause accidental injury.
      • Never try to force your hamster into a walking ball. Also, do not put your hamster in a ball in a sleepy state.
      • Keep an eye on your hamster all the time it is out of the cage.

   7. When returning the pet to the cage, lock the door behind it. No matter how adorable your Dzungarian hamster is, you should not forget that this cunning one is a real master of escapes. Always double-check that you have locked the cage. Otherwise, the hamster will definitely go on a journey through your home in the middle of the night, where it can get lost or hurt.

      • If the cage door is damaged, replace it as soon as possible.

   Hamster feeding

   1. Give your Djungarian hamster about 10 grams of grain a day. You can find a suitable grain mixture at any pet store. Look for foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and fat. The entire portion of food can be given to the hamster in the evening, or given a little in the morning, and leave the rest for the evening.

      • Despite being nocturnal, hamsters also occasionally wake up during the day to grab a snack.

   2. Offer small slices of fruit or vegetables to your hamster 2-3 times a week. Fruits and vegetables are rich in sugars, but they are a terrific treat for occasional use. Offer your hamster a few healthy snacks several times a week, such as cauliflower, broccoli, diced pear, or banana.

   3. Offer your hamster a protein meal once a week in the form of maggots or boiled egg pieces. Hamster food itself contains sources of protein, but an extra protein treat once a week will help ensure that your pet is getting what it needs. nutrients... Maggots can be put in a bowl, and the egg can be given in the form of crumbs, which the hamster can safely take in his mouth.

      • Remove uneaten fresh food every morning to prevent spoilage.

   4. Check for water daily. Check your hamster's drinker at least once a day to make sure it has clean, fresh water. If you notice that the water has become cloudy or that something is floating in it, empty the drinking bowl, wash it and fill it with fresh water.

      • If your local tap water is too chlorinated, give your hamster some bottled water.

Not everyone loves big pets like dogs and cats. Some people have a preference for different hamsters and rodents. So, if you want a miniature, but at the same time cute animal, then the Dzungarian hamster is ideal. In addition, they are very playful animals, so jungariki are great for families with children. Their only drawback is that at night the hamster may not sleep and constantly rustles in his cage.

This type of hamsters in the wild can only be found in the steppes and semi-deserts. In addition, Jungarian hamsters differ from their other counterparts in that they have a dark stripe on the back. After reading this article, of course, you will not learn everything about Dzungarian hamsters, but you will get enough information on how to properly keep them and what to feed them with.

What you need to know before taking a dzhungarik home

At first, the Dzungarian hamster not only quickly gets used to the hands, but also quickly and weaned them off. Therefore, you need to play with the animal periodically. This is primarily necessary so that the hamster does not run wild. Otherwise, the animal can become aggressive.

Secondly, this animal belongs to the "family". Therefore, a hamster definitely needs a pair. Of course, there may be one dzungarik, but in a couple there are more chances that the animal will not run wild.

General description of the species

The Dzungarian hamster belongs to the group of small rodents from the hamster family. This species does not have a specific smell and, in general, is a fairly clean animal.

If speak about appearance of this animal, then its height is about 5 cm, and its weight is only 45 grams. The length of the body is 10 cm. The feet of the dzhungarik are covered with hairs, and there are dark stripes on the back. They are often gray in color. White blotches may be visible on their fur. Dzungarik has a pointed muzzle, small ears. This rodent has a light-colored belly and the inside of the ears is white. In summer, the hamster's coat becomes gray, and in winter it becomes almost white. Answering the question of how long the Dzungarian hamster lives, it must be said that average duration his life is 3 years.

Like any other animal, the Jungarik hamster should receive the necessary care and good nutrition. Hence, the rodent should always have clean cage, large area for life, periodic physical activity as well as a balanced diet. This is the only way to ensure good and long life to your favorite.

When choosing a cage for your pet, you should take into account the fact that it should be comfortable for the hamster himself. Optimal dimensions: length - 50 cm and width - 30 cm.

The importance of sport in a hamster's life

The animal must move and lead an active lifestyle. The best way to get started is to install running wheel... Ideally, a dzhugarik should move freely through labyrinths, slides and various ascents. In addition, you should pay attention to the fact that there should always be a tooth sharpener in the cage. Different twigs or sticks are great for this.

How to feed Dzungarian hamsters

A balanced diet is very important for proper growth and development of the body. The hamster must get all the vitamins and minerals it needs from food.

Dzungarik can be given the following fruits and vegetables:

• carrot;
• Apple;
• dried corn;
• legumes - beans and peas.

In addition, the rodent can be spoiled from time to time with different seeds and even boiled chicken or boiled eggs. Do not forget also about feeding with special food. It should be noted that in pet stores you can find special fruit mixes for hamsters. But this animal does not really like to drink water. This can be explained primarily by the fact that in his natural environment habitat there is no direct access to water sources. Despite the fact that the Dzungarian hamster drinks very little, water should always be present in the cage.

Breeding features of Dzungarian hamsters

First of all, you should pay attention to the fact that Dzhungariki breed very well, and their broods are quite large. So, at a time, a female can bring from 1 to 11 small hamsters, which she will feed with milk. This period lasts about 19 days.

In captivity, these rodents can breed all year round, but in natural conditions they breed from March to September. A month after the birth of hamsters, they should be seated in different cages, while dividing them according to gender. It is generally accepted that puberty begins in hamsters starting at 4 weeks, however early pregnancy females may be fraught with her death.

Average gestational age can last from 18 to 22 days. At this time, the pregnant female should be in peace and quiet. This is necessary so that in a stressful situation the female does not kill or eat her offspring. In addition, one should not forget that during this period the female can be very aggressive towards the male.

It is very important to thoroughly disinfect the cage before giving birth. Newborn hamsters are strictly forbidden to touch or touch them at all. This is due to the fact that the female can smell someone else's smell and eat her offspring.

If we talk about the nutrition of young animals, then small portions of protein food should be gradually introduced into the female's diet. This can be boiled chicken, low-fat cottage cheese, or boiled egg yolks.

Dzungarian hamsters begin to be sold in pet stores at the age of 3-4 weeks. It is during this period that it is already possible to establish the sex of the animal.

Dzungarian hamster: possible diseases

Often, a Dzungarian hamster can be injured during an unsuccessful fall. The main symptom of trauma- curved limbs. Also, fallen from great height the rodent may receive a slight shock. If this happens, the hamster should be taken to a veterinarian who will examine the injury and, depending on its severity, prescribe treatment. To prevent this from happening, the animal should be kept in the safest possible conditions.

Such rodents may be exposed to viral infections... The symptoms are no different from the symptoms of an ailment in humans. Dzungarik begins to sniff and sneeze. In order for your pet to recover as soon as possible, you need to feed him fresh vegetables and fruit, he should get everything necessary vitamins... Thus, you increase the immunity of your pet.

Hamsters, like humans, conjunctivitis may occur... If this happens, the hamster's eyes should be rinsed with salted water. Cataracts can also overtake a Jungarik. This is an age-related disease that cannot be cured.

Your pet may suddenly stop eating. One of the reasons is dental problems. First of all, you should check if the hamster has broken off the incisors. Sometimes there are such cases that the animal is disturbed by its long teeth. Then it is better to contact an experienced veterinarian who can carefully file them.

Sometimes hamsters may develop skin or coat problems... Often these are diseases such as dermatophytosis or eczema. They can occur due to frequent stress or allergies. The right content plays a key role in this case.

The hamster should live in a cage made of good material that does not cause allergies.

It should also be noted that the Dzungariks lice or ticks may develop... If your pet is constantly combing, then this may be a sure sign of the presence of insects. You should consult your veterinarian before using any spray or aerosol.

As a result, it should be noted that how long his pet will live depends only on the owner. Balanced nutrition, proper maintenance and daily physical exercise will provide a long and happy life your hamster.

Dwarf Dzungarian hamsters (in narrow circles known as "Russian" hamsters) are an ideal solution for those who do not want to risk the establishment of large specimens from the hamster family. In addition, they are very popular among children due to the fact that they lead an active lifestyle at almost any time and quickly get used to their hands (however, they also quickly wean themselves).

So, what do you need to know to keep such hamsters at home? First, you must understand that the "dzhungarik" is a family hamster and he definitely needs a husband / wife. Keeping a hamster alone, although possible, is not encouraged. Alone and without affection from the owner, he can run wild. The degree of wildness of the Dzungarian hamster can reach such a level that you simply cannot physically supply him with a bowl of food or replace water - the hamster simply jumps on his hand and bites it until it bleeds.

If you are not sure that you will pay attention to your hamster every day, buy a pair. It is desirable that these were young hamsters, full of strength and capable of quick addiction.

Hamsters love when it's dry. And it's not hot. Dry and not hot. Follow these rules when choosing where they will live. A table that does not fall straight is ideal for this. sunlight... Hamsters can be housed in a cage or in an aquarium. The aquarium, by the way, is the most relevant, because dwarf Dzungarian hamsters are very smart and within a month or two they can understand how you open the cage. From my own experience, I will say that this is very unpleasant: every night my hamster opened the latch of the cage and ran around the room. Youngsters are having fun in the feeding trough. As you can see, they are just as good in an aquarium as in a cage.

If your hamsters run away, know: they are where the paper or cardboard is. If you don't have paper products anywhere on the floor, look under the bed, sofa and other furniture items with a low leg. There is an easier way to search for escaped Dzungarian hamsters: turn off the light and wait for them to come out on their own. Within two to five crumples, they begin to rustle and will probably run out onto an open surface. This is where you catch them.

And now let's talk directly about the conditions in which the Dzungariks should live. The surface on which they run must be filled with sawdust. With their help, they can "build" a nest for themselves and begin to give birth. The paper should only be used if the purchase of sawdust was not possible. A good option would be to set up a house, which is made from clay and sold in pet stores at a low price. So they can sleep peacefully during the day, not paying attention to the light.

Caring owners will definitely provide the dzungarik with amusement - a wheel for running, ladders for climbing the wall will make your pet's life much more fun than without them.

The hamster feeder should be refilled once a day, just like the water. By the way, food for Dzungarian hamsters can be bought in stores or made by yourself. It is important to understand that without a good diet, your hamster will start to wilt. So, if you are making the mixture yourself, you should use the following elements:

• Corn cobs;
• Corn cobs;
• Seeds (not salted)
• Fruit and vegetable complex (sometimes give cabbage, apples, etc.);
• Legumes.

Hamsters do not mind eating beans and peas, but it is undesirable to give them in large quantities. You should also take into account that the mixtures in stores are not so expensive, the mixture for 100 rubles will be enough for you for at least two to four weeks (depending on the number of hamsters).

The cycle of caring for Dzungarian hamsters also includes cleaning their cage and hygiene procedures. The cage should be removed at least once a week, so as not to breed dampness in the cages and bad smell... That is why I previously advised sawdust instead of paper: sawdust absorbs moisture better and is easier to remove (paper shrinks a lot and forms a smelly layer that is difficult to pull out). There are often cases when hamsters "go to the toilet" in the same place. This can be a corner that is not occupied by toys or a house, as well as located at a decent distance from them. In this case, you can completely change the sawdust once every one and a half to two weeks, removing only the toilet sector once a week.

Dzungarian hamsters are very afraid of drafts and colds. Because of this, it is strictly forbidden to bathe them in the water. Instead, you can install sand baths for them, in which they themselves will clean the skin whenever they please. If you want to take part in bathing your hamster, use a wormwood decoction. This is one of the few liquids that can be used safely to wash your hamster.

Caring for Dzungarian hamsters in "non-standard" situations

Is the hamster acting weird? This is not yet a reason to ring the bells and call the doctor! There are several hackneyed cases that occur in a good part of the owners of Dzungarian hamsters. We will consider them.

The hamster sleeps all day and all night. What to do?

Of course, the Dzungarian hamster cannot sleep around the clock. If you bought a single hamster, then the probability of stress is high. Also, an insufficiently varied diet leads to the book of activity: for example, you cannot feed it with seeds alone. Cereals are an essential part of the diet of the Dzungarian hamster. It may also be that he is ill. Most likely - it blew.

One hamster is aggressive. Why?

The female hamster is quite often aggressive towards the male. This means that she is ready for the birth of little hamsters. In this case, you should not be afraid and separate them, everything is fine. Another thing is when the male is aggressive. This can only be caused by the presence of the younger generation of hamsters in the same cage with the old hamster - father / grandfather, etc. If young hamsters are not separated from older ones, the oldest can be very aggressive. I have the oldest hamster went crazy and began to bite to the blood of all the hamsters. I had to separate him from the rest. Unfortunately, this madness did not stop and he lived alone for the rest of his life.

First, she needs peace of mind. Try not to touch the house with children in which she was born (if you have a house, then she will be born there). Do not touch newborns with your hands, otherwise the female will become incredibly aggressive. If she is poorly fed or exposed to stress (separation from offspring, taking babies in her arms), she can kill and eat them. The male should not be separated from the offspring - he will not do anything with them, just like with the female.