HAMSTERS SOUTH AFRICA
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT CORRECT CARE
Thinking of getting a hamster? New to owning a hamster? Already have a hamster?
With too many pet shops generally dishing out inadequate, outdated, and often risky information, this site will give new or potential owners proper researched advice and tips to a provide happy and healthy life for a hamster.
Current hamster owners will also find helpful insight to correct any areas where they may be lacking.
We suggest that you read all the topics BEFORE you get the hamster
(or before you make adjustments for the little one you already have)
so that you don’t waste your hard-earned money on the incorrect items.
HOWEVER, BEFORE YOU GET OVERWHELMED WITH SO MUCH INFORMATION,
we suggest that you begin with the IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS page
(and then the STARTER LIST page for the basic essential requirements).
While not all pet shops are completely bad,
please be very weary of outdated advice from most!
It may also be handy for you to print our BASIC CARE SHEET to take with you when out shopping for the little one, to remind you of the do's and don'ts.
DOWNLOADABLE BASIC CARE SHEET
DETAILED SITE INDEX
(Click on the item to go to where you want to be)
A
Additional substrates/enrichment
Adoptions - groups & pages to advertise
Attapulgite/Palygorskite/Sepiolite Clay Litter
B
Baby Hamsters (when to separate)
Baby Hamsters (emergency hand rearing)
BALLS (rolling/exercise balls)
Bathing a hamster (bad)
Bedding Substrates - Depth & Quantity
Bedding Substrates (international list)
Bedding Substrates - Pine Shavings
Bedding Substrates - Safe (paper based)
Bedding Substrates - Safe (HOW TO USE)
Bedding Substrates - Safe Wood Shavings
Bucket Trap (catch escaped hamster)
Butternut Pips (treats)
C
CAGES - also see "H" for Housing
Cages - bad wire cages
Cages - Rabbit & Guinea Pig (mesh wide bars)
Carefresh Bedding - how to use effectively
Clay litter - attapulgite/sepiolite/polygorskite
Colds & Respiratory Infections
Cold Weather - keep your hamster warm
Cotton/Fluffy Nesting (bad nesting
F
Fireworks - keep your hamster calm
Foam Chips (packaging) (bad substrate)
Food - Dry Food - Additional mixes
Food - Dry Food - fussy hamster
Food - Dry Food - Homemade mix
Food - Fruit & Veg (good list)
Food - Pregnant/Nursing/Baby hamster
Fruit Kernel Bedding (cat litter)
G
H
Handling/Holding your hamster correctly
Hot Weather - keep your hamster cool
Housing - Cages - rat & tall cages
Housing - Cages - wire (acceptable)
Housing - Custom DIY - Bin Cages
Housing - Custom DIY - Clam Pool
Housing - Custom DIY - Doll House
Housing - Habitat Manufacturers
Housing - Glass tanks (fish tanks)
Housing - Modular cages (Habitrails, etc)
I
Important Considerations - general
International Bedding Substrates
International Food List (commercial - dry)
J K
Kaytee Bedding - How to use effectively
Keep your hamster calm (fireworks & storms)
Kitchen wipes - bedding/nesting
M
N
Nesting Substrate - Fluff/Cotton (bad)
Nesting substrate - Safe (1-ply)
Nibble Rolls (seed gnaw treat- diy)
Non-Toxic Clay - Paper Pulp (diy)
NV1530/1528 Daro/DaYung Wheels
O
P
Pairing/Grouping (hamsters together)
Palygorskite/Attapulgite Clay Litter
Paper & Wood "Wool" (packaging)
Pick up your hamster correctly
Pine Shavings - dangers (research)
Palygorskite/Attapulgite/Sepiolite Clay Litter
Q
R
Reporting abuse
Reptile Enclosures & Vivariums (glass)
Reptile Enclosures & Vivariums (wood)
Respiratory Infections (pneumonia)
S
Sand - beach and building sand
Sand - cleaning (potties & pits)
Sand - garden soil & river sand
Scratches & Abrasions -treatment
Sepiolite/Palygorskite/Attapulgite Clay Litter
SEXING (genders - male or female?)
STARTER LIST (Essential Items)
Stormy Weather - keep your hamster calm
Summer - keep your hamster cool
Swimming - getting your hamster wet
T
TAMING YOUR HAMSTER (main page)
Taming your Hamster (video tutorial)
Taming your Hamster (editorial)
Taming - advice about rescued hamsters
Terrariums & Vivariums (glass)
Thyme-Rooibos Tea for scratches
Toy & Cushion Stuffings (bad nesting)
Transport & Lifts for adoption
U
V
Ventilation - wire mesh options
Vivariums & Terrariums (glass)
Vivariums & Reptile Enclosures (wood)
W
Wadding, Toy, & Cushion Stuffing (bad nesting)
Water - wetting/bathing your hamster
Weight - average hamster weights
Wheels - hack (fix a stiff wheel)
Wheels - hack (fix a squeaking wheel)
Winter - keep your hamster warm
Wire Mesh options for Ventilation
Wood & Paper "Wool" (packaging)
X Y Z