Top Tips for Choosing the Perfect Hamster: A Guide
1. Evaluating the Pet Store Environment: When selecting a hamster, your first step should be to inspect the pet store's breeding conditions. If the store is particularly dirty and disorganized, it's advisable to avoid purchasing a hamster from there. Hamsters living in such environments tend to be less healthy and have weaker constitutions. Once brought home, they may not survive more than a week due to the stress of the new surroundings.
2. Hamster Appearance: A healthy hamster boasts smooth, lustrous fur, bright and alert eyes, and no signs of swelling, discharge, or bulging. Their pink noses are free from secretions, and their ears are delicate with clear capillaries, free of earwax and odors. If a hamster's ears have a notch, it's usually a result of fighting. Pay attention to the hamster's teeth, which should be a healthy yellow color; white teeth might indicate calcium deficiency. Also, check for proper bite alignment and any injuries on the claws, the cleanliness of the hindquarters, and whether the feces is dry and wellformed. These factors are all closely linked to the hamster's overall health.
3. Hamster Size: When choosing a hamster, steer clear of those that are exceptionally small, as they tend to be weaker in the same cage. A robust, wellrounded body is a sign of good health and easier care. Additionally, it's best to avoid hamsters that have not yet opened their eyes.
4. Hamster Behavior: Observe the hamster's behavior as well. Avoid those that perform excessive spinning or back flips, as these might indicate genetic defects. Similarly, overly active hamsters might be sick, so it's best to steer clear of them.
5. Hamster Temperament: Some hamsters may bite, but this could be due to curiosity or a tendency to bite. When selecting a hamster, differentiate between the two. A hamster that shows curiosity towards humans is preferable, as it suggests a willingness to interact and form a closer bond.
Choosing a hamster is not a matter of "love at first sight"; it requires thorough knowledge and caution. If you have any doubts about selecting a hamster, don't hesitate to consult with an online veterinary expert.
