UrbanWire

Curious to know why your beagle is constantly barking or why your ball python has bubbles around its nostrils? Interested in getting a rabbit but not sure whether to choose an American or Chinchilla lop? In the 1st of a series on keeping pets, 1st-time hamster owner Melissa Chin burrows deep to bring you the dirt on the world of hamsters.

Hamsters belong to a family of rodents characterised by large incisor teeth that grow continuously. The name 'hamster' comes from the German word 'hamstern' which means to hoard as it is a trait of the hamsters to cart food and bedding in their expandable cheek pouches. There are 2 types of hamsters, namely the Syrian and the Dwarf.

Ham-story & Physicality
While the Syrian hamsters were discovered in 1797, Dwarfs were recognised by W.C Campbell in Tuva, Mongolia, in 1902 and named in his honour. The hottest arrival in the hamster scene, this dwarf family of critters has 4 different species, namely the Campbells or Djungarians; Roborovskii's, Siberians or Winter Whites; and Chinese.

An obvious difference between the Syrian and Dwarf hamster is its size. An average Syrian is about 15-20 cm in length while the Dwarf varies from 8-12 cm. Weighing 22-28 grams, the Dwarf comes in 6 common colours and can be identified by its dorsal stripe, the line running down the centre of its body. A sociable species, Dwarfs prefer living with companions to develop strong bonds; separating them is thought to shorten their lifespan. They are also more active then Syrians.

Which One Is For Me?
Being nocturnal creatures, hamsters are suitable for most people who spend the better part of the day in school or office. But some traits of the Dwarf make handling difficult and certain species cater to different age groups better. The Campbells and Winter Whites are more fragile, their small size and vigour make them less forgiving of clumsy handling, and they will nip when provoked, making them unsuitable for young children.

Like Speedy Gonzales, Roborovskii's rarely bite and are amusing to watch due to their active nature. Yet they are also not suitable for children who want a pet to hold and stroke, and even adults might have trouble catching them. Chinese Hamsters are more docile but due to their rat-like features, are less popular.

Mr. Tony Lim, 32, the owner of Furry Pets, which sells both Syrian and Dwarf hamsters, says, " Roborovski are the most popular one and I usually recommend them to students above secondary level."

Your First Hamster
When picking out your hamster, be sure to look out for bright eyes, clean erect ears and a smooth coat. These are signs your furry friend is happy and healthy. Ask to handle the hamster before buying to evaluate its health properly. They should be curious and neither constantly sneezing nor having a wet bottom.

"Wet bottom in hamsters are like humans having diarrhoea. [These] Hamsters have weak immune systems, [and] sometimes even with treatment, this disease can be fatal," advises Dr Danert Loh, 35, a vet at The Animal Clinic (Katong).

Hamsters can only be brought home when they are at least 3 weeks old, after weaning. It's usually best to purchase pets from private breeders or hobbyists to ensure the animals are not the results of industrial breeding and are handled with more care. They are also cheaper as the main purpose of the private breeders is to find a good home for their little ones and not make a quick buck. Remember to bring along a plastic box with pierced holes for air or a little fish tank with lots of wood shavings for the journey home. You can also place a few pieces of cucumber for water.

Home Sweet Home
Different species of hamsters should not be housed together unless they are very young, as they generally do not meet other species in the wild. Hamsters can live in plastic cages or aquariums large enough for them to roam around. You don't have to be too extravagant as all they need is room to move and a space for nesting. Most owners would prefer using aquariums, as they're cheaper, stand up better to constant cleaning and are escape-proof. Certain plastic cages have gaps large enough for hamster babies to squeeze through.

Line the floor of the cage with wood shavings to provide an au naturel home. These shavings will also soak up urine. However avoid using fine sawdust or scented shavings as these might get into the hamster's eyes and hurt them. Most cages also come with exercise wheels. If not, get one for your hamster; it will appreciate your kindness and might even be addicted to the wheel. Hamsters love to climb so if your cage has bars, don't be surprised to see your pet climbing and swinging. As your hamster does all its "little business" in the cage, do ensure a cleaning weekly or once it starts to smell. Also, dispose of leftover food daily.

Food Glorious Food
Like humans, water is vital to your hamster's growth and bodily functions. Fix water within reach of your hamster and train it to drink from the bottle. Never use a plastic bottle as they have the ability to gnaw that into pieces very quickly. Hamsters are omnivorous and will eat almost anything. Hamster mixes consisting of sunflower seeds, maize, peanuts and oats are widely available at the pet stores to provide the essential vitamins and minerals for your pet.

To provide some variety to your hamster's diet, feed it some pellets or raw vegetables - it loves crunching on cucumbers, lettuce and bean sprouts. Nuts are strongly recommended. And small amounts of cheese or fresh fruits like bananas, melons and apples can also be given as a treat. Avoid, however, citrus fruits as they are high in acid content and might cause stomach problems. If you're doubtful of any kind of food, it's best to leave it out and not make drastic changes in your hamster's main diet.

A proud owner of 24 hamsters, breeder Grace Teo, 19, a student at Temasek Polytechnic says, "Don't make sudden adjustments to your hamster's food, the stomach might not adapt in time and that might make them ill."

Bundles of Joy
These rodents thrive on constant love and affection. An important key in ensuring a gleeful time with your hamster is to constantly play with and learn how to handle it; in order for it to trust you. A hamster tends to be nervous when you first pick it up; probably thinking it's going to end up on your dinner table.

Do wash your hands first before touching it, the last thing you'd want is to spread germs or skin problems to your little friend,and because even if you don't notice, the scents on your fingers might be pungent to one whose sense of smell is so acute. Hamsters navigate through this sense and hearing. Gently rub your hamster while it's in the cage to get it used to your hands. Then scoop it up around its middle, it might start wriggling, so carefully curve your fingers around its body to have a firm hold without hurting it. An alternative is holding it by the loose skin around its neck. Start stroking it tenderly and speaking softly for it to help it slowly adapt to the new environment. Soon you will find your inquisitive friend running up and down the length of your arm.

To let your hamster have some fun outside its cage, get it a hamster ball. The plastic ball acts as a miniature playpen and can be secured, so you needn't worry about letting your hamster run loose around your house. Care and patience are very important when handling a creature as small as the Dwarf. It's hard not to notice them constantly grooming themselves. Don't take this as a sign he might need help in washing up; hamsters do not need the kind of baths or showers we do, just brush them with a toothbrush or your fingers from time to time.

1. The Essential Hamster by Betsy Sikora Siino
2. The Really Useful Hamster Guide by Lorraine Hill
3. A Step-by-Step book about Dwarf Hamsters by Chris Henwood
4. Your First Dwarf Hamster by Marianne Mays
5. Dwarf hamsters: Everything About Purchase, Care, Feeding and Housing by Sharon Vanderlip

1. Hamsters can be taught to come to you by name.
2. When your hamster's nails have grown too long, use baby nail clippers to keep them neat.
3. Hamsters need absolute quiet when they're sleeping.
4. Hamsters are colour blind.
5. Hamsters can catch colds from a human.