What You Need to Know before Adopting a Teddy Bear Hamster
The teddy bear hamster (syrian hamster) is a small rodent of the hamster family that is commonly kept by people in their homes as a pet. The rodent can be easily distinguished from the other rodents just by their appearance. They have a short tail and stubby legs with small ears. There are different colors and are normally bigger than other breeds of hamsters. So you can come across black, grey, brown, white, yellow and red teddy bear hamsters. The average size of the teddy bear hamster can vary but they are generally bigger than a normal hamster.
This breed can grow up to 7 inches but generally only get as big as 4 or 5 inches. Females generally grow larger compared to the males. These hamster have a really short tail, small eyes, and also large cheek bags. The ordinary lifetime of a Syrian could be anywhere from 2 to 2-1/2 years. Some families claim that their hamsters have lived as long as 4 years.
Here are some of the things you need to know about teddy bear hamster before adopting one as a pet.
Feeding Your Teddy Bear Hamster
The teddy bear hamster is a pet with a diverse range of dietary foods. Just like other pets, it is important to make sure your teddy bear hamster is feeding on a balanced diet every day. Therefore when buying the teddy bear hamster food remember to ask for the suitable foods which is likely to be same as other pet rodents. However, the teddy bear hamster loves kibble or what is commonly referred to as pellets. These are pre-manufactured meals filled with formulas important for the teddy bear hamster. Therefore, this is number one diet you need to buy for your teddy bear hamster.
You also need to consider feeding the pet with vegetables. Like the other rodents, they enjoy chewing on foods that are crunchy and therefore it is important that you buy them crunchy foods. Grain and nuts are rodents favorite, and your teddy bear hamster will definitely love them when incorporated into the meals.
Buy a Cage for your Teddy Bear Hamster
Being nocturnal creatures, it is important to make sure the hamster has a cage where it can hide during the day to remain comfortable. Therefore buy a suitable hamster cage for your hamster. The cage will be one that will allow the hamster to feel comfortable during the day. Remember that if you have children, they can really be a nuisance to the hamsters (especially during the day). Being nocturnal the day time is when your teddy bear hamster wants to rest just like any other nocturnal rodent. This is why a cage is important.
Teddy Bear Hamster Reproduction
The teddy bear also reproduces, and it is important to introduce an opposite-sex teddy bear hamster once they are ready for mating. To breed the hamster, make sure you have a good history of the opposite sex you want to introduce. Let them stay together for around four days during the estrus which will last for about 12 hours. After the mating period, it is important to make sure your pet has a good nest. The gestation period is up to three weeks.
Keep Your Hamsters Separate
No breed of hamsters shouldn’t be housed together UNLESS they’re winter white hamsters of the same litter. (2 sisters, 2 brothers)
And even then it’s still a high risk as hamsters are solitary animals. This is true for dwarf hamster and especially true for teddy bear hamsters. They might be able to live peacefully for a few weeks or even months. But putting hamsters together normally ends is tragedy. KEEP YOUR HAMSTERS SEPARATE!
Teddy Bear Hamsters Make Great Pets
The teddy bear hamsters are good pets since they are not destructive. However, you need to learn how to take good care of the teddy bear hamster. These Serbian hamsters might bite the first couple of times you pick them up but once they get used to you they become lovable happy pets. As a result of their accommodating nature, it is extremely easy to handle these fantastic animals. They are great pets for kids and can be conveniently handled with no problem.