How to care for Djungarian hamsters. Important rules for caring for Djungarian hamsters

The Djungarian hamster (Phodorus sungorus) is a popular pet in many countries, belonging to the genus of hairy hamsters and the Hamster family. Domesticated Djungarian hamsters quite often have significant differences in color from their wild relatives.

Characteristics of the Djungarian hamster

An incredibly popular pet animal is characterized by its small size.. The length of such a rodent can reach 8-10 cm with a weight ranging from 35-65 g. The color of the Djungarian hamster is uneven. The main color is dark gray with a brownish tint.

The chest area and abdominal part of the body are covered with snow-white and fairly thick fur. The paws of the domestic animal are light pink, and the lower part of the muzzle is whitish. In the area of ​​the back of the Djungarian hamster there is a very characteristic dark-colored line, reminiscent of a lightning bolt in shape.

There are individuals with a white, brownish or brownish base color. This species of hamster has small, round ears, long, light-colored antennae, and tiny, round, jet-black eyes. The muzzle of such a rodent is slightly elongated, and its small nose has a color similar to the main color or pink. The tail is very small and almost invisible.

Sellers who sell domestic Djungarians “from hand” are quite capable of lying about the date of birth and purity of the blood of such pets. It is for this reason that all veterinary specialists recommend purchasing pets from pet stores or nurseries.

In the first case, the disadvantages of the purchase include only a somewhat limited choice, as well as the lack of competent advice on maintenance and care. Of course, the cost of an animal in zoological stores is significantly higher than the market value, but the conditions for keeping it are also more favorable.

However, the best purchase option would be to choose a Djungarian hamster in a special nursery that sells purebred rodents that can be used not only for exhibitions, but also for breeding purposes.

When choosing a pet, you need to pay special attention to the following parameters:

• the presence of shiny and thick fur;
• no bald spots or scratch marks;
• sufficient fatness, but not overfed;
• absence of subcutaneous tumors and lameness.

The eyes of a completely healthy Djungarian hamster should be clear and shiny, without discharge.. Be sure to examine the nose and ears, the area around the mouth, as well as the genitals and anus. Signs of diarrhea and excessive salivation should be completely absent.

This is interesting! It is best to choose an animal in the evening, when the hamster is able to actively move around the cage, run in a wheel or eat.

It is optimal to purchase a one-month or two-month-old hamster. Currently, the cost of a Djungarian hamster averages 200-250 rubles, but can be slightly higher, which depends on many factors, including the pricing policy of the nursery or zoological store, as well as the age of the animal being sold.

Construction of housing and habitat

When choosing a home for a hamster, it is imperative to take into account the natural mobility of such a hamster. pet and habitat in natural conditions. For example, cage sizes less than 30x50 cm often cause deterioration in the health of a domestic rodent, causing it to develop physical inactivity, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.

The cage you purchase must be completely safe. Djungarians quite often try to crawl through cracks that are too small, and get stuck in them and die. As the practice of keeping hamsters at home shows, the width between the bars in the cage should vary between 5-20 mm. The height of one level in multi-level cages should be approximately a quarter of a meter.

The floor in a hamster cage can be low or high. The advantage of the first option is the ability to extend the structure for thorough cleaning. If the purchased cage is planned to be used for keeping a female and offspring, then it is best to give preference to designs with a high tray, which is due to the special mobility of newborn hamsters and the risk of them falling out of the cage.

Many experts consider it advisable to keep a hamster in small aquariums, which is explained by the following advantages of using a glass space:

• there are no gaps between the bars that can injure the hamster;
• the risk of an animal escaping from such a home is minimal;
• no clogging of the space around the home;
• complete protection of the rodent from other pets, including cats and dogs.

Important! You should not place your hamster’s home near heating appliances, as well as objects that can be hopelessly damaged by a domestic rodent.

A dwelling purchased and equipped for a hamster must be correctly located. It is advisable to place the cage or aquarium in place without direct sunlight, with free space around and a complete absence of drafts.

Nutrition of the Djungarian hamster

One of the parameters for proper maintenance of a dzhungarika is to provide such a pet with a regular, and most importantly, complete and highest quality diet. The basic requirements for the diet of a domestic Djungarian hamster are as follows:

• use only high-quality products;
• create a diet based on age characteristics and motor activity of the rodent;
• use special ready-made feed mixtures from trusted manufacturers.

To use ready-made food in feeding domestic rodents, it is advisable to purchase ready-made diets:

• JR Farm;
• Prestige;
• Veneluh;
• Fiоry;
• Vitakraft;
• Radovаn.

Ready-made diets have a balanced and varied composition, a fairly high protein content, as well as the presence of vitamins and minerals. The main grain feeds for dzhungarik are mixtures of oats, rolled oats, corn, seeds, nuts and peas. This composition can be supplemented with products such as buckwheat, beans, lentils and barley, as well as melon and pumpkin seeds.

Nuts that work well as natural proteins include cashews, hazelnuts, chickpeas and sesame.. The vegetable diet of the Djungarian hamster should include broccoli and bell pepper, fresh corn, peas and beans, as well as carrots and cucumbers, pumpkin and cauliflower.

This is interesting! It is advisable to include the main fruits in the diet of the dzhungarik, represented by bananas, grapes, apricots, apples and plums, and you can also give a small amount of cherries, cherries, rose hips, strawberries and gooseberries in addition to the diet.

A couple of times a week, hamsters are given protein food in the form of boiled chicken meat and peeled shrimp. In zoological stores you can purchase earthworms, which serve as a source of proteins.

Quite rarely you can give boiled quail and chicken eggs, as well as kefir with low percentage fat content In order to maintain the rodent's teeth in normal condition, you need to give your pet hamster freshly cut branches from a birch or maple, cherry or pear, oak or apple tree.

Dzhungarik care and hygiene

In a cage or aquarium, it is advisable to use sawdust or shavings as frequently replaced bedding, but it is acceptable to use paper in the form of toilet paper or napkins.

It is these materials that best absorb the odors emitted by the waste products of a pet. Among other things, sawdust is used by hamsters as a “building material” for arranging a nest.

This is interesting! To ensure that keeping a Djungarian hamster is not marred by illness or death of such a pet, it is very important to regularly clean the cage, drinkers and feeders, as well as to completely or partially replace the bedding in the form of filler.

A fairly heavy bowl for succulent food installed inside the cage should be washed regularly and cleaned and disinfected once a week. Despite the fact that several types of drinkers are currently sold, the best option is to purchase an automatic nipple drinker, represented by a plastic container for clean water, with a fixed metal spout.

The advantage of such a drinking bowl is ease of use, as well as protection of water from damage or spillage.

Small and cute rodents, Djungarian hamsters naturally live in the North-Eastern Caucasus, Central and Western Asia and Western Siberia. Their habitat is rocky semi-desert areas, cinquefoil and wormwood steppes without shrubs. Djungarians also live well at home, where their maintenance does not require a lot of time and money. Pet lovers happily keep them in their apartments, and this is understandable, since they love to play with children and delight with their funny antics.

Meet the Djungarian hamster

A very active rodent with beautiful fur grows to only 10 cm and has a body weight of 45 g. Features of its appearance include: dark stripe on the back, which distinguishes it from its brothers. The animal's fur has a variegated color and white inclusions, due to which natural conditions the rodent can safely camouflage itself and hide from predators. Domestic hamsters can have the following colors:

• pearl;
• mandarin;
• standard;
• sapphire.

In winter, the animal's fur sheds and turns white. The inclusions become invisible, leaving only a gray stripe on the back.

Many people like Dzungariki not only for their cute plush face, but also because are distinguished by exceptional cleanliness and do not emit an unpleasant odor. At the genetic level, even at home, they stock up on food by putting it behind their chubby cheeks. This funny rodent is very interesting to watch. Djungarian hamsters are active only at dusk. They sleep day and night and can happily do this on the laps of their owners.

Like all rodents, dzhungarikas can show aggression and even bite. Their bite does not pose a danger to humans, however, it is quite sensitive. This character trait of the animal must be kept in mind if a hamster is purchased for a child.

Keeping dzhungarika at home

Hamsters are very unpretentious and easy to keep. The ideal option for keeping them is a cage. Since a rodent can easily chew through plastic and wooden rods, it is best if the frame of the house will be galvanized. The cage should be spacious enough to accommodate a pet house, a special wheel, and still have room for the hamster to actively move around.

The cage should be equipped with:

1. A fairly spacious house with a wide opening into which the rodent should easily enter.
2. Manholes in the form of tubes, branches and horses.
3. A special toilet, which is intended for small animals and is filled with absorbent material.
4. Bedding in the form of pressed sawdust or fine sand, which should be able to absorb moisture and absorb odors. It is strictly prohibited to lay newspapers, rags, napkins and cotton wool on hamsters.
5. A drinking bowl with a volume of at least 50 ml. It is best to choose an automatic drinker that will be attached to the wall of the cage. Your pet's water should always be fresh.
6. Feeder, the width of which should be from 3 to 10 cm.
7. A wheel that is selected taking into account the size of the pet. It should have a bottom without a grid and transverse protrusions.
8. A bathing suit, which differs in that sand is poured into it instead of water. It is not recommended to wet or bathe dzhungarikas.

Features of care

Clean rodents do not require special care. They wash themselves and clean their fur with their paws. You will only need to change the litter as it fills, and clean the cage once every 5-7 days. Once a month, the bottom of the cage should be washed with water and laundry soap.

Since Djungarian hamsters cannot be bathed, they should sometimes arrange a sand bath. This is only required if the rodent’s fur is not shiny and matted. To do this, pour a little sand into a container and place the pet in it. He will happily wallow in the sand and clean his fur.

These simple measures for caring for dzhungarikas will provide your small animal with a healthy and joyful life.

Nutrition of Djungarian hamsters

If caring for rodents is quite simple, then you need to pay special attention to nutrition. It is recommended to feed your pet twice a day at the same time. This should be done in the morning when the hamster wakes up, and in the evening when it begins to be active. The pregnant female is fed at regular intervals four times a day.

In the morning, the dzhungarik's diet should include boiled vegetables, protein and succulent food. In the evening, it is tedious to give him cereal, dry food and treats.

The diet of Djungarian hamsters includes:

Twice a week, the rodents' diet should include protein in the form of a boiled egg, cottage cheese, kefir, natural yogurt, low-fat boiled fish or boiled chicken fillet.

It is recommended to feed pregnant females, sick and thin hamsters with baby food prepared in water without sugar and salt. If your pet has an intestinal disorder, you can feed your pet sticky rice, and if you have constipation, give a drop of vegetable oil.

The list of products prohibited for Djungarians includes:

When purchasing food for a small rodent at a pet store, you need to be careful. Designed for large rodents rough mixes are not suitable for dzungaria. They have a completely different composition that can be harmful to the health of a small hamster.

Dzungarian diseases

Small and delicate creatures can be susceptible to various ailments. You need to know about the simplest of them so that you can properly care for your hamster in case of illness.

If they fall, active animals may get hit or get dislocated or fractured. The main symptoms in these cases are problems in the movement of the animal and curvature of the limb. It is simply impossible to fix broken legs or tail. Therefore, veterinarians advise providing the hamster with a quiet place and feeding it calcium-rich food. The ladders and wheel are temporarily removed from the cage. Immobile limbs with this type of care will grow together in 10-14 days.

If hamsters are hypothermic, they can catch a cold or contract the flu from the inhabitants of the house. The first symptoms of the disease are: decreased activity, runny nose and sneezing of the animal. If there are no other manifestations of the disease, then the pet’s cage from the draft should be moved to a warmer place, add warm bedding and give it warm milk. You can boost your immunity with vegetables and fruits. In case of sudden weight loss, loss of appetite and purulent discharge from the eyes, it is recommended to urgently contact a veterinarian, who will prescribe treatment and tell you how to care for your Djungarian hamster during illness.

Bacterial infection may develop into conjunctivitis. In this case, the inflamed eyes are carefully wiped with salted water. But if the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and the pupil area is gray, then most likely the hamster has developed cataracts. Old animals are susceptible to this disease. It cannot be treated.

With frequent stress, hamsters can develop eczema or dermatophytosis, which is manifested by hair loss and peeling skin. In this case, you should immediately seek help from a specialist who will prescribe a course of antibiotics.

Sometimes in Djungarian hamsters there are problems with teeth. Therefore, if a rodent suddenly refuses food, you need to check the teeth for integrity. In some cases, the hamster has teeth that are too long to eat, which can be straightened with regular nail clippers. But it is best to entrust such a procedure to a specialist.

As can be seen from the article, maintenance and care Djungarian hamsters not very complicated. Simple measures such as providing the rodent with food and fresh water, cleaning the cage and regularly playing with it will ensure that your pet healthy life and will bring joy to both the pet and its owner.

Dzhungarik is one of the smallest representatives of the hamster family. Thanks to its funny appearance, cleanliness and lack of unpleasant odor, it has become a popular pet. If you decide to get this funny animal, carefully read the information on its contents.

Characteristics

Suitable home

Cell

Labyrinths

Houses with several compartments and passages between them resemble burrows. Mazes are usually more expensive than cages and aquariums, but they can be built gradually. Buy the main compartment first and then the top "room" and join them together.

Please note that for dwarf hamsters it is necessary that the compartments be connected by ladders. Little kids don't know how to climb up tunnels.

If you decide to assemble such a house yourself from scrap materials, do not forget to make slits in the walls and ceiling. They will provide a constant flow of fresh air.

Aquarium house

Special plastic aquariums for rodents are great for dwarfs. Small sizes allow them to make do with one-story dwellings. The main thing is that all the necessary accessories are there.

Where to put the cage?

Rodents feel good at the same air temperature as people. Do not place the cage in drafts or on a sunny windowsill. In addition, you should keep the cage away from:

• working battery;
• places with high humidity;
• TV;
• audio systems;
• other animals.

Do not place the house on the balcony (temperature changes, sun), in a draft (risk of colds), in the kitchen (not hygienic) and in the bedroom (rodents are active at night and make noise).

Cage equipment

What else will you need? The animal definitely needs:

• drinking bowl;
• Bowl;
• chalk stones or branches;
• nest (house);
• wheel;
• toys.

The ideal drinking bowl is the so-called dropper bottle. It needs to be hung away from the nest so that accidental drops do not wet it. Don't forget to change the water every day. Fresh water is the key to animal health.

It is better to place food in a heavy clay bowl so that the animal cannot turn it over. A hanging metal bowl will also work.

Chalk stones or branches are needed to point the teeth. Rodents' teeth grow throughout their lives, and if they are not taken care of, serious problems will begin.

In their natural habitat, rodents sleep in a separate compartment of their burrow. Try to create maximum comfort for him at home with the help of a small nest. Small wooden or plastic houses are suitable for this.

The wheel will help your pet get enough physical activity. Buy a solid wheel without slots or protrusions to protect the feet from fractures. Attach the wheel almost flush to the wall, otherwise the hamster may crawl between them and get stuck.

There are many toys for rodents at pet stores, but you can make many of them yourself. Excellent holes are made from cardboard toilet paper cylinders. Plastic rolling toys can successfully replace whole walnuts or hazelnuts. You shouldn’t fill the entire cage with toys – 1-2 is enough.

Caring for a Djungarian hamster

Caring for a Djungarian hamster is not at all difficult, as it is unpretentious.

Nutrition

In order for the dwarf to be healthy, it needs to be fed properly and variedly. If you have not yet purchased an animal, we recommend that you acquire everything you need in advance in order to organize it from the first day. proper nutrition. The food list for a hamster includes basic food, fresh food, dairy products, and vitamins.

The basis of the diet is dry food. It is a mixture of various grains, seeds and pressed herbs. Due to the fact that jungarians are prone to diabetes, make sure that the food contains less sweets (dried fruits and carob).

Do not store food open, as it may dry out and become unpalatable. You can pour it into an airtight jar or zip bag.

You need to give a little every day fresh fruit and vegetables. Each animal has its own tastes. Soon you will understand what you like best. He simply won’t eat anything that tastes bad.

They usually like:

• apples;
• tomatoes;
• Chinese cabbage;
• cucumbers;
• grape;
• melon;
• watermelon.

Don't forget to rinse and dry the fruits first. There is no need to peel the skin or remove the seeds.

Homa should be given fresh low-fat milk or unsweetened natural yogurt. Pour them into a small bowl.

After 2 years it is time for additional vitamins and minerals. Pet stores have special liquid complexes that can be dripped into the drinking bowl.

The daily diet should look like this:

• 1 tbsp. dry food;
• 10-20 g of fresh vegetables or fruits (for example, ½ grape and ¼ carrot);
• 1 tsp dairy product.

What tasty things can you feed your Djungarian hamster? Once a week you can hang special treats on sticks in his cage. Or you can buy carob and dried berries. The main thing is not to overdo it with the quantity. 1 piece every 3-4 days is enough.

If there is uneaten food left in the morning, throw it away and add new food. Wash the bowl if necessary.

What can't you feed?

1. Garlic.
2. Oranges and other citrus fruits.
3. Eggs.
4. Candies.
5. Chocolate.
6. Meat products.
7. Salted nuts and chips.
8. Spicy food.

Cleaning the cage

Wood shavings are best suited as cage filler. The bottom of the cage is covered with a layer of at least 2.5 cm. The shavings should not be too small and sharp, as this will lead to eye problems.

For bedding in the house, use scraps of soft paper (sold at a pet store). This paper should not be lint-free. You can use regular toilet paper without dyes or fragrances. Cut it into small pieces and put it in the house.

The frequency of cleaning depends on the characteristics of the animal, but on average they are cleaned once a week. If you are bothered by an unpleasant odor for a week, simply remove the sawdust from the toilet and replace it with fresh ones.

Some animals get very nervous in a clean cage. If you see that Homa is rubbing his sides against the walls, running around the cage with sawdust in his mouth, or does not enter the house for a long time, change the cleaning process. Set aside some of the dirty sawdust and litter from the house, and return them to their place after cleaning. A familiar smell will reduce adaptation time and relieve stress.

Bathing and cleaning your fur coat

Djungarians are very clean. They wash themselves several times a day and try to keep their home clean. To keep their coat in perfect condition, give them sand baths 1-2 times a week.

Buy sand for bathing chinchillas and pour it into a three-liter jar or a special bathing bag. Place the animal there for 30 minutes. Tossing and turning in the sand, he will perfectly clean his fur coat.

If the fur is very dirty, try combing it or just cut it off. The use of water is highly discouraged. IN as a last resort use a spray bottle. Gently spray the fur and comb it with a fine comb.

Make sure that water does not get into the ears, this may result in inflammation. Be sure to dry the wet animal with a towel so that it does not catch a cold.

Reserves

IN wildlife rodents make supplies in their burrows in case they cannot find food. Pets also love to hide food in cages. You can see them diligently stuffing their cheek pouches and quickly carrying food to the pantry. Usually a sleeping house is used as a storage room.

How to react to such reserves? Firstly, you should not limit the amount of food. The animal will remain hungry, but will still put aside some of the food for a rainy day. Secondly, there is no need to completely throw away supplies when cleaning. This can cause a lot of stress.

Despite the fact that the Dzhunagr hamster is an unpretentious pet, caring for it has a number of features. Before buying an animal, think about where it will live and what it will eat.

A child's first pet can be a Djungarian hamster: care and maintenance will not require much money or time. Everything about Djungarian hamsters at home can now be read on the Internet, so that the Djungarian hamster can live a relatively long and happy life, and brought only joy to the owners.

Many people are interested in where Djungarian hamsters live in the wild in order to provide their pet with conditions that are as close to natural as possible. Dwarf hamsters are very widespread. They live in the steppes and semi-deserts of Kazakhstan, Asia, Russia (Western Siberia, Altai Territory). The name was given by the name of the province in northwestern China - Dzungaria. The Sungur hamster (Phodopus sungorus) is an alternative name for the Djungarian hamster.

Thrifty rodents are loners. Each animal builds a hole with 4-6 entrances, up to a meter deep, where a pantry, bedroom, and latrine are located in various branches. They emerge from their burrows at dusk and at night. They feed on grass, seeds, berries, and insects.

Every day the sungurik runs several kilometers in search of food.

On the grassy plains, tiny hamsters have many enemies - predator birds, ferrets, stoats. To prevent the babies from dying out, nature endowed them with camouflage colors and amazing fertility.

Appearance

Dwarf hamsters are no more than 10 cm long and weigh 40-50 g. The animal is covered with thick short fur. The natural color is the most common: the back is gray-brown, with a pronounced black stripe along the spine. The belly is light, the inside of the paws is also white. The eyes are black, convex, shiny.

Colors of Djungarian hamsters

The natural color is most common, but in nurseries, by selecting spectacular mutations based on the coat, it was possible to obtain unusual colors. Tangerine follows the natural pattern, but the fur is not dark, but light brown, red. The color “sapphire” is gray-blue.

The rarest is the “pearl”, the white Djungarian hamster. Pearl color is characterized by the loss of a dark stripe along the ridge. Djungarian hamster Can't be black or albino. This color variation indicates that this is not a Sungurik.

A pet of an unusual color requires a responsible attitude: a “colored” rodent is less resistant to unfavorable conditions and stress. Thus, red hamsters are carriers of the lethal gene, so individuals of the same color should not interbreed.

In the wild, dark Djungarian hamsters are subject to seasonal molting. They lighten: they turn white or gray, although the dark stripe on the back remains. In an apartment, this phenomenon is rare, because the temperature does not drop below 16 C, and the daylight hours are constant.

Maintenance and nutrition: equipment

Caring for a dwarf is not difficult; even children can cope with this task. But for this you need to properly organize your hamster’s life. The main rule is that the hamster must have its own home. If you want to start one, you will need 2 cells.

Cell

Despite the tiny size of the pet, the cage should be as large as possible, at least 50x30 cm. To avoid injury, single-tier cages are recommended. Instead of the usual lattice design with a plastic tray, you should take a closer look at closed “dunes” and cages with plastic inserts. Pipes and tunnels will help the animal feel at home. Good options:

Ferplast "Duna Fun"

Fop "Charlie Prestige"

IMAC Fantasy, 58x38x38.5 cm

A thick layer of corn or cellulose is poured onto the bottom, and white paper towels or napkins are placed in the house to build a nest.

"Gym"

A hamster must run several kilometers every day to stay healthy. In captivity, such activity can only be achieved with the help of. For a dwarf, the diameter should be 16-18 cm. It should not have crossbars, the surface should be solid or with a fine mesh so that the foot does not get stuck.

In addition to the wheel, they use . In it, the animal will be able to safely move around the apartment. It’s good if the owner organizes a playground: a labyrinth, tunnels.

Dining room equipment

The feeder is most often a small ceramic bowl: heavy enough not to tip over and easy to clean. Mandatory, but a bowl of water is undesirable. It is better to hang a closed container: a nipple or ball drinker.

Nutrition

The basis of the diet is a grain mixture - ready-made food for dwarf hamsters. Because of quick exchange The hamster eats a lot of substances. To keep your pet healthy, use food from trusted manufacturers: Versele-Laga “Mini Hamster Nature”, JR Farm, Vitakraft. Chika BIO “Food for Djungarian hamsters” can be an inexpensive domestic option.

In addition to grains, the pet is given succulent food (vegetables, fruits, berries, greens), and occasionally protein foods (boiled chicken, low-fat cottage cheese). Contrary to popular myth, a hamster cannot eat everything and eat “from the table.” You will have to study it carefully and stick to it.

In addition to food, the pet store buys treats - edible sticks and spikelets, mineral stone for grinding teeth.

Other accessories (optional)

A small carrier cage is useful for taking your pet to the veterinary clinic when moving. Homa is placed in it during general cleaning of the cage.

If the owner cares about the cleanliness of the fur and the absence of unpleasant fur, they buy a bathing container and special sand for chinchillas.

Care and feeding

If you explain to a child how to care for a hamster, the little owner will feel responsible for the pet. Hamsters are fed every day evening time when the animal wakes up. Change the water in the drinking bowl; it should always be fresh.

They do a spot test in the cage every day. It is necessary to promptly remove the remains of succulent feed to prevent spoilage and rotting (revision of stocks). Remove accumulations of feces and wet litter, adding fresh litter if necessary. Hamsters are clean and have a special toilet corner in their cage.

It is very important to keep the animal clean so that it does not get sick, but general cleaning with a complete change of bedding is stressful for hamsters. Wash the cage no more than once a week, using a sponge and fragrance-free laundry soap. All accessories are processed: bowl, wheel, toys. Disassemble and wash the drinking bowl (the iron spout is cleaned of plaque and doused with boiling water).

It is better to clean the cage on a schedule (once every 7-10 days), without waiting for a strong smell to appear. Even in heavily soiled areas, toxic chemicals such as bleach should be avoided. To remove white stains from urine and eliminate odor, use vinegar (apply for 15 minutes).

Hamsters have a very sensitive psyche. Rearrangement in the cage makes them nervous, especially when it comes to the “pantry” – food reserves that the animal instinctively creates. With regular destruction of the pantry, he becomes desperate, unsuccessfully trying to find a more secluded place in the cage. Therefore, you need to clean your pet’s house selectively, removing only foods that are susceptible to spoilage. To reduce stress during general cleaning, leave some old litter and napkins from the nest in the cage.

Communication

Djungarians have an independent character and are not too eager to communicate. To wean the animal from biting and fearlessly picking it up, it will have to be patiently tamed day after day. It will not be possible to raise a hamster once and for the rest of its life: if you do not have contact with it for 1-2 weeks, the pet will run wild again, and hand training begins all over again.

Conclusion

Taking care of dzhungarikas is not difficult; the chores even become pleasant for the owner, who is sincerely attached to his pet. Sweet habits and appearance make this variety of dwarf hamster the most common pet. With proper care, the animal will live 2 years or more. Although this period seems sadly short for humans, in captivity hamsters live much longer than their wild counterparts.

If you are considering a Djungarian hamster as your pet, then before making a choice, we recommend that you also get acquainted with it. The Syrian hamster is almost as popular as the dwarf hamster, but differs significantly from its brother.

Djungarian hamster (jungarik): care and maintenance at home

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If you are looking for a relatively easy to care for, but at the same time charming and cute pet, then the Djungarian hamster may be a good choice! These small hamsters are native to the south of Western Siberia, in the wild in winter time they change their gray fur to white. Although animals do not change color at home, they still have charming personalities that make them amazing pets!

Steps

Arrangement of the cage

Choose a cage with an area of ​​at least 0.2 m² and a height of 30 cm. Hamsters love to run and climb around their 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 required floor area, because for hamsters of any size it is usually recommended to use cages with a horizontal space of more than 0.3 m² so that they can run around. Remember that the need for space cannot be replaced with a running wheel. You should also make sure that there is a grate on top of the aquarium so that the hamster cannot escape.

• If you are getting 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 of tunnels.
• If special cages are too expensive for you, use a storage container made of clear plastic instead. For ventilation, make a cutout in the lid and attach a metal mesh over it, which will not interfere with air circulation.

1. For increased safety, consider purchasing a plastic or glass container to keep your hamster. Some metal hamster cages have bars that are too wide to contain dwarf hamsters inside. Even if the hamster is unable to squeeze between the bars to escape, it may simply get stuck between them. A container with smooth walls will avoid such troubles. You should also never use a cage with a metal mesh floor for your hamster, which could injure his delicate paws.

   • Be sure to spot clean your hamster's plastic or glass house daily by removing soiled bedding. Ventilation in this type of cage is not very good, so the concentration of ammonia in the air (from the hamster's urine) can quickly increase to critical levels. Simply remove dirty litter regularly and replace it with fresh litter.
   • Despite everything, metal hamster cages are still quite popular, some cages are equipped with plastic sides and a metal grid in the upper half. If you decide to purchase a metal cage, make sure that the distance between its bars is no more than 5 mm.
   • If you choose an all-plastic cage, attach a metal grill to one of its walls. The ability to climb is an important part of your hamster's daily exercise.

2. Place your hamster's cage in a quiet room away from direct sunlight. Your hamster will feel safer where there is not a lot of noise, so don't place his cage near noisy appliances, the TV, or the busiest areas of your home during the day. Also consider your hamster's sensitivity to heat - keep him away from windows with strong sunlight.

   • Also, you should not keep your hamster's cage in your bedroom. This is a nocturnal animal, so your pet will definitely run around the cage and chew something while you are trying to sleep.

   Advice: loud noise and constant stress may have a negative impact on the hamster's health. However, even in good health life expectancy Djungarian hamster is about 2 years.

   Place a layer of bedding about 5–7.5 cm thick on the bottom of the cage. Buy soft bedding for your hamster at a pet store and spread it in an even, thick layer along 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, Djungarian hamsters like to burrow deep into the ground to avoid freezing. A thick layer of bedding will provide your pet with the opportunity to burrow and feel comfortable.

3. Place a food bowl and water bottle in the hamster's cage. Sprinkling food directly onto the cage pad will make it more difficult to remove old food debris before the next feeding. To avoid this, place a shallow bowl in the cage and always put food in it. Also use a dwarf hamster drinking bowl that is attached to the side of the cage.

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

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

   • Typically, running wheels are sold complete with a stable base, so all you have to do is place the wheel in the cage.

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

   • When changing cage bedding, be sure to always wear gloves.

6. Provide your hamster with a place to hide. In the wild, when threatened, hamsters usually hide underground in their burrow. To ensure your pet always feels safe in a new cage, provide him with a shelter house. And don’t be surprised if you see a hamster sleeping 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 starts chewing on plastic, remove the item from the cage.

7. Provide for your hamster big amount wooden toys that he can chew on. A hamster's teeth grow constantly, which can pose a danger to the animal if it does not have the opportunity to grind them down. In the wild, hamsters chew on countless amounts of food and twigs, which allows them to maintain their teeth in optimal condition. Place 2-3 wooden toys in your hamster's cage. They will not only help him take care of his health, but will also be great entertainment for his pet!

   • Keep spare toys on hand so they can be replaced as needed (for example, when they need cleaning).
   • Check the label of the toys you purchase to make sure they are made from wood that has not been exposed to pesticides.
   • You can also let your hamster chew on cardboard, such as cardboard tubes from paper towel rolls.

   Communication with your pet

   1. Before picking up your hamster, give him at least one day to get comfortable in his new place. When you bring your hamster home, it is very likely that he will be under stress due to transport. Carefully place him in his new cage and lock the door securely, then give the hamster 24 hours to acclimate. This way he can explore the cell without additional stress.

      • Try to ensure as much silence as possible on the first day. Hamsters themselves do not like loud noise, and at first in a new place the Djungarian hamster will be especially sensitive to it.
      • If your hamster is visibly 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 to keep multiple hamsters, make sure they are all the same sex and introduce them as early as possible. In addition, you should know that pairs or groups of males are usually less likely to fight among themselves than females.

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

   3. After the first 24 hours, introduce your hamster to your hand and offer him a treat. When the hamster already feels comfortable in the new place, open the cage and put your hand inside. Hold the treat in your open hand and place it directly on the bedding. Next, remain as still as possible to allow the hamster to approach your hand and explore you at will. After about 5 minutes, remove your hand.

      • Remove your hand from the cage if the hamster begins to hiss or squeal. This is a sign of fear.
      • If you get a particularly shy hamster, it may take several introductions before the hamster approaches your hand. Be patient as you need to gain your pet's trust.
      • Allow the hamster to continue to get used to your hand for a few more days before you try petting it, then wait a few more days before you start handling the hamster.

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

      When you decide that the hamster is ready to come into your arms, pick him up from below. Using both hands at once, grab the hamster under the belly. Cup your palms to better control your Djungarian hamster's movements. When you pick up your pet, always lower yourself closer to the floor or keep your hands above the table so that a hamster that accidentally falls or jumps out is not injured.

      • Be careful when handling your hamster. Do not make loud noises or squeeze your pet.
      • Never try to pick up your hamster from above. He will consider you a predator, which is why he may try to bite and run away.

   4. When the hamster already feels completely comfortable, start communicating with him for at least 30 minutes a day. To socialize your pet and increase its comfort level around humans, spend time with it daily. Although the first contacts should be short, gradually increase their duration to 30 minutes or even more when the hamster begins to enjoy your company.

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

   5. Every time you pick up your hamster, check its health. When playing with your hamster, make sure it appears healthy and alert. If you think your Djungarian hamster is sick or notice a sudden change in its behavior, take your pet to the vet immediately.

      • Signs of some health problems include a wet tail, bald spots, loss of appetite, chewing on their paws, and discharge from the nose or eyes. If you notice such symptoms, call the veterinary clinic and make an appointment.
      • Changes in eating, drinking and litter box habits can also be signs of illness.
      • If the hamster has stopped showing its usual activity and does not move, and your home is quite cold, move its cage to a warmer place. He could simply fall into a near-hibernating state of torpor.

   6. To get exercise, place your hamster in a walking ball several times a week or let him run around in a playpen. Be sure to provide your hamster with a safe place where he can get everything he needs. physical activity. Get him either a playpen or a secure ball and let him play there for 15-20 minutes 3-4 times a week. Longer or more frequent play sessions can cause stress in your hamster.

      • One option for a playpen could be a bathtub with a towel placed on the bottom and a running wheel installed inside, several wooden toys, as well as a bowl of food and a drinking bowl. Just make sure that there is no water in the bath and that the drain is closed with a stopper.
      • Only use the walking ball on carpet or rugs. On hard floors, a hamster in a walking ball can develop too much speed, which can cause accidental injury.
      • Never try to force your hamster into a walking ball. Also, you should not put your hamster in a ball while asleep.
      • Keep a close eye on your hamster at all times when he is outside the cage.

   7. When returning your pet to the cage, lock the door behind him. No matter how adorable your Djungarian hamster may be, you should not forget that this cunning hamster is a true escape artist. Always double check that you have locked the cage. Otherwise, the hamster will definitely go on a journey through your house in the middle of the night, where it could get lost or get hurt.

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

   Feeding the hamster

   1. Give your Djungarian hamster about 10 g of grain food every day. A suitable grain mixture can be found at any pet store. Look for a food that is rich in protein, fiber and fat. The entire portion of food can be given to the hamster in the evening, or you can give it a little in the morning, and leave the rest for the evening.

      • Despite their nocturnal lifestyle, hamsters also wake up periodically during the day to snack.

   2. Offer your hamster small pieces of fruit or vegetables 2-3 times a week. Fruits and vegetables are high in sugars, but they make a fabulous occasional treat. Several times a week, offer your hamster a healthy snack such as cauliflower, broccoli, diced pear or banana.

   3. Once a week, offer your hamster a protein treat in the form of maggots or pieces of boiled egg. Hamster food itself contains sources of protein, but adding an extra protein treat once a week will help ensure your pet is getting everything he needs. nutrients. You can put the maggots in a bowl for the hamster, and give the egg in the form of crumbs that the hamster can safely take into his mouth.

      • Remove any uneaten fresh food every morning to prevent it from spoiling.

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

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