How to choose a hamster?

Home decorative hamsters are severalspecies. This is the Syrian, and Dzhungar hamsters, hamsters Campbell, etc. The rules of care for each of these species are different, so before buying should carefully consider what kind of hamster you want to contain.

When you have decided on the type of future pet andprepared everything you need for it, it's time to go shopping. It is best to buy hamsters in specialized pet stores - you are much more likely to purchase a healthy animal. In addition, sellers in the market are not always aware of the particulars of one or another type of hamster that they sell, and will not be able to give you advice on caring for the pet.

A hamster is a solitary animal and if you do not plan to breed hamsters, then buy one individual better. Two same-sexed hamsters will fight for territory, and a pair of heterosexuals - often multiply. Good get along with each other only dwarf hamsters.

When choosing a hamster, you should pay attention to the following important parameters: the age, gender and health of the hamster. Experts recommend buying a hamster not younger than 3-4 weeks and not older than 2-3 months. Too young hamsters can not eat and take care of themselves on their own, but too grown-ups are worse tamed.

If for you it is important hamster's floor, then you must learn to determine their sexsigns. Males of hamsters, as a rule, are calmer than females, and their lower abdomen is more extended than females. In females, the two holes in the lower abdomen are closer to each other than in males.

Have a healthy hamster wool is clean, dry, shiny, without bald patches. The eyes and nose of the hamster should be clean, without pus or other secretions. You should carefully inspect the hamster from behind, its fur in the anal area should not be dirty. Dirty fur indicates diarrhea, which can be caused by worms or infection. These diseases can lead to the death of the animal.

The sick hamsters can be sluggish. But in the afternoon, when hamsters usually sleep, it is practically impossible to distinguish sick individuals from this symptom: the hamsters that are awakened during the day are usually inactive. Therefore, buy hamsters in the evening so you can observe their behavior.

You can transport the bought hamster home In a usual cardboard box, which is filled with sawdust or hay. For hamsters, there are also special plastic carriers that can later serve as a spare cage.