Don't grab a strange hamster.  Or one that's "screaming" at you.

Short-Tailed Wonders.  Of all the rodents kept as pets, the hamsters rank as number one.  Because they have such short tails, most people don’t consider them rodents.  They are, of course, and like all rodents, they constantly gnaw on everything to keep their teeth worn down.

Nocturnal.  Like other rodents, hamsters live in burrows, eat grains, give birth to large litters, and like to stay up all night. They want to wake up and paint the town about 8 o’clock at night.  They’re usually content to snooze their days away.  However, if you wake them during the day, they’re more than willing to play with you.

Danger Signal.  If you pick up a hamster and it emits an irritating “shree-ee-ee” sound, put it down fast.  It’s scared and will bite you, unless you release it.  He’ll tame down very quickly, if you handle him gently.  Once he knows you, he’ll rarely bite the hand that feeds him.

Let Sleeping Hamsters Lie.  Hamsters startled suddenly from a deep sleep wake up understandably peeved.  Awaken then gently.  Tell them you have fresh waffles for them.  Don’t just yank them out of their bed and expect them to like it.  Start by stroking their fur lightly. If yours rolls over and shrieks at you, that means he wants to sleep longer.  This would not be the time to stick your finger in his mouth.

Mothers Bite More Often  Never pester females protecting their babies.  If they think you plan to harm their babies, they will nail you.

Hamsters Live Fast Lives.  Another trait that makes hamsters ideal pets is their short life span.  Most only live a little over two years.  A three-year-old hamster is a rarity.  Buying a hamster does not complicate your life for years on end.  You rarely get tired of hamsters.

Give them Gnaw Foods.  Hamsters eat any of the standard hamster diets and love little chew treats.  We find the Pet Blocks prove the most efficient diet (less waste).  They also help keep their teeth ground down.

They Hide Food.  Hamsters grab food and store it in little hiding places.  They also stuff it into their special pouchy cheeks.  They have less tendency to hide the Pet Blocks, probably because of their large size.

Give them Treats.  Hamsters love treat foods, honey sticks, and chew toys.  They like the change in their diet and they like the taste.

What about Vitamins?  If you feed a good brand of food, you don’t need vitamins.  However, during pregnancy, vitamins couldn’t hurt -- during lactation also.

Use a Water Bottle.  Hamsters drink from water bowls or water bottles.  We prefer the bottles.   They last longer between care cycles.  They rarely get litter in them.  They never tip over.  Tip:  Never use a water bowl in a cage with babies.  Exploring babies slip over the edge and drown.

Hamsters Love Toys.  Hamsters love to climb.  If you provide a ladder, they climb it. To where?  It really doesn’t matter.  They just like to climb.  They also like the roller-balls.  They wheel all over your living room in them.

Provide Hiding Places.  Hamsters love those woven wicker nests.  They live in them and chew them too.  They also love wood cubicles and ceramic caves.  They’ll crawl in and out of these for hours on end.

Provide a Wheel.  Healthy hamsters run three miles per night.  Hamsters always win in the Rodent Olympics.  Pregnant hamsters run six.  They really put their wheels to good use.  Metal wheels last longer.   Your hamster can’t chew up a metal wheel.  However, plastic wheels never squeak.  Both  types of wheels have advantages.

Provide Variety.  Whether you keep your hamster in a cage or aquarium, he appreciates a little change of pace every so often.  Hamsters look forward to the times you take them out and play with them.

Provide Paper Towels?  Take a regular paper towel.  Cut or tear it into inch-wide strips.  Toss them into your hamster cage.  Watch the fun.

Salt and Alfalfa?  Both these packages say that all small animals eat them.  This has not been my experience.  My hamsters ignore both.  Some people say their hamsters eat alfalfa blocks.  I’ve never seen them use it for anything except making a nest and chewing practice.