HAMSTERS: The LJ Community

My hamster, Madeleine, is three years old. I noticed yesterday that her bottom teeth don't seem to be in very good shape (there is a space between the two teeth where there was never any space before). She seems to still be chewing on the blocks and grassy nest in her cage, but I'm getting worried that she can't eat her food as well. I know she's just old, but it makes me sad.

Meet... somebody! I don't know who he is, just yet. I picked him up at a pet shop today, after poking around in the Vat O' Hams. I told the woman helping me that I was interested in two things: male (no surprise babies, thanks) and calm; I wasn't fussed much about color. After some investigation of various candidates, this little guy let me hold him in my cupped hands.

"So, pal. What do you say? Wanna live with me, eat the snow peas from my moo goo gai pan?" It's about there that I realized I was a goner and this was The Hamster. There was nothing I could do but take him home -- where I've had a fresh bag of All The New Things waiting for weeks.

He's an interesting color: sort of a dove-grey on top, and almost a cream shade underneath. I'm not sure what this is called, though I assume it's called something. You can see the cream bits around his eyes and snoot. Speaking of - he has two eyes! This is new for me. And he's tiny tiny tiny: two months old. Jack was an absolute behemoth by comparison. I'm kicking around a couple of names, to see what sticks, but so far I've been referring to him as 'the mouse' because that's what he looks like - a wee grey mouse.



I'll give him a few days to relax and get accustomed to his new digs before we get acquainted, and once we do I'm sure I'll figure out what his name is.

Funny sidenote: a few nights ago I had a weird scary-sad dream about a cream-colored hamster that had been forgotten, or ignored, and somehow it was my fault. The first pet shop I went to (I found Little Mouse Ham at the second) had a hamster that looked just like the one in my dream... it approached me calmly, sniffed my fingers, considered a moment, then gave me one hell of a bite. "How dare you even dream of that!" I done been told. But it's okay, as I told the woman who stared alarmed while my hand went all Old Faithful; I have to stab my fingers to test my blood on a regular basis. Though, normally, I use a needle and not a hamster.

• Which is better, a smaller modular cage, or a larger plainer cage?
• Would a 10 gallon aquarium work for a Syrian hamster?        
• Would a wire high-rise improve it?    

Last month my beloved Syrian cyclops, Jack, passed away. It seems soon to get another one, but you know when you're ready, and I find that my house is far too quiet without the tap-a-tap-a-tap-a-tap-a-tap-a-tap-a-THUNK of knobbly little feet on the wheel in the dark hours of the night.

Since Jack was a rescue, I didn't have to choose him from a group or tame him -- just, here's the hamster, off y'all go. In my time with him I learned about maintenance, medication, food, toilet training, grooming, health, exercise, housing, vetting, transportation, and hospice, but... not so much about getting started.

I've disposed of and replaced all the porous things that would have been scent-marked; the rest, wheels and bowls and bottle and cage, I've given a thorough cleaning and a few weeks' worth of airing out. So I think I'm set, materially. There's plenty of Mazuri left over and a fresh pack of Carefresh in the cupboard.

My problem is this: how on earth does one find The Hamster? It's not like picking a fish, I need to get to know the little critters before I choose one. Or more likely, before it chooses me. I came up empty with petfinder and the local shelters, but I've found ads for litters on Craigslist and there are some in the local shops. The only requirements I have are that the new bug is male and Syrian; among other things, One-Eyed Jack taught me that looks are not everything. Younger would be better, I assume, for taming, but I don't know how young is too young.

O wise hamster-havers, please barrage me with your wisdom. Age, behavioral signs to watch out for (good and bad), taming tricks, things you wish someone had told you when you went in search of a hamster. I will put it to good use! And picspam you later on, of course! <3

I tried to make a post before, but I couldn't properly embed the pics and it didn't go through (fair enough, I am a link-o-phobe as well!). She's put the photos up on her Flickr now though, so I can share here!

I met a friend through an animal rescue whose profession is pet photography. She came over to pick up some coats we were donating to the rescue's charity shop, and noticed Yeti in his cage. "Oh geez, he's too adorable, and I don't have any pocket pets for my portfolio, could I please take some photos of him?" What, free professional photos of the mini-tyrant who owns my life? WHY YES PLEASE DO THAT WHERE DO I SIGN UP.

He was adorable and hilarious, wanted nothing to do with the light-diffusing tent, managed to scramble behind the backdrop, and basically cracked us both up during the two brief sessions. But she got some AMAZING snaps, check these out!






D'aawwwww, that's our boy! <3

My boy is acting weird today... It's similar to a cat in heat. He's up right now (around noon - veeery unusual) and he's chewing on his cage (he's in a bin cage, chewing through air holes, which he never does). He just wants to be out and run run run at a time when he's usually dead asleep. He's not neutered.. could he be in some sort of "hamster heat"? We got him from a pet store around 5 months ago, and he's a teddy bear hamster. If not, does anyone know if I should be concerned about this unusual behaviour?

I'd like to thank the community for taking interest in my post. I wasn't ready to post an update on what happened yesterday, but I think I'm ready now.

She lasted the night, but her condition didn't get any better. I was pretty pessimistic that night, thinking that nothing could be done. And sadly, my assumptions proved true.

I wish she had wet tail because then it could've been treated. Instead, she had a tumor on her bladder. When the vet turned her over (something I didn't notice that morning), she had blood around her urethra. Overall, she was just in so much pain. My mom and I decided to put her to sleep because there wasn't much more we could do. I didn't want her to be alive just for us, and be in terrible pain. She deserves so much more. I really wish I could've prevented this from happening. I know I didn't cause a tumor to appear, but I just feel horrible still.

I miss her so much. She was a wonderful little hammie that loved to explore, ride in pockets, and have her cheeks filled with carrots. Here's a photo of my last few minutes with her.

( You will be missed little Momita )

Hi everyone! I've been lurking about this community for the past couple of years for my little girl Momo. For the past day or two, her health seems to have gone a bit downhill. She's a bit shake-y when she's breathing, her hair has lacked it's luster and I feel like her skin is sagging a bit. I looked at her bottom this morning, and I fear that she has wet tail.

Luckily, I made an appointment to see a vet tomorrow, but is there anything I can do right now to just help her, and hold her over until tomorrow's visit? I bought some plain oatmeal for her to munch on, which she has taken too! I'm also feeding her little apple chunks just to get her re-hydrated since I think her water intake has gone down as well. Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

( Here's the little lady )

Thanks for the tips, his ears are looking great now!

Here's a reward for you all, Yeti being cute:

Stupid winter. I'm scratching at dry skin everywhere-- even my eyebrows are flaking! Itchy no fun.

Poor widdy Yetimonster has dry skin too, looks like. The tips of his ears appear dry and flaky. He shows no sign of discomfort and doesn't seem to be washing more than normal or anything, but I'm wondering if there's anything safe I could put on his poor ears to help them out a little. He has no other symptoms and the rest of his skin and coat seem healthy, so why just the tips of his ears, I don't know.

My only idea was to get some vitamin e capsules and bust one open on them. But will he absorb it through his skin/ clean it off and then have a vitamin overdose? Can anyone advise me on the toxicity of vitamin e, or on ways to help a hammie with dry flaky eartips?

Awww wookits me I'm so cutie:



EDIT: thanks for the help y'all! Last night we soaked a piece of bread in olive oil for him to eat (he thought it was amazing) and I dabbed a bit on each ear for good measure. By tonight it's already looking loads better (despite the punk rock hairdo, which he sadly does not rock)! I'll stop putting it on I think as it seemed to annoy him to have his ears messed with, but I'll keep giving him some to eat and we'll hope that staves off the dryness. Yay!