Each hamster has their own personality. Some are outgoing, some are shy, some are hyper, and some are lazy. Each one of them is adorable and with some special love can become a great companion. But there are a few aspects of personality that every hamster shares in common.
Photo credit to Hamster Haven Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this awesome hamster rescue!
Photo credit to Hamster Haven Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this awesome hamster rescue!
Eating: Hamster's love to eat. They will spend a large majority of their night visiting the food dish. So it's important to give your hamster a good variety. They love cracking seeds, eating bits of greens, and storing away dried fruits and vegetables.
Hoarding: Probably the most common trait of gerbils is the fact that they will store away their food. They pack those little cheeks full of seeds, veggies, and fruits and keep them for later. They'll often hide their food in places they think are safe (tunnels, corners, huts, shadowy parts, etc.). Make sure to clean out these 'stashes' once a week to avoid rot. You can also discourage this behavior by cutting back their servings a little. So they only have enough to eat.
Sleeping: Hamster's sleep during the day and are especially irritable at this time. It's important to leave your hamster alone during the day time. If you want to let them out to explore do so at night, or during the late evening or early morning. During the day they will typically be inactive and hideaway in a tunnel to rest.
Nocturnal Play: They may be lazy during the day, but hamster's are extremely active at night. If you're a night owl then hamster's can be the perfect small pet for you. They're hyper and awake during the dark hours. And often- they're noisy. If you're a light sleeper, we suggest getting a gerbil- as they are awake during the day.
Tunneling: Hamsters love to crawl through dark spaces. Paper towel rolls, commercial pet tunnels, even wrapping paper rolls make great tunneling spaces for hamsters. They will spend much of their time exploring crevices, cracks, and any space dark and small. Change up your hamster's tunnel areas one or two times a month to keep them entertained and adventurous.
Nest Building: Nest building is time-consuming and for hamster's it's quite entertaining. They will happily spend hours upon hours shredding up things and making nests. They love tearing, shredding, and building- and will do so with almost anything. Computer paper, cardboard, tissue, and paper towels are all the perfect nest building materials from a hamster's perspective. Not only is this natural behavior healthy- it's a great way to keep a hamster stimulated and mentally and physically happy.
Independence: Unlike most animals, hamsters are solitary creatures. Very rarely will they get along with another hamster, and they prefer to be alone. They are perfectly content living their lives without a fellow hamster. So we highly recommend that you only get one hamster, or keep two separate hamsters- just that, separate.
Chewing: If there is one thing hamsters are good at- it's gnawing on things. They love sinking their teeth into things and will bite just about anything they can get their hands on. Give your hamster an array of chew toys- and let them chew them to bits. It's a great and healthy way to raise their activity level.
Scavenging: In the wild hamster hunt for seeds, berries, and bits of greens on the ground. In captivity they often miss this opportunity to scavenge. But you an inspire such behavior by scattering a bit of seeds, dried vegetables, or treats on the bottom of your hamster's cage. Not only will this keep your little furball active, it will stimulate natural behaviors that will keep them happy in their domestic home.
Bathing: Hamster's originate in the dessert, so they don't naturally bathe in water. Rather they get clean by taking dust bathes. A weekly dust bath will help your gerbil's fur and skin stay healthy and clean. You can give your hamster a dust bath by pouring some chinchilla bath sand (which you can find at your local pet shop) into a small tub and letting your hamster roll around.