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Hamster

Hamster
Hamster
The classic first pet, Hamsters are very friendly when given lots of attention. Their simple care needs and small size make them perfect for kids of all ages and school classrooms.

So, what about those cheeks?! Hamsters are legendary for gathering food. They get their name from the German word “hamstern,” which means to hoard or to bring food back to their homes to be eaten later. Hamsters are capable of building a food stash the size of 100 bags of sugar! How do they do it? Hamsters have long, fur-lined pouches on the sides of their heads that actually go all the way down to their shoulders.

All “Golden Hamsters” are named that because of their natural coloration. They are thought to be descendants of just a few kept as pets in the 1930s in Syria. That means if you and a friend each have a Golden Hamster, then they are probably cousins! Other breeds or variations include Fancy Hamsters, Teddy Bear Hamsters, Black Bear Hamsters, and Panda Hamsters.

In the wild, Hamsters live alone in burrows and only come together for breeding, so pet Hamsters prefer to be kept as the only pet in their habitat or Hamster cage. Super Pet homes are perfect for keeping Hamsters, and Forti-Diet Crunch and Fiesta Max will satisfy their appetites. Besides eating and chewing, these small animal pets love to exercise. Go to SuperPetUSA.com for Hamster toys and accessories, such as a Comfort Wheel or Run-about Ball.

Are you ready to be a Hamster owner? Click here to see if this classic pet will be your next best friend. Don't forget to visit the KAYTEE Kid Zone.

KAYTEE adds exciting products and helpful tips to help you. You can customize your search by animal such as wild bird, pet bird and small animal; by category such as food, treats and feeders); or by brand such as exact®, Fiesta Max and Forti-Diet Pro-Health; or by species such as Guinea Pig, Cockatiel and Finch.

Thank you for your interest in Kaytee. We hope birding, pet bird ownership and small animal ownership continues to be a special part of your life.


Facts

Order:   Rodentia Family:   Cricetidae
Genus:   Mesocricetus Species:   auratus
Sexual Maturity:   Females 6-10 weeks/Males 8 weeks Life Span:   2-3 years
Maximum Adult Size:   16-17 cm (6-7 in)/ 85-140g (3-5 oz)
Habitat Size L x W x H:   46 x 30 x 30 cm (18 x 12 x 12 in)
Dietary/Nutritional Supplements:   Finely chopped fresh fruits, vegetables and cheese