Djungarian hamster: care and maintenance of the Djungarian hamster at home (description with photo)

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The Djungarian hamster is a small, very cute and active animal from the rodent family. They are very common as pets. Their popularity is explained by their simplicity and low maintenance requirements. However, before you bring such a small animal home, you need to ask how to properly create comfortable living conditions for it. In many literary sources, the dzhungarik is found under the name Sungur hamster.

Description

Author: Kristina Forlovskaya
Djungarian hamsters are small animals of the hamster family, the genus Hairy-footed. The body is covered with short, light gray fur. A darker stripe runs along the back; this is how Djungarian hamsters are usually recognized.

The paws are also covered with hair, but white. In clean pets they are a pleasant white-pink color. The ears are small and round. The beady eyes are slightly protruding. The body is small. The body length of an adult dwarf is 10 cm.

Sexual characteristics

It is quite difficult to examine sexual characteristics in a pet store if you have no experience communicating with such small animals. The seller can help. He can hold the animal so that it is comfortable to watch.

If the hamster is a boy, there is a gap of 0.5 cm between the genitals and the anus and there is a formation on the tummy that resembles a navel. If it is a girl, then the gap is almost invisible, and two stripes of papillae run along the tummy.

Why does a hamster sleep all the time?

When the baby is completely immobile, two states are possible - death and numbness (hibernation). During hibernation, the rodent is curled up, there is shallow breathing and a pulse, but the body is not numb, as when the animal dies. The rodent is brought out of its stupor by warming up and improving the light conditions.

But if your baby sleeps all day, is not active at night, eats little and does not play, most likely the animal is sick. When an animal feels unwell, it tries to hide from people and lie down. An attentive hamster owner should pay attention to changes in the pet’s behavior:

• the pet usually sleeps longer; normally, the animal can sleep longer after a change of environment or in old age;
• the animal eats and drinks little or refuses food altogether, and does not even eat its favorite treats;
• the pet has stopped licking itself, the genitals are dirty;
• manifestation of aggression unusual for a hamster;
• lethargy while awake;
• difficulty moving around the cage;
• the coat is dull, sticky, falls out easily, while the appearance of bald spots is a physiological norm in old animals;
• wet fur on the neck and chin, which indicates problems with teeth;
• discharge from the eyes, nose, wet tail;
• a change in the nature of the droppings, it can become liquid or excessively dry or even absent.

Any hamster can get sick, regardless of the conditions of keeping and care. It is advisable to pay attention in time to changes in the behavior and appearance of your rodent and take all measures for the baby’s recovery.

First aid for a sick hamster

If your pet is sick, you need to:

• separate the rodent from other animals in group housing;
• create a calm environment for the sick animal;
• wash and disinfect the cage, house and all toys of the sick jungarik;
• throw away food and bedding;
• in the absence of appetite and thirst, let lick drops of water from a 1 ml syringe without a needle or wet the fur around the mouth to prevent dehydration; do not force liquid in to avoid pneumonia;
• when sneezing and nasal discharge, keep the baby warm and remove the discharge with a cotton ball;
• for constipation, drink 1 ml of Vaseline oil and massage the abdomen;
• in case of acute diarrhea, wet tail, discharge from the eyes, injuries - urgently take the animal to a veterinary clinic.

After first aid is provided and there is no improvement after the first 24 hours, it is advisable to consult a specialist. Our pet hamsters are animals with an intense metabolism, so the development of the disease can be rapid. The baby may require surgery or veterinary medications.

The hamster’s speedy recovery depends on the owner’s observation and timely treatment. Pay attention to the duration of your pet's sleep, its activity and appetite, and let your pets never get sick. .

Why does the hamster sleep all the time 4.8 (96%) 5 votes

Where does the Djungarian hamster live?

Information about where dzhungariks live in the wild will help you better understand their lifestyle and habits. This species can be found in the steppe zone of Western Siberia, in the northeast of Kazakhstan, and in Asia. They live in areas undeveloped by humans.

Lifestyle

There is no hibernation period in winter. On the eve of winter, the hamster grows fat and stores food for future use. This small rodent digs long and deep burrows, which allows it to spend the winter warm. The active time of day is evening and night. They sleep during the day.

What Djungarian hamsters eat in natural conditions determines their diet when kept at home. In the steppe conditions where the Djungarian hamster lives, the food supply is quite simple. It consists of seeds and green parts of plants. The source of protein is small insects and their larvae.

It becomes clear what you need to feed your Djungarian hamster at home. There are subcutaneous pouches located on the sides of the body; they serve for storing and transporting food. Rodents spend most of their lives preparing food.

Gray hamster (Cricetulus migratorius)

Author: Gray Hamster

Author: Gray Hamster

Health, disease and prevention

The category of the most common problems that arise in the process of keeping Djungarian hamsters includes mechanical injuries, represented by dislocations of limbs, impacts and fractures that occur when falling from a height.

An injury can be visually determined by the presence of curvatures and deformations of the limbs, as well as by the presence of problems with movement. Less common are colds, which manifest themselves in frequent sneezing, nasal discharge and decreased activity.

Eye diseases such as sticky eyelids, conjunctivitis, purulent discharge and cataracts, as well as problems with the oral cavity or teeth require special attention. If the teeth are too long, the veterinarian may shorten them. The most common skin and coat diseases include eczema or dermatophytosis, as well as a variety of allergic reactions and ectoparasite attacks.

Djungarian hamsters have a fairly strong stomach and intestinal tract, but if you experience loose stools or rumbling in the stomach, you need to contact a veterinarian who will prescribe a competent treatment regimen. The most serious category of diseases in domestic rodents is the development of cancer. The result of advanced disease and lack of treatment is often the death of a pet.

Cell selection

The correct choice of cage will determine how many years a Djungarian hamster lives at home. You need to provide your pet with maximum comfort. The size of the cell is important. The hamster will feel great in a cage with the following overall dimensions:

• height – 47 cm;
• width – 36 cm;
• length – 50 cm.

How to arrange a cage

Does how long the Djungarian hamsters live in the house depend on how the cage is equipped? The dependence is direct. For a full life, a cage must have a house. There the pet will hide food and build a nest.

A wheel is required. Choose a less noisy one, otherwise it will be difficult to sleep at night. As soon as it gets dark outside, Djungarian hamsters at home begin to actively spin the wheel.

Ladders and multi-colored plastic tunnels are a must. The animal runs up the stairs, and the tunnel serves as a substitute for an earthen hole.

What do you need for feeding?

The Djungarian hamster receives food in dry form. To prevent food from scattering throughout the cage, you need a plastic or ceramic feeder. Size is important as hamsters fit into the food container and fill their cheek pouches.

A drinking bowl is required; it can be included in the kit that comes with the cage, but you can buy it separately. The volume of the drinking bowl is enough for several days. If the family spends the weekend away from home, there is no reason to worry about what to feed and water the Djungarian hamster at home. There will be enough water in the drinking bowl for several days, as well as food.

Which drinker is better

The choice is clear - you need an automatic drinker, which includes:

• plastic container;
• metal spout with a ball;
• fasteners (for fixing the sippy cup to the bars of the cage);
• tight-fitting tire.

It is not recommended to place open bowls of water in the cage. Dzungarik will certainly knock her over.

Maintenance and nutrition: equipment

Caring for a dwarf is not difficult; even children can cope with this task. But for this you need to properly organize your hamster’s life. The main rule is that the hamster must have its own home. If you want to have two hamsters, you will need 2 cages.

Cell

Despite the tiny size of the pet, the cage should be as large as possible, at least 50x30 cm. To avoid injury, single-tier cages are recommended. Instead of the usual lattice design with a plastic tray, you should take a closer look at closed “dunes” and cages with plastic inserts. Pipes and tunnels will help the animal feel at home. Good options:

Ferplast "Duna Fun"

Fop "Charlie Prestige"

IMAC Fantasy, 58x38x38.5 cm

The cage is placed in a quiet place, protected from the sun and drafts. There must be a house in it so that your favorite rodent can retire. A small (10 cm long) wooden house without windows and without a bottom is ideal for a dzhungarik. You will find more detailed information on the page about choosing the right cage for a Djungarian hamster.

A thick layer of filler - corn or cellulose - is poured onto the bottom, and white paper towels or napkins are placed in the house to build a nest.

"Gym"

A hamster must run several kilometers every day to stay healthy. In captivity, such activity can only be achieved with the help of a running wheel. For a dwarf, the diameter should be 16-18 cm. It should not have crossbars, the surface should be solid or with a fine mesh so that the foot does not get stuck.

jungarik and wheel

In addition to the wheel, walking balls are used. In it, the animal will be able to safely move around the apartment. It’s good if the owner organizes a playground: a labyrinth, tunnels.

Dining room equipment

The feeder is most often a small ceramic bowl: heavy enough not to tip over and easy to clean. A drinking bowl is required, but a bowl of water is not advisable. It is better to hang a closed container: a nipple or ball drinker.

Nutrition

The basis of the diet is a grain mixture - ready-made food for dwarf hamsters. Due to its fast metabolism, the hamster eats a lot. To keep your pet healthy, use food from trusted manufacturers: Versele-Laga “Mini Hamster Nature”, JR Farm, Vitakraft. Chika BIO “Food for Djungarian hamsters” can be an inexpensive domestic option.

In addition to grains, the pet is given succulent food (vegetables, fruits, berries, greens), and occasionally protein foods (boiled chicken, low-fat cottage cheese). Contrary to popular myth, a hamster cannot eat everything and eat “from the table.” You will have to carefully study the list of permitted and prohibited products and adhere to it.

In addition to food, the pet store buys treats - edible sticks and spikelets, mineral stone for grinding teeth.

Other accessories (optional)

A small carrier cage is useful for taking your pet to the veterinary clinic when moving. Homa is placed in it during general cleaning of the cage.

If the owner cares about the cleanliness of the fur and the absence of an unpleasant odor from the rodent, they buy a bathing container and special sand for chinchillas.

Care and feeding

If you explain to a child how to care for a hamster, the little owner will feel responsible for the pet. Hamsters are fed every day, in the evening, when the animal wakes up. Change the water in the drinking bowl; it should always be fresh.

Spot cleaning of the cage is carried out daily. It is necessary to promptly remove the remains of succulent feed to prevent spoilage and rotting (revision of stocks). Remove accumulations of feces and wet litter, adding fresh litter if necessary. Hamsters are clean and have a special toilet corner in their cage.

It is very important to keep the animal clean so that it does not get sick, but general cleaning with a complete change of bedding is stressful for hamsters. Wash the cage no more than once a week, using a sponge and fragrance-free laundry soap. All accessories are processed: bowl, wheel, toys. Disassemble and wash the drinking bowl (the iron spout is cleaned of plaque and doused with boiling water).

It is better to clean the cage on a schedule (once every 7-10 days), without waiting for a strong smell to appear. Even in heavily soiled areas, toxic chemicals such as bleach should be avoided. To remove white stains from urine and eliminate odor, use vinegar (apply for 15 minutes).

Hamsters have a very sensitive psyche. Rearrangement in the cage makes them nervous, especially when it comes to the “pantry” – food reserves that the animal instinctively creates. With regular destruction of the pantry, he becomes desperate, unsuccessfully trying to find a more secluded place in the cage. Therefore, you need to clean your pet’s house selectively, removing only foods that are susceptible to spoilage. To reduce stress during general cleaning, leave some old litter and napkins from the nest in the cage.

Cage care

Caring for the cage will not take much time. The tray must be filled with sawdust. Pet stores sell compressed sawdust. One pack lasts a long time. The sawdust will need to be renewed periodically.

You don't need to wash the cage very often. The animals are small and the bars of the cage remain clean for a long time. You need to remove and wash the wheel, house, drinking bowl, stairs, tunnels. You will have to vacuum the floor around the cage frequently. Djungarians actively stir up sawdust, building nests, and scatter food if there are family squabbles or they don’t like the food.

What do dwarf hamsters need?

Properly caring for a Djungarian hamster is not at all difficult. You just need to know what your pet needs.

1. Cozy home. A large, bright and comfortable apartment - not only people, but also hamsters dream about this. Representatives of the Dzungarian breed require much more space than others, despite its miniature size. The fact is that the animals are very mobile.
2. Wheel and other attractions. Toys are necessary to keep your pet from getting bored and keeping fit. And if the size of the cage does not allow you to set up an amusement park there, at least install a wheel - after all, this is not just a toy, but a simulator.
3. Mini house inside a cage. The home serves as a resting place and food warehouse.
4. Cutlery. There must be a hanging drinking bowl, but you cannot place a saucer with water, the animal will definitely turn it over. The food bowl should be low and stable.
5. Food and fresh water.
6. Cleanliness in the cage.

As you can see, the dzhungarik does not need much to be completely happy. In addition to the necessary things and food, the fluffy needs communication. Visit your pet several times a day, and in the evening you can even play with it (of course, after the hamster is tamed).

What to feed your Djungarian hamster?

Organizing a nutritious meal is quite simple. You need to go to the nearest pet supply store and find out the range of food for small rodents. You need to feed your Djungarian hamster at home with a feed mixture that includes:

• oat grain;
• sunflower seeds;
• peas;
• nuts;
• corn.

The most interesting thing is that with the same composition of the mixture, the animal eats food from one manufacturer, but not another.

Author: Kruze Victor

Treats

Djungarian hamsters do not live long at home (2.5-3 years) and you can brighten up their life in captivity with a treat. You can find sweet sticks (drops) in any pet store. Drops are made from natural grains and nuts. It is useful to pamper your pet with fresh vegetables and fruits:

• carrots;
• zucchini;
• cucumber;
• apple;
• banana.

What Djungarian hamsters eat fresh should not accumulate in the feeder. Complementary foods should be given by hand and in small quantities.

Author: Alexey Danlovsky

Protein for hamster

The care and maintenance of a Djungarian hamster will not be complete if there is no protein in the animal’s diet. A hamster should receive protein 2 times a week. It could be:

• chicken's meat;
• cottage cheese;
• boiled eggs.

There is an opinion that cheese is harmful to hamsters, but in practice, a small piece of mozzarella cheese does not adversely affect health. The fluffy ball usually flies from all its hamster legs to get its favorite delicacy.

Author: Ekaterina Gorbyl

Mineral feeding

There must be a mineral stone hanging in the cage. As many years as a Djungarian hamster lives, its teeth grow. By gnawing on a mineral stone, the hamster solves a dental problem - grinds down its incisors. In addition, the stone is needed for:

• for normal digestion;
• obtaining necessary microelements and vitamins;
• for a good mood.

Features of white color

White dzhungarikas are no different from their relatives, except for their pearl coloring. Often there is no stripe at all on the back of these hamsters. In such cases, the animal is completely dull and milky. Pearly white hamsters are bred by breeders and are loved by breeders.

Albinos, due to a gene mutation, lack the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the color of their skin and coat. Their eyes are red because, in the absence of pigment, the blood vessels in the cornea become clearly visible. The lack of melanin negatively affects the health of hamsters.

The main problems of albinos:

1. Skin diseases: lichen, dermatophytosis, tumors and papillomas.
2. Vision problems: long-term exposure to sunlight on unprotected eyes can lead to blindness of the animal.
3. Lack of melanin: reduces stress resistance of albinos.

The pet must be protected from contact with sunlight.

The cage with a special pet should be placed in a shaded place, protecting the animal as much as possible from contact with direct sunlight.

Does a Djungarian hamster need to bathe?

To keep the animal's fur in good condition, traditional bathing with water is not required. Usually, Djungarians cope on their own; they actively clean their fur with their paws before and after eating. For variety, you can place a container of sand in the cage. Sand for bathing chinchillas is available for sale. One jar will last a long time.

Author: Vasily Prinersky

How often to clean your home

In order to maintain a healthy, favorable atmosphere inside the cage, it is necessary to regularly clean it. As mentioned above, every day you should spot clean bedding material that is contaminated with rodent excrement, food or plain water. Thorough cleaning of the home is carried out every 2–4 weeks.

Cleaning the cage includes several steps:

• remove the hamster and transfer it to a jar or other container;
• change the bedding to a new and clean one, leaving some of the bedding so that the hamster’s smell does not disappear completely;
• Wash the tray with warm water using baby detergents or special preparations;
• Using a regular sponge soaked in water, wipe the rods. Wipe all accessories with a dry cloth.

Video: cleaning a hamster's cage After cleaning the home, it is very important to return all items to their original places.
Important! It is better not to touch the food reserves hidden by the pet - if they are not found, the dwarf can experience a great shock. You only need to remove spoiled foods that can poison your hamster.

Does a Djungarian hamster need a mate?

There is an opinion that hamsters should be bought in pairs. It's a delusion. Hamsters prefer a solitary life. A partner is needed only for the mating period, and the rest of the time the female and male can live happily alone.

You must be prepared for daily fights if you decide to purchase two or more hamsters and keep them in the same cage. The battle for territory is usually accompanied by a loud squeak.

We can conclude that how many years Djungarian hamsters live at home absolutely does not depend on the presence of a partner. In most cases, the dwarf lives happily in its cage alone, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s a male or a female.

Author: Elizaveta Gaday

Author: Vasily Poklonsky

Buying a hamster - tips

It should be noted that market Djungarian hamsters are kept, as a rule, in terrible conditions that are completely unsuitable for the life of such animals. Among other things, overcrowding is often a major cause of the spread of infectious diseases and parasitic diseases.

Sellers who sell domestic Djungarians “from hand” are quite capable of lying about the date of birth and purity of the blood of such pets. It is for this reason that all veterinary specialists recommend purchasing pets from pet stores or nurseries.

In the first case, the disadvantages of the purchase include only a somewhat limited choice, as well as the lack of competent advice on maintenance and care. Of course, the cost of an animal in zoological stores is significantly higher than the market value, but the conditions for keeping it are also more favorable.

However, the best purchase option would be to choose a Djungarian hamster in a special nursery that sells purebred rodents that can be used not only for exhibitions, but also for breeding purposes.

When choosing a pet, you need to pay special attention to the following parameters:

• the presence of shiny and thick fur;
• no bald spots or scratch marks;
• sufficient fatness, but not overfed;
• absence of subcutaneous tumors and lameness.

The eyes of a completely healthy Djungarian hamster should be clear and shiny, without discharge. Be sure to examine the nose and ears, the area around the mouth, as well as the genitals and anus. Signs of diarrhea and excessive salivation should be completely absent.

This is interesting! It is best to choose an animal in the evening, when the hamster is able to actively move around the cage, run in a wheel or eat.

It is optimal to purchase a one-month or two-month-old hamster. Currently, the cost of a Djungarian hamster averages 200-250 rubles, but can be slightly higher, which depends on many factors, including the pricing policy of the nursery or zoological store, as well as the age of the animal being sold.

Reproduction of Djungarian hamsters

If under natural conditions hamsters mate from March to September, then reproduction in captivity occurs all year round. Naturally, when individuals of different sexes come into contact.

Properly organized care and maintenance of hamsters at home requires the presence of several cages. The female and male live in different cages. The male is placed in a cage with the female for a short period of time. It only takes a few days for a female to become pregnant.

It is necessary to know how long pregnancy lasts in Djungarian hamsters in order to place the male in another cage in advance. Pregnancy lasts about 3 weeks. During this period, the female's behavior changes. She sets up a nest, fusses, stores food. If at this time the male is in the same cage with her, family scandals are inevitable. The squeak will be heard throughout the apartment.

A pregnant female needs to be given rest. Tell the children about her interesting situation and ask them not to pick her up.

How long does pregnancy last for a Djungarian hamster?

Females become sexually mature at 1.5 months. During the warm season (March-September) they mate several times and produce 3-4 litters. Pregnancy lasts 3 weeks.

Author: Pavel Moroz

What to feed during pregnancy?

For full reproduction, the Djungarian hamster (female) must receive food as usual, plus additional protein supplements in the form of meat, egg white and cottage cheese. This diet is maintained for the entire period of feeding the cubs.

Offspring

The maximum number of cubs is 10-11, but may be less. The cubs will be born blind, pink, and without fur. After just 10 days they become independent individuals and can serve themselves.

We must remember: you must not touch blind cubs. The female can eat such a baby. They also eat sick offspring, intuitively feeling that the cub is not able to live fully. When purchasing hamsters, you need to be prepared for such unpleasant moments.

Author: Vitaly Nalyvaichenko

Communication

Djungarians have an independent character and are not too eager to communicate. To wean the animal from biting and fearlessly picking it up, it will have to be patiently tamed day after day. It will not be possible to raise a hamster once and for the rest of its life: if you do not have contact with it for 1-2 weeks, the pet will run wild again, and hand training begins all over again.

Keeping an animal with a nocturnal lifestyle means not disturbing it during daytime sleep, being content with communicating and observing it in the evening hours. You will have to endure noise at night: the hamster will run in a wheel, chew the bars of the cage and toys, dig for litter, rustle with paper in the house.

Diseases of the Djungarian hamster

A hamster, like any living creature, can have health problems. You need to find out in advance what diseases can lie in wait for Djungarian hamsters. Signs your pet's health is deteriorating:

• dull or shiny coat;
• lack of appetite;
• reduced motor activity - the hamster runs a little, sits more.

Hamsters have different diseases. The animal may simply have a cold. A cold is accompanied by heavy breathing and wheezing. You can offer the dzhungarik fresh fruit. They improve immunity.

Mechanical injuries are possible. Hamsters are very mobile and can dislocate a paw if they fall badly. Suspicion of injury is a reason to take your hamster to the veterinarian for examination and consultation.

Weak spot of the eye. Hamsters have common conjunctivitis, which is treated with rinsing (chamomile tea, calendula). Age-related problems with the eyes that are not treated.

Djungarians sometimes have tumors, not to be confused with pregnancy and swollen sides due to cheek pouches stuffed with food. For any serious health problems, you should visit a veterinarian. How long Djungarian hamsters live depends on the owner.

Cost of Djungarian hamsters

When buying a Djungarian hamster, it is advisable to pay attention to factors such as:

• Pet's age. The hamster should be about 5-6 weeks old.
• Character of behavior. The animal should not be too apathetic and lethargic, or overly excited or nervous.
• Health. His state of health visually should not raise the slightest doubt.
• Wool cover. It should be dry and clean, without signs of bald spots or mechanical damage.
• The condition of the eyes, which should be clean, without traces of various discharges.
• The condition of the nasal cavity, which also should not have traces of various secretions.
• The condition of the fur around the anus should be characterized as clean and dry.

If a person has little experience, then it is quite difficult to distinguish the sex of very young individuals. This is true even for breeders. It is better to know for yourself how to distinguish a male from a female. Similar animals can be bought for 250-350 rubles, regardless of gender. If hamsters have a rather rare color, then the cost of such individuals is slightly higher.

How to choose and buy a Djungarian hamster?

Having learned everything about the care and maintenance of the Djungarian hamster, go to the pet store to buy one. What should you be interested in at this time, besides how much a Djungarian hamster costs? You need to decide for yourself how many animals you want to buy and whether you will breed.

Considering that hamsters do not live long, a maximum of 3 years, very rarely 4, you need to choose young hamsters. A good age for purchase is 3-4 months. Young hamsters get used to being handled more easily and become full-fledged partners for the child.

Author: Mikhail Reshetov

The long life of the dwarf is in your hands!

A good owner, through his efforts, ensures a long life for the hamster. All you need is to show attention and care. We sincerely hope that you take responsibility for those you have tamed and do not perceive the Djungarian hamster as a toy.

Love the little brothers and check our website more often - we guarantee an influx of fresh materials (or better yet, subscribe and bookmark).

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