Clean the cage regularly. Hamsters are tidy rodents and usually set up their cage in an orderly fashion. They store their food in one spot, and keep their toilet area in another. Hamsters are virtually odorless; if you notice a smell from your pet's cage, it most likely is caused by the pet's urine. To prevent odors, try to clean the cage as often as it needs it, depending on your particular hamster. Remove and discard any wet bedding on a daily basis. At regular intervals, completely remove and replace the floor litter. Don't do this too often--you may disturb your hamster by upsetting its food storage.

Hamsters are pretty healthy animals, but you should be aware of the diseases they can pick up. Because hamsters are so small and can deteriorate rapidly, you should call a veterinarian if you see symptoms of these medical situations:

Diarrhea. This is usually caused by something the hamster ate. Diarrhea can take its toll on a hamster quickly, because its small body can easily become dehydrated.

Cuts and lacerations. Hamsters usually heal well on their own, with their careful grooming. However, if a hamster receives a serious cut (such as in a fight with another hamster), you may want to take it to the vet.

Wet Tail. The most dreaded disease for a hamster, it is caused by a tapeworm and is usally fatal. Symptoms include: loss of haircoat gloss, scruffy appearance, ears flat against head, loss of appetite and a wet tail. It is highly contagious among hamsters, so any and all contents in the cage should be thrown away if you plan to use the cage again.

Bald patches. As hamsters age, they begin to lose patches of fur, mostly around their hindquarters. It is abnormal for a young hamster to lose fur.

Author(s): Moira C. Harris

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