TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Foreword 1
- Acknowledgments 2
- Table of Contents 4
- Part 1 – Meet the Dwarf Hamster 12
- How Do Hamsters Differ from Rats and Mice? 13
- Why Choose a Dwarf Hamster? 14
- History of the Dwarf Hamster 15
- Chinese 15
- Roborovski Dwarf 16
- Russian Dwarf Hamsters 18
- Winter White Hamsters 19
- Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters 20
- General Physical Characteristics of Dwarf Hamsters 23
- Vision 23
- Hearing 24
- Smell 24
- Determining Gender 25
- Personality and Behavior 25
- Male or Female? One of Two? 26
- With Children? 26
- With Other Pets? 28
- Dwarf Hamsters and Allergies 28
- Dwarf Hamsters Are Clean 29
- Pros and Cons of Owning Dwarf Hamsters 29
- Part 2 – Buying a Dwarf Hamster 32
- Is a Dwarf Hamster the Pet for You? 32
- What is a normal day for you? 32
- Do you have children? 32
- Can you afford to purchase the following items? 33
- Do you realize your hamsters need attention? 34
- Finally, do you live in Hawaii? 34
- How to Tell if a Hamster is Healthy 34
- What is the hamster’s overall body condition? 35
- What is the hamster’s attitude? 35
- How does the animal’s coat look? 35
- How does the hamster’s face look? 35
- Can you get a look at the hamster’s teeth? 36
- Is the breathing quiet? 36
- How does the hamster move while playing? 36
- What is the hamster’s reaction to people? 36
- Assess the living conditions. 37
- If possible, work with a breeder. 37
- Transporting Your Dwarf Hamster 38
- The Transition to a New Home 38
- Where to Buy Your Dwarf Hamster 39
- Part 3 – Caring for Your Dwarf Hamster 42
- Designing a Home for Your Pet 42
- Habitrails 43
- Habitat Placement 44
- Travel Box 44
- Selecting a Substrate 46
- Wood Shavings 46
- Other Materials 46
- Include a Sandbox 47
- Nesting Material 47
- Temperature and Lighting 48
- Humidity 49
- Cage Maintenance 49
- Weekly 49
- Monthly 50
- Dealing with Plastic 50
- Diet and Nutrition 50
- Basic Required Nutrition 50
- Commercial Diets 51
- Treats 53
- Grains and Seeds 54
- Vegetables 55
- Fruit 56
- Other Types of Treats 57
- Foods to Avoid 57
- Hydration 58
- Training and Socialization 59
- Be Patient in the Beginning 59
- Habitat Location is Crucial 60
- Beginning the Taming Process 61
- Overview of Training Tips 63
- Handling Tips 64
- Part 4 – Dwarf Hamster Health 66
- Recognizing the Signs of Illness 66
- The Eyes 67
- The Nose 67
- Skin and Fur 68
- Teeth 68
- Urine 68
- Nails 69
- Anal and Genital Region 69
- Working with a Veterinarian 70
- Keep a First Aid Kit on Hand 70
- Medical Problems in Hamsters 71
- Hibernation 72
- Mange 73
- Wet Tail 74
- Growths and Lesions 74
- Abscesses 74
- Cysts 75
- Cancer 75
- Urinary and Digestive Issues 76
- Bladder Stones 76
- Constipation 76
- Diarrhea 77
- Eye Conditions 77
- Cataracts 78
- Glaucoma 79
- Metabolic Disorders 79
- Amyloidosis 79
- Diabetes 80
- Seizures or Paralysis 80
- Clonic Seizures 81
- Paralysis 81
- Disorders of the Reproductive Organs 81
- Penile Plug 82
- Pyometra 82
- A Final Note on Diseases 82
- Dispensing Medications to Your Pet 83
- Part 5 – Breeding Dwarf Hamsters 84
- Selecting a Breeding Pair 84
- Facilitating Breeding 86
- Separate Enclosures in Close Proximity 86
- Introducing the Breeding Pair 87
- Caring for a Pregnant Female 87
- Do Not Interfere with the Birth 88
- Raising Dwarf Hamster Pups 89
- Orphan Hamster Pups 90
- To Breed or Not to Breed? 91
- Part 6 – Frequently Asked Questions 94
- Just how small is a Dwarf Hamster? 94
- How long do Dwarf Hamsters live? 94
- Are Dwarf Hamsters good pets for children? 94
- Do I need to give my hamster a bath? 95
- Why do Dwarf Hamsters need chew toys? 95
- Why is it bad to wake a hamster up during the day? 95
- Are Campbell hamsters susceptible to diabetes? 96
- Should I get one hamster or two? 96
- How can I tell if one of my hamsters is pregnant? 97
- What do I do if my hamster escapes? 97
- My hamster eats his excrement, should I be concerned? 98
- Why should my Dwarf Hamster live in an aquarium? 98
- Are wire cages absolutely out? 98
- How often should I clean my hamster’s cage? 99
- Do Dwarf Hamsters smell? 99
- Are Dwarf Hamsters hypoallergenic? 99
- Will my dog or cat bother my Dwarf Hamsters? 100
- Afterword 102
- Appendix 1 – Dwarf Hamster Breeders 104
- Canada 104
- United States 104
- United Kingdom 105
- Relevant Websites 108
- Glossary 110
- Index 118
