Q: Do hamsters bite?
A: All hamsters bite when they are stressed, scared or when they get surprised or when your hand smells like food.
Q: Do hamsters have rabies?
A: No. But clean your wound thoroughly with soap and water, so as to avoid the risk of infections.
Q: Can I put different species of hamster together in one cage?
A: No, it may cause them stress and there is a high chance that they will fight to death one day. Different species cannot coexist in one cage.
Q: Should hamsters be kept in pairs? Male and Female?
A: No. Hamsters are not social animals like guineapigs and rabbits. It is a common misconception that hamsters need companions or a partner. Housing 2 hamsters of the same gender and age can still result to fights and injuries, while housing 2 hamsters of the opposite gender will definitely lead to breeding / pregnancy. Breeding requires a deep understanding about their behaviour, genetics and health. Learn proper hamster keeping first and find a mentor who can teach you about ethical breeding.
Q: Why do pet shops sell hamsters in pairs?
A: Because they want to sell fast. You don’t expect them to give you the right information about proper hamster keeping. Most pet shops’ goal is to sell and earn money. Our goal is to provide proper hamster care information, so listen to us.
Q: How often should I feed my hamster?
A: Hamsters don’t overfeed. Just make sure to fill up their food dish and ensure that you will only refill when there is at least 10% food left. (To force them to eat and be not picky eaters)
Q: Which species should a newbie get as a pet?
A: The Syrian hamster is the recommended species for newbies. They are easier to handle due to their size and they are also friendlier than other species.
Q: What is the difference between Teddy bear hamster, Golden hamster, and Syrian hamster?
A: Teddy bear hamster and Golden hamster are both Syrian hamster species. Teddy bear hamsters are the long haired version of Syrians while golden hamsters are the short haired.
Q: Can Syrian hamsters be caged together?
A: No. Syrian hamsters are solitary species. Their territorial instincts will take over at around reach 3-4 months of age. If you think your Syrian hamsters are sweet, because they sleep together, wait for them to start fighting, bite each other and cut-off each others head.
Q: My hamster is acting strange, it seems that there is something wrong with him, what should I do?
A: Seek veterinary help. Here in the Philippines, you can check Vets in Practice, they cater to hamster medical needs.
Q: When do I clean my cage?
A: When your cage starts to smell. Providing a bigger cage will help lessen the frequency of cage-cleanup. Spot-cleaning is recommended every day.
Q: When do I change the sand bath?
A: Most hamsters (especially dwarves) use their sand bath as potty. Change the sand when it starts to smell or to have discoloration.
Q: Can I put lights on my hamsters cage?
A: Naturally, hamsters don’t need light but if you wish to put light on them, make sure that is only has low wattage and volts. Also use red lights because they can’t see through red light but we do. You can also install white lights but only use them when you want to check on them.
Q: How long should free-roaming a hamster last?
A: Ideally, they can roam outside their cage for 15-30 mins. Make sure that the area is safe and there is no way that they can escape. If you are using a bin cage, you can place the cage on the floor and add a ramp going in so they can manage to return to their home if they feel like it.
Q: Should hamsters be bathed in water?
A: No. Hamsters do not and should not be bathed in water. Water removes their natural body oils which makes them vulnerable to colds. Hamsters bathe in sand instead. Just place non-toxic, calcium-free sand in a tub and let them roll over and have fun grooming.
Q: My hamster escaped, what do I do?
A: Next time, make sure that your cage is secured. Hamsters can still be found. You may leave a trail of treats for your hamster to follow. There are many ways to capture an escaped hamster, check out some videos on Youtube.
Q: Where can I buy hamster supplies?
A: Our trusted sellers of hamster supplies online are: Little Ham Supplies on Facebook, Delmaonline on Shopee or http://www.ilovemypets.ph.
Q: Where can I buy hamsters?
A: Only buy hamsters from ethical breeders. Or you can adopt one through Hamdoption PH.
Q: What is an ethical breeder?
A: An ethical breeder is someone who breeds hamsters for the right reasons. Breeding should not be about monetary goals, but about the betterment of the species in terms of body built, facial features, temperament (pagiging ma-amo), and over all quality of life. You will see if a breeder is ethical in the way they take good care of their hamsters, following ethical keeping practices.
Q: Should I breed hamsters?
A: No. Breeding requires thorough knowledge of hamster keeping, genetics and health. If a new, barely-knowledgable keeper starts to breed, they might carry improper keeping practices to the next generation of hamsters. This might will also result to poor health of babies and the mother, genetic problems and shorter life span. If you wish to breed, master proper hamster keeping first, and look for an ethical breeder to be your mentor.
Q: What are common sickness found in hamsters?
A: Common health problems are heat stress, fur loss (from old age, unbalanced diet, mites, toys inside the cage, etc.), tumors, heart attack, strokes, wet tail (a bacterial infection common to young Syrian hamsters), diarrhea and colds.
Q: How do I know the gender of my hamster?
Check their private parts.
Q: How long is a hamster’s life span?
A: An average of 1.5-2.5 years only.
Philippine Hamster Keepers 
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