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Hamsters are adorable, playful, and interactive in their cute little ways.

They make for cute little pets in many households, especially those that have young children.

They are absolutely harmless and are a lovely company, which pretty much explains why school-aged children love to adopt them as their pets.

Hamsters are certainly adored by both children and adults alike, but let’s admit it, a lot of people don’t know much about them other than that they’re cute as a button! Well, that lack of knowledge can be changed. Let’s learn some interesting facts about hamsters.

1. Not All Hamsters Are the Same

Like any other species in this world, there are different types of hamsters, varying in their appearances and characteristics. Some common hamster breeds are Syrian hamsters, dwarf Campbell Russian hamsters, dwarf winter white Russian hamsters, Chinese hamsters, and Roborovski dwarf hamsters.

Of all these, Syrian hamsters are the friendliest. They allow their owner to pet them, and they do not bite. However, they are white furry creatures and are not as active as other hamsters such as dwarf hamsters that are sandier brown and more playful. Russian hamsters are also typically friendly, but they are usually brown or gray in appearance.

2. Hamsters Have Poor Eyesight

The reason hamsters have bad eyesight is because they are nocturnal species. They can only see in dim light but are totally blind in bright daylight. However, hamsters navigate their world through other senses – listen, smell, touch, and feel.

The poor sight of these creatures can lead to severe injuries, which is why it is important to provide them with a safe and secure habitat.

3. It Is Not Easy to Find a Vet for Hamsters

As an exotic species, hamsters must always be taken to a specialized vet. Unfortunately, not many people know this, so when their pet falls ill or gets an injury, they can’t seem to find the right vet, prolonging the suffering of the hamster.

Before adopting a hamster, you should look for a specialized vet for hamsters in your locality. Also, take note that animal clinic fees can be costly.

4. Hamsters Can Easily Get Scared

This is because they can’t see properly.

Your hamsters can easily get spooked up by your voice or touch. Try not to catch them off guard and always approach them with a lot of care and kindness.

5. Hamsters Wake Up Quite Early

Usually, at dawn!

Hamsters are up and about early in the morning. This can be a source of sheer nuisance for their guardians that may want to continue sleeping. Due to this reason, it is better to keep your hamster’s cage somewhere far from your bedroom.

6. Hamsters Hoard Food in Their Cheeks

This is one of the secret talents of hamsters – they can store a good amount of food in their cheeks for quite a long time.

Hamsters found in the wild tend to stuff their face with food so that they can easily carry it from one place to another. This is a normal activity for them. In fact, they face no difficulty when it comes to chewing or gulping with their cheek pouches filled with food already.

Female hamsters tend to even hide or carry their babies around in their cheek pouches!

7. Hamster Teeth Grow Constantly

Hamsters are a type of rodent, which explains why their teeth grow continuously. However, they are equipped with natural abilities to control their teeth from growing non-stop. They grind their teeth on a solid object such as wood to stop their teeth from overgrowing.  They also graze on hay or munch on crispy veggies such as cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli to control the growth of their teeth.

Pet owners can also help hamsters with this issue by providing them with solid toys such as wooden blocks or sticks. However, make sure that the toys are fully sanitized to keep bugs and mites away.

8. A Proper Bedding in a Hamster Cage Is a Must

Remember that a hamster cage is nothing without a proper bed. In the wild, hamsters typically reside in leaves and bushes, and this form of bedding is a great option to keep in their cages.

However, if you don’t want to go the natural route, looking for ideal hamster bedding should pose no difficulty as there are lots of quality and affordable hamster beddings available on the market today.

9. Hamsters Love Fruit Treats

Fruits are to hamsters what candy is to kids – sweet delights that make them very happy! Among many fruits that hamsters enjoy are berries – all kinds of them – strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries.

Additionally, hamsters like to have apples, peaches, and pears as well. Just make sure you remove the seeds before offering them small slices of these yummy fruits.

10. Hamsters Are Good at Escaping

Being tiny and wiggly, hamsters are quite good at escaping their cages. They are also very fast and can easily get lost in the house. Once you lose your hamster in the house, finding it becomes almost as difficult as finding Wally. Therefore, a hole-proof cage is of utmost importance.

Make sure the cage you choose for your hamster has bars that are very close together. Also, go for a metal cage rather than a plastic one. A hamster can easily chew a plastic cage and run away.

While hamsters are a common pet, there are many surprising facts about them that many people don’t know. It is important to consider all these hamster facts seriously before getting a hamster as a pet. The most important question you need to ask yourself is – are hamsters the right pet for you and your family?

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