Proper care in key areas keeps your hamster comfortable and healthy.
Nail Health:
- Trim monthly to prevent overgrowth which can catch and injure hamsters. Use small animal clippers.
- Check feet weekly for excessively long nails. Long nails also make walking difficult.
- Provide rough surfaces like textured stones for hamsters to rub and wear down nails naturally.
Eye Health:
- Check eyes daily for redness, swelling, irritation, discharge or crustiness indicating infection. Treat promptly.
- Wipe away any eye discharge gently with a cotton ball and sterile saline solution to keep eyes clear.
- Avoid dusty substrates that can irritate eyes. Use unscented paper, aspen, or hemp bedding.
Coat Health:
- Groom longhaired breeds weekly to prevent matted, tangled fur, especially around feet.
- Spot clean accidents promptly to avoid coat staining.
- Provide nesting material like Aspen wool for natural oil distribution during grooming.
- Note any bald spots or loss of sheen indicating possible illness or stressors.
