Chinese Dwarf Hamsters and Their Special Considerations

Chinese dwarf hamsters, just like their name suggests, are from China. Mores specifically they are from the deserts of northern China and Mongolia (which borders China). Chinese dwarf hamsters are hard to find and I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't available at your local pet store. Not only are they hard to breed, but there are also certain places where it is illegal to have them as pets (one example is California).

The Chinese hamster is often confused with a mouse. These hamsters look more like mice than other hamsters. This is largely because of the existence of their tails. Yup, they have tails. Another interesting fact about The Chinese dwarf hamster is that they aren't truly dwarf hamsters. They are considered to be part of a separate family of hamsters but because they are so tiny, they are closely associated with the dwarf hamster family and it would be foolish not to bring up the Chinese hamster when categorizing dwarf hamsters. The Chinese dwarf hamster grows to about four to five inches in length and has a beautiful gray-brown coat with a black stripe along the spine and white bellies. There are also other color patterns that have been developed through breeding and those are one with a dominant spot and one called the black eyed white.

Although a general rule of thumb for dwarf hamsters is to house them in pairs, this is not necessarily true with the Chinese dwarf hamster. If you would like to house pairs of Chinese dwarf hamsters, one combination that you want to have is a pair of two females. Two females are more likely to get along than a male and a female, especially if they are housed together while they're still very young females. With Chinese dwarf hamsters, females are the dominant sex and are thus much more aggressive than the males. If you have a pair consisting of a male and a female Chinese hamster, the female hamster could harm and potentially kill the male hamster!

Things you can do if you would like to keep two opposite sex Chinese dwarf hamsters together is to have housing that is twice as roomy. Even better, have a home that has more than one level and has complexity to it with hiding places and such. This would allow the male hamster more opportunity and room to run and hide from the moody, angry, and aggressive female hamster. With regards to housing Chinese dwarf hamsters in general, plastic cages are typically what owners go with. With wire cages, sometimes the bars are too far apart and the Chinese hamsters squeeze their way out (or even worse, get stuck!).

The Chinese dwarf hamster's diet is the same as any dwarf hamster. This includes seeds, pellets, fruits, and vegetables. Other foods you can give your hamster (although not too much of) are Cheerios and pieces of wheat bread.

The lifespan of the Chinese dwarf hamster is between two and three years. Also it's not so simple to tame and train these animals. They are a bit on the skittish and aggressive side, are extremely agile and can jump and climb very quickly. These traits make them less ideal for children under the age of thirteen because they are so quick to escape and dart away. Every time you try to tame them and have them get familiar with you, they could potentially dart off so sometimes its best to not handle them at all.

George Grayson is an author and dwarf hamster expert. Learn more about Chinese dwarf hamsters and take the first step in giving your dwarf hamster a healthy and happy life by visiting http://www.dwarfhamstercare101.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Grayson

Read More...

White Russian Dwarf Hamster

The Siberian hamster is often referred to as white Russian dwarf hamster as part of it's coat in the winter season changes from gray to white in color. Although not all of the coat changes to white and some gray color is maintained. The number of daylight hours prompts this color coat change along with temperature drop.

You can expect the color change to start about half way through September and is completely changed over by mid November. This dwarf has big eyes, a body that is compact and males at maturity are approximately 4 inches long, weighing in at 1 to 2 ounces.

This little dwarf has rather large cheek pouches for carrying food and bedding. When necessary it can fill these pouches with air and use them as a flotation device to assist in swimming!

Generally they are sociable and good natured hamsters, it is recommended however that mature males are not grouped together as often tempers will flare and tendency to fight. When comparing the Siberian hamster to all the other types of dwarf hamster they tend to be the slowest and sluggish. They tend to be less active in the evenings, don't mark scent as much and the father participates in raising the pups.

The life span of the Russian white can vary depending upon the care and nutrition it receives, however on average they span 1.5 to 2 years. They tend to be more active in November and less active from February to March based on the photo period of light.

A variety of exercise options is sought out by the Siberian, including sitting, standing, running, jumping, grooming, digging and climbing. Some types of activities you can provide to your hamster include solid wheel (strongly recommended), secure exercise area , ladders and even tube tunnels. When considering purchasing exercise equipments, consider the size of your dwarf hamster and purchase in size scale appropriate for them.

Kym Sutherland is an Author and pet hobbyist who enjoys raising and caring for pets. For more White Russian Dwarf Hamster info, go to the website, http://www.DwarfHamsterGuide.com/tips Sign up for the free mini ecourse about Dwarf Hamsters and see you soon!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kym_Sutherland

Read More...

Baby Dwarf Hamsters - So You Have Decided to Breed

It is with a mixture of excitement and anxiousness that first time pet owners look forward to a mother dwarf hamster giving birth to baby dwarf hamsters. The thought of breeding this little bundle of joy can be quite nerve-wracking... to think that they are such delicate and frail looking little fellows. It is highly recommended that newbie pet owners do some research about taking care of the babies before starting any breeding.

For the first ten days after birth, the pet owner should leave the mother dwarf hamster alone with her babies. DON'T TOUCH THE BABIES DURING THIS IMPORTANT TIME! The mother usually gives birth to a litter of up to ten baby dwarf hamsters; however, on the average it is 5 or 6 babies per litter. A lot of development among the babies will occur during their first week after birth-pigment will appear after four days and fur will show after one week. After ten days, their eyes will begin to open as they are starting to crawl. At this stage, you can now handle them. However, you should be careful not to upset the mother, because some dwarf hamster mothers are quite protective of their young and might not appreciate you touching her babies.

Touching the baby dwarf hamsters can help in taming them. Just be careful of their frail bodies when handling. After two weeks baby dwarf hamsters are ready to eat small amounts of solid food such as oats, bird seeds, and wheat germ. Lab blocks should be given in small amounts once the babies have reached three weeks old. Sliced apples and cucumbers are also a great alternative for nutrients; give the baby dwarf hamsters these only in small amount. Once they are able to reach the water bottle it is a sign that they ready to wean away from their mother.

After four weeks, baby dwarf hamsters can be separated from their mothers. You can now move them to a separate cage. If the father stays with the mother hamster while she is still nursing the litter, there is a big chance that she will get pregnant again. If this happens, separate the baby dwarf hamsters immediately, as long as they have already reached 18 to 20 days old. Separate and classify them by gender to prevent unnecessary inbred pregnancies.

Caring for your baby dwarf hamsters is the same as it is for adult hamsters. Regular cleaning of their cage at least once a week is important to prevent any sickness. Frequent cleaning may be required if you notice that their cage turns dirty faster than the usual. Fresh water and food should be given once daily, together with regular observation of each animal. There will always be an active baby dwarf hamster and the less agile one, check if all are getting enough food and nourishment and ensure that they are not being injured if they are fighting.

After four weeks, they can be safely separated from their mother, and you can wean them, sell them or, give them away as pets. Providing care to baby dwarf hamsters is an enjoyable and simple task. All you need is patience and love for the animal. Just follow the above guidelines and refrain from touching them too soon.

Russ Fleederman is a dwarf hamster expert. For more great information on baby dwarf hamsters and a FREE dwarf hamster mini-course, visit http://www.dwarf-hamster.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russ_Fleederman

Read More...

Baby Dwarf Hamsters - Look Don't Touch!

If you think everyday dwarf hamsters are small, wait till you the babies! They are so tiny and delicate it is an amazing thing to see. But because they are so delicate, bringing up baby dwarf hamsters from birth and caring for these newborns is very different from caring for dwarf hamsters after they've reached the one month mark (at this point they are able to live without a mother's nursing and can be cared for the same as an adult).

The first stage of caring for a newborn is the leave-it-to-the-mom stage. When a baby dwarf hamster has just been born, you can look, but don't touch! They are so small and delicate that you should leave them alone. Don't even change the cage. This don't touch policy isn't solely because of the babies though. Once a dwarf hamster mother has given birth, she is in a very protective and, to be frank, crazy state of mind. So you just want to leave her alone and let her do her thing.

Dwarf hamster mothers are so confused from the birthing process they'll sometimes go as far as to eat their babies so you don't want to disturb her any further, not even by cleaning the cage. Although you won't be able to handle the babies just yet, you can still enjoy looking at these beautiful creatures. The cool part about brand new dwarf hamster babies is that they are actually see-through! They don't gain color until after a few days and after about a week they will begin to grow fur. A couple more days after that (about ten days from birth) they will start to open their eyes and crawling around and at this point the leave-it-to-the-mom stage is over and you can finally start to handle the babies.

When you start handling the babies, you should handle them very delicately and only for very short periods of time. Handling baby hamsters is important because it will help tame them and get them used to you but it is just as important to start out slowly. Pay close attention to the mother, she might be overly protective and get angry if her babies are handled. If this happens you may want to back off for a bit. Also, when handling the babies, watch out, because they could be very skittish and you definitely don't want to drop them, especially as fragile newborns. Another characteristic to note about the ten day mark is that at this age, baby dwarf hamsters will be old enough start to drinking from the water bottle. They'll still be going through the nursing process but it marks the first step of independence from the mother.

The next landmark in the growth of baby dwarf hamsters is the point at which they begin eating regular portions of food. This happens around the age of fourteen days. At this point they should be given regular portions of food such as oats, oatmeal, wheat germ, or small bird seeds. You must feed baby dwarf hamsters fresh and healthy foods for healthy growth. Small grains are best to get them growing quickly and healthily. Over time the mother will nurse the baby dwarf hamsters less and less and eventually they will get all their food on their own, no longer nursing, and drinking solely from the water bottle.

When baby dwarf hamsters are about a month old, they should be fully weaned and ready to live on their own. It is important, as always, to separate the males from the females. From here on out, you no longer need to treat these babies as babies and you can care for them as you would an adult.

George Grayson

Don't wait until the last minute to find out what you'll need to do. Give your dwarf hamster the care he or she deserves and learn more about baby dwarf hamsters as well as breeding guidelines by visiting http://www.dwarfhamstercare101.com right now!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Grayson

Read More...

Amazing Ferret Facts - 5 Very Unique & Interesting Facts About Ferrets

What makes ferrets fascinating? What makes them popular among pet owners? What's so unique about them? Here are some facts that make ferrets stand out among the rest.

Personality Having a bad day? Your ferrets can change that. Their different personalities can make you smile despite the frowns. If you have four ferrets, expect that you'll have five different personalities. Paint them in different colors and you would still be able to distinguish which is who. They are playful and loving- so playful that they need to be caged when you're not around or whenever they are unsupervised. When playing, watch out for toys that may cause them harm.

Warm or Cold? Would you put a coat on when it's warm? I didn't think so. This is why ferrets love to be in cool places. A warm environment can cause an irritated skin, a dry coat, and dehydrate easily. They're happier in cooler temperatures! What's the ideal temp? 70 degrees Fahrenheit would do just fine. Don't let it go above 78 degrees Fahrenheit because they would not be able to stand the heat anymore. This could cause a heatstroke which can be proved to be fatal if not treated properly.

Circle of Friends Who is a ferret's favorite playmate? You, of course! Ferrets prefer to play with humans compared to other pets. However, this doesn't mean that they cannot co-exist with other pets. Ferrets can interact with dogs and cats. But during their first few introductions, always be there to supervise. Observe any personality clashes or wars being waged against each other. Most of the time, everything goes well. Some play with one another, some will simply co-exist and ignore each other. Either way, it's fun watching them interact with other pets. 3 It is not recommended, though, for ferrets to be acquainted with "birds, rodents (hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs) or reptiles."

Sleeping When they hit the sack, they literally sleep longer than the human's average sleeping hours. How long, you ask? They sleep an average of 18-20 hours per day and they are not nocturnal beings. What if you want to play with them? No worries here. They can and will "adjust their schedule to you and be eager to play when you are." 5 When they awaken from their long slumber, it might take a few moments to adjust before they go hyperactive all over again.

When Kits Come Excited to have your own baby ferrets? It is good to know that ferrets "are able to breed when they are only 5-6 month old. In the US, most owners prefer to have their pets neutered." Gestation lasts for " weeks and mother ferrets have between 6-12 babies at a time. "

Seth Evans is ferret enthusiast, if you would like more great information on Ferret Facts please visit http://www.ferrets-as-pets.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Seth_Evans

Read More...

A Duck For a Pet, in the House, Wears Diapers - Yes!

It is surprising to hear and not many people have heard of this but; yes there are ducks that live in human homes. It is very rare but, seems to be occurring more often these days. Ducks are becoming domesticated in several areas of the country. Believe it or not, Ducks make great pets.

There is a lot involved in the care of having a Duck for a Pet. There is also a lot of learning to be done. Most families receive their ducks for Easter as gifts. Then families have no idea what to do with their duck. Families start to realize that their new duck is not around her/his mom and other ducklings that they need to grow and survive. Right after Easter many families (if they care) have to start researching about Duck Care. Most families decide to give away their precious duck after they get them and bond with them. It is important for families to know that, within a few days of having their duck he/she has already "imprinted" with them. The family becomes his/her pack. What most families should do is learn how to care for this precious Duck without the neglect of leaving her outside, in a pen all day, and with no attention. This duck they have will need the love, affection, care, and attention that our other pets in their family always receive.

Now a days, most duck owners start with the internet. The search can be started by searching for information on house training a duck, duck diapers, what to feed a duck, duck as pets, and much more. Pet Duck Care and Duck Diapers are easy to find in the search engines. More people are raising Ducks for Pets. But, some advice to be taken; there are all sorts of different opinions and advice for Domestic Duck and Goose Care. Pet duck owners will have to do some studying of on the different duck care sites and services that are now easier to find on the internet.

In the beginning it will be very hard to care for this Duck. You see, ducks are very clean creatures in one way but, very messy in another. The messy part of a duck is the "Poop". It will be all over if you do not control it. If you are thinking of a way to "litter train" your duck...that will Never happen. The only thing that will control the duck poop is "The Miracle Duck Diapers". What a life saver and difference they will make. The diapers will allow your duck baby to be in the house anytime that he/she has the harness and diaper on. There are also Duck Outfits that are adorable and fun to sport ducks around in.

Not only will the new duck love being in the house with you but, he/she will just love to be in the duck bath more. Do not let them have baths for a few weeks though. They can get very ill and die is they are put into a cold bath with in the first few weeks of their lives. They can also drown. The favorite thing for most ducks is bath time, rather it be by sprinkler, hose, or a special bath. They love outside kiddie pools so much and will literally swim, splash, and have a great time. Most ducks love to be out in the yard, graze the grass, and eat bugs. Their favorite bugs are meal worms. You can even raise your own meal worms. There are instructions for that on You Tube. Meal worms are getting pretty costly. If you raise them, not only will it be more economical, but there will also be more of an abundance of the worms.

If you do have or get a duck, it is important to know Exactly what their most favorite thing to do is. Their most favorite thing in the entire world is To Be With You or their Family. If you raise your duck from a little bitty baby, they "imprint" on you. You and the family become their "pack". If you put your "imprinted" duck with other ducks...your duck will not know what to do. Many people get and give ducks for Easter Gifts. Then they keep them until they are tired of them and then they dump them off where other ducks live. Big mistake! Those folks are setting their duck up for Death. A "Human Imprinted Duck" does not know how to survive with other ducks. Other ducks will not accept her/him either, and the "human imprinted duck" will not survive. Most often getting or giving a Duck for Easter is a Big Mistake. If you get or give a Duck for Easter, then you better be Serious about having one.

Did you know that Ducks have a lifespan of 20 years? It is true. It is all depends on the care that they receive and the ailments that they endure.

If you are one who does have a duck or is serious about getting one, then you are more then likely looking for the right care. Experienced advice is to trust The "Gooses Mother and Father" site. You will be able to learn: the proper feeding for a duck, training, how to maintain good health for your duck, how to treat ailments or infections, and much, much more.

Just learn all that you can and the journey with your duck will be a great and a rewarding success.

Kami is an avid pet lover. She is a pet sitter and focuses on pet care. She is a strong supporter for Animal Rights and Animal Organizations. Kami's main objective is on Pet Care Advice and Tactics. She promotes the Best Pet Care Practices. She loves opinions, comments, and discussions.

You can contact Me by going to my Blog. Leave your comment and share your views. It's Fun! Learn more on Duck Care too. http://www.XpectMorePetCare.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kami_Snoeberger

Read More...

Loving All Pets - What You Need to Know

With the concept of Loving All Pets being the main topic of this article, you need to keep in mind that different people have their own idea of what a pet is. This leads to a short explanation of what different kinds of pets there are.

Normal pets can come under the heading of small pets such as a dog or a cat although some dogs would be considered large. Small pets can be anything from a hamster to a lizard. Small pets are a great way for kids to get involved with pet ownership. Another group of small pets that people should consider are aquatic pets that can be kept in a small aquarium or a full blown aquatic tank. Aquatic pets can be as simple as a goldfish to very exotic marine life. They can be freshwater or saltwater, fish or other types of marine life such as shellfish, seahorses and the like. No matter what type of aquatic pets you have or want, each requires their own special type of care. The main point is that small pets are a great way to have a pet in a small area or room. They require minimal care when compared to larger pets and are great for people that live in an apartment or room.

Another type of small pet that is great for apartment or room living is a bird. Birds come in a large variety of species, sizes and temperaments. Birds require a small amount of space but, they can give a large amount of satisfaction when it comes to pet ownership. There are an infinite number of color variations as well as sizes that will be sure to please a large number of people.

Another group of pets would be considered large pets. These pets could vary from a pot bellied pig to a horse. Of course these types of pets will need a large amount of room to get the exercise they need to maintain their health. Even with that in mind, many people have these types of pets and are very happy with them. One thought about owning a large pet is the cost of taking care of them. Besides the cost of housing them, you have to consider the costs involved with the supplies they will need. The cost of food is of course higher, any equipment they or you may need (things like saddles, tack for a horse, etc.). There will be a lot more time required to take of larger pets, not just for their care but, you have to be ready to devote time to keep them happy. A lot of thought needs to go into the acquiring and caring for a larger type pet.

So, besides the types of pets talked about above, small pets, large pets, aquatic pets, we have one more type of pet that has a very large following. That would be exotic pets. exotic pets have gained popularity in an increasing number. Exotic pets can range from lizards, snakes, terrapins to ferrets and exotic breeds of dogs and cats. People have monkeys and llamas, spiders and insects. Each one of these types of pets will require it's own habitat, special foods and special care. Most exotic pets can be considered small but, their housing, care and feeding may involve quite a bit more than you are willing to apply. One of the main considerations of owning an exotic pet is the laws that may apply for the state or locality you want to have your pet in. The laws vary as to what types of exotic pets can be legally kept. Before you get an exotic pet (especially an unusual one), you will have to check on your laws. You really do not want to get a pet only to find out that it cannot be kept in your local. That would cause hardships on you as well as the animal. Remember, the idea here is Loving All Pets, not Harming ANY Pet!

Walt Goodin
An Advocate of Loving All Pets Responsibility
http://www.lovingallpets.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Walt_Goodin

Read More...