Dzungarian hamster is a cute and very unpretentious animal. The length of its life can depend on such factors as heredity and breed. Rodents rarely live to 3 years. For this reason, when buying a Jungar hamster, it is important to determine its age.
How many years live in nature?
The Dzungarian hamster has a dark (gray) strip on the back, a very short tail that is almost impossible to see, especially when the rodent is sitting. On the fur there are significant white blotches. This animal usually lives in arid steppes and semi-deserts, in Western Siberia, Dzhungarsky Alatau, Khakassia. The main area is Dzungaria, which is located between eastern Kazakhstan and northwestern China.
In this area, in natural habitat, small animals are always in danger. Such predators as bears, owls, hawks, eagles, snakes, foxes, wolves and other large animals can trap dzungarian hamsters. Winter is an adverse event for the body of the Dzungarian hamster. It is difficult to tolerate such climatic conditions. That is why in the wild, these rodents can live only 1-1.5 years, while females usually live longer than males.
There is no need to domesticate the wild rodent, since the Dzungarian hamster is an evil and stubborn animal. Dzhungar hamsters, which were bred as a result of the work of breeders, are acquired for the home.
Life expectancy at home
The owner of the Dzungar hamster can surround his pet with kindness, care, love, attention and provide him with optimal living conditions. If a hamster lives at home, he will be able to live much longer - up to 2-3 years. But there have been cases when Djungar hamsters could live more than 4 years. It is necessary to accept the fact that small mammals do not live long, even if they are well cared for.
Factors affecting the lifetime
Dzungarian hamsters are very small and vulnerable creatures. It is necessary to provide the pet with the best living conditions. Care must also be taken of the pet's habitat. Dzhungariki can not stand other pets next to him. The most important for their content is giving each hamster its cage. If several animals live in the same cage, they will constantly fight each other. This lifestyle will quickly shorten the life span of the Jungar hamster.
Cotton wool must not be allowed in the pet's house.. If cotton wool is accidentally wrapped around a pet, the rodent may die from suffocation. If the hamster swallows a little cotton, he will have problems with digestion. If the pet wants to make a nest, you can put a napkin or paper to it. These materials are safe.
Djungarian hamster needs a lot of attention. You need to play, talk, show your care and love with the animal. No need to turn on the hamster for TV, radio and other equipment that can create noise. The animal is very sensitive, if there is constantly noise and din around it, then the health of the hamster will deteriorate.
Djungar hamsters should also be protected from direct sunlight. Animals do not like too bright light, the pet's health deteriorates from it. The dwelling should be located so that the sun's rays could not get into it.In order for a rodent to live long, you need to take care of its home in a timely manner. It is impossible for garbage and waste products to accumulate in the cell. Litter must be cleaned 1 time in 2 days. Complete cleaning of the cage should be done every week.
Diseases
Various diseases adversely affect the immunity of the Jungar hamster. If the pet is sick, he will live less. Symptoms of disease: a weak state, low activity, pet drowsy, the quality of wool deteriorates, breathing becomes intermittent. If there is at least one sign, then it is urgent to contact a veterinarian. If you do not take action, it can develop a disease.
There were times when a hamster could fall. Animals are frisky and curious, so sometimes they can climb on the edges of the table and accidentally fall. If this happens, hamsters can damage their paws, get bruises and scratches. You do not need to treat Djungar hamsters yourself. It is better to take the rodent to the vet.
Animals can get colds, then they will sniff and sneeze. If the pet is sick, then he needs to pay more attention and give food that contains a lot of vitamins. Only a veterinarian should prescribe medications and injections. If the Djungarian hamster eats poorly, it may have dental problems. Some teeth may have wounds or lengthen. If this happens, the veterinarian should shorten them.
If the Djungarian hamsters hurt their stomachs, liquid stools appear, then this means that the animal has digestive problems. There have been such cases when a tumor could have formed in a Jungar hamster. Only a veterinarian can detect it, therefore rodent should be periodically shown to a specialist.
You need to know that not always the disease can occur due to the negligence of the owner. Although in most cases it all depends on the pet itself - immunity, character, heredity are important.
How to keep?
Dwelling
The cage of the Dzungarian hamster should be with horizontal rods. Since they can easily install the wheel, drinker, feeder. If the cage is with horizontal bars, the Dzungarian hamster will be able to climb the walls and cling to the ceiling with its paws. The main thing is that the distance between the rods is about 11 millimeters, so that the Dzungarian hamster cannot escape.
For these animals, a one-story dwelling is standard. Such cells are cheap, they can be easily cleaned. In the two-story and three-story cells you can place a lot of different accessories. You can also purchase wheels, tunnels and labyrinths. If the dwelling is multi-storey, the Dzungarian hamster will sleep on the top floor. The bottom floor is designed for games.
The hamster's owner sometimes wonders how much his pet can run overnight. To do this, you can purchase a cell that has a run counter. Together with the cage you need to buy a walking ball.
Nutrition
First you need to figure out which products are allowed for the Dzungarik. These little animals need to eat differently. You do not need to give the hamster the same product every day. But dry food should be given daily. Large foods (vegetables and fruits) must be cut. The optimal size of the piece is 1 centimeter. It is necessary to periodically give products that are additives to dry food.
- White and green vegetables: zucchini, cucumber, turnip. Colored: carrot, pumpkin. It is enough to give 2 times in 7 days.
- Grass and greens should be given 1 time in 2 days.
- Foods that contain proteins: meat and eggs. They should be given 1 time in 7 days.
- Fruits, berries and dried fruits - 1 time in 14 days.
- Less need to give nuts and seeds.
It is necessary to ensure that all food is fresh and of high quality. All spoiled products must be thrown away. Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed and peeled. Many owners use ready-made dry food. They should be produced under well-known brands that specialize in rodent nutrition.The composition of such feed includes essential nutrients, minerals and vitamin supplements that will help support the health of the hamster. Some foods contain such foods: dried vegetables, fruits and other substances that balance food.
For a pet, it is necessary to select high-quality food, which is produced by trusted companies. It is recommended not to purchase cheap food. You need to buy those that are designed specifically for the Jungar hamster breed, as in mixtures for other species may be prohibited substances. The daily rate of eating food is 1 tablespoon. Balanced and nutritious food does not require large expenditures.
What should not be given to the Dzungar hamsters? Consider the list of prohibited foods that can kill the animal. Fluffy pet can poison with such substances as: hydrocyanic acid in almonds, nitrates in watermelon. Persimmon can provoke constipation, and spices have a laxative effect. You cannot give bread and beans to a Dzhungar hamster because they cause gases in the animal's stomach, and this can even kill a pet.
Do not give fatty foods, seeds should be given only in rare cases. Fruit can not be fed hamster avocado, it is also forbidden to give fried food. No need to offer pasta to the animal, because they are too hard. Citruses can cause an allergic reaction. In order for a pet to have a good digestive system, you need to follow these guidelines.
Hygiene
Clean hamsters need in case of any need. For example, it is possible to wash a Dzungar hamster if the wool is stained or parasites appear. But the animal itself is neat. Even if there is a mess in the cage, the hamster is always washing himself. If the pet is old or sick, then he will not be able to wash himself. To the animal smelled pleasantly, you need to constantly clean up his house. There are several methods for swimming the Jungar hamster. Hygiene procedures can be carried out at home.
- Sand baths. You need to buy a basin and sand for the hamster. In the bath you need to pour the sand and run the animal there. It will happily roll in the sand from side to side. If the hamster gets tired of swimming, you will need to immediately remove the basin.
- Wet wipes and cotton pads. If the hamster is accidentally stained and cannot clean itself, it must be wiped with a cotton pad that had been soaked in water beforehand. You can use a simple wet wipe. The best to choose baby wipes, because they lack chemical elements. After the procedure, the animal must be dried.
- Swimming in the water. You can wash the hamster under a stream of liquid, it should be warm, not hot. The head and face of the jungar should be left dry. It is necessary to wash it carefully and quickly. Then the pet must be dried with a hair dryer, which has a minimum speed. Or you can gently wipe the hamster with a soft towel. Pet must be sheltered from drafts.
Dzungarian hamster is a very unpretentious pet. The main thing is to properly care for him, to create comfortable conditions for life, to feed him well and properly in order to prolong his life.
To learn how to properly care for the Jungar hamster, see the following video.
