New Location

Hey everyone! This site has been moved to a new address. Click on this link to visit it. http://www.fuzzybuddiesblog.com/   Plus, if you were following it before, you will need to follow again by clicking on "Subscribe to posts" under the "Site information" tab. Thanks for reading everyone! :)

T.O.W. Food Amounts

Have you been wondering how much food your hamster needs every day? Well, below is a chart that shows the types of hamsters and the about the amount of food they need. Remember, the amount varies, so if your hamster isn't eating all it's food or it seem hungry, you can change the amount of food you give him.

Syrian: 1-2.5 tablespoons
Chinese: .5- 1.5 tablespoons
Winter White/ Russian: 1-1.5 tablespoons
Robo: .5-1 tablespoon

Search Amazon.com for Hamster Food

Tito's Adventure

So, Tito had a little adventure last night. It started yesterday when I moved the toilet paper tube in the bottom level of his cage and then somehow forgot to latch the door to it. (I bet you can see where this is going). Then, last night I realized he needed more food, so I added more food to his dish (on the top level) and suddenly realized that the latch on the bottom part wasn't on but the door was pressed up against the cage as if it was. (That hamster is so smart that he shut the door behind him!) I then started checking every part of his cage for him but ended in the result of no Tito. We started looking everywhere in my room for him and I had a panic attack the whole time. That's when my dad found him running out of the corner of my closet. Then, after about five minutes of trying to catch him, he was safely back in his cage and I went back to examine his camp out place. I found shredded pieces of a blanket I had on the closet floor that he bundled up into a bowl shape were he obviously slept all day. Next to it, there was a pile of hamster poop. Then next to that there was a big pile of hamster food that Tito apparently stored in his cheeks and dumped onto the floor. Well, that was pretty nerve recking for me but in the end I realize now how dang smart hamsters are! I hope this never happens to you, but if it does, remember to stay calm and search everywhere. They are smart enough to stay near a food source, so they won't be too far away! :)

New Year, New Hamster

Hey everyone! First of all, Happy New Year! Since this is a brand new year, this is also a great opportunity to adopt a fuzzy buddy into your home! They are easy to take care of, adorable, and fun to play with (with most hamsters, at least). If you are a kid who wants hamster but your parents said that you can't get one, here's what I suggest. Write out a list of responsibilities, costs, and tasks that it takes to care for a hamster and say why you can handle on your own. Also say why you want and deserve a hamster. This method always works! :) So give it a try, this might be the year where you give a fuzzy buddy a new home!

T.O.W. :Silent Wheel Not-So-Silent?

To all of you who are wondering what T.O.W. means, it stands for tip-of-the-week. :) Do you have a wheel that is extremely loud? If it is a silent wheel, try unscrewing the yellow cone in the center of it and screwing it back on very tightly. Sometimes the factories don't get them screwed on tight enough and that makes the rumbling noise you hear. If it is a metal wheel, take a Q-Tip and put a very small amount of vegetable oil on it. Rub the Q-Tip on the center of the wheel were it spins around and is making the squeaking noise. This should fix all your noisy wheel problems!

Followers

I would just like to say thanks to all of the new followers! We really appreciate it! If you know some one who has hamsters or are interested in them, tell them about the blog! :) Thanks!

New Hamster

Hi everyone! I would like to inform you that I am getting a new hamster! It will be a winter white hamster. The decision was made because my hamster Tito doesn't really do much and hates to be held and Jose is fun to watch but he doesn't like to be held either. If you didn't know this, winter white hamsters love to be held usually, and hardly ever bite (unlike Tito and Jose). So, now I can have Jose to watch, Tito to laugh about (he has a hilarious personality), and a winter white to hold! Now all I need to do is think of a name. Any ideas? I would like if it sort of matched with Tito and Jose (those are both Mexican sounding names) Thanks! :)

Hamster Tip-of-the-Week

If you have a toilet paper tube in your hamster's cage (which I suggest), and your hamster has been shredding it, here's what I suggest. Your hamster is probably cold and is trying to get warmer bedding by shredding off pieces of the tube. Try moving the cage to a warmer spot, but not to warm! Also, you could try adding a little more bedding to the cage when you clean it next.

Hola!

Lets not forget to celebrate all of our buddies from around the world! Happy Holidays! Love your adminastrators!!!!

Christmas Hamsters

Here are some hamsters that are in the Christmas spirit...

Merry Christmas Fuzzy Buddies!

Merry Christmas to all our Fuzzy Buddies out there! It is only 4 more days 'til Christmas and some people are getting their hamsters presents. Yes, it is sort of ridiculous, but some people consider them part of their family (I do). :) Some cheap ideas are a treat stick (a stick of sweetend hamster food that is great for your hamster to chew on), new chew bars for their treat kabob, or, if you are on the more expensive side, you can get some tube extensions to hook onto their cage. But, if you get a present or not, it doesn't matter what you get because they will love it either way! :)

Tito and Jose meet

Bad news. I put Tito and Jose together in the same cage for the first time and the hated each other! They  were rolling around the cage in a fit of squeeking and even some blood! So, I did what any good hamster owner would do and put them in seperate cages. If the same happens to your hamsters, separate them immediatly or else they may kill each other!

Hamster tip-of-the-Week

Have you been trying to find a good treat for your fuzzy buddy but you're failing miserably? Well, the best treat out there are plain cherrios. They are the perfect size, cheap, and 100% safe for your hamster to eat. My hamster, Tito, LOVES cherrios! His favorite time of day is when I hide the cherrio somewhere in his cage and he has to find it. But, warning, never give flavored cherrios to your hamster. They can get sick from the flavoring on it.

Recommended Cages

Here are a few cages that I would suggest for your hamster. They are all safe, convenient, and fairly inexpensive. Click on the titles to view the product on Amazon.

Super Pet CritterTrail One Habitat

Comes with...

-wheel

-water bottle

-food dish

-petting zone(on top)

This cage is great for any dwarf hamster. The petting zone on top doubles as a traveling cage and is perfect size. The waterbottle may be hard to reach, though, for some hamsters. The wheel can very squeaky and is sized for a standard hamster. This is probably my most recommended cage over all. Plus, it also comes in pink! :)

Critter Universe 2 Floor + Travel Cage

Comes with...

-wheel

-water bottle

-food dish

-tubing(inside)

-travel cage(on top)

This cage is a good one to have if you don't mind paying $40-50 for it. The above one is a good starter cage but this is a good permanent cage and has plenty of room for more than one hamster. I have this one and discovered that the travel cage is not very useful due to its tiny size and attachment to tubes(which are hard to disassemble). The wheel might have to be replaced, too depending on the size of your hamster. But other than those two things, this is a great cage! You can also buy the one story version (not quite as good as this one I hear) or extension levels so that it can be as many stories as you floors as you want!

Super Pet CritterTrail Primary Critter Home

Comes with...

-wheel

-water bottle

-food dish

-Hanging Grassy Nest

This cage is the perfect starter home for all hamsters. The water bottle may be an effort for robo hamsters to get. I have this cage for Jose but since I found it at a thrift store, some parts were missing like the hanging grassy nest. Even though I'm not sure what it is like, it seems to be a good hiding place for your hamster and something good for them to chew on, too. Like I said before, this is the perfect starter cage for your hamster because it is inexpensive, durable, and very cozy.

Getting Started

When you first get a hamster, it can be pretty confusing on what to get and what not to get. Below, I have a list of the essentials to get for your hamster.

Cage: This is the most obvious and important item on the list. It doesn't matter whether you get an aquarium, plastic cage, or wire cage but I prefer the wire/plastic cage. It allows plenty of air to flow through and hamsters love to climb up the sides. I would strongly suggest not having an aquarium for a cage because air flow isn't quite as good, you can't attach any extension tubes to it, and it holds in heat or cold a lot more. But what ever cage works best for you is fine.

Water Bottle: Most cages come with a water bottle but if yours doesn't, you can pick one at any pet store. Make sure that your hamster can reach it when you put it in the cage. If you are worried that your hamster can't reach it, check for bite marks on the end of it after a few days.  If there are bites, it can reach. If not, move it down more or put a block of wood under it so that your fuzzy buddy can stand on it and reach.

Food/Food Bowl: Your hamster will need different amounts of food based on its size but it should be around 1 tbls. Find a dish or bowl that can hold a little more than this. But make sure that your hamster can't chew off pieces of it.

Chew Block: Your hamster will need something to chew on since their front teeth constantly grow. I suggest a treat-kabob. You can put different chews on it like apple wood twigs (my hamsters' favorite). Make sure your hamster can reach it when you hang it. I took the bell of mine since it is useless and takes up room.

Hiding Spot: All hamsters need somewhere to hide and feel safe. Some choices are an igloo house (sold at most pet stores), critter bath, and coconut hut (this is what I have and suggest). Don't mess with this part of his cage unless you are cleaning the cage. It is like your hamster's private room. You wouldn't want anyone messing with your room, would you?

Wheel: Your hamster will need to get exercise some how so this is very important. Any type of wheel works but I suggest a plastic one because wire ones have been known to hurt hamsters when their feet get stuck in the wire. Silent wheels are probably the best. (even though they aren't silent)

Ball: This is also for exercise. Get a hamster ball that is the right size for your hamster and that hamster can move comfortably in. They come in many colors!

So, now you have your list of essentials. You can add other toys for them now like toilet paper tubes (my hamster, Tito's, favorite). But make sure there is still plenty of room to run around in there cage when you are finished. Now you have shopping list, get shopping! :)

Time to get started!

Hello everyone! Now how would you know when it is time to get your first hamster? Well follow this sympal quiz and tally up your letters to find out when you are ready to get your new best friend! Then post your answer and how you felt about it, or if you have questions about your result, post down below!!!!!
     

                How forgetfull are you?
                  a) super forgetful. i cant even remember what i had for dinner!
                  b) i know everything since i was 6! Maybe younger!
                  c) my memory is fine. I cant remember everything, but i will remember eventualy.
                  d) I sometimes forget things, I killed my goldfish because i forgot to feed him

             Do you have a lot of after school activitys?
               a) Yes! I have an activity everyday!
               b) i have no after school activities
               c) I have 1 or more a week
               d) I have 3 or more a week

            How much patience do you have?
              a) well i will wait for 2 minutes but then you better hurry up!
              b) i will wait for you to get dressed even if it takes you 30 minutes
              c) i can wait for ten minutes but i dont like waiting that long
              d) i will deal with it but i will get frustrated

           Whats a good size of a pet for you?
               a) at least 6 inches
               b) as long as its bigger than 2 centameters
               c) 2 inches, around that
               d) I dont know



Now that you answered your questions, tally up you answers and look at the answers below!


Mostly A's: Not ready. you might love hamsters but your time will need to wait. Hamsters take patience to pick them up or get you to let you hold them. You must also have more time on your hands. You will have to feed them, and hamsters like attention. You cant ignore them.You also have to remember to feed them and give them water. Other wise you will kill them. Sorry maybe when you have more time, and patience. I know you can do it!!!!

Mostly B's: Absolutly yes!!!! You would be a perfect hamster parent! You will be better at remembering to feed your buddy and give him water. You should get a hamster they are perfect for you! Lets go go go! You need your best buddie!!

Mostly C's: Pretty good. I believe you could do it. You could remember to take care of it and you could be a good parent. Just make sure you are careful and you are kind and loving to your buddy. But with a little help, or maybe by yourself, you could take care of a little hamster and do it well. I believe in you!

Mostly D's: Maybe. It will be up to you to put an effort in this. But maybe it would be a good idea to wait a little while longer. When you will have a good understanding of how to take care of a hamster, and you truly believe you can do it, and you truly try, then maybe you could do a good job taking care of a hamster now. But if you dont want to take the risk, that is absolutly fine. You can wait untill you are fully confadent. You could start with something easier like a fish, and if you do good and dont starve it, then it will be a good indicater you will be okay. Make sure you dont try untill you are ready, though. You dont want to take an unnesasary risk. But when you are ready, GO FOR IT!

What hamster is best for you?

Answer the questions below and tally up the amount of times you answered each letter (A,B,C,D). Then, read your results at the bottom. :)

1. Taking time to play, hold, and take care of your hamster is essential. Would you prefer a hamster that...
     a) will need a little more than weekly caring but not much more than that.
     b) needs to be cared for often.
     c) needs to be played with daily.
     d) doesn't need to be played with often.

2. I would like to have my hamster be...
     a) 5-7 inches long.
     b) 8-11 cm long.
     c) 10-12 cm long.
     d) 4-5 cm long.

3. I want a hamster that...
     a) is fairly aggressive towards other hamsters and doesn't need to be held but is interesting to watch.
     b) is adventurous and social.
     c) is very playful and likes to explore new things and people.
     d) is very fast and sometimes fights you from being held but loves running around and playing with other      hamsters.

4. Some hamsters prefer others to play with. Would you like a hamster that...
     a) doesn't want other hamsters around them.
     b) wants another buddy to play with.
     c) sometimes would like a buddy but doesn't care either way.
     d) does best with several buddies (1-4 other buddies).

Now tally up your answers...

Mostly A's: Syrian Hamster
Syrian hamsters are best alone and are the largest of all hamsters. The females can be aggressive but the males are generally nicer. These are the most common of the hamsters and are very easy to care for. They live for up to 3 years.

Mostly B's: Winter White/ Russian Hamster
These two hamsters are almost the exact same but winter white hamsters' fur turns white in the winter. They are sometimes social with other hamsters. They also like to be held and rarely bite. Their lifespan is about 18 months (1 and a 1/2 years). Overall, they are a great first hamster.

Mostly C's: Chinese Hamster
Chinese hamsters are very playful and easy to care for. They don't need a cage buddy but sometimes will put up with one if you give it one. They live for about 2 and a half years. Try to put new and exciting things in they're cage once and a while because the love to explore!

Mostly D's: Roboroviski Hamster
Robo hamsters are VERY fast and active! They love to run around and dig. Most robos prefer to not be held but some will eventually crawl into your hand. They live for up to 4 years. Being the smallest of the hamsters, they are hard to catch but absolutely adorable!

So, what did you get? Go ahead and tell us in the comment box! :)

Up and Coming

Get ready for some new things on our blog in the up and coming days. I will be posting a quiz for you to find out what type of hamster is best for you. Also, there will be a segment and possibly a power point presentation on if you want a hamster. It will include what you need, how to take care of your fuzzy buddy, and more! :)

José

I just got my new robo hamster, José! He is adorable and the exact opposite of Tito! Because he's sort of shy right now, I couldn't get any pictures but there will be some soon! :) His personality is calm, doesn't mind sitting in my hand, and not very scared of things. That's what it seems like right now, at least. I am so glad that he lets me hold him because Tito won't! :)

Tito