{"product_id":"2940013950511","title":"For Your New Pet Hamster","description":"Hamsters can be kept both in cages and in terrariums,\u003cbr\u003eboth of which are available in any local area pet stores.\u003cbr\u003eCages are easier to carry, their bars can be used for\u003cbr\u003eclimbing, and they usually include a convenient front door.\u003cbr\u003eOn the other hand, glass boxes keep hamsters from\u003cbr\u003ethrowing litter out of their cages, provide a better view into\u003cbr\u003ethe hamster's home, and create a quieter and more\u003cbr\u003esheltered interior. In general, terrariums are more\u003cbr\u003eappropriate for dwarf hamsters, which are more sensitive to\u003cbr\u003ea disquieting environment and which would otherwise need\u003cbr\u003every narrow-grid bars to keep them from slipping through.\u003cbr\u003eMiddle-sized hamsters, such as the Golden Hamster,\u003cbr\u003eespecially enjoy climbing the cage walls (the cage should\u003cbr\u003ehave horizontal and vertical bars) and are more open to the\u003cbr\u003eoutside world, which is why cages might be the better choice\u003cbr\u003efor this kind of hamsters.\u003cbr\u003eDespite the hamster's small size, appropriate housings\u003cbr\u003eCopyright©2005 E-Book Emporium – http:\/\/www.e-bookemporium.us\u003cbr\u003eshould always have a floor space of at least 40 cm by 60 cm\u003cbr\u003e(16 by 24 inches) and be at least 40 cm (24 inches) in\u003cbr\u003eheight. Glass boxes must not be higher than their width to\u003cbr\u003eallow for a sufficient air circulation. Although smaller in size,\u003cbr\u003edwarf hamsters should have bigger housings than their\u003cbr\u003elarger relatives, at least 80 cm by 40 cm (2 feet by 4\u003cbr\u003efeet). The reason for this is that the dwarfs are very active,\u003cbr\u003erunning and digging a lot, but they often cannot be taken\u003cbr\u003eoutside their houses for long, because they are not\u003cbr\u003ecomfortable there and, due to their smaller size, are more\u003cbr\u003eendangered when leaving their domicile. Usually\u003cbr\u003ehamsters with a bigger and more interesting home will live\u003cbr\u003elonger and provide more visual entertainment.\u003cbr\u003eIn addition to buying the common housings sold in stores,\u003cbr\u003eyou can also build customized dwellings. In this case, use\u003cbr\u003eonly materials that are not dangerous to the animals.\u003cbr\u003ePlywood and wood from conifers is not suitable, because\u003cbr\u003ehamsters gnaw at their houses and both glue and resin are\u003cbr\u003epoisonous for them. Using standard water-soluble white\u003cbr\u003ewood glue to join pieces of solid wood, such as birch\u003cbr\u003eor beech wood, creates a safe environment for the hamster,\u003cbr\u003eCopyright©2005 E-Book Emporium – http:\/\/www.e-bookemporium.us\u003cbr\u003ealthough you must check frequently to ensure that the\u003cbr\u003ehamster is not gnawing through the wood. You can also\u003cbr\u003eequip a purchased cage with several intermediate levels,\u003cbr\u003econnected using stairs. Using wire grid for these platforms\u003cbr\u003einstead of solid wood causes serious injuries and is therefore\u003cbr\u003enot recommended.\u003cbr\u003eThe narrow and smooth plastic toy housings that can be\u003cbr\u003efound in some stores are usually not appropriate as the sole\u003cbr\u003ehabitat for hamsters. The tight tubes are often densely\u003cbr\u003eclosed, preventing sufficient air circulation, and the plastic\u003cbr\u003esurfaces, while easily cleanable, cannot absorb the\u003cbr\u003ehamster's urine like natural materials. The result is a damp\u003cbr\u003eand uncomfortable climate that is a perfect habitat for germs\u003cbr\u003eand fungi. In addition, synthetic materials are unhealthy\u003cbr\u003ewhen used for gnawing, making plastic tubes, \"space\u003cbr\u003estations\", and houses an improper and unnatural (though\u003cbr\u003eoften expensive) permanent home for hamsters. Reserve\u003cbr\u003ethese habitats for supervised play and activity.\u003cbr\u003eThe perfect place for the hamster's home is a well-lit room of\u003cbr\u003eCopyright©2005 E-Book Emporium – http:\/\/www.e-bookemporium.us\u003cbr\u003econstant, moderate temperature (18 to 26°C, 64 to 80°F), in\u003cbr\u003ea place without strong solar irradiation that could cause\u003cbr\u003edangerous heating. Especially when wire cages are used, it\u003cbr\u003eis also important to avoid air draft. Though they cannot see\u003cbr\u003every far, hamsters become more relaxed and curious when\u003cbr\u003epositioned somewhat above the ground (at least 65 cm (2\u003cbr\u003efeet)), from where they can perceive their surroundings.\u003cbr\u003eCover the inside of the hamster's residence, including all\u003cbr\u003eintermediate levels, with a sufficiently thick layer of wooden\u003cbr\u003elitter for rodents, available in pet stores. Although alternative\u003cbr\u003ematerials may work as well, most of these bear additional\u003cbr\u003ethreats. Cat litter is dangerous, because gnawing and eating\u003cbr\u003ethe chunks is deadly.\u003cbr\u003eHamsters are nest builders and a steady supply of fresh\u003cbr\u003estrips of tissue or newspaper (with soy-based ink) allows\u003cbr\u003ethem to build a secure and comfortable spot in a corner of\u003cbr\u003etheir enclosure or in their hiding house. Hay, from shops or\u003cbr\u003eeven fresh from the garden, is also a valuable building\u003cbr\u003ematerial for cozy hamster nests, which, as an additional\u003cbr\u003eCopyright©2005 E-Book Emporium – http:\/\/www.e-bookemporium.us\u003cbr\u003ebonus, is also perfectly edible.\u003cbr\u003eA sand bath can provide a hamster with entertai","brand":"99 \u0026cent; store, save a lot more","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47152701997296,"sku":"2940013950511","price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940013950511_p0.jpg?v=1763602017","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940013950511","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}