Owner's guide · Hamsters
Hamster Care for Beginners: A Vet's Complete Guide
Most health problems I see in hamsters start with a small cage, shallow bedding and a seed-only diet. This guide covers everything a new owner needs, in the order you will need it, with cage and wheel sizes in inches and centimeters.
- Guide: 18 pages with 12 photos, read online or as a PDF
- By Dr. Alex Strelkov, veterinarian
- Medicines are chosen by your vet
Launch price $24 $49
After payment the guide opens in your VetGO account at panel.vetgo.pro: read it online or download the PDF. Secure checkout at the VetGO shop on Fourthwall; prices in USD.
Launch price for the first weeks after release; the price then returns to $49.
What's inside
What the guide covers
- Which hamster to choose: Syrian, winter white, Roborovski and Campbell’s compared by size, lifespan, temperament and care
- Shopping list and a home first-aid kit
- Diet: pellets as the base, vegetables and herbs, protein, hay and water; what dwarf hamsters must not eat
- Cage size: at least 31 × 20 in (80 × 50 cm) for a Syrian and 24 × 16 in (60 × 40 cm) for a dwarf hamster
- Inside the cage: a solid wheel of the right size, hides, chews and a sand bath
- Bedding: dangerous types, base and extra bedding, how deep and how to clean
- The first 30 days at home, day by day
- Signs of illness that mean a vet visit
From the guide
Photos and illustrations inside
Preview
A look at the pages
Who it is for
Is this for you?
- You are choosing your first hamster.
- Your hamster already lives with you and you want to check its cage, bedding and diet.
- You are not sure what size cage and wheel your hamster needs.
How access works
- Pay securely at the VetGO shop (Fourthwall).
- You get an email with a link to your VetGO account at panel.vetgo.pro and sign-in details.
- Read the guide online or download the PDF.
Author
Aleksandr Strelkov (Alex Strelkov), DVM
Veterinarian with 18+ years in clinical practice, working with birds, exotic animals and cats. Every clinical statement is checked against veterinary textbooks and formularies. Drug names appear only as active ingredients; the drug and dose for your pet are always your vet's decision.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How do you take care of a hamster for beginners?
Set up a large cage with a solid base and deep bedding before the hamster comes home, add a solid wheel of the right size, hides and a sand bath, feed pellets with fresh vegetables and a little protein, and give it a few quiet days to settle in. The guide walks through each step.
How big should a hamster cage be?
As a minimum, 31 × 20 in (80 × 50 cm) of floor for a Syrian hamster and 24 × 16 in (60 × 40 cm) for dwarf species, on one continuous level. Bigger is always better.
What is the best bedding for hamsters?
Paper (cellulose), sifted hardwood shavings or hemp as the base, deep enough to burrow: at least 8 in (20 cm) for dwarf hamsters and 10 in (25 cm) for Syrians. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, cotton-wool fluff and newspaper.
Which hamster is best for a beginner?
Syrian hamsters are calm and easy to handle but need the largest cage. Winter white dwarf hamsters tame easily but need a fruit-free diet. Roborovskis are lively and better watched than held.
How do I get the guide?
After payment you get an email with a link to your VetGO account at panel.vetgo.pro, where you can read the guide online or download the PDF.
Get the guide
Launch price $24 $49
After payment the guide opens in your VetGO account at panel.vetgo.pro: read it online or download the PDF. Secure checkout at the VetGO shop on Fourthwall; prices in USD.
Launch price for the first weeks after release; the price then returns to $49.
This guide is educational and does not replace an examination. Diagnosis, treatment and any medication for a specific animal are decided by a veterinarian. Rules on keeping some species and on access to some medicines differ between countries: check local regulations.