We’ve seen a rise in popularity when it comes to adopting hamsters, and it’s happened in the past decade or so. Why did that happen? Well, the fact is that hamsters are small-sized rodents that need a lot less effort compared to cats or dogs. Besides, they have a lot of benefits, but they also do come with several cons.

We tried to do our best at showcasing some of the reasons they’ve become popular and why you might have to consider (or not) getting one, too.

They won’t bother you during the day

The neatest thing about hamsters is that they are nocturnal. What this means is that they are at their most active when you are sleeping. However, this does mean that you will have to provide them with things to chew on and an exercise wheel, too, so that they don’t get bored and have several entertainment opportunities.

Because they are nocturnal, they tend to shy away from too much light. In the wild, they are known for creating burrows and spending time inside them all day long. That also happens because Syria, the place where the most common type of hamster can be found and originates from, has scorching weather during the day.

Hamsters do not appreciate extreme temperatures, and that’s why they try to hide as best as possible. A cage for a Syrian hamster should come with places where he or she can hide. Plastic tubes and even the cardboard tubes left over from toilet paper can make good hiding places.

They require little to nothing in the way of maintenance and feeding

Due to their very small bodies, hamsters eat significantly less food compared to bigger rodents like rabbits and guinea pigs. They like veggies and fruit, but these should only make up about ten percent of their daily diet. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t feed them bananas or small pieces of carrot and the likes.

They also enjoy fresh veggies like cucumber, as well as a variety of leafy greens like lettuce, but also things like parsley.

Since they like clean spaces, we have to advise you to wash and dry their cage on a weekly basis. The fact is that a clean enclosure can make or break their health because as you know, they tend to create a corner where they relieve themselves.

The downside

The only drawback to getting a hamster instead of a cat or a dog is that it doesn’t live for too many years. In fact, it has the lowest life span of all of the rodents that can be pets nowadays. A hamster can only live for about two to three years, while a guinea pig can reach the age of eight, by comparison.

Of course, with cats and dogs, there have been multiple cases where the pets reached the age of twenty. So these bigger animals can be true life companions compared to these little rodents.

Brought to you by our friends at drfoxmag.com.