Hamster care for kids (6+)
Hamster care for kids
Everything Potato's family learned about looking after a hamster, explained so a 6-year-old can understand it.
In one sentence: Feed him well, give him a big home, hold him gently, let him sleep in the day, and tell a grown-up if he looks ill.
Pick a guide
Getting a hamsterIs a hamster the right pet for you? A checklist before you start.What do hamsters eat?Seeds, pellets, little bits of veg, fresh water. And what to never give.A home for a hamsterBig floor, deep bedding, a big wheel and places to hide.How to hold a hamsterGentle hands, low down, never squeeze. Step by step.Why hamsters sleep all dayHamsters are night animals. Here is Potato's clock.Keeping a hamster cleanSpot clean every day, big clean sometimes, and never a water bath.Is my hamster happy?Signs of a happy hamster, and signs you should tell a grown-up.Toys and gamesFun things to make and do that hamsters love. All safe, all kind.Hamster safety rulesEscape-proof homes, other pets, heat, cold and things that are dangerous.Hamster facts for kidsCheek pouches, tiny legs, big speed, and where hamsters come from.
Potato's five golden rules
- Never wake him. Hamsters sleep in the day. Visit him in the evening.
- Big home, deep bedding. He needs to run and dig every night.
- Gentle hands, low down. Sit on the floor. Never squeeze.
- Fresh water and real hamster food. Tiny treats. No sweets.
- Tell a grown-up if he stops eating or looks poorly. A vet can help.