What to Avoid when Shopping for Hamsters

Hamsters are one of the most popular pets for small children and are a great way to learn responsibility. However, even if you're an adult, there are some things you can learn about caring for these small pets. One of the biggest is learning what to lookout for when shopping for your furry friend. Before you buy toys, treats or bedding make sure you're buying products that are safe. Here are a few things you should avoid.

Corn Syrup and Sugar

There are hundreds of treats made for hamsters. However, not all of these are a good choice. Treats and foods that contain sugar and corn syrup should be avoided. Instead, opt for treats and food that contain honey or no sweeteners at all. Your best bet is to actually stick with treats and food that are made with fruit, which adds a nice sweet flavor without being hard on the hamster's health.

Products Made in China

If you're a dog owner, you probably don't need a reminder of how poor quality animal products from China can be. The massive recall of pet food was scary for anyone that had purchased the recalled brands. Just because your hamster is small, doesn't mean he's any less important. This means you should avoid products made in China at all costs. When shopping for your hamster, you will notice that many toys are manufactured in China. If they can't even produce children's toys that are safe, do you really want to trust them with your pet's toys? Toys aren't the only thing to lookout for though. Many foods and treats are also made in China and should not be purchased. Stick with USA products and you'll have a much better chance of keeping your hamster healthy.

Bedding Floss

Bedding floss looks a lot like cotton and comes apart easily for the hamsters to burrow in. The package even states that the bedding is all natural. The only problem is that some hamsters decide that the floss also makes a yummy snack. This can cause compaction in the stomach and can eventually lead to the hamster's death. You want to stick with pine shavings or recycled wood pulp bedding. These options are much safer.

Cedar Shavings

For the longest time, hamster owners purchased cedar bedding. Unfortunately, it has been discovered that cedar bedding can be toxic to hamsters. This has caused many pet owners to worry because cedar was an affordable option. Thankfully, there's no need to worry. Pine bedding is just as affordable and can purchased in large sacks for less than $10. If you're using a 10 gallon tank to house your hamster, this size bag will last several months.