Go with a harness that fits snugly, without impeding the hamster’s breathing or movement. Velcro is the best type of clasping mechanism. Velcro is secure enough to contain even the strongest of hamsters and is much safer than buckles or other clasping mechanisms. Never use a collar on a hamster.
Simply tie the cord to your hamster’s harness. Never tie a cord or anything else directly around your hamster’s neck.
The best place to walk your hamster is in a sparsely populated, well-confined area, like a hallway. If you do walk them outdoors, stay away from areas where other pets might be walked, such as sidewalks. A lap around your yard is probably safest and will be quite the adventure for your hamster.
Opt for healthy treats. Favor celery, carrots, apples, or broccoli. Avoid pitted or citrus fruits and spinach. Do not feed your hamster more than a bouncy-ball-sized portion of greens per day.
Bring your hamster’s water bottle with you on walks. Make it available to them whenever they stop by holding it for them to drink from. While wild hamsters get most of their water from fruits and veggies, your hamster is likely used to drinking from a bottle.
You may even accidentally step on your hamster during a walk. A hamster may unknowingly scurry right beneath your foot before you put your weight down. Outside, there are innumerable dangers to your hamster. You may come across a predatory bird who will never get an easier meal if it decides to attack. Further, your hamster may put themselves at risk by eating something dangerous off of the ground.
Never leave your hamster in its ball for more than twenty minutes. Only put your hamster in a ball once a day. Always monitor your hamster when it’s in a hamster ball. Keep other pets away from the hamster ball. Make sure the hamster ball is large enough for your hamster that it is not hurting its back. A common mistake hamster owners make is getting a ball that forces their hamsters to arch their back, which can make them uncomfortable without you realizing.
A hamster wheel is a great mandatory feature for your hamster cage, providing both amusement and exercise. Many climbing structures will have similar moving features that will safely entertain your hamster for hours on end.
