If you are thinking of purchasing more than one hamster, you should check with the pet store employee to make sure the hamsters are compatible. Some breeds of hamster cannot be kept in the same cage or habitat, because they will fight until one or both are severely injured, or killed. If you wish to purchase two or more hamsters that cannot be kept together, you will need to provide them with separate habitats. When choosing a hamster as a pet for a small child, you may want to inquire about the hamster's temperament, since some breeds, such as the Russian Dwarf, are not very friendly and tend to bite.

The environment should be cleaned at least once a week. Although hamsters store their food and usually have an adequate supply, fresh water and food should be provided daily. Some hamsters will drink just fine from a bowl, while others may enjoy drinking from a water bottle. Personally, I feel that a water bottle is more sanitary, since hamsters will sometimes sit on or in the bowl and bathe themselves with the water. They will also defecate in a water bowl, so their drinking water should come from a water bottle to prevent sickness from occurring. Hamsters should always have something to gnaw on, or their teeth can become overgrown. Pine shavings are best to use as bedding in the habitat. Don't forget to provide your hamster with an exercise wheel, which they need to stay healthy. It can also be entertaining to a child to watch these adorable little creatures run energetically inside the wheel for what seems like an eternity.

Another piece of information that is notable to mention, is that if your hamster is kept in a cage with wire bars, you should be careful that it doesn't escape. Hamsters are crafty little characters that can be quite amazing escape artists. If a hamster can squeeze its body through the bars of the cage to freedom, it will certainly try to escape. Hamsters are such small little animals that they are very difficult to find once they have gotten loose. If you have another animal in the house, such as a dog or cat, you may want to take extra precautions to protect your hamster. There are other types of habitats that can be purchased at a pet or department store that may be preferable to a wire cage. You may want to look at the different types available before making your purchase. With proper nutrition and good care a healthy hamster normally has a lifespan of two or three years.