shellonabeach
03-13-2003, 02:52 PM
I had to delete the old post, we are here to help Apache and her owners NOTHING ELSE.
I have just joined this board today after being directed here from a hamster board by someone who was concerned about Apache.
As a long time hamster owner and now rescuer of hamsters I wanted to try to help this little hamster and dearly hope her little owners are reading....
Firstly "fancy hamster" Apache is a syrian hamster the kind of hamster which is solitary. The term "fancy" is put onto hamsters by petstores and means nothing.
Hamsters should not be fed junk food such as doughnuts and chocolate is toxic to hamsters as it is to most other animals. The hamster should only be fed hamster mix, hamster treats and fruit/vegetables which are known to be safe for hamsters.
Most worryingly, and you are very lucky Apache is still alive, but hamsters should never be bathed or made to swim. They are delicate little creatures. Being put in water is highly stressful for a hamster and they can so easily catch a chill and die of pneumonia.
Also your little brother and sister should not be handling Apache if they are rough with her, hamsters are delicate creatures with fragile little bones and can easily be hurt by a younger child.
Finally in your picture Apache is standing on wire bars, these can hurt a hamsters feet and lead to a pianful condition called bumblefoot. You need to cover these bars so she has a solid walkinf platform. Runged wheels with gaps are also dangerous as the hamsters foot can slip and the hamster break her leg, you need to only use solid wheels.
Perhaps you could look up some good hamster sites where they have information which can help Apache to live a happy and healthy life. Whatever you do please stop the water baths and junk food.
Sarah
I have just joined this board today after being directed here from a hamster board by someone who was concerned about Apache.
As a long time hamster owner and now rescuer of hamsters I wanted to try to help this little hamster and dearly hope her little owners are reading....
Firstly "fancy hamster" Apache is a syrian hamster the kind of hamster which is solitary. The term "fancy" is put onto hamsters by petstores and means nothing.
Hamsters should not be fed junk food such as doughnuts and chocolate is toxic to hamsters as it is to most other animals. The hamster should only be fed hamster mix, hamster treats and fruit/vegetables which are known to be safe for hamsters.
Most worryingly, and you are very lucky Apache is still alive, but hamsters should never be bathed or made to swim. They are delicate little creatures. Being put in water is highly stressful for a hamster and they can so easily catch a chill and die of pneumonia.
Also your little brother and sister should not be handling Apache if they are rough with her, hamsters are delicate creatures with fragile little bones and can easily be hurt by a younger child.
Finally in your picture Apache is standing on wire bars, these can hurt a hamsters feet and lead to a pianful condition called bumblefoot. You need to cover these bars so she has a solid walkinf platform. Runged wheels with gaps are also dangerous as the hamsters foot can slip and the hamster break her leg, you need to only use solid wheels.
Perhaps you could look up some good hamster sites where they have information which can help Apache to live a happy and healthy life. Whatever you do please stop the water baths and junk food.
Sarah