Hamster Care Leaflet

[Holly]

I am curently devising a Syrian hamster care leaflet to be given out when any of my babies go to a new home. (I've done my pedigree sheets but am a bit behind with these as I've been ill).

Obviously this will be less important for people like Souffle, Pophammy and Spud's Mum (!) than it will be for the first time hamster owner but it still needs to be good.

I've never actually seen one of these and meant to pick one up from the last Northern show I went to but unfortunately I forgot - so can I ask for some advice on what to include and what not to include. I don't want to be too basic but neither do I want it to be so complicated nobody bothers to plough through it

So far I'm planning to include:

Introduction/Preparation: including caging, bedding, food etc

Bringing your new hamster home: including travelling home and settling in period

Handling/Taming

Daily routines and care

I then thought I'd provide my contact details in case of any problems/questions as well as links to my site and the main hamster forums plus details of good books like Hamsterlopaedia

Anything else????????????? All help much appreciated and if anyone actually has an example of a breeder care sheet I can look at just to get an idea I'd be most appreciative!

[Widowmaker]

How about stuff like suitable toys for Syrians?

I have dwarfies and it worries me when I get stuff for them and it has pics of Syrians on it when a larger hamster would cleary not be able to use it/fit into it

[Jane]

How about some basic health problems, details of how important vets are etc. and maybe a good vet in your area that they can contact for advice?

Sounds like you've got everything planned to me

[pophammy]

We made a hamster care sheet for our litters. It is on our website (www.custardhamstery.piczo.com) in 'Hamster Care' and is called 'Baby Hamster Care'. Of course this is slightly editted for the website, but is basically the same. If you would like me to PM you the original version I can.

[Holly]

Thanks for the ideas guys - Pophammy could I possibly have a little peek at your original. Won't copy, I promise :P

[souffle]

The outline of the hamster care is on the northern website. I don't think you need to be too detailed as people won't read it all. They are more interested in their own baby and its history and carrying on the care you have given it. Make sure you include lots of pics of the hammy as a baby as people love to have these we find. The also like to read the names of the parents and grandparents etc so make the pedigree as long as you are able with pics of the parents (you can have grandparents from our side if you want. Just give us a shout. We include the baby ham care sheet, details of the Northern club, an individual pedigree for their ham and a family tree diagram with ours.

[pophammy]

I have PMed our care sheet to you. Hope you find it helpful!

[Spuds Mum]

Towy Vale have copies of hamster care sheets on their website too Holly, which may give you some ideas http://www.towyvale.co.uk/frame.html otherwise you seem to have it covered.
If yours have a particular food you may wish to carry details of that as a recommendation?
I think you are very sensible. I know that you know some of us will not need the basic information, but better to tell someone something they already know than to assume they know about an aspect of care!

[Holly]

Originally Posted by pophammy

I have PMed our care sheet to you. Hope you find it helpful!

It's brilliant - very helpful as I just wanted to see someone else's to make sure I'm roughly on the right track.

I love the idea of including baby photo's of their hamster and will steal that one if you don't mind

[Holly]

Originally Posted by Spud's Mum

Towy Vale have copies of hamster care sheets on their website too Holly, which may give you some ideas http://www.towyvale.co.uk/frame.html

Oooh the Towy vale site is interesting, isn't it? Hadn't seen that before - cheers