What do hamsters like and not like to eat?

Their favourite foods are foods native to their dry habitat, like seeds/cereals (but make sure that it's natural seeds - no roasting or salt, and that the cereal isn't sugary). For protein and variety, they will eat some small insects. They like vegetables, but don't feed them too many. You might want to give them a dog bone to chew on - it's healthy for them and is great for their teeth. Try not to shock them too much. Give them a regular diet - like a commercial small animal mix - but supplement it with treats to give them some variety. Make sure as well that the food is still good to eat. Be sure that vegetables, bread, and other perishables aren't moldy or rotten. DO NOT feed them: Canned or frozen veggies, anything poisonous to humans, raw beans, sprouting potato buds, fool's parsley, poison hemlock, laburnum. Chocolate is a bad idea too, it is too sweet for a hamster, and because it is sticky, it can get stuck in the hamsters cheek pouches, which can cause problems. Go here for a complete list of food.

What do hamsters like to drink?

Hamster should have an endless supply of water. In the wild, they would normally get their water from fruits and vegetables. Give them fresh water everyday.

Should I be cleaning/bathing my hamster?

No, there isen't any need to. They can clean themselves. If they have gotten into something they shouldn't have, you can take a damp cloth and wipe it off. Then wrap them in a dry towel until completely dry. NEVER give a hamster a bath. It can lower the hamsters body temperature, and strip the natural oils that keep their fur and skin healthy. Never apply any shampoo or oils, because then they will ingest anything they groom off after. This can harm them. You can keep chinchilla sand (not dust) in a bowl, and they can roll around in it. This will clean their fur.

Do hamsters get lonely?

Syrian hamsters CANNOT live with other hamsters. They prefer the company of themself. If you leave them in with another hamster, they will attack eachother, and sometimes this leads to death. However, dwarf hamsters can usually live together. There is a possibility that they may not get a long. If they begin to fight, you should have another cage available to seperate them. If you plan on housing two dwarves together, make sure they come from the same litter. If you don't, then you will have to gradually put them together.

Can I brush/comb my hamster's fur?

Usually, you don't need too. They can groom themselves. If you have got a long-haired hamster, and you notice that it is very messy, you can use a toothbrush, or a baby brush to brush the fur.

Is it safe to trim my hamsters nails?

It is usually rare that you need to trim your hamsters claws, but if it is at the point where it is very long, you can attempt to trim them CAREFULLY with a pair of small sharp scissors. It is best you take your hamster to the vet, so the vet can show you how to trim them. If you accidently cut the hamster, put flour over the cut, this should stop it from bleeding. I would still recommend that you have the vet do it.
I would also recommend you read the Hamster Manicure newsletter from the CHA.

The vet has prescribed antibiotics, how do I administer it?

Sometimes the vet will demonstrate how to do this. You have to push back to cheeks of the hamster, and use a syringe to put the medication in. Make sure you give it to your hamster slowly, so that it does not choke.

Why does my hamster sleep all day?

Hamsters are nocturnal. Which means its natural to sleep all day. They wake up sometimes during the day to eat, and drink. They wake up at night, which is the best time to play with them. Sometimes keeping them in a dark room will make them get up for a while during the day so you have a chance to play with it.

How can I tame my hamster?

Roborovski's are generally for viewing and cannot be tamed like a syrian or other dwarves, although they can be tamed a little bit. Here is information for other types of species:
Let your hamster have the first few days in a cage on his/her own to get used to it. Put him in a quiet place so he is not disturbed and give him plenty of bedding. Putting a small cardboard box in the cage will also give him somewhere to hide, and therefore a sense of security.
The first few times you get him out, do not go through the cage door, especially if it is at the top. Take the whole top off the cage and place the base on the floor. Then sit on the floor and scoop up your hamster. If he is young, he will probably be very skittish so you will have to be very aware to stop him running away, but let him run on your body. It is best if this job is initially done by an adult or older child, as small children do not have the confidence, usually. Always scoop up your hamster firmly - it will make him more confident, and never hold him without first sitting on the floor unless he is *really* tame.
Pick up your hamster in this way once or twice a day, talking in a soft voice and using lots of gentle encouragement. Skittish young hamsters usually calm down with age.
Always wait until your hamster is awake before taming him, and *never* pick up a sleeping hamster. Most biting is as a result of fear, not viciousness. Remember this if you do get bitten (it was probably your fault) it does not mean the hamster is nasty. The most common reasons for getting bitten are grabbing a hamster from above, picking up a sleeping hamster and accidentally pinching a hamster when you pick him up. After a biting incident, put the hamster back in the cage and leave him for a couple of hours to calm down.
Most people have found the method of sitting in a dry tub and letting your hamster roam around you works well. If you're having trouble getting your hamster familiar with your scent, take a piece of unscented toilet paper, stick it under your clothes and wear it for the day. At the end of the day, put the piece of toilet paper (shred it up first) in the cage for your hamster to use as bedding, then your scent will be on it. Works wonders for me!