Customer Reviews

Hamsterlopaedia: A Complete Guide to Hamster Care

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had a number of hamsters over the past several years, and have looked through a good many hamster books to find various information about caring for them. Unfortunately, a lot of the ones at the pet stores are often out of date and can even include misinformation. However, Hamsterlopaedia is neither of those things, and though it took a bit to find it, I'm glad I did. This is an amazingly detailed book that not only covers the basics, like how to house and feed your hamsters, but it even goes into hamster biology and the most common health problems to watch out for. It also provides information on breeding hamsters, including caring for a mother and her new babies, and not only includes information on Syrian hamsters but dwarf hamsters as well. Most of the book is text, but there are a good number of photo pages as well, especially to illustrate the various colors and types of hamsters. Whether you've just gotten your first hamster or you've been caring for them for years, this book has plenty to offer. I would highly recommend this book and I really appreciate the authors' work in writing it.

This book is very detailed and up to date regarding hamster care ranging from basic care and health concerns to breeding and showing hamsters. Because the book is detailed it may not be reader friendly for younger children who own hamsters than other hamster starter care books on the market featuring simpler formats. It has some very nice color illustration sections outlining different varieties of hamsters. I think it should definitely be in a hamster owners library for reference.

After having a recent problem with a Hamster, I did as much reading as I could to try and solve the problem (biting, anxiety, don't ask...). But as a result, I got the opportunity to read all the top rated books here. If you're trying to decide which one book to buy, I don't this is the one. If you already know the basics of hamster care and want more extensive and detailed info, this is a fantastic addition to have.

I didn't want to give less than 5 stars, because it's truly one of the best books available. But, there are few color pictures, just a handful of pages and you won't learn about the different colors and breed recognition from them. The type is also fairly small and I doubt anyone would want to read this from cover to cover. I see as as a great reference book. But, there is no index in the back, which is kind of annoying too. The Table of contents has detailed info, and you have to go through that to find what you're looking for. So far I've easily found what I needed using this method.

If you are only buying one book, I would go with the Hamster Handbook from the Barron's series.

It's also worth mentioning that this is a book for an adult. I don't think even an older child would want to read it since it's mostly text, and small print at that.

So, again, if you know your hamsters and want a higher level reference book, this is a great book to have.

This book got me off to the right start from the beginning.This is a top of the line information book on hansters and puts them out there as the animal they are an not the throw away pet..if an adult reads this along with there child..and does all the information,you and your child and hamster will only benifit.Im so glad and grateful someone took this animal out of the easy pet catagory and put it into the all appreciated sometimes complicated animal it truly is..a must have read for all hamster keepers..A Thank You to the author for such a complete care and history of Hamsters.B.W.

I only wish this is available in more places. I am so happy i found this on amazon. This book has everything and will answer all questions. This book though is more suited for grown ups, because it's mostly text (which is packed full of info, which I like), and also include details on breeding and anatomy. Love it!!!

I don't know that I could add much more than the reviews that came before mine. I agree with all the positives and the one negative about the book not having an index. Though I've used Google's search feature (in the Click to Look Inside area), which is even better than an index.

My history with this book:
I'm in my 30's and got my first pet since reaching adulthood (the betta I got in my 20's that died a couple weeks after getting him, doesn't count). I got a dwarf "Siberian" hamster (actually a hybrid between Winter White and Campbell's). I read the book cover to cover, skipping only the parts about breeding and showing hamsters, since I wasn't interested in that. About one week later I was running back to the book to read up on the breeding because I found out to my dismay that my girl had snuck in under my nose three babies in her womb. It's from this book that I learned about using, in desperate situations, clean spoons to help return the newborn babies back to their nest after having rolled out, in order to help the brand new mother who wasn't even full grown herself. (Cause you're not supposed to ever touch baby hamsters for fear of the mother culling them.)

I also learned in there neat things about how you can use whiskey to help a hamster come out of hibernation (something you want to avoid happening in the first place). Or how you can use Vapor Rub to help a hamster that has a cold. The authors really have decades of insightful experience raising and helping hamsters.

Oh, and you might be interested in knowing that the book primarily focuses on Syrians, but does cover the various dwarf hamsters here and there throughout the book.

And, yes, having a well taken care of hamster for a pet is just as wonderful as I remember from childhood.

I am a huge hamster lover and have one tattooed on my wrist! I have only read 2 chapters so far and am pacing myself because it's a really informative and interesting book that it makes me want to blow through it -- it's a very comprehensive book that any hamster lover, breeder or general audience could appreciate.

It is very informative about hamsters, there breeds, fur,care and illnesses. tells you the best cages for certain kinds including dwarf breeds, syrans, golden and many other. it tells the best food and treat brands. IT IS AWESOME!!!