Pick a hamster that's between six and ten weeks of age, as it will be easier to tame.

Before choosing a hamster, start by observing it from afar. A healthy hamster will be alert and cheerful. Because hamsters are nocturnal, visit the pet store at night when they're most active. Check the bottom of the cage for diarrhea, which is a sure sign of trouble.

You should then try to assess its character. Your potential pet should calm down quickly in your hand and not try to escape or bite. Avoid buying a frightened or nervous hamster, which will be too difficult to tame.

Hamsters are the Houdinis of the rodent world, so you'll need to provide it with a safe and escape-proof cage. During the day, place the cage in a dark and quiet spot; at night, you can move the cage to another spot so that your hamster's nocturnal activity will not disturb family members. Avoid draughts from entrance doors.

Despite their compact size, hamsters need a large cage so that they can move about freely. The best way to line a cage is with wood shavings, but avoid cedar, which can irritate the respiratory system and the skin.

Beddings to avoid:

1. Hay or straw: not very absorbent and smells bad quickly
2. Newspaper: not very absorbent and dirties feet and fur
3. Cat litter is best avoided
4. Cracked corn or cob: hamsters will eat it
5. Compressed recycled paper: uncomfortable to walk on

A few toy ideas:

1. Exercise wheel: essential
2. Wooden ladder
3. Hanging string
4. Wooden, leather or cotton rope toys designed for birds
5. Paper bags
6. Bird's nest
7. Old magazines or books
8. Cardboard boxes
9. Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls
10. Tennis ball with holes punched in it

Hamsters are very farsighted animals that like to set aside reserves in their nests, just in case. They carry all this food in their cheeks. You should feed your hamster at night.

You should also know that coprophagia (eating of one's feces) is a normal behaviour of hamsters. Although it may be rather off-putting, it's their way of recovering B-complex vitamins and other nutrients.

Rodent food should make up 80 % of their diet. Simply add 10% to 15% of hamster seeds and 5% to 10% of fruits, vegetables, grain products and dairy products, the latter of which are given as rewards.

Recommended fruits and veggies include apples, asparagus, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery stalks, cherries, grapes, lettuce, melon, oranges, parsnips, papaya, peppers, pineapple, plums, pumpkin, radishes, spinach, strawberries, turnips and zucchini.

Grains: oats, Cheerios^®, Rice Krispies^®, Corn Flakes^®, rice, bread (ideally whole wheat or multigrain), croissants, muffins and couscous.

Things to avoid at all costs include sweet pastries, chocolate, and fruit seeds and pits. Fruits and vegetables can be given raw or cooked. Always provide your hamster with a little dry hay, which is an excellent source of natural fibre that facilitates digestion.

And always remember to provide fresh water.