| ign="center"> | | | | You may groom a long haired hamster especially |
| Even though the big difference dogs have from | | | | when bedding gets stuck in her fur. You may buy |
| hamsters, these two popular pets still have some | | | | a brush for hamsters to groom it or else you can |
| common characteristics which make them similar! | | | | use a soft bristled toothbrush. Hamsters will also |
| Both dogs and hamsters have long hair coats. | | | | enjoy a sand bath which will also help keep their |
| One may find different long haired dogs and also | | | | coat clean. Chinchilla sand is best used for this, but |
| long haired hamsters which are called "Teddy Bear | | | | you must make sure it is sand and not dust as |
| Hamsters". Both long haired dogs and hamsters | | | | this is too fine for hamsters. Place a small amount |
| need grooming. | | | | in a dish and place it in their cage, the hamster will |
| Grooming a long coated dog: | | | | slowly walk up to and will probably start to dig in |
| Lift the outer hair and start by brushing the | | | | it at first. They will then usually start to roll around |
| undercoat on the back legs with a body brush. | | | | in it on their back. |
| Brush the top coat down with a bristle brush and | | | | Both dogs and hamsters need exercise. Exercise |
| then comb the coat from the roots to the tips of | | | | can be described as the key to a dog's and a |
| the hair. Brush the undercoat on the front legs | | | | hamster's healthy appetite, as it burns off much |
| with a body brush. Brush the top coat down with | | | | of the energy supplied by food. It also helps to |
| a bristle brush and then comb the coat from the | | | | maintain its interest in life, a dog and a hamster |
| roots to the tips of the hair. Supporting the dog's | | | | which are always confined with no freedom |
| head to keep it out of the way, brush the neck | | | | become fat and poorly conditioned. Play is |
| and chest. Use the bristle brush, gently brush | | | | essential for exercise. There are many special dog |
| along the dog's stomach without tickling it. Using a | | | | and hamster toys available and plenty more that |
| body brush, groom the undercoat across the | | | | can be homemade. A ball is a traditional favorite |
| shoulders and along the back. Gently comb the | | | | to a dog. Make sure that the ball is too big to be |
| hair around the ears and face. Gently comb the | | | | swallowed and cause choking. Frisbees are also |
| tail, taking care not to tug at any tangles. Wipe | | | | popular and dogs have proved to be immensely |
| away any staining and loose hair using a damp | | | | skillful in twisting and jumping up to catch them! |
| cotton wool / absorbent cotton pad for each eye. | | | | Hamsters enjoy hamster balls, wheels, tunnels, |
| Grooming a long haired hamster: | | | | tubes and ramps. |