Hamsters are amazing little creatures and they make great pets! Just because they are small, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the same level of love we would give to any other pet. Ensuring they have access to an appropriate environment and the right level of care is so important to their health and happiness. A hamster’s world is pretty tiny, so we think it should be as good as it can be!
Housing
Cage Size
The bigger the better! For all hamster species, cages need to be a minimum of 100cm x 50cm and 50cm high. Always go for as big as you can manage so hamsters have room for their wheels, toys and space to run around. Most ‘starter cages’ from pet shops will be far too small, avoid them completely.
Wire Cages
The most popular choice, usually with a plastic tray for easy cleaning. You can add extra levels to increase space and add hiding places. Hamsters will love climbing up the bars too, a great all round cage option. Keep this kind of cage out of any draughts as they can get chilly.
Glass tanks
Glass tanks come in a good range of sizes and avoid stray bedding making a mess. Make sure they have plenty of ventilation, most have a wire top and ventilation strips built in. Have a go at making your own from IKEA furniture, you can create some amazing hamster environments!
Homemade Bin Cages
These are brilliant if you’re on a budget! Made from a plastic storage bin, chicken wire and cable ties. They’re easy to clean and fun, whilst still being plenty big enough. Be sure to go for a thicker plastic for hamsters that love to chew! Bin cages are a great alternative to novelty cages as they can be decorated by the kids and still provide an adequate home for your hamster. Check out this guide to making your own.
Sectional Plastic Cages (e.g Rotastak)
Most ‘starter cages’ of this type are not big enough, we would only recommend this option if you’re going to add extra ‘rooms’ on so the house has the suggested minimum hamster space. Also make sure any tubes, ladders or tunnels are of appropriate size for your hamster and securely attached.
Novelty Cages
Cages shaped like circus tents and dinosaurs may look great but they’re just not suitable in terms of size. Go for a bigger cage option and decorate with fun toys and chews.
Bedding
Bedding or ‘substrate’ is one of the most important things in your hamster’s cage, it is where they sleep, burrow and store their food. In the wild, hamsters are natural burrowers and our pet hamsters are no different, it makes them feel safe and warm. A lack of burrowing can lead to anxious behaviours, like gnawing on their cage wires. Give them a good thick layer of substrate all over, with an extra deep section to allow for burrowing.
The ‘gold standard’ substrate for hamster is paper bedding, it creates good burrows, absorbs urine for easy spot cleaning and doesn’t produce harmful dust. Brands like Kaytee and Carefresh are good options, they come in a variety of different colours too! We don’t recommend any scented bedding as this can lead to irritation and with regular cleaning, hamster cages generally do not smell anyway.
Wood shavings have been sold in pet shops for years as hamster bedding but due to the risk of respiratory and eye problems from the dust they create, they are not recommended. If you want to add in a woody texture, try hemp or aspen bedding alongside the paper substrate.
You can add in other substrates for nesting too like soft timothy hay, alfalfa hay, shredded cardboard or tissue. Do not use fleecy or fluffy bedding like cotton wool as this can be harmful if eaten and can get tangled in your hamsters legs.
Shelter
Hamsters need somewhere to sleep during the day and also places to hide. The nesting box should be big enough for your hamster to move around and also store a larder of food. Wooden houses, cork logs, coconuts and ceramic hides are popular choices.
Cage placement
Hamsters are nocturnal which means they need a quiet room during the day and will be awake at night making a bit of noise, so bedrooms are to be avoided! Place them in a room with not too much commotion or noise and where lights will be predictably turned off overnight. Avoid draughty areas and direct sunlight as this can heat up a cage quickly.
Enrichment
While you can’t throw a ball for a hamster, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep them entertained! Hamsters appreciate different textures in their cages; maybe try a sand bath, some beech chips or coco soil. You can also encourage foraging behaviour by scatter feeding or hiding dried herbs and flowers for them to forage for. Natural chews like willow sticks or pine cones are great for their teeth, avoid flavoured chews as hamsters can get confused and think it’s food. Cardboard tubes also make great toys and hiding places and your hamster will enjoy shredding them.
The wheel
Everyone knows, hamsters love a wheel! A wheel that is too small can cause injury to your hamster’s back. The Blue Cross recommends the following wheel sizes depending on the species:
- Syrian: 27-32 cm
- Campbell’s dwarf: 22-25cm
- winter white: 22-25cm
- Roborovski: 20-22cm
- Chinese dwarf: 25-27cm
Don’t go by what the pet shop labels the wheel as being suitable for as they are often incorrect. Your hamster should be able to run with a straight back without having to raise their head. Hamsters need a solid running surface (wood or plastic), wire and mesh wheels should never be used.
Hamster balls are not recommended, whilst they look like fun, they can be stressful and dangerous for hamsters.
Cleaning
You can spot clean your hamster’s cage daily, removing any urine soaked substrate to stop it getting smelly. You should do a full clean of the cage once a week (this can be extended to every two weeks if your cage is big enough). Perform a full clean when your hamster is awake and place them in a carrier or playpen whilst you work. Remove all their shelters, chews, wheel, food bowl and water bottle and give them a clean and checkover for damage. Scoop out all the bedding and nesting materials, keeping a little back to add back in once the clean is done (the familiar smell will help your hamster feel safe). Give the cage a wipe down with a pet-safe disinfectant, wash with soapy water and allow to dry completely. Add your substrate back in and re-set their cage.
Need some inspiration for your hamster’s cage? Check out these amazing setups!
Call us on 01435 864422 if you have any questions about your hamster’s health or care.
