Hamster Care
Housing
As with any small animal, the bigger the cage, the better – regardless of the type of hamster, a cage should never be smaller than 10” x 15.”
There are three types of housing for hamsters:
Aquariums
A 10-gallon plastic or glass aquarium is suitable for a single hamster or a pair of small dwarves. Hamsters are ambitious, so a top to the aquarium is very important. A barred top is much better than a screened one. We recommend a barred or modular cage over an aquarium, as an aquarium has limited placement for toys and air circulation can be a problem. NEVER place an aquarium in the direct sunlight.
Barred Cages
From a basic single story cage to a multi-level home, barred cages offer great variety for your hamster’s home. When purchasing a multi-level cage, ensure that the levels are not too far apart in case of a fall, and for any barred cage ensure the bottom is plastic. Always double check the bar spacing to ensure it is not too wide. Dwarf hamsters often cannot be housed in a barred cage because of the bar spacing.
Modular Housing
Modular housing is a series of tubes and compartments that fit together to create a playground for your hammy. Brands like Super Pet and Habitrail make all sorts of fun compartments and pieces. While modular houses can be fun, the lack of doors to access the hamster and limited air circulation are concerns. Take this into consideration when building.
Bedding
Using the right type of bedding in your hamster’s home is imperative for his health and well-being. Pine or cedar shavings must be avoided at all costs. They cause respiratory problems and can be very dangerous for all small animals.
Aspen shavings, Care Fresh or a similar paper shaving, or shredded paper can be used. Hamsters will also enjoy pieces of unscented tissue, toilet paper or paper towel for building their nests.
Cleaning
Keeping your hamster’s home clean is important for his health and happiness. Wet or dirty bedding should be scooped out daily. The entire cage should be cleaned with soap and water once a week along with entirely fresh bedding. Toys, houses and other items should be cleaned at least once a month or more often as needed.
Nutrition
Hamsters enjoy eating a variety of nuts, vegetables and fruits. A good quality hamster food should be a mainstay of your hamster’s diet.
We recommend Martin Mills Little Friends Hamster & Gerbil Food. This should be supplemented with fresh vegetables like carrots or a small amount of lettuce. Fresh fruit should be used sparingly and primarily for treats.
Hamsters also enjoy fresh hay, like Timothy, for munching and burrowing in. Hamsters enjoy the occasional dog biscuit – they add protein to their diet and help keep their teeth trimmed.
Toys and Exercise
Hamsters love having places to hide and play. We recommend:
- A hidey-house for the hamster to make his nest in – this will give your hamster a place to tuck away and feel safe
- A solid metal or plastic wheel for running. Avoid wire wheels at all costs – they can be very dangerous for little hammy feet. The wheel should be large enough that the hamster doesn’t arch his back when running.
- Toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes and wooden bird toys
- Organic apple or willow branches for chewing
- A hamster exercise ball for zooming around – be sure to only let your hamster zip around safe parts of your home, away from the stairs
In order to create our hamster guide we used the following sources:
www.rabbitrescue.ca
www.humanesociety.org/animals/hamsters
-www.hamsterific.com
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