HAMSTER CARE GUIDE

​Hamsters make amazing pets. They're cute, active little creatures that, given the proper care, can make wonderful additions to our homes.

If you're looking to add a hamster to your family please take a moment to read our basic care guide.

SPECIES OF HAMSTERS

Of the many species of hamster, only six are commonly kept as pets.

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Syrian Hamster

The most commonly known hamster. Syrians are the largest of the pet hamster species and arguably the easiest to tame. They are also known as Teddy Bear Hamsters and Common Hamsters. They have a variety of fur patterns and colors and are usually very sweet little creatures. They are usually the 'beginner' hamster for new keepers.

Russian Winter White Dwarf Hamster

Winter White Hamsters, or Djungarian Hamsters, are usually easy to tame. They are unique in that they have furry feet and in the winter their fur will turn lighter which would help them blend in with snow in the winter. They have big personalities and often aren't shy about giving you attitude.

Campbells Dwarf Hamster

Campbells Hamsters are very closely related to Winter Whites. They lack the color changing fur but make up for it with their sweet demeanor and quirky personalities.

Roborovski Dwarf Hamster

Roborovskis, also known as Robos, are the smallest and fastest of the pet hamsters. They are fun to watch zoom around their habitat. Some may find them harder to tame than other hamsters, but each one is different and they can be just as tame as any other species. Due to their speed and small stature, I do not recommend Robos for an inexperienced hamster keeper.

Chinese Dwarf Hamster

Chinese Hamsters are a little less common than the other species. They are often shy and sweet little ones. They have the longest tail of all the pet hamsters and a slightly elongated body.

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HOUSING

A good habitat is essential for all hamster keepers. The two most important things to keep in mind when choosing a cage is safety, and size.

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Safety

Make sure the cage is sturdy and chew proof. Hamsters are avid chewers and materials like wood and soft plastic can be gnawed through. Believe me, you don't want to be up all night searching every nook and cranny of your home because your hamster escaped.

The cage should have doors that secure and bars that are narrowly spaced so that your hamster can not squeeze through them.

Cages can have ledges, as long as they are not too high up as your hamster may jump or fall and injure herself.

Good ventilation is very important. Hamster urine contains ammonia which has a strong scent and needs to be able to disperse. Ventilation can be on the sides of the cage, but should always be on the top.

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Size

Cage size is very important. Hamsters may be small but they are incredibly active creatures. In the wild a Syrian hamster has a territory of one to two miles and can run over nine miles in a single night! This in mind, you should choose a large hamster cage. The minimum recommended hamster cage size is 450 square inches of unbroken floor space. Unbroken floor space means that ledges and tubes do not count, and multiple cages attached together do not count. You should have one large cage with the minimum floor space of 450 sq in and any ledges, tubes and attached secondary cages are a good bonus! Keep in mind, bigger is better. Studies show that hamsters in larger cages are generally happier, healthier, and more tame.

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Cage Types

There are many cage options available for you to choose from.

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Store Bought Wire Cages

While most store bought cages are a far cry from actually being suitable habitats for any living creature, there are some that work wonderfully! As long as they meet the above mentioned requirements your hamster can be happy in them.

Suitable USA Available Hamster Cages

• Prevue Pet Products 528: Universal Small Animal Home: Available: Walmart, Amazon US

• Lixit Aimal Care Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage: Available: Amazon US

• Lixit Animal Care Savic Mickey: Available: Amazon US

• Marchioro Kevin 82: Available: Amazon US

• Kaytee Bigger is Better Cage: Available: Amazon US, Pet Smart

Aquariums

Aquariums are also a popular cage choice for hamsters. The minimum size for an aquarium should be 40-55 gallons and the aquarium should have a screen lid. Aquariums are easly to find as they are sold at most pet stores and fish stores.

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Homemade Cages

If you're crafty you can op for a home made cage! These are often popular as they can be cheaper than store bought cages and aquariums and are completely customizable! When building your cage be sure it meets all requirements mentioned above.

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Bin Cages

Most home made cages are made from storage bins. Here are a couple popular choices.

• Iris Tree Storage Bin: Available: Amazon US, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes (Seasonal for the holidays)

• Sterlite 110qt storage bin: Available: Target, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot

Ikea Deltof Homemade Cage

Another popular choice is an Ikea Deltolf glass cabinet laid on it's side with the shelves removed. You will have to create a lid for this one.

• Ikea Detolf (glass cabinet cage conversion): Available: Ikea online, Ikea stores

BEDDING

In the wild, hamsters live in burrows underground. Our domesticated pet hamsters live in cages safe in our homes, but they still love to burrow. It is important to keep approximately six inches of bedding in your hamster's habitat.

Acceptable bedding are paper bedding or aspen soft wood bedding.

Be sure to avoid the following types of bedding as they are dangerous and pose risks such as but not limited to respiratory issues, choking, and eye issues.

• Scented bedding

• "Fluffy" bedding

• Dusty bedding

• Any wood bedding or sawdust aside from Aspen wood

FOOD AND WATER

Fresh food and water are a given for any pet.

Food can be provided in a small dish or scattered about the cage to encourage foraging. Your hamster should have a constant supply of food in her bowl. It's important to note that hamsters are hoarding animals and will stash some of their food in their nest and around their habitat.

When choosing hamster food keep the following in mind:

It's usually a good idea to offer both a seed mixture and lab blocks.

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A GOOD hamster mix:

• Offers a variety of seeds, herbs, and biscuits

• Has high levels of protein

• High quality lab block to supplement

• Contains no harmful preservatives (BHA/BHT, ethoxyquin)

• Contains no dyes (or none that are excessive)

• Has high levels of fiber

A BAD hamster mix:

• Has very little variety or is high in sunflower seeds and corn

• Has low protein levels

• Is all lab block

• Contains many chemical preservatives

• Is loaded with dyes

• Is low in fiber

Water is best provided in a small animal water bottle affixed to the side of the habitat. Provide fresh water daily, and don't forget to rinse out their bottle to keep it clean.

CHEWS

Hamsters, like all rodents, have continuously growing teeth. This means they have to chew on hard things to file them down. Provide plenty of safe chews for your hamster.

Accetable chews:

• Store bought hamster chews

• Store bough hard hamster treats

• Whimzee Dog Treats

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WHEELS AND SAUCERS

Wheels are one of the most important thing you will keep in your hamster's cage. Not only do wheels benefit hamsters by keeping them lean and muscular, they also provide stimulation!

Standard Wheels

Standard, stand up, forward running wheels are essential to all hamster cages. When your hamster runs on the wheel, her back should not arch. Typically Syrian hamsters need a wheel with a circumference of 11 inches or more. Dwarf hamsters need a wheel with a circumference of 8 inches or more. Wheels that are too small can cause many back issues and injuries.

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Flying saucers

You can also add a saucer, a disk shaped circle, for your hamster to run and slide on.

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Acceptable Hamster Wheels

• Silent runner

• Wodent wheel

• Trixie wheel

• Kaytee comfort wheel

• Silent spinner

• Wooden wheel

• Carolina storm express/bucket wheel

Avoid wheels that are barred or have open mesh as they are extremely dangerous. They can cause injuries and a painful condition called bumble foot. All wheels should have a solid running surface.

HOUSES AND HIDES

Hamsters are prey animals and need a place to hide and feel safe. They also are asleep during the day and need a dark place to hide. Make sure to provide a house for your hamster to nest in. These are readily sold in most pet stores and online and come in all varieties.

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SAND BATH

Hamsters are self cleaning for the most part. Kind of like cats. While you should never bathe your hamster with water you can provide a sand bath for them. Most hamsters love rolling around in and digging in sand. Not only is it fun for them, it also reduces oils in their fur and helps keep them clean! Make sure you choose sand and not dust or powder as they can cause respiratory and eye issues.

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Suitable Bath Sand

• Chinchilla Bath Sand

• Children's Play Sand (Bake at 350F for 30 minutes and let cool for 20 minutes to sterilize)

• Plain Reptile Sand (Not Calcium Sand)

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Proper pet knowledge and care is important. Pride yourself on providing the absolute best for your pets. Never stop fact checking as we live in a world of constantly changing information. Don't be afraid to admit when you're wrong. And above all else, love your pet because they are your family.