Hamster Cages

You should try to give your hamster as large a home as you can. A good size hamster home should measure at least 1 square foot. Remember that you should keep only 1 hamster per cage.

You can find several different styles and varieties of hamster cages. I recommend one of the nice "Crittertrail Habitats" that can be bought online through , PetSmart and other online pet stores, or you could even find a bargain on eBay! (Click Here).

Hamster cages don't require much space, and you can even add on to them later with a wide selection of extra accessories! I also like these because they include an exercise wheel that is solid, instead of wire. The wire wheels can be dangerous if your hamster gets an arm or leg caught between the wires while it's spinning. Also avoid any kind of cage with a "grate" as a bottom, they are uncomfortable for your hamster, and more difficult to clean.

There are other kinds of homes that will work well for your hamster also, such as the basic "Kritter Keepers" offered by pet stores. These tend to be slightly smaller and less expensive, but work well and are safe. A glass or plexiglass aquarium (or terrarium) also works well as a home for your hamster, as long as you have a secure cover so your hamster can't escape. The aquarium should be at least a 10-gallon size. You want to make sure it's well ventilated also. I suggest you visit Petco.com and browse the various products they have for your pet hamster. Wire cages with plastic bottoms are good, just make sure the wire is close enough together so your hamster can't escape. Wire cages are also more noisy, and your hamster will possibly gnaw on the wire bars and keep you awake at night because of the noise.

Hamsters are very active when they are awake, and they need toys to keep them occupied! Most cages come with an exercise wheel, but if you pick a cage or aquarium that doesn't have an exercise wheel or "hamster wheel", then you will need to purchase one.

Hamsters love to climb. They will climb the bars of their metal cages, and you can also buy toys or ladders your hamster can climb on. You can provide your hamster with more fun by simply putting in an empty tube from a bathroom tissue roll. Your hamster will probably enjoy creating tunnels. You can buy more permanent tubes and tunnels in various lengths and shapes.

The best kind of bedding for your hamster home is wood shavings available in several types. I believe unscented natural pine, aspen, chlorophyll and cedar shavings will all work well. They are toxin-free and absorbent. Some hamsters might be sensitive to cedar shavings and could cause skin irritation. Avoid bedding materials made of fluffy cotton cloth, as the hamster may eat this, and it can't be broken down by the hamsters digestive system. It could also get tangled around your hamsters neck.

In their natural habitat, hamsters like to dig burrows and sleep underground. In a cage, your hamster will feel better with a box or house they can use for a nest. This "house" can be made out of wood or ceramic, or even some types of hard plastic. Give your pet hamster some tissue or straw to build a nest with. Avoid using shredded newspaper, because the ink may be harmful to your pet. Make the hamster cage as comfortable for your pet hamster as possible.

Hamsters love sand. They are naturally from desert areas, and enjoy taking sand baths. Your hamster would enjoy it if you put a ceramic bowl full of clean sand in the cage.

Keep your hamsters cage away from direct sunlight and cold drafts. Make sure to keep your hamsters cage out of the reach of other pets, such as dogs or cats.

Regularly clean your hamsters cage. Please read Cleaning your hamster cage.