Hamster care

This is your go to hamster care guide! You can learn the best, appropriate care for your little buddy. Scroll through the website to find any and everything you need to know!

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Cage Recommendations

Absolute minimum cage size is 600 square inches of unbroken floorspace. This means no second layers.

This is a 40 gallon breeder tank! Recommended fit for a dwarf hamster, not a Syrian! They need a more room because they get big and chunky!

Tanks provide complete unbroken floorspace. That is why they are recommended, they are also cheaper than the usual "hamster cages" shown below.

This Crittertrail cage is below the recommended size in the United States. Also, it includes tubes that larger hamsters can get stuck in and sadly could cause fatalities.

Hamsters are very active and like to run and burrow a lot, make sure they have enough space to!

This cage is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

No wire or mesh for their feet. It can cause bumbled feet in hamsters.

This cage is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

The size of this cage is absolutely too small. The width is below the minimum size recommendation in the United States. The wheel is also way to small and can arch your hamsters back as it runs. This causes long term effects.

This is a 75 gallon tank. This is the best example of a well done, stimulating cage for your hamster. This size is best recommended for Syrian hamsters, but can be used for any!

The height of the cage isn’t too much of an issue. You just need to fit at least a twelve inch wheel in it.

Food Recommendations

Hamsters need a diet of lab blocks and seed mixes.

Scatter feeding the seed mix provides stimulation to the hamster by using their natural scavenging instincts.

They need the proper levels of fat, protein, and fiber.

Unprocessed ingredients recommended.

Giving fresh veggies and certain fruits is also great and keeps them stimulated.

Official Food Safety Guide For Your Hamsters

Bedding Recommendations

Paper bedding is always the safe way to go.

Unscented is absolutely needed because scented bedding is very harmful to hamsters.

Hamsters need at LEAST six inches of fluff to burrow, the more the merrier. Always shoot for more if you can!

Tea Bag bedding is also safe.

Aspen is the ONLY safe wood bedding.
Mixing aspen, oat hay, and orchard grass also makes your hamsters paper bedding burrows hold a lot better.

Pine, cedar, and any other bedding made out of softwood is dangerous and not recommended.

This bedding is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

Wheel Recommendations

Dwarf hamsters need a minimum of 8-12 inch wheels.

Chinese hamsters need a minimum of 9-12 inch wheels.

Syrian hamsters need a minimum of 10-12 inch wheels.

Wheels that ARE recommended

If your hamsters back is curved while running on the wheel, the wheel is too small for them.

This is a 12" silent spinner wheel from Kaytee! It is the recommended size for Syrians, but any hamster can use it.

This is a 9" silent runner wheel. It is perfect for dwarf hamsters. Dwarfs and smaller Chinese hamsters can use this!

Wheels that are NOT recommended

Saucer wheels are not recommended for hamsters because they are sideways and bend your hamsters spine.

Neither of these wheels are safe for your hamster. The size is too small. The way they are made will cause long term effects to your furry buddy!

This wheel is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

This wheel is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

Barred and mesh wheels are very unsafe. The hamsters feet can get stuck in them and cause bumblefoot.

Sandbaths

Sandbaths are needed for hamsters to get the excess oils out of their fur.

This is a Niteangel sandbath. It has a great hole up top for their food. It is an amazing option!

Some hamsters use their sandbaths as a restroom. This makes it easier to spot clean your cage!

Safe Sand To Use

Reptisand is the recommended reptile sand. You can use most any reptile sand, just no added dye or calcium's are very important.

Children's play sand is also safe, but there is a catch. You have to bake it at 350 degrees and then sift it before putting it into your hamster's cage. It is an affordable option.

Caribsea isn't just safe for aquariums, it is also safe for hamsters!

Unsafe Hamster Sand

Most types of chinchilla sand are also not safe, because they are too dusty.

Any type of dust sand is not safe, as it can cause respiratory infections in hamsters.

If you pour any other type of sand and it seems
dusty, do not use it.

This sand is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

This sand is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

This sand is unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

Do not use any sand from the outside for a hamster’s sand bath.

Hideouts

Hideouts are needed for your hamsters. They like to hide when they sleep, and store food and toys in their houses.

This is a BWOGUE two story hamster house. It is a great option for them to create a burrow underneath because of the holes. You could add bedding to the top so they could store their food as well.

This is a Nightangel six room hideout. It gives your hamster multiple options to burrow, store food, have a room as a restroom, and many more things. It is an all in one hideout!

Wooden bridges are great hideouts, and make small bridges to other areas in your cage. The wood also naturally files your hamsters claws.

Tubes and Bridges

This is a You&Me playtime tunnel. It comes with fluff in it, but always throw the fluff away. If digested, it could cause respiratory problems. Besides that, this is a good, cheap option that is safe to chew.

This is a Nightangel small pet tunnel. It is wide enough that it is safe, and is a great option to use when free roaming your hamster. It extends and becomes one huge tunnel.

These tubes are unsafe. Not recommended to purchase.

These are very unsafe tunnels for your pet. They are not wide enough, and the deep ridges in the tubes can make their paws get caught. These types of tubes, and attachment tubes like it, can suffocate bigger hamsters and cause fatalities.