Hamsters 101: hamster cage accessories

Choosing a hamster habitat

• Structure: Your hamster house cage needs a solid bottom and a well-ventilated top. You’ll also want solid sides at the bottom so your hamster can’t push bedding through wires and out of the habitat.
• Size: Be sure that it’s the right size – many hamster cages will be too small for Syrian hamsters, while dwarf hamsters may squeeze through the bars of an average-sized cage. For dwarf hamsters, a minimum of 450 square inches of floor space is recommended. For Syrian hamsters, aim for at least 600 square inches of floor space.
• Height: the hamster cage should be high enough to allow for climbing structures, but not so high that your hamster could hurt itself if it falls.
• Bedding: Line the bottom with several inches of hamster bedding or recycled paper, with at least 6 inches of bedding in one part of the cage so your hamster can burrow. Avoid cedar or pine shavings, as they can be harmful to your pet.

Essential hamster cage accessories

• A food dish: A ceramic or stainless steel dish is best – plastic bowls are too easy to chew through, and they may harbor bacteria if they’re not properly cleaned. Choose a hamster bowl that’s heavy enough that your hamster can’t tip it over. It should be shallow enough for your pet to reach the food but deep enough to hold enough, at least around 1 -2 tablespoons of food. However, the amount you feed your hamster can depend on their weight and age. It is important to do research or consult a veterinarian if you have concerns.
• A water bottle: Hamsters shouldn’t drink from a bowl – it’s not good for them to get their fur wet. Instead, hang a hamster water bottle from the top or side of the habitat to allow your pet to slurp from a dispenser.
• Hideouts and houses: Hideaways give your pet a place to sleep, a sense of security and space to retreat when it feels stressed. Hamsters are prey animals, and hiding is essential to their lifestyle. Choose hideouts that are large enough for your hamster to move around comfortably, but small enough to give a sense of security. Hideouts should be well ventilated, and having multiple entrances gives your pet more ways to escape if they feel threatened.
• Exercise wheel: Hamsters may seem lazy and lethargic during the day – that’s because they sleep during the day and love to hit the gym and be active at night. Be sure to give your pet an exercise wheel with a solid surface, as a wire wheel can cause injuries. Wheels with a textured surface can improve your hamster’s grip and help prevent slipping. The wheel should be large enough so your hamster’s back isn’t bent while exercising, helping to prevent spine issues. A silent wheel is best if you sleep in the same room as the habitat.

Hamster cage accessories for health, fun and exercise

• Chew toys: Did you know your hamster’s teeth will never stop growing? That’s why they need things to chew to help keep their teeth at an appropriate length and prevent overgrowth. Chewing also prevents boredom and provides mental stimulation. The best chewing options include untreated wooden chew toys, willow sticks, mineral chews, cardboard, pumice stones, edible chew sticks and coconut shells.
• Climbing structures: Ramps, ladders and platforms give your hamster lots of opportunities to climb and explore, providing exercise and mental stimulation.
• Tunnels and tubes: Plastic or cardboard tunnels and tubes let your hamster indulge its natural burrowing behavior and help to keep it entertained.
• Sand bath: To keep their fur clean, hamsters love to roll around in a bowl of sand. Be sure to change out the sand every couple of days.
• Hamster cage attachments: To give your hamster more room to explore, you can attach things like interconnecting tunnels, extendable tubes, add-on units, observation areas, flying saucer wheels and other items that offer more opportunities for enrichment.