Are you considering bringing home a new furry friend? Hamsters are adorable and low-maintenance pets that can bring a lot of joy to your life. But before you bring your new hamster home, there are a few things you need to have prepared to ensure they are happy and healthy. Let’s go through everything you will need to set up a comfortable and safe environment for your new hamster.
1. Suitable Housing/ Hamster Habitat
The first thing you will need is a suitable cage or habitat for your hamster. Opt for a cage with plenty of space for your hamster to run, climb, and explore. Make sure the cage has good ventilation and is escape-proof. If you’re getting a dwarf hamster the spaces between the bars need to be smaller, about .25 inches. For our syrian hamster Hammy we love this Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage. It has a little loft up top where our Hammy spends much of her time. It also comes with a wheel and all the necessary bowls, platforms and some tunnels!
The Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage: A Spacious and Enriching Home for Your Hamster
2. Bedding
Hamsters love to burrow and nest, so provide them with suitable bedding material such as aspen shavings, paper-based bedding, or hay. Avoid cedar or pine shavings as these can be harmful to your hamster. We really like carefresh bedding. It looks small, but it expands really well and helps reduce odors. Aspen shavings like these by Niteangel do a good job at reducing odors and have that woody smell if you like that, though some people say Aspen irritates their little noses and cause sneezing. We have Gerbils too, and we use a combination of both in different areas of their habitat.
Carefresh 50 L 99% Dust-Free Small Pet Bedding with Odor Control – Natural White Paper
3. Food and Water
A high-quality hamster food mix should be the main component of your hamster’s diet. Additionally, provide fresh vegetables, fruits, and the occasional treat such as nuts or mealworms. Ensure your hamster has access to fresh water at all times.
For food, we suggest a good variety mix like Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Pet Hamster & Gerbil Food. Pellets are best because of the nutrients, but I wouldn’t want to eat vitamins all day so I think a good variety mix is best. We want our pals to live their best life.
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health 3 Pound Pet Food for Gerbils & Hamsters
For water, you don’t want a bowl or a dish as hamsters can easily drown. The hanging bottles are best. They don’t need a huge bottle. Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage actually comes with a bottle and it’s a good size. But over time I find these things start to leak from hard water build up or food, fur, etc. So if you find yourself needing a new water bottle or just want to start with the best you can, then this Choco Nose Patented Mini No-Drip Water Bottle is pretty great.
Choco Nose Mini No-Drip Water Bottle/Feeder: Hydration Solution for Small Pets
4. Exercise Wheel
Hamsters are active creatures that need plenty of exercise. Provide them with a safe and appropriately sized exercise wheel to keep them healthy and entertained. The Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage comes with a wheel as well, though it can be a bit loud and Hamsters like to run at night. A lot of people like the Kaytee Silent Spinner Wheel. And while it is quiet I find it has a flaw in the shape and holds pee and poop. After trying 5 different wheels with both our hamster and our gerbils I find that the Petest Hamster Exercise Wheel, Silent Spinner Hamster Running Wheel is the best. There are no big holes for your furry friend to get caught in, and it slopes out so any pee and droppings roll off the bottom into the bedding. Just be sure to get the right size for your hamster. For more on choosing the best hamster wheel visit our post On a Roll: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Exercise Wheel for your Hamster.
Petest Hamster Exercise Wheel – Silent Spinner (Diameter 6.7 inch, Green)
5. Hideouts and Toys
Hamsters love to hide and explore, so provide them with tunnels, hideouts, and chew toys to keep them mentally stimulated and prevent boredom.
Paper towel and toilet paper tubes are always a popular choice, but they’re not the best because
of the glue that they have. Hamsters love to chew and they’ll go crazy chewing the cage bars and plastic. Ideally buy them sticks like the ones that come in this set by Sofier. It’s great for their teeth and it’s natural. You can even build them things like this bridge we made out of sticks and this cardboard box maze as long as you use non toxic glues.
Sofier Rabbit Toys Bunny/Guinea Pig Toys – Natural Timothy Hay Hamster Toys for Teeth, Handmade Chews and Treats, Apple Wood Sticks, Chinchilla, Rat
6. Regular Cleaning Supplies
Keep your hamster’s cage clean and hygienic by having supplies such as a small broom, dustpan, and non-toxic cleaning solution on hand for regular cage cleaning.
Vinegar. That’s all I have to say. Regular household distilled vinegar. It’s safe and it does the job.
7. Vet Contacts
Just like any other pet, hamsters may need veterinary care at some point. Make sure you have the contact information of a veterinarian who is experienced in treating small animals.
8. Patience and Love
Last but not least, hamsters are social creatures that thrive on interaction with their human caregivers. Spend time bonding with your hamster, speaking softly to them, and handling them gently to build trust and create a strong bond.
Bringing a hamster into your home can be a rewarding experience, but it’s essential to be prepared and provide the necessary care and attention to ensure your new furry friend lives a happy and healthy life. By following these tips and setting up a cozy and enriching environment for your hamster, you’ll be well on your way to creating a loving and lasting relationship with your new pet.