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My favorite enclosure is the Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium Tank 40 Gallon Breeder and screen lid, but depending on your budget and other preferences, here are some other great choices:
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium Tank 75 Gallon - you will also need to buy a lid, but we recommend picking one out at your local pet store to ensure it fits.
Niteangel Vista Hamster Cage (Size Large: 47.1 x 22.7 x 26.9 inches) - be sure you select the large size.
Niteangel Bigger World - MDF Aspen Terrarium (Size: 47.2 x 19.7 x 23.6 inches)
Sterilite Clear Base with Red Lid Tree Box - DIY cage, need to create mesh insert lid
Sterilite, 200 Qt./189 L Stacker Box - DIY cage, need to create mesh insert lid
Our retired hamsters are large and busy and thrive with ample floor space. These are some enclosures that will meet our standards:
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium Tank 75 Gallon - you will also need to buy a lid, but we recommend picking one out at your local pet store to ensure it fits.
Niteangel Vista Hamster Cage (Size Large: 47.1 x 22.7 x 26.9 inches) - be sure you select the large size.
Niteangel Bigger World - MDF Aspen Terrarium (Size: 47.2 x 19.7 x 23.6 inches)
Sterilite Clear Base with Red Lid Tree Box - DIY cage, need to create mesh insert lid
Sterilite, 200 Qt./189 L Stacker Box - DIY cage, need to create mesh insert lid
There is some controversy about lab blocks in the hamster-keeping community. The North American hamster breeder community recommends lab blocks to ensure a complete diet, because hamsters will selectively eat only their favorite parts of a seed mix. Hamsters do best with a varied diet that includes lab blocks. We recommend offering supplemental foods along with lab blocks, such as seed mixes, fresh fruits and vegetables, appropriate dried insects, dried flowers, herbs, and vegetables, and kitchen scraps from your own meals. For example, a cooked piece of pasta, small bit of rice, lean cooked animal protein, a nibble of hard cheese, etc.
A full list of safe food for your hamster is available on the Ontario Hamster Club website.
Mazuri Rat & Mouse Lab Blocks - we use this and will send a 4-month supply home with you
Small Animal Hideout Ceramic House Critter Bath House Cave Mini Hut Cage
Niteangel Hamster Suspension Bridge Toy - Long Climbing Wooden Ladder
Niteangel Wooden Ladder Bridge
Niteangel Hamster Secret Peep Shed
Niteangel Small Animal Trio of Fun Balls
Niteangel Luxury Double Bunkbed Small Animal Hammock
Niteangel Small Animal Suspension Bridge
Niteangel Natural Wooden Tunnel Tree Trunk
Most pet stores advertise and sell cages that are far too small for all hamster species. Habittrail or Crittertrail cages seem fun with the different colored tubes, but they never have the appropriate unbroken floor space, ventilation, or even space for a large enough wheel for Syrian hamsters. Many of us have used these cages (including myself at times), and while our hamsters may appear to be okay, they are not thriving. Hamsters are their healthiest when they have an enclosure with a minimum of 600 square inches of unbroken floor space, but ideally more. In particular, female hamsters become restless and engage in stressed behaviors, and do best with 800 square inches of floor space or more. Some good options for enclosures are listed above on this page.
One benefit of having a very large enclosure is you do not have to clean as often. Spot cleaning (hamsters typically choose one or two corners as a "bathroom") a couple times a week and one thorough clean out once a month is fine. I remove all substrate/bedding and use a wet wash cloth to clean out our cages once a month. Some people use a vinegar/water mix. I refrain from using harsh cleaners as this can create respiratory and skin problems for hamsters.
DIY bin cages are easy to clean, provide adequate ventilation, and meet the minimum unbroken floor space requirement. If you are interested in building your own cage, check out this fantastic tutorial from our friends at Hubba Hubba Hamstery in Portland, OR.
For transporting your hamster, either home from our hamstery, or to any other location, you may want to get a travel carrier; we have recommended one above on this page.
Apsen wood shavings are the only appropriate wood shavings to use. Other varieties, like pine or cedar, can create respiratory issues. Paper based shavings are fine as well. I also typically shred my own tissues, paper towels and timothy hay or other kinds of hay, to give hamsters extra materials to make their sleeping nest. You should provide at least six inches of substrate to your enclosure, as hamsters love to tunnel and burrow. Hamsters also love sand baths! You will need to bake play sand prior to using it to make it safe for hamsters.
We've listed some substrate options above on this page.
Providing a sand bath is wonderful enrichment for your hamster. For details, check out Hubba-Hubba Hamstery's Sand Bath & Litter Box page. We've included links to sand bath products above on this page.
We recommend a high-quality rodent lab block* (like Mazuri rodent blocks). Higgins Sunburst seed mixes are great to mix in with rodent blocks. Hamsters love protein (dried mealworms, cooked plain chicken, cooked unseasoned egg) a few times a week. Hamsters also love veggies- carrots, cucumber, broccoli, high nutrient greens like kale and spinach are great. Hamsters by nature hoard their food and often create a secret stash in one corner of their cage. You do not need to necessarily feed them daily but try to keep an eye on their supply. Remove fresh food daily if uneaten.
Hamsters love to run, play, and explore. An appropriately sized wheel to avoid painful back curvature (10-12 inches in diameter for a Syrian hamster) is a necessity. The main features you should look for are a solid bottom, to protect tiny toes, and a sturdy design. Some wheels are noisier than others, so you may want to give it a “test run” before committing. We have a list of recommended wheels above on this page.
*NOTE* While the image above includes the "Silent Spinner", we no longer recommend that wheel, as it has a design flaw which can cause injury.
Cardboard tubes, plastic* or wood hideaways*, low set ladders*, and wood tunnels* are great. Some hamsters enjoy chewing on cardboard or wood chewies*. Whimzees* are a fun chewy sold in pet stores normally advertised for dogs. Check out YouTube-there are a plethora of fun DIY enrichment toys you can make for your rodent friends using wooden popsicles and recycled items. If you are unsure about the safety of a store-bought item or DIY project, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and we can advise you.
The image above comes from the "Ham-Ham Love" Facebook group, an excellent resource for information on appropriate hamster care.
We make our best effort to breed for temperament and we handle our hamster pups regularly from the time their eyes begin to open at two weeks of age. Regardless, hamsters are prey animals, and they are naturally wary of strange sounds and smells. It may take some time for your new hamster to trust and appreciate your attention. Once they do trust you, they will often run up to your hand and try to climb up your arm.
Often hamsters will show cage aggression or nervousness, they are typically much more relaxed with you once they are out of the cage. Imagine if you were a tiny hamster and a strange hand was coming from up above to reach in and grab you! If you are trying to pick up your hamster from his cage, and he is running away from you, flipping over onto his back, baring or chattering teeth, let your hamster be for the moment. Come back later with a treat to offer or coax your hamster into a secure container and then pick him up using the container. It’s silly, but the bathtub is a great safe place to get to know your pet. Place a towel on the bathtub floor, bring some treats or toys, sit down in the bathtub and let your hamster run around and explore.
Be careful! Hamster pups are super squirmy and jumpy! They tend to mellow out as they age. They WILL jump from your hands so make sure you have a secure hold and find a place to sit while holding your hamster. Small children need adult supervision to make sure your hamster does not get injured or unduly stressed.
Hamsters on occasion will need vet care. While they do not require vaccinations like cats or dogs, sometimes a hamster may get sick or injured. The following vets are in Fairfax, VA. If you live elsewhere, you will need to research vets in your area that provide care of exotic pets.
Our favorite veterinarian service is Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services and we use them for regular vet care.
We also use Pender Vet Exotics, particularly for emergencies.
Prevent a cage escape:
Hamsters will attempt to escape their cage, it’s in their DNA. Make sure cages are securely closed every evening by double checking clasps and lids. Consider placing a heavy book over a lid to provide weight. Be on the lookout for cage damage. A well-designed cage will be difficult to chew a hole out of, but hamsters are clever.
If your hamster escapes:
-Don’t fret, contact us! We have some good tricks up our sleeves for finding our escapee friends.
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