How to Pamper a Hamster

Hamsters make delightful pets. As with any animal, attention and consideration are essential for their well-being. The choice of a hamster cage is the first step in pampering your pet. It's an important choice because it's where your hamster will spend the vast majority of its life. Unacceptably small cages and lack of attention will cause behavioral problems in hamsters. Offering your hamster toys and exercise equipment will be much appreciated by the little rodent, as will any time spent out of its cage.

Things You'll Need

  • Hamster cage
  • Sleep box
  • Commercial pet bedding
  • Exercise wheel
  • Pieces of wood to chew on
  • Commercial hamster diet
  • Grass hay
  • Leafy green vegetables
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a large cage for your hamster. A cage of 24 inches long by 18 inches wide by 18 inches high is suitable for a single hamster. Plastic modular cages allow you to add on and enlarge the hamster's living quarters, but are most suited to dwarf hamsters. Purchase a large, sturdy wire cage if you own a Syrian, or golden hamster. Be sure that your hamster will fit through the door of the cage once it's an adult.

    • 2

      Place a commercial hamster litter onto the bottom of the cage. These are typically shavings from hard woods that are prepared for pet use and are not treated or scented in any way.

    • 3

      Position a closed box, with an entrance hole, into the back corner of the cage. Hamsters are nocturnal and prefer to sleep during the day. They appreciate a secure and dark area in which to rest undisturbed. The box shouldn't be made of cedar or pine.

    • 4

      Add an exercise wheel to the cage. Hamsters are active little mammals and require exercise in order to remain healthy. An exercise wheel will also help to alleviate the boredom of being in a confined space.

    • 5

      Offer your hamster various pieces of wood on which to chew. These pieces of wood are important for hamsters to keep their teeth filed down.

    • 6

      Take your hamster out of its cage as often as possible to let it exercise and explore new areas. Always ensure that small children and other family pets don't have access to the area where your hamster is exercising. A hamster must always be supervised when out of its cage.

    • 7

      Provide commercial hamster pellets, which are well-balanced and nutritious, together will grass hay, such as timothy and leafy green vegetables, each day. The vegetables should not make up more than 20 percent of the daily diet.