Hamster Cage Information

A variety of cage styles and features are available to house a pet hamster. Their cages can be simple or elaborate, with tubes, ramps and a bounty of toys. Since hamsters are quick and curious pets, all hamster cages should be secure, have a lid and be out of reach of other household pets, such as large dogs or cats.

  1. Types

    • Hamster cages are available in a variety of materials. Children enjoy colorful plastic cages with tube attachments, while parents find a simple wire and plastic base cage simpler to disassemble and clean. A standard glass fish aquarium with a mesh lid also works well. Air flow is important to hamster health, so the cage selected should not allow build up of humidity or moisture.

    Features

    • Exercise wheels, play tubes, ramps, openings in the top for drop in water bottles and hiding places are all common features in hamster cages offered by larger pet stores. Look for cages with a solid base, not wire mesh. This will give the soft pads of the hamster's feet a solid surface to rest. Choose a cage with doors and openings adequate for an adult sized hand, for easier reaching into the cage.

    Accessories

    • Purchase additional accessories for the hamster cage. Food, treat bowls, a water bottle and chew treats are essential items in the hamster's cage. Sleepy hamsters will also appreciate small houses and tubes to hide in for their daytime sleep schedule. Running wheels, ramps and hanging chew treats are great ideas to encourage exercise.

    Bedding

    • Fill the bottom of the hamster cage with one to two inches of bedding. Choose a wood pulp based bedding without aromatic oils. This reduces the chances of upper respiratory infection. Bedding provides a digging and tunneling material for hamsters, and is absorbs odor from their urine.

    Cleaning

    • Sanitize the hamster cage once a week. Remove the hamster and allow it to run in a running ball have another adult supervise it. Remove the accessories in the cage and dump the bedding into the garbage. Use a mild bleach water solution to sanitize the entire cage its contents. rinse and dry all items. Refill the base of the cage with bedding, the food bowl and water bottle and reassemble the contents of the cage before adding the hamster.