Articles - All Things Hamster

How to Setup Your Hamster’s Cage

Kit Hamster Care October 3, 2022October 5, 2022Hamster cage, Hamster care, Hamster needs

To have a healthy and happy hamster, it is essential to correctly set up your Hamster’s enclosure and keep it clean. The enclosure is their entire world, and providing them with a safe, clean, and engaging living environment is an essential investment for your Hamster. So you may be wondering, how should I set up their enclosure?

Correctly setting up a hamster cage involves: having a suitably sized enclosure, adding a safe substrate for burrowing in, adding a range of accessories and toys such as an exercise wheel, hideout, sand bath, and chew toys, and adding food and water dishes.

1. Have a suitably sized enclosure

Your Hamster’s housing should be made of plastic, glass, or metal. It should be escape-proof with a solid bottom. In addition, a solid base is required so that you can provide enough bedding material for digging and burrowing in. Finally, a solid base and minimal wire/bar spacing make it comfortable on your Hamster’s feet.

Allow sufficient room in the housing for your Hamster to play and exercise. A cage that measures at least 450 square inches (2903 square cm) is ideal, but you can opt for something bigger. Keep in mind that many pet stores sell hamster cages that are far too small, so you may have to shop around or DIY to get one big enough. Also, you cannot connect multiple smaller cages to make the minimum required size, as hamsters need the space to run around as they would in the wild.

While hamsters acclimate to average household temperatures, they do not do well with extreme temperature changes. Therefore keep your Hamster’s enclosure out of direct sunlight or drafty areas.

To help ensure a healthy and happy hamster, you will need a regular cleaning schedule for your Hamster’s enclosure. Your Hamster can get distressed if the enclosure is cleaned too often or not enough. See this article on How to Clean Your Hamster’s Cage for information on cleaning.

2. Add substrate for burrowing in

Add at least 6 inches (16cm) of a safe substrate to your enclosure. But aim for at least 10 inches (25cm) if you can. Safe bedding options for hamsters include:

Paper-based bedding
Aspen wood shavings
Hemp shavings

Generally, the best and healthiest bedding is aspen wood shavings or shredded unscented paper. However, this varies across individuals’ and hamsters’ preferences. Avoid corn cobs, fleece, cat litter, pine, cedar, or scented bedding containing chemicals that pose respiratory risks to your Hamster. The bedding should be at least 10 inches deep so that they have enough room to burrow but provide more if you can (source). This is because hamsters are naturally burrowing animals and will create multi-chamber burrows. Most hamsters won’t try to burrow unless given at least 10 inches of bedding.

As well as substrate, getting some separate bedding or nesting material is essential.

See this article on Hamster Care for more information on hamster housing requirements or Essential Hamster Supplies.

3. Add a hideout

Hideouts are important for hamsters as they provide an area to feel safe, protected, and sleep. You can have multiple hideouts in the enclosure so the Hamster can choose which one it wants to use.

Multi-chamber hideouts are an excellent option for hamsters as they mimic how a hamster would live in the wild.

4. Add a wheel for exercise

An exercise wheel is a must to prevent boredom. Hamsters are very active and need many things to exercise in their enclosures.

Avoid a wheel with wire or mesh, as your Hamster can trap a limb or get painful sores on its feet. Also, avoid flying saucer-type wheels as it encourages an unnatural way of running, and they can fall from the device.

The wheel is too small for your Hamster if they run with an arched back. If they are, purchase a larger exercise wheel.

5. Add a sand bath

Sand baths help keep your Hamster clean as hamsters can’t be bathed in water.

Hamster’s a more likely to use the sand bath if they feel safe, so put a hideout in the sand bath.

See this article on Hamster Sand Baths: Everything You Wanted to Know for more information on sand baths.

6. Add accessories and toys

Hamsters require many accessories and toys to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. Hamsters love toys that they can climb and hide-and-seek style toys.

Hamsters are prey animals, so they will be more comfortable if there is not a lot of open space in the enclosure. Have lots of areas they can hide in to feel safe. Make the enclosure semi-crowded.

Hamsters like to have a hiding place. This can be a cardboard tunnel or a little plastic hideaway bungalow. Be sure to use something designed for a hamster, though, versus repurposing a toy meant for a child or another pet.

7. Add chew toys

Ensure your Hamster has plenty of wood chew sticks or mineral chews to chew on and maintain their teeth. Hamster’s teeth are constantly growing, and therefore, they need something to chew on to wear them down and avoid medical issues.

There are a variety of chew toys available, so buy a few different options and see which one your Hamster likes best.

8. Add food and water sources

You will need a food dish and either a water dish or a water bottle. You can also scatter-feed your Hamster throughout the enclosure to encourage their natural foraging skills. If you get a bowl, get a small one that doesn’t take up too much space.

You must provide fresh, clean, and chlorine-free water in a water bottle or dish. Hang the water bottle at a height a hamster can drink from at a natural angle. Water has to be checked and changed daily.

See this article on Water bottle or Water dish: Which is Best for your Hamster? for more information.

Summary

A hamster’s cage is their whole world. Therefore, it is essential to set up your Hamster with a suitably sized enclosure containing a safe substrate for burrowing in, a range of accessories and toys such as an exercise wheel, hideout, sand bath, and chew toys, as well as food and water dishes.

How To Clean Your Hamsters Cage

Kit Hamster Care October 3, 2021October 10, 2021Hamster cage, Hamster care

You should keep your hamsters home clean to keep them healthy, disease-free, and comfortable. But you may be wondering, how and how often should I clean my hamster’s enclosure?

A good hamster enclosure cleaning routine includes daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance routines. You should fully clean the enclosure once a month (if required), replace bedding weekly for smaller cages, spot clean every day (as needed), and clean food bowls and water bottles daily. Always wear gloves when cleaning your hamster’s enclosure.

Hamsters can be carriers of transmittable viruses and bacteria. Therefore it is essential to wear gloves while cleaning your hamster’s habitat. In addition, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after completing daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning tasks.

Daily Maintenance Routine

Your hamster’s cage should be spot cleaned every day, or every couple of days as required, to prevent the enclosure from becoming too dirty. Soiled bedding should be scooped out every day and replaced with fresh bedding. You can use a small animal scoop or wear gloves to do this. Hamsters usually urinate in one or two areas of their enclosure, so pay particular attention to these areas and scoop out any wet bedding.

You should also spot clean your hamster’s sand bath and remove debris, droppings, or urine. If your hamster starts using the sand bath as a toilet, do not leave it in the enclosure all the time. For more information on hamster sand baths, see this article Hamster Sand Baths: Everything You Wanted to Know.

You should clean food bowls, water dishes, and water bottles daily. Clean containers help maintain your pet’s health and reduce the chance of contaminated food and water. It will also prevent harmful germs or bacteria from building up. In addition, you should provide your pet hamster with fresh water every day.

Remove any uneaten food, such as fruits and vegetables, every day so that it doesn’t spoil and make your hamster sick.

Weekly Maintenance Routine

If you have a smaller enclosure, you should completely change all of the bedding every week. Replacing the bedding is usually only required once per week, but you may need to do it more often if you notice that it is more dirty than usual or has a strong ammonia smell. Include a small amount of your hamster’s previous bedding after cleaning to prevent them from getting stressed from the unfamiliar smells.

As hamsters tend to stash bits of food away, replacing the bedding regularly will prevent hidden food from rotting inside the enclosure.

If you have a very large hamster enclosure you don’t need to completely change the bedding weekly as hamster’s tend to urinate in one or two areas. Instead spot clean and replace bedding as necessary.

Monthly Maintenance Routine

If you have a very large hamster enclosure you don’t need to completely clean it unless the hamster has had an illness or it has passed. For large enclosures spot cleaning is usually enough to keep it clean. If you need to clean more try removing one third of the bedding every couple of weeks in order to keep stress levels down in your hamster. Over time you eventually get a completely clean cage.

For smaller enclosures, you should fully clean your hamster’s enclosure once a month so that it doesn’t become too soiled.

Always wear gloves when cleaning your hamster’s enclosure and items.

To completely clean your hamsters enclosure follow the steps below.

1. Put your hamster in a safe temporary habitat

To safely clean your hamster’s enclosure, first, place your hamster in a safe temporary habitat such as a rodent playpen. Then, check on your hamster regularly to make sure that they are ok in their temporary area.

2. Clean enclosure and all items

Deep cleaning the enclosure will include clearing out all of the debris, bedding, and objects. Once you have emptied the enclosure, wash the enclosure, hideaways, accessories, and hard toys with lukewarm soapy water. Wash all items even if they don’t appear dirty. If your enclosure is a wire or mesh cage, make sure to clean every bar. If your enclosure is an aquarium, make sure to clean each surface and corner thoroughly.

Do not use ammonia-based products as they may be harmful to your hamster. To ensure that you are washing your hamster’s enclosure and items with a safe product, you can use a specialized habitat cleaning spray. Alternatively, you could use a mix of 50% water and 50% white vinegar to avoid potentially harmful chemicals.

After cleaning the enclosure, thoroughly rinse the enclosure with water to remove any residue and let it completely dry. Adding new bedding before the enclosure is completely dry can cause the bedding to become wet may require cleaning sooner.

Rinse the washed items to ensure that no soap or cleaning solution is trapped inside them and leave them to dry. Thoroughly dry the Items before returning them to the enclosure as leftover water could attract mold.

3. Add fresh bedding and replace dry items

Add fresh bedding to the enclosure before returning the cleaned and dry accessories, toys, etc. Include a small amount of their previous bedding so that they don’t get stressed. Thoroughly cleaning your hamster’s enclosure can cause your hamster stress due to the different smells and objects being moved. Including some of their old bedding makes the enclosure feel more familiar as they can smell their scent on it.

Throw away all the soiled bedding, along with any paper towels or disposable cloths you used when cleaning your hamster enclosure. If you used re-usable rags or materials, be sure to sanitize them before their next use.

Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning your hamster’s enclosure and items.

Summary

A good hamster enclosure cleaning routine includes daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance routines. A regular cleaning routine will help to keep your hamsters healthy, disease-free, and comfortable.

Spot clean enclosure daily
Clean food dish, water bottles, and water dishes daily
Remove any uneaten food, such as fruits and vegetables, daily
Change bedding weekly for smaller enclosures
Fully clean enclosure once a month for smaller enclosures

Can Hamsters Eat Grapes? Everything you needed to know

Kit Hamster Care, Hamster Food September 13, 2021September 25, 2021Hamster care, Hamster food

Some foods can cause medical conditions, are toxic, or quickly exceed a hamsters’ daily caloric requirements, leading to weight gain and/or medical conditions. So you may be wondering, can hamsters eat grapes?

Grapes are considered a healthy and generally safe food for hamsters. However, grapes have a high sugar content which can cause diarrhea or an upset stomach. Therefore, your hamster should not be fed whole grapes. Before feeding your hamster grapes speak with your vet about the appropriate quantity of grape pieces, you can offer per day.

How many grapes can I feed a hamster?

The number of grapes pieces you can feed your hamster depends on its size. Small hamsters should consume fewer grape pieces compared to larger hamsters. However, do not feed your hamster whole grapes as the high sugar content can cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and stomach pains. Too many grapes could also lead to more severe health issues such as diabetes, fatty liver, or unhealthy weight gain due to the high sugar content.

Hamsters are tiny animals that don’t require very much food per day. As a result, it is easy to overfeed your hamster with treats such as grapes.

Before feeding your hamster grapes speak with your vet about the appropriate quantity of grape pieces, you can offer your hamster in one sitting. Additionally, some hamster species are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. Therefore, please speak to your vet about whether it is appropriate to feed your hamster high-sugar foods such as grapes.

How to feed your hamster grapes safely

If you want to start feeding your hamster grapes, start with a very small amount to check that they tolerate the new food. Start with feeding them an eighth of a grape, and gradually increase the quantity to a quarter of a grape once or twice a week. It is a treat and should be given in moderation.

When introducing a new food, keep an eye on your hamster’s behavior to check that they aren’t suffering from an allergic reaction or gastrointestinal upset. If your hamster shows any signs of an allergic reaction or digestive problems, don’t offer them grapes anymore.

Some signs to look out for include:

Your hamster eating non-food items such as a bit of their bedding material. They may do this if food does not agree with them.
Diarrhea
Loose stool
Lack of appetite
Lethargy

If these symptoms do not pass quickly, or if diarrhea lasts for longer than a day, then take your hamster to your veterinarian. Dehydration is a serious issue if diarrhea continues.

To avoid a choking hazard, choose seedless grapes or remove any grape seeds before feeding the grape pieces to your hamster.

As with any fruit and vegetable, thoroughly wash the grapes before feeding them to your hamster.

And finally, always check your hamster’s cage the day after you feed your hamster grapes and remove any uneaten grape pieces from their enclosure.

Summary

Hamsters can have grapes as long as you feed them in pieces and in small quantities. Do not feed your hamster whole grapes as the high sugar content can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea or an upset stomach. Additionally, grapes should not be a large part of their diet and should not be given more than once or twice a week. See What do Hamsters Eat? for information on the ideal diet for your hamster.

How To Maintain Your Hamsters Nails

Kit Hamster Care September 12, 2021September 12, 2021Hamster care

Hamster’s nails naturally wear down over time and do not need to be trimmed that often. Especially compared to other animals such as rabbits that must have their nails trimmed every few months. However, some hamsters may not wear them down as much or may have faster-growing nails. In these cases, hamster nails can become overgrown if they are not properly maintained.

The best way to maintain your hamster’s nails is through prevention. Provide natural materials in your hamster’s enclosure, such as rough rocks, to help wear down their nails. If your hamster’s nails start to curl, this is a sign that they must be trimmed. Their nails can be trimmed with baby-sized nail clippers or scissor-style nail clippers. See your local vet if you are not comfortable clipping your hamster’s nails yourself.

Why is it important to maintain your hamsters nails?

Hamster’s nails can become overgrown if they are not properly maintained. If this occurs, their nails can become curled, which causes several problems such as:

Making eating difficult
Causes issues when walking
Nails can get caught in accessories and ripped out which is very painful for your hamster

If a hamster’s nails start to curl, they will have to be clipped.

How do I maintain hamsters nails?

The best way to maintain your hamster’s nails is through prevention. To help wear down your hamster’s nails you can add natural materials to their enclosure. Suitable materials include:

Rough rocks
Slate tiles
Terracotta pots
Cork and grapevines
Other substrates such as sand baths or corn cob bedding

You should keep rough rocks in high-traffic areas to maximize the amount of time your hamster spends climbing over them. If you use rocks from outside, wash them with hot soapy water before adding them to their enclosure. Also, rocks should be rough rather than smooth so that they wear down the nails.

Slate tiles can be placed under their water dish or bottle, or their food dish, so that they are walking on it more often.

When should I clip my hamsters nails?

Hamster’s nails should be relatively short. If they start to curl a bit, this is a sign that they should be trimmed. Preventative measures such as rough rocks won’t wear them down if the nails are at this stage. They must be clipped.

Hamsters nails can be clipped with baby-sized nail clippers or scissor-style nail clippers.

If you are unsure or uncomfortable with clipping your hamster’s nails, visit your local vet that deals with hamsters. They will clip them for you and can show you how to do it yourself.

Hamster Sand Baths: Everything You Wanted to Know

Kit Hamster Care, Hamster Supplies July 21, 2021September 30, 2021Hamster care, Hamster needs

Hamsters are quite clean animals as they constantly groom themselves. But if your hamster is looking a bit dirty or oily, a sand bath is a great option.

Sand baths provide a way of keeping your hamster clean and odor-free without damaging its health. The abrasive sand keeps your hamster clean by removing excess particles from its coat and absorbing excess oil and moisture from its skin. Safe options include children’s play sand, reptile sand, or dust-free chinchilla bath sand.

Why do hamsters need sand baths?
What kind of sand do I use in a hamster sand bath?
What container should I use for a hamster sand bath?
How do I sanitize sand for my hamsters sand bath?
Can I leave the sand bath in their cage all the time?
Conclusion

Why do hamsters need sand baths?

Hamsters cannot be bathed in water like other animals because being bathed in soap and water removes important oils from their coat. Additionally, most hamsters hate being immersed in water and can catch colds quite easily. A safer way to keep your hamster clean and remove excess oil from its coat is with a sand bath.

Some hamsters like rolling and digging in the sand, so it is a great way to keep them entertained and clean.

What kind of sand do I use in a hamster sand bath?

You should use sand that is pet-safe, clean, and dust-free. Hamster safe sand you can use includes:

Children’s play sand (can get from hardware store and is cheaper than other options). If it’s been heat treated you don’t need to sanitize it (check on the label). It is also recommended to sift this sand to get rid of larger particles that may be too rough for your hamster.
Reptile sand (needs to be un-dyed, all-natural and with no minerals or calcium added). You don’t need to sift this sand or sanitize it.
Hamster sand bath (make sure the it is not dusty as some brands have a bad reputation for being too fine-grained)
Chincilla bath sand (most expensive option, can be very dusty, other better options available)

Avoid any sand that is labeled dust or powder. Sand should be dust-free as fine particles can cause respiratory problems in hamsters. You should also never use sand from outdoors, such as from the beach, as it cannot be properly sanitized.

As well as dust-free, sand should be free from added dyes, fragrances, minerals, calcium, or chemicals.

There are many different types of sand available to buy online. Therefore it is important to read reviews carefully to avoid buying unsuitable dusty sand.

It’s okay if your hamster tries to eat some of the sand at first due to curiosity. They should stop doing this after a few times.

What container should I use for a hamster sand bath?

Sand baths are simple to make as you can use store-bought dishes or containers you already have in your home. Large acrylic dishes or glass baking dishes work well. Do not use containers made of materials that are easily chewed, such as wood. The container should also be shallow enough that your hamster can get in and out of.

Hamsters like to have a large sand bath so that they can dig and roll in different areas. It should be heavy enough that it can’t be tipped over. It is also recommended that you put a hideout in the sand bath so that they have somewhere to hide if they feel vulnerable.

Before preparing the sand bath, thoroughly wash and dry the container. Then, depending on the size of the container, fill it halfway with sand and place it in the corner of the enclosure. Placing the sand bath in a corner minimizes the amount of sand that gets kicked around.

How do I sanitize sand for my hamsters sand bath?

You can sanitize sand, for your hamster’s sand bath, by spreading the sand on a baking tray and baking it in the oven at 350F for about 20 minutes. Baking the sand should get rid of any bacteria or fungus growing in it.

Keep in mind that this technique will not work on sand taken from the outdoors. This sand cannot be properly sanitized and is therefore unsafe for your hamster.

Can I leave the sand bath in their cage all the time?

It is safe to leave the sand bath in a hamster’s enclosure all the time. But, you need to make sure you spot clean it – remove any debris, droppings, or urine. You need to change dirty sand as it will not keep your hamster clean as it should.

If your hamster starts using the sand bath as a toilet, do not leave it in the enclosure all the time.

When it comes to sand baths, the two most important things are keeping it clean and using dust-free sanitized sand.

Conclusion

Not all hamsters require a sand bath to remain clean and odor-free. However, if you decide to treat your hamster to a sand bath, make sure the sand is dust-free, sanitized, and free from added dyes, fragrances, minerals, calcium, or chemicals. You should also provide your hamster with a sand bath big enough for them to roll and dig in.

How to Make Your Hamster Happy

Kit Hamster Care July 17, 2021July 31, 2021Hamster care, Hamster needs

Hamsters are fairly easy to care for, however, caring for them and making them happy is a bit more complicated than we would like to think.

For a happy hamster, you need to provide the best possible care and stimulate them mentally. A happy hamster has a healthy and varied diet, entertainment, exercise, and a large cage to explore, forage and burrow in.

7 Ways to Keep Your Hamster Happy

1. A Large Enclosure

To give your hamster room to perform natural behaviors and not become stressed, you need to have an enclosure with at least 450 square inches (2903 square cm) of floor space. However, the bigger the enclosure is, the better. This gives you plenty of room for all the supplies and objects they need to be healthy and happy.

In addition to providing your hamster with an appropriately sized enclosure, you can also keep them entertained by changing the setup on occasion. Of course, you don’t have to change everything in their enclosure, but to mentally stimulate your hamster, you can:

Switch out different toys
Change layout of items

Changing their enclosure on occasion will keep them busy as they explore the new setup. However, the enrichment your hamster gets out of the change will depend on your hamster. Some hamsters enjoy exploring a slightly changed setup, while others won’t like things being changed.

Additionally, separate your adult hamsters into different cages to avoid aggressive behavior, injuries, and stress. Most hamsters should live on their own as they are solitary animals. Hamsters like to be on their own and won’t get lonely.

2. Outfit your hamster enclosure with the necessary trappings

Your hamster’s enclosure should contain various objects and supplies to encourage them to perform natural behaviors that they would do in the wild (source). Tubes and branches provide natural coverage and clutter as well as another texture for them to touch. Some popular options safe for hamsters include cork logs, branches, bamboo roots, birch logs, and terracotta tubes. Hamsters are a prey species, so a cage that is too open may make them feel vulnerable. Therefore, add some things to provide places for them to hide in. You can often find these natural items in the reptile section of the pet store or online.

Platforms give you a safe place to put heavy items if you’re worried about your hamster burrowing under heavy items and getting crushed. The platform should be no higher than 3 inches (7.6cm) for dwarf hamsters and no higher than 6 inches (15cm) for Syrian hamsters. You should limit the height of the platform because hamsters have terrible depth perception and may walk off of the platform. Therefore, you don’t want the platform too high otherwise, they may get hurt.

3. Provide a Hamster Hideout

You should include a hamster hideout in their enclosure as they provide protection and clutter. This is important because hamsters don’t like to be in the open space very much. Clutter makes them safe and less vulnerable. Additionally, a hamster will often start their burrow in a hideout. It is also good to provide multiple hideouts around the enclosure for them to choose from. When choosing a hideout, avoid softwood hideouts or ones with nails in them. The hideout should be at least a 3-inch diameter for Syrian hamsters and a 2-inch diameter for dwarf hamsters. If the hideout is too small, they may injure themselves, especially if they try to squeeze into the hideout while their cheeks are full of seeds. The sharp edges of the seeds may cut the inside of their mouth when squeezing through a too-small space. Multi-chamber hideouts are recommended if you can get one, as they mimic what hamsters would do in the wild with their burrows.

4. Ability to forage and burrow

Your hamster’s enclosure needs a proper amount of bedding so that they can burrow in. The bedding should be at least 10 inches deep, but provide more if you can (preferably at least 16 inches deep) (source). This is because hamsters are naturally burrowing animals and will create multi-chamber burrows. Most hamsters won’t even try to burrow unless they are given at least 10 inches of bedding.

There are several other reasons why your hamster may not be burrowing. The bedding material may not be holding its shape enough to allow the hamster to form burrows. Bedding material such as hemp or aspen often does not hold its shape well for forming burrows. It would help to compact bedding down when you add it to the hamster cage – non-compacted bedding won’t hold burrows. Another reason why your hamster is not burrowing may be because the bedding is in a too-small area. The bedding should cover a large area of the hamster cage so that they can form large multi-chamber burrows. To encourage burrowing, you could also add a burrow starter. These can be purchased from pet stores. Some hamster species tend to take over other animal burrows in the wild, so a burrow starter helps them mimic this natural behavior. If you have tried out all of these tips and your hamster still isn’t burrowing, wait. Some hamsters take time to start burrowing.

To encourage foraging behavior, you can provide your hamster with herbs, oat sprays, or wheat sprays, available online and from pet stores. They are nutritious and fun for your hamster to eat. They get your hamster to forage as they have to pick the seeds directly off the plant. Keep in mind that some sprays have many calories (e.g., flax seeds) and should be given sparingly.

5. Give your hamster enrichment

Hamsters require items to stimulate their brains and keep them busy, so they don’t get bored. This can include providing them with a variety of different toys and tubes, as well as a hamster wheel. For more information on toys and exercise wheels for your hamster, see this article on Essential Hamster Supplies.

However, hamsters are not a social species, so they will not get as much enrichment from interacting with other hamsters or humans. Some hamsters will even avoid human interaction. This is ok. There are many other ways you can provide enrichment to your hamster. For example, you can sprinkle food around their cage and hide it in toys so that they have to look for their food. This taps into their natural behavior to look for food and bring it back to their nest.

Herbs, leaves, and flowers are another way to enrich your hamster as they stimulate the sense of smell. They are fiber-filled snacks that you can replenish once a week.

You can also provide your hamster with different substrates for digging and burrowing in to stimulate the senses. Some safe substrates you can provide for your hamster include corn cob bedding (make sure they don’t eat it – remove it if they do), cork granules, and moss.

6. Provide your hamster with a sand bath

A sand bath provides your hamster with a way to keep clean, helps wear down their claws, and gives them a different substrate to dig in. You should not wash hamsters in water as this can remove the oils from their coat. Therefore, a sand bath is a good way for your hamster to remove excess oils while having fun. Many hamsters love to roll around and play in sand baths.

The sand bath should be a decent-sized container for them to walk and dig in. You can use an acrylic tray or a glass baking tray.

The sand bath should contain actual sand and not dust. This is because dust can cause respiratory problems in your hamster. You can use safe sand such as chinchilla sand, lizard sand without any dyes or added calcium, or play sand, as long as it is dust-free. Play sand can be used because it has been previously washed and dried. Avoid sand from $1 stores or craft stores as you don’t know what it contains.

A sand bath does not have to be cleaned unless it has been soiled.

For more information on sand baths, read my article Hamster Sand Baths: Everything You Wanted To Know

7. High variety diet

Hamsters should have a high variety diet to keep them happy as well as healthy. The ideal diet for your hamster includes:

The majority of your hamster’s diet should be commercial hamster pellets (not a seed or muesli style mix)
Small amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables, or herbs
Occasional treats such as unsalted nuts, Timothy hay, sunflower seeds, or mealworms
Your hamster will also need constant access to fresh, clean, and chlorine-free water. You should provide it in a water bottle, with a metal spout, or a water dish that is changed daily.

You can also provide your hamster with cooked, unseasoned meat as a treat.

For more information on what you can feed your hamster, I wrote an article called What Do Hamsters Eat?

Boredom Breakers for your Hamster

Without mental stimulation, your hamster can get bored. For example, a bored hamster may display behavior such as:

Chewing bars constantly
Constantly climbing the bars of their cage. Also known as ‘monkey barring’
Pacing up and down the cage
Wall climbing – climbing and bounching of the walls of their cage

As well as being an indication of boredom, these behaviors can indicate that your hamster does not have enough space. A hamster cage or aquarium should have at least 450 square inches (2903 square cm) of floor space.

Hamsters mainly get enrichment from food, and some good boredom busters include (source):

Stuff willow balls with a few treats and/or seeds. Your hamster will have to shake it or chew through it to get to the treats.
Stuff a cardboard tube (toilet paper tube) that has a few holes cut in it with some willow hay, then some seeds, then more willow hay, and repeat until the cardboard tube is full. They have to rip at the tube to get to the food.
String fruits and vegetables onto a kabob and hang it in the cage. They have to work at it to get the food off. You can buy a kabob from pets stores.

Summary

For a happy hamster, you need to provide the best possible care and stimulate them mentally. A happy hamster has a healthy and varied diet, entertainment in the form of toys and tubes, exercise from a hamster wheel, a sand bath, and a large cage to explore, forage and burrow in. To further enrich your hamster, you can switch out their toys, change the layout of their enclosure on occasion, make them search for their food by scattering it around their enclosure or hiding it in toys, and provide them with herbs, leaves, flowers, or sprays to eat.

Can Hamsters Eat Cheese? Everything you needed to know

Kit Hamster Care, Hamster Food June 5, 2021October 10, 2021Hamster care, Hamster food, Hamster needs

Many foods are not safe for hamsters. Some foods can cause medical conditions, are toxic, or quickly exceed a hamsters’ daily caloric requirements, leading to weight gain and/or medical conditions. So you may be wondering, can hamsters eat cheese?

Some types of cheese are safe for your hamster to eat. For example, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and other low-salt cheeses are safe for hamsters in small quantities. However, some cheeses should not be fed to your hamster, as they can cause health problems.

Is Cheese Safe for Hamsters?
What kind of cheese can hamsters eat?
How often can I feed hamsters cheese?
How much cheese can I feed a hamster?
Conclusion

Is Cheese Safe for Hamsters?

Cheese is a delicious and safe treat for hamsters as long as it is fed in small amounts. However, there are some types of cheese that you should not feed to hamsters. Hamsters should not be fed cheese that is:

Aged: Can damage your hamster’s digestion
Very soft: Can get stuck in your hamster cheek pouches, causing them to choke or develop teeth problems
High Fat: Can result in diabetes and obesity
Blue: The bacteria in blue cheese could cause serious health problems for your hamster. They are toxic to hamsters!
Highly processed: Are high in sodium (e.g., American cheese or spray cheese)
Salty: Are high in sodium (e.g., parmesan or asiago)
Flavored: Cheeses with additional spices and flavorings can be harmful to your hamster

Also, do not feed your hamster cheese-based snacks made for humans, such as cheese puffs. This is not real cheese and has no nutritional value! In addition, they can contain flavoring and other ingredients that are damaging to your hamster’s health.

Too much cheese is bad for your hamster

Cheese in excess is bad for your hamster because it has lots of saturated fat, dietary cholesterol, and sodium. A diet high in fat and sodium can lead to health problems such as diabetes, obesity, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease. Too much cheese can also make your hamster constipated or dehydrated. Other side effects of your hamster eating too much cheese can include an upset stomach, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. However, cheese is high in protein and calcium and several vitamins and minerals, which are good for your hamster.

Do not leave uneaten cheese in their cage as it can start to rot, attracting bacteria and insects. If your hamster hasn’t eaten all of the cheese within 12-24 hours, you need to get rid of it.

So make sure that you stick to mild, unflavored, low-salt cheeses in moderation.

What kind of cheese can hamsters eat?

Hamsters can eat mild low-salt cheese such as:

Low-fat Cottage cheese
Mozzarella
Provolone
Ricotta
Mild Cheddar

This assumes that the cheese is in good condition. Do not feed your hamster cheese that is old or moldy as it can be dangerous to their health.

How often can I feed hamsters cheese?

Too much cheese can impact your hamster’s health. Therefore, only give your hamster cheese as a treat once a week (at most).

How much cheese can I feed a hamster?

If this is the first time feeding your hamster cheese, only give a small amount at first. This will allow you to determine if they like cheese and whether it causes any digestive issues. Also, only feed your hamster small pieces of cheese so they won’t choke on it. Each portion should be no bigger than the size of a raisin. Hamsters cannot vomit, which makes choking a health risk.

An appropriate-sized piece of cottage cheese should be no bigger than a teaspoon or 2-3 shreds of other low-fat cheeses. It is important not to overfeed your hamster, so the smaller, the better!

You should only give small amounts of cheese because it is high in fat, sodium, and calories. Feeding too much cheese to your hamster can result in diabetes, obesity, and other health issues.

Conclusion

Hamsters can have cheese as long as you stick to safe, mild, unflavored, low-salt cheeses and in small quantities. However, cheese should not be a large part of their diet and should not be given more than once a week. See What do Hamsters Eat? for information on the ideal diet for your hamster.

If your hamster shows signs of digestive discomfort, loose stool, diarrhea, or decreased appetite, stop feeding them cheese and take them to a veterinarian.

What Do Hamsters Eat?

Kit Hamster Care, Hamster Food May 30, 2021October 10, 2021Hamster care, Hamster food, Hamster needs

If you are a new hamster owner or are considering getting one, you may wonder what hamsters eat?

An ideal hamster diet consists mostly of store-bought hamster food, small amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables, Timothy hay, and occasional treats. Common treats for hamsters include unsalted nuts, sunflower seeds, dried crickets, or mealworms. Store-bought hamster food comes in the form of pelleted hamster food or a loose seed mix which differ in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.

Ideal Hamster Diet
Pre-Packaged Hamster Food
Healthy fruits and vegetables for your hamster
Hamster Treats
Foods you should not feed your hamster
Make feeding fun

Ideal Hamster Diet

Hamsters are omnivores, which means that they eat a mix of plants and meat, such as insects. Therefore, the best diet for your hamster is similar to what they would eat in the wild.

An ideal hamster diet consists mostly of commercial hamster food that you can buy in pet shops. You can also feed your hamster additional treats as long as they are given in moderation. Hamsters can be fed small amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Unsalted nuts, Timothy hay, sunflower seeds, mealworms, and crickets are other popular treats for your hamster. When introducing new food to your hamster, first try tiny portions of safe foods in case they develop diarrhea. When you are sure that your hamster tolerates that new food, you can offer a pea or bean-sized amount.

Your hamster will also require constant access to fresh, clean, and chlorine-free water. You can provide your hamster with water in a water bottle, with a metal spout, or a water dish. You should change the water daily.

Pre-packaged Hamster Food

Most of your hamster’s diet should be made up of good quality store-bought hamster food. Do not use pet food designed for other animals such as rats, rabbits, or mice. Store-bought hamster food comes in the form of pelleted hamster food or a loose seed mix. These commercial hamster foods are specially formulated to contain most of the key vitamins and minerals your hamster needs to stay healthy. Pelleted hamster food is generally recommended, over a seed mix, as it provides a balanced diet in every bite. You can supplement pelleted hamster food with various other foods as long as it makes up the majority of your hamster’s diet.

Using a commercial pelleted hamster food as most of your hamster’s diet is the easiest and safest approach. Pelleted and block hamster food also helps to wear down your hamster’s teeth, preventing them from becoming overgrown. The downside of hamster seed mixes is that many hamsters will pick out what they like from the mix, missing out on some of the nutritional value.

If you choose to feed your hamster a seed mix, get one that contains various grains, seeds, and dried vegetables. Ideally, some seed mixes contain pelleted food as part of the mix. Ensure your hamster empties their food bowl before adding more, so they eat all of the food, not just their favorite parts. Also, avoid mixes with lots of molasses or dried fruit as they are full of sugar.

Follow the daily recommendations on how much to feed your hamster. Giving them more food may lead them to hoard their food. It can also cause them to become overweight and develop health problems such as diabetes.

Healthy fruits and vegetables for your hamster

There are several fruits and vegetables that you can safely feed to your hamster. However, you should wash all fruit and vegetables well before giving them to your hamster. Additionally, any fruits and vegetables not eaten within 24 hours should be discarded.

Before giving your hamster new fruits or vegetables, it is best to discuss how much can be given to them per day with your veterinarian. This is important for fruits and vegetables that are high in sugar (e.g., carrots). Overfeeding your hamster with fruits and vegetables high in sugar can lead to weight gain and diabetes. Dwarf hamsters a somewhat prone to diabetes, so you should limit or avoid sugar in their diet.

Healthy vegetables that can be fed to your hamster (in moderation) include:

Carrot
Broccoli
Cabbage (can cause gas)
Cauliflower
Chicory
Spinach
Cucumber
Kale
Squash
Celery
Dandelions
Clover

Suitable fruits include:

Apple (without seeds or skin)
Pear
Melon
Mango
Strawberries
Bananas
Grapes – not too much (never a whole grape) as it can cause diarrhoea

You can also feed your hamster herbs such as:

Basil
Sage
Parsley
Coriander

Hamster Treats

Hamsters enjoy various food, and you can feed your hamster additional treats as long as they are given in moderation. A common guideline is that treats should be limited to no more than 10% of your hamster’s diet. It is best to stick to healthy treats such as nuts, fresh vegetables, fruit (in moderation), insects, grains, and seeds. However, it would be best to keep your hamster’s diet fairly consistent, as a sudden change in diet can cause digestive issues. If you would like to change their diet, do so gradually.

Popular treats for hamsters include:

Timothy Hay
Mealworms
Crickets
Nuts (unsalted, no almonds or peanuts)
Sunflower seeds
Hard-boiled egg (treat should be no bigger than the size of 2 raisins)
Cheese

Timothy hay is a special variety of hay full of fiber and ideal for small pets. Timothy hay is also good for keeping your hamster’s teeth in good condition. You can purchase it from pet stores.

Foods you should not feed your hamster

Many foods should not be fed to your hamster because they can cause medical conditions, are toxic, or quickly exceed hamsters’ daily caloric requirements, leading to weight gain and/or medical conditions.

Therefore, you should avoid feeding your hamster:

Apple seeds and skins
Grape seeds
Fruit pits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruit, or lemons
Almonds
Peanuts (very high in fat)
Garlic
Onions
Eggplant
Rhubarb or rhubarb leaves
Raw beans
Raw potato
Avocados
Seasoned or spicy food
House plants (can be poisonous)
Chocolate (or any other sugary sweet)

Avoid feeding your pet hamster sugar and high-fat treats. No junk food! Also, do not feed them caffeine or alcohol since these can cause severe medical conditions.

The safest and healthiest option for your hamster is to stick to vegetables and fruits with high water and fiber content instead of seeds and nuts for snacks.

How to make feeding fun for your hamster

Hamsters spend a lot of time in the wild searching for their food. Therefore, making them search for their food can keep them occupied and prevent boredom. Some options to try include:

Scattering some of their food pellets around their cage
Hiding treats, hamster food pellets, or fresh fruit and vegetables inside paper bags or tubes

Keep in mind that any fruits and vegetables not eaten within 24 hours should be discarded.

Summary

The ideal diet for your hamster is a pelleted hamster food supplemented with various other safe foods. If your hamster doesn’t eat pelleted hamster food, you can sprinkle some seed mixture on the pellets or use a seed mix that already contains pellets in it. If you have additional questions regarding feeding your hamster, consult a veterinarian specializing in small animals. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of what your hamster can and can’t eat.

The ideal diet for your hamster:

The majority of your hamster’s diet should be commercial hamster pellets (not a seed or muesli style mix)
Small amounts of fresh fruit, vegetables, or herbs
Occasional treats such as unsalted nuts, Timothy hay, sunflower seeds, or mealworms
Your hamster will also need constant access to fresh, clean, and chlorine-free water. You should provide it in a water bottle, with a metal spout, or a water dish that is changed daily.

Additionally, you should monitor how much your hamster eats and drinks. If food consumption falls, their feces become soft or moist, or their hindquarters become soiled, talk to your vet immediately.

Water bottle or Water dish: Which is Best for your Hamster?

Kit Hamster Care, Hamster Supplies May 23, 2021September 30, 2021Hamster care, Hamster needs

You should provide your pet hamster with fresh water every day. Hamsters are vulnerable to dehydration and will not survive for more than a day or two without water. Two ways to provide water for your hamster are with a water bottle that attaches to the side of their cage or a shallow water dish. While both are great options, each option has its pros and cons.

Hamster Water Bottle

Most hamster owners provide their pets with an inverted water bottle that only releases water when they drink from it. It should be attached to the side of the cage at a height that a hamster can drink from, at a natural angle, on two or four legs. However, if not positioned correctly, it can cause an awkward angle for hamsters to drink from.

If you have multiple hamsters in one cage, a water bottle is preferred so that you don’t have to constantly refill their water every time the water bowl gets tipped over.

Pros:

Holds more water
Cleanliness – more sterile when properly maintained
Avoids spillage
Hamsters cannot tip it over
Better choice if you have multiple hamsters in the same cage
It cannot be polluted by bedding, leftover food, etc.

Cons

Hamsters can chew through the mouthpiece if it’s made of plastic (check the water bottle regularly for damage)
Can break, leading to leaks
Prone to clogging
Harder to clean

A water bottle that is not cleaned properly can cause just as much bacteria as a water bowl. Because water bottles are more difficult to clean, bacteria can build up. Owners may also be less likely to change water bottles as they can hold more water. This is not good as the water will not be fresh, allowing bacteria to build up. Water bottles can also get clogged, which can result in your hamster getting dehydrated. Therefore, you need to check that the water bottle is properly clean and working every time you change the water, which should be daily. As long as a water bottle is properly cleaned and working, it is a good option to provide water for your hamster.

Hamster Water Bowl

Another option is to provide your hamster with a water bowl. It should be a bit heavy and shallow so that your hamster is less likely to tip it over or get wet by walking through it. It should be smaller than your hamster in size and placed on a solid surface.

Pros

Easier to clean than water bottles
It limits bacteria build-up if cleaned regularly
Less noisy than a water bottle
More natural angle to drink from

Cons

Hamsters can tip water bowls over, depriving them of water
Water can get contaminated with dirt, bedding, leftover food, urine, or fecal matter
Hamsters can chew through plastic water bowls/dishes. Get a ceramic one instead.

It would be best if you cleaned your hamster’s water bowl every time you refresh the water. An advantage of changing the water more often in a water bowl is that the water is fresh, which is good for your hamster.

Final Thoughts

Whether you provide your hamster water in a water bottle or a shallow dish (or both), it should be checked and refreshed daily, even if water remains. Water bottles can malfunction and leak, while hamsters can tip over water dishes. Water can also become contaminated if it is not changed regularly. Therefore, it is essential to provide your hamster with a continuous water supply to maintain its health and prevent dehydration.

Whatever option you choose, the characteristics to look for in a hamster water bottle or water bowl are:

large water capacity
easy to clean
high-quality materials

If your hamster is not drinking, you will need to take it to a veterinarian.

Important things to consider before owning a hamster as a pet

Kit Hamster as a pet, Hamster Care May 5, 2021May 27, 2021Hamster as a pet, Hamster care, pets for kids

Hamsters are a common pet for children. They are cute, clean, relatively easy to care for, and can form bonds with their owner. However, there are challenges involved with owning a hamster as a pet.

If you are thinking about adopting a hamster, or already have one as a pet, there are several important things to consider.

Is your home safe for a hamster?
Is there an appropriate veterinarian in your area?
Know your hamster species
Hamsters are easily frightened
Hamsters are nocturnal
Hamsters can be prone to hereditary diseases and viruses
Hamsters are great escape artists
Hamsters have a short lifespan
Adult supervision required for young children

Is your home safe for a hamster?

Hamsters may be considered prey by other animals. Therefore they may be in danger of getting harmed or killed by other animals in the home if precautions are not made.

Is there an appropriate veterinarian in your area?

Not all veterinarians provide check-ups and care for small animals such as hamsters. To ensure your pet remains healthy and receives the best treatment, ensure that a veterinarian in your area can provide treatment.

Know your hamster species

It is important to be knowledgeable about your hamster species to provide proper care. Different hamster breeds vary in their requirements and temperament. For example, the golden or Syrian hamster is solitary by nature and cannot be caged together. If they are, they will fight each other. Syrian hamsters should not be caged with other hamster species.

Some hamster species can share a cage if introduced carefully to each other, such as the dwarf or Siberian hamster. When keeping hamsters in the same cage, choose two animals of the same gender so they cannot breed.

Common hamster breeds kept as pets include the Syrian or golden hamster, Campbell’s dwarf hamster and the Roborovski hamster.

Hamsters are easily frightened and can bite as a defence mechanism

Hamsters have poor eyesight and rely on their smell, sound, and taste. As a result, they are easily frightened and will bite as a defence mechanism.

Hamsters are nocturnal

Hamsters spend much of the day asleep and become active around dawn, dusk, and night. They can be noisy running around in their wheel or cage, which is something to consider before placing a hamster cage in a bedroom.

Hamsters can be prone to hereditary diseases and viruses

You can minimize disease, viruses, and bacteria by properly caring for your hamster and appropriate hygiene behavior by the owner. Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet hamster.

Hamsters are great escape artists

Hamsters can fit through very small holes and crevices, and are excellent chewers. They can be difficult to find if they escape.

Hamsters have a short lifespan

Hamsters typically live 2-3 years.

Adult supervision required for young children

Hamsters are relatively low maintenance compared to other animals; however, adults will need to support young children with a pet hamster. Hamsters are easily frightened, sensitive to mishandling, and can bite. Hamsters can also be injured by rough handling.