Hamster's may be small and relatively easy to care for, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't put effort into making your little furball's habitat a home. Making a perfect hamster habitat isn't hard, but we've created a simple step by step list to ensure you meet all of your critter's needs.
Photo credit to Hamster Haven Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this awesome hamster rescue!
Photo credit to Hamster Haven Rescue.
Click their name to learn more about this awesome hamster rescue!
Find The Right Terrarium: A hamster's habitat should be at least 10 gallons large. We suggest using ones made for reptiles. Look for ones with heavy mesh lids. This allows air flow but also prevents your hamster from escaping. The bigger the better, but the minimum size for a proper hamster habitat is 10 gallons.
Add Bedding: Unlike gerbils, hamsters only need 3 to 4 inches of bedding in the bottom of their habitat. Look for aspen bedding. Even coconut substrate and all natural reptile moss would work well. Avoid any evergreen beddings as they are harmful to a hamster's health.
Add Tunnels: A hamster's habitat should be filled with tunnels. There should be at least three to four 'tunneling' areas in your hamster's home. Get creative. Leave a corner of your terrarium free of tunnels so there is an open space for food and water dishes. But spice up the rest with all sorts of hiding areas. You can use commercial plastic tunnels or make your own from toilet paper rolls and any other round household object.
Make A Food and Water Area: In the open corner of your hamster's terrarium place a food and water dish. They should both be relatively heavy- so that they don't move. And they're sides should be high enough to prevent bedding from getting thrown in, but shallow enough for hamster's to easily access. By putting them in an open area you make them easy to access. This allows you to conveniently add food and water to your hamster's habitat as needed, as well as making it easier to clean up messes.
Put In Some Nesting Material: Nesting material is any soft sort of material that a hamster can tear up and make a nest with. Bath tissue, computer paper, paper towels, and even old dish rags make ideal nesting material. Stuff a few of your tunnels with some of the material and leave a 'stash' of it in your hamster's habitat for them to chew up. Add more regurally to keep your hamster entertained and comfortable. They love building nests!
Create A Hideaway Area: Hamster's need a dark place to sleep. And although tunnels are great for this, they also need a small dark 'room' to rest in. A small box, coconut hut, or store-bought hamster hut is the perfect place for a hamster to hide. This gives them an area to feel safe and secure. Each hamster habitat should have at least one hiding area, but more than one is always welcome.
Make It Fun: Add toys! Get creative. You can buy store bought toys, add a treat area, make a climbing spot, add a wheel. Pay attention to your hamster's personal preferences. If they seem to like a certain kind of chew toy- add more of those. If they like nest building- give them a nesting material area. If they like playing on a wheel- add another wheel. Have fun and make your habitat a true home for your hamster.