Housing
Feeding and Watering
Handling
Care
Housing
A hamster has quite simple housing needs. It wants enough space, privacy, warmth, lots of activities and an environment that is easy to clean. The cage can be the conventional type with a wire top with a plastic base, or plastic caging with connecting tunnels. Metal cages, although fulfilling most of the cage requirements, can be a bit cold. Remember that a hamster is always trying to find ways to escape so try to ensure that the cage is secure. Hamsters are also sensitive to their environment – make sure that the cage is well ventilated without being draughty and that the cage does not become too hot or too cold. This is a special consideration if the cage is totally plastic.
Cover the floor of the cage with a suitable material. Hamsters are naturally burrowing animals and like a deep layer of bedding, such as shredded undyed paper or specific hamster bedding. Don't use anything that can cause strands, such as cotton wool, as these can wrap round the hamster's leg, or cause blockages if eaten. Remember that newspaper ink can also be toxic or stain your hamster’s fur. The nesting box should be quiet and secluded, as the hamster will sleep during the day.
The cage should be cleaned once or twice a week, balancing hygienic needs against disturbance of the hamster.
Hamsters should be kept at temperatures between 18°-21°C. If the ambient temperature drops to below 10°C hamsters may start to become sleepy. Their body temperature drops and they will start hibernating.
Hamsters dislike any rapid changes , so try to keep your hamster in an environment that doesn’t alter too much.
