Hamster Care Guide: Cage Size, Bedding, Diet and Taming

Hamsters are small, curious and fascinating to watch as they burrow, stash food in their cheeks and run for miles on their wheels at night. They are often bought as low-cost starter pets, but modern hamster care has changed a lot. Experts now recommend much larger enclosures and deeper bedding than the small colorful cages sold in many stores. A well-set-up hamster is more active, less stressed and easier to tame.

Types of pet hamsters

Syrian hamsters are territorial and will fight if housed together. Dwarf hamsters are sometimes sold in pairs, but fights are common as they mature, so many experts recommend keeping them alone as well.

Cage size: bigger really is better

Hamsters travel long distances in the wild. In captivity, small cages are linked to stress behaviors such as constant bar-chewing and climbing. Many hamster welfare groups recommend at least 600 to 800 square inches of continuous floor space, such as about 40 by 20 inches, with more being better for Syrians.

Good options include large bin cages, glass tanks with mesh lids and big commercial hamster enclosures. Multi-level cages with small floors and narrow tubes are usually less suitable.

Bedding and burrowing

Hamsters are natural burrowers. Provide at least 6 to 10 inches of bedding in at least part of the enclosure so your hamster can dig tunnels that hold their shape.

• Good bedding: unscented paper-based bedding, aspen shavings, or a mix with hay.
• Avoid: cedar and pine shavings, scented bedding and "fluffy" cotton-like nesting material, which can tangle limbs or cause blockages if eaten.

Spot-clean the pee corner and remove old fresh food every few days. Avoid replacing all the bedding at once, which destroys your hamster's burrows and familiar scent. Many owners do a partial change every few weeks.

Wheels, hides and enrichment

• Wheel: must be solid (no rungs) and big enough that your hamster's back stays straight while running. Syrians usually need 10 to 12 inches in diameter; dwarfs about 8 inches or more.
• Hides: at least one multi-chamber hide, plus extra hides around the enclosure.
• Sand bath: a dish of plain, dust-free children's play sand or reptile sand without additives lets hamsters clean their fur. Do not use dusty chinchilla dust.
• Chews: untreated wood, cardboard and hay cubes help wear down teeth.
• Scatter feeding: sprinkle dry food through the bedding to encourage natural foraging.

What do hamsters eat?

Feed a quality hamster food designed for your species, combining a seed mix and lab blocks or pellets. Many owners scatter about 1 to 2 tablespoons per day for a Syrian, less for dwarfs.

Add small amounts of fresh food a few times a week, such as broccoli, cucumber, carrot, leafy greens, plain cooked egg or a few dried mealworms. Dwarf hamsters, especially Campbell's and Winter Whites, are prone to diabetes, so limit sugary fruits and treats.

How to tame a hamster

1. Give your new hamster a week to settle without handling.
2. Talk softly near the enclosure during its active hours (evening).
3. Offer treats from your open palm inside the enclosure.
4. Once comfortable, let it climb onto your hand while you scoop gently with both hands.
5. Handle over a soft surface or low to the ground to avoid falls.

Never wake a sleeping hamster to play. A startled hamster is much more likely to bite.

Health warning signs

• Wet, dirty fur around the tail (a sign of "wet tail," which needs urgent vet care)
• Overgrown teeth or difficulty eating
• Weight loss, lethargy or hunched posture
• Hair loss or excessive scratching
• Lumps or swellings

Frequently asked questions

How long do hamsters live?

Most hamsters live about 2 to 3 years.

Do hamsters smell?

Not much, if their enclosure is large and spot-cleaned regularly.

Is a hamster a good first pet for a child?

Hamsters are nocturnal and can nip when startled, so they suit older children better. See the best small pets for kids for alternatives.