Hamsters are one of the UK’s favourite pets and it is very clear to see why with their cuteness and compact size!
Although they can make brilliant pets, they are also sadly one of the most neglected, so it is very important to ensure we provide them with the best homes and appropriate care.
So why do hamsters make great pets?
Hamsters don't require extensive training
Unlike cats or dogs, hamsters do not require extensive training. No litter box training or obedience courses are needed!
Hamsters do, however, benefit from regular socialising and gentle handling to help them get to know you.
Typically, hamsters are less expensive pets
On top of being low maintenance, owning a hamster is thought to be one of the lower-cost pets to own, when compared to other popular pet companions such as dogs, cats, or rabbits. Although you must consider the cumulative cost of all the supplies needed to care for a happy hamster, once these initial one-time costs are covered, such as housing, they can be relatively cheap to upkeep.
You won’t be spending much per month on hamster food, treats, and bedding. Of course, as with any pet, there can be unforeseen costs, like veterinary bills, that you will need to be prepared for. Prior to getting a hamster, research exotic animal veterinarians in your area to see where the closest vet is to you and if you are willing to drive to the clinic in case your pet gets sick.
Hamsters are cute and entertaining
Who doesn’t love a hamster’s adorable fuzzy features and tiny size? These cuties are a joy to watch play and clean themselves.
From digging their own tunnels and dens, to running through tubes, each hamster has its own unique personality and watching them enjoy their favourite activities can provide endless entertainment.
Hamsters are great pets for 'night owls'
Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. Though this could be seen as a negative, and is especially important to consider if you are thinking of getting a hamster for a family pet, this is perfect for any people who keep late hours.
Are you looking for a late-night movie companion or someone to keep you company while everyone else is in bed? A hamster could be the perfect nighttime friend.
Hamsters require minimal space
Unlike dogs, cats, or even rabbits, hamsters do not need a huge amount of space to live in. Do not be fooled though, many hamsters cages you see available for purchase are still not suitable as they require a minimum of 100cm x 50cm (39.4 x 19.7 inches) of space.
You can easily make room for this size of ventilated tank on a desk or dresser, making them the perfect pet for those who live in small houses or apartments.
Hamsters don’t need constant attention
Although they can enjoy quality playtime spent with their people, providing they have enough space and entertaining toys, hamsters are usually content being left for periods of time alone in their cage. Time for training, daily walks, and long grooming sessions aren’t needed to care for a happy hamster. They don’t require the kind of attention and human interaction that dogs and cats do.
Keep in mind, however, that failure to socialise your hamster (especially early in its life) may make it more shy or hesitant to be handled.
Hamsters are easy to keep clean
Hamsters are clean animals, so you will rarely ever have to bathe yours unless they get very dirty and are unable to groom themselves. They are generally fastidious about personal hygiene and regularly clean themselves to keep tidy. Not only does this mean that you have less work, but it is also adorable to watch them undertaking their little cleaning rituals.
Hamsters are also quite good housekeepers. They usually choose one corner of their cage to be their bathroom, which keeps the rest of the cage relatively clean. This makes tidying up their home a breeze in comparison to some rodents!
Although they may be easier to care for than some other pets, it doesn’t mean that a hamster is right for every household.
Very noisy households or ones with lots of other pets could be stressful for a hamster. And keeping any pet requires time, patience and dedication. If you can offer these things, then a hamster could be the perfect pet for you.
Hamsters are unfortunately known for being neglected, meaning owners can misunderstand their needs and requirements with the biggest problem being housing. As there are so many options of unsuitable housing available to purchase, many owners are led to believe that smaller homes are all a hamster needs. Read on to learn more about what these lovely little creatures require in their set up!
So, what does a hamster need in their home?
Food and water
Hamsters require a balanced diet to be healthy. In the wild, hamsters naturally eat a selection of seeds, cereals, insects such as crickets and some vegetation. As pets, hamsters still need a good quality and balanced varied diet containing the essential nutrients that their body needs.
The base of their diet should include high quality pellets specifically for hamster feeding, small quantities of greens and occasionally pieces of fruit. Hamsters also highly enjoy seeds and nuts but like the fruit, this must be fed sparingly as they can be rather sugary and fatty.
When it comes to hydration, there is a lot of discussion on whether water bottles are better than water bowls and vice versa. Although drinking from a water bowl is a lot more natural for the hamster, using water bottles can be more hygienic as hamsters are known for getting the bowls very messy if they dig or toilet nearby. With this in mind, it is always recommended to have both available for your hamster.
Safe hamster bedding
Having the correct bedding ensures your hamster can conduct their normal species behaviour of digging, as well as being safe for them to burrow in, eat and digest if required.
A minimum of 20-25cm depth of bedding is advised for a happy, burrowing hamster but you can always provide more!
Some beddings marketed as ‘suitable for hamsters’ are unsafe, such as wood shavings, sawdust, cotton wool, shredded newspaper and scented bedding. These different items could cause breathing problems, get caught around their legs or can even cause blockages in their tummy if they consume it.
- Paper-based – can be used on its own or mixed in with other types.
- Aspen, spruce or hemp – similar to sawdust/wood shavings but made from hardwood and dust-free. However, these aren’t good at supporting burrows, so you’ll need to mix in some paper-based bedding for extra stability.
- Toilet paper – the cheaper the better because thick toilet paper can cause gut blockages if eaten, and make sure it’s unscented.
- Soft hay – this is a great addition to any of the bedding suggested above and will help add extra structure and stability to your hamster’s burrows.
- Soil – soil can be used to add a natural feel to your hamster’s home. Make sure to use organic (fertilizer and chemical-free) soil marked as safe for pets.
Hamster toys
Hamsters need plenty of toys to stop them getting bored. Your hamster will love any of the following:
- Tubes and cardboard boxes – to crawl through, hide inside and chew.
- Untreated softwood branches and shelves – for climbing and gnawing.
- Gnawing blocks – to help keep their teeth a healthy length.
- An exercise wheel: Make sure it’s as large and wide as possible. A lot of hamster wheels are much too small, forcing the hamster to run with a curve in their back which can cause long-term pain. It also needs to have a solid surface to run on, not slats or bars that your hamster’s legs could get caught in.
- At least 20cm (8″) for Dwarf Hamsters
- At least 30cm (12″) for Syrian Hamsters
It is important to note that hamster balls are considered a danger and unsuitable exercise tool for your small pet. Using hamster balls causes them stress, as they cannot access food/water and have limited vision and many injure themselves during use.
Where should I locate their home?
Outside is a no-go area for hamsters. Inside, it’s a bit of a balancing act. You want to keep your hamster at a constant temperature. Avoid putting them in direct sunlight or near draughts and radiators.
In very cold weather, give your hamster more bedding or move their housing somewhere warmer to keep them nice and cosy. Hamsters are also very sensitive to high frequency sounds (known as ultrasound) which we cannot hear. House your hamster away from anything that could generate ultrasound, such as TVs, computer screens, vacuum cleaners or sources of running water.
Your hamster needs a nesting box or shelter to retreat to keep warm, feel safe and sleep in. It should be big enough for them to move around in too. There are many options available, or you can use every day cardboard items, such as empty tissue boxes. Your hamster will enjoy using them and chewing them up!
What size home do they need?
When it comes to giving your hamster the perfect home, different breeds need different housing. A Syrian hamster for example should be kept in a large enclosure with a solid, plastic base or a glass tank with a wire mesh secure lid.
Your hamster shouldn’t walk on the mesh due to it hurting their feet so avoid any cages or tanks which have wired shelves. Although Hamsters might climb wire cages because of boredom, adding enrichment, toys and chews should avoid this behaviour from happening.
As mentioned earlier, their home should be at least 100cm wide x 50cm deep x 50cm tall to give them plenty of room to climb the sides. Please do keep in mind that these are the minimum regulations and if you can give them more space, they will thank you for it!
With the smaller varieties of hamster, such as Dwarf hamsters, it should be noted that they could squeeze through the wire in the cage and escape! A tank or aquarium with a secure, wire lid for proper ventilation is best to house a dwarf hamster in for these reasons.
