| No matter what kind of cage you choose for | | | | be ideal, as long as it doesn't have dye and is |
| your hamster, be it a wire cage, plastic cage, or | | | | unscented. |
| an aquarium, there are certain things that you | | | | Although you may be tempted to supply your |
| must put in the cage in order to keep you | | | | hamster with cotton for his nest this should be |
| hamster happy and stress free. Hamsters are | | | | avoided at all times. The cotton strands can get |
| extremely susceptible to stress so it's important | | | | wrapped around the hamster's limbs or neck, |
| you do all you can to keep your hamster happy. | | | | cutting off blood supply. Stick to bedding material |
| Simple things like choosing the right kind of | | | | or the shredded paper for nesting material. |
| bedding and nesting material, adding a hamster | | | | Exercise wheels are a must have for your |
| wheel, and a few toys will make a huge | | | | hamster cage. In the wild hamsters roam up to |
| difference to your hamster's quality of life. | | | | five miles every night in search of food, so |
| Bedding material serves two purposes: as a soft | | | | whether they're in a cage or out in the desert |
| cushion for your hamster to walk on, but also to | | | | they're going to feel the need to run! The most |
| soak up urine. Hamsters love to burrow and dig | | | | common hamster wheel that comes to mind is |
| so make sure you place at least two inches of | | | | the wire frame wheel, with rungs laid across the |
| material on the bottom of your hamster cage. | | | | length of the wheel. These can be very |
| The most common material used for bedding | | | | dangerous for your hamster, as a missed step |
| material is wood shavings, but it's important that | | | | can lead to the hamster putting his leg between |
| you NEVER use Cedar shavings. Cedar shavings | | | | the spokes while it's turning, thereby breaking his |
| contain a chemical that can cause serious illness in | | | | leg. The ideal choice is a hamster wheel with a |
| your hamster, so it's best to avoid it altogether. | | | | solid base and entry holes instead of spokes. This |
| Pine shavings are an option, but have been shown | | | | greatly reduces the chance of injury for your |
| to cause allergic reactions in some hamsters. Your | | | | hamster. |
| best bet is bedding material made from Aspen | | | | Although you can place a food dish in your |
| shavings or litter made from wood pulp. Also try | | | | hamster cage, it really isn't necessary. Hamsters |
| to avoid any scented products - it may smell | | | | love to forage for their food, so simply sprinkling |
| great to you but your hamster's sensitive nose | | | | their food throughout the bedding material in their |
| will not appreciate it. | | | | cage will suit them just fine. In fact, if you do put |
| You may think that simple cat litter would do, but | | | | food in a food dish they're likely to simply remove |
| the dust from the litter can cause respiratory | | | | it and store it elsewhere anyway! As for water |
| issues for your hamster, and the tiny grains get | | | | bottles, any water bottle designed for small |
| caught in your hamster's feet causing irritation. | | | | animals should do just fine as long as the spout |
| Hamsters spend the entire day sleeping, so they | | | | has a ball bearing at the end and a screw on top. |
| like things comfy. They'll construct their nest out | | | | Consider adding extra toys to the cage to enrich |
| of whatever is available, including bedding material, | | | | your hamster's life, such as cardboard tubes, a |
| but would prefer something a little softer. | | | | wood gnaw, a sand box, a hamster house, etc. |
| Shredded paper towel or bathroom tissue would | | | | Your hamster will thank you for it! |