I don't know much, but I am happy to share what I know.
Hope this helps everyone - especially the beginners to hamster owning.
Nutrition
For hamsters, nutrition is essential. We have to give out little furry friends a good base mix, as well as healthy treats. There are safe and unsafe foods for hamsters. We, as responsible hamster owners, need to provide them with the best we can afford. I supply my Syrian with a constant supply of food as well as water.
DIY Hamster Pizza
YouTube
DIY Hamster Treats
DIY Hamster Treats - YouTube
DIY Hamster Apple Cookies
YouTube
Cages
If you want a happy hamster, you need a big cage. Big cage= Happy hamster.
You need a big cage so you can put plenty of toys, a bigger wheel (see exercise), hideouts, etc. If you want to get your hamster a bigger cage then you need to be willing to spend some money.
Alaska Cage
Pet Supplies, Pet Food, and Pet Products on Sale Now at zooplus.com
Alexander Small Pet Cage
Great deals on small pet cages at zooplus: Alexander Small Pet Cage
Barney Pet Cage
http://www.zooplus.com/shop/rodents/...9304?rrec=true
Toys
Hamsters love to climb, but it is up to us to make sure that what they climb and chew on is safe. Some strings can harm them if they chew them. If you buy or make toys with chain they can get their foot caught and, sometimes, hamsters have been found hanging from the chain by a broken leg or arm.
Seesaw
http://www.zooplus.com/shop/rodents/...er_toys/126870
Two story Cabin
http://www.zooplus.com/shop/rodents/...7905?rrec=true
Real Wood Den with Food Bowl
http://www.zooplus.com/shop/rodents/...1759?rrec=true
Chews
All hamsters need to keep their teeth trim. I'm sure no one wants to trim their hamster's teeth so provide them with plenty of chews. Whimzees are hard and keep teeth trim. Some dog and cat and other animals' stuff are a good supplement for hamsters.
Applewood chews and Crispy Puzzle
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Combo-C...=Hamster=chews
Small Willow Chew Toy
http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Natural-W...=hamster+chews
Sand Potty
A sand potty in the corner of your hamster's favorite wee spot in the cage. It also reduces having to clean the cage when the hamster wees in it. The bath sand MUST be bath
sand NOT dust, as it can cause breathing problems.
Hamster Bath Sand
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-1000791...ster+sand+bath
Hamster Sand Bath
http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Plastic-...ster+sand+bath
Exercise
Hamsters need exercise as they can run miles each night in the wild. Exercise balls and Wheels are forms of exercise.
Trixie Wheel
http://www.zooplus.com/shop/rodents/..._wheels/174302
Flying Saucer
http://www.zooplus.com/shop/rodents/..._wheels/205136
Exercise Ball
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00068K06A/...ing=UTF8&psc=1
Substrate
Hamsters need non-dusty substrate as dusty substrate can cause breathing problems. Pine/Cedar are dusty and are to be avoided. Paper bedding and aspen are two good substrates and are non-dusty.
Paper Bedding
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R6G8JW/...ing=UTF8&psc=1
Aspen Bedding
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Clean-A...=aspen+bedding.
Visits to the Vet
Of course, to stay healthy, hamsters need to see the vet. I would recommend monthly if you have the time. Take your hamster to the vet immediately if he/she starts showing sins of severe illness.
I don't know much, but feel free to ask me any questions!
Hope this helps the beginners in hamster owning!