Setting up a cage!

[freyashamsters]

After my 'setting up a travel cage' thread, I decided it would be helpful to do one for permanent living to educate new owners on how to set up a hamster cage.

1. A suitably-sized cage
The most essential thing about the cage for your hamster is that it is the correct size. The RSPCA recommends 70x45cm but most experienced owners will tell you that Syrians generally appreciate more space (80x50cm is normally used as a minimum for Syrians) and most dwarf and Chinese hamsters can do with a bit less. Remember, bigger is better!

2. Safe substrate

Your hamster needs substrate to burrow in, reduce odours and to keep them cosy and warm.

Safe substrates would include:
Aspen
Hemp based beddings (Aubiose, Siccofloor etc...)
Paper based beddings (Fitch, Clean&Cozy etc...)
Wood pulp beddings (Carefresh, Megazorb, Boxo etc...)
Wood based cat litter
Paper based cat litter (Back 2 Nature etc...)

Unsafe substrates would include:
Pine
Cedar
Scented beddings (Clean&Cosy Lavender etc...)
Unspecified shavings
Softwood shavings
Corn cob bedding
Clumping/clay/crystal cat litter

3. House

Hamsters need a hideaway or house as a 'safe place' to retreat to when scared and as a place to sleep and/or store food in and/or use as a toilet area.

You can use houses that come with commercial cages (cages like the Barney, Alexander, Alaska, Hamster Heaven and more all come with houses) or shop bought ones.

4. Nesting material

Your hamster will use nesting material to build its nest with and to retain warmth in the nest.

NEVER, EVER use any bedding that describes itself as cotton wool/cotton/fluff as these are all very unsafe despite claims on the packaging. These nesting materials can cause intestinal blockages if ingested (which hamsters will do with their nesting material AND substrate), cause circulation to be cut off, get wrapped round teeth (hamsters have very large front incisors which can get tangled up very easily), get stuck in cheek pouches (which can lead to dental pain and even reluctance to eat, causing starvation) and even lead to hamsters chewing off their own limbs for freedom, unfortunately dying due to blood loss and shock.

Alternatively, you can just use shredded, unscented, uncoloured toilet paper; this is safe, digestible, cosy, warm and pretty much free!!!

5. Chews

Being rodents, hamsters have continuously growing teeth which need to be kept worn down to prevent painful dental problems, reluctance to eat, and, in some cases, even impacted cheek pouches.

To keep these worn down you can use a variety of chews. Wood gnaws and dog biscuits are usually the most effective due to their rough, hard texture but there are others such as: loofah, sisal, Seagrass, water hyacinth, rattan, Whimzees or Antos dog chews and more!

6. Wheel

Hamsters use wheels to burn off any excess fats gained during the day.

Mesh or runged wheels should never be used as they put pressure on the wrong areas of the foot and unevenly distribute the balance, leading to sores and blisters on the feet, otherwise known as bumble foot. Dwarf and Chinese hamsters especially have been known to get toes, paws, feet and even legs trapped in the hole. These can be sprained, fractured, dislocated, broken or even torn off in an attempt for freedom.

It is also important that your wheel is the right size for your species of hamster. If the slightest amount of spinal arching is spotted, then the wheel is too small and must be upgraded.

Roborovskis: For about 90% of Robos, a 6.5" is all that's needed. With the Silent Spinner being about the only good-sized 6.5" out there nowadays and the new axle that makes them hard to turn, is quite hard to find a 6.5" for a Robo. An 8" (that isn't defective) wouldn't be hard for them to turn and they're guaranteed to fit in it.

Campbell's, Winter Whites and Hybrids: Most Russian Dwarf Hamsters will require an 8" wheel and a 6.5" is only big enough for some. With most 6.5" wheels, they are either to small or are defective (referring to Silent Spinner again) so an 8"-9" wheel is better. The 9" Silent Runner seems to be the best option for pretty much all dwarf & Chinese hamsters.

Chinese: Because of their 1-3cm long tails and their long, slender bodies, most Chinese hamsters will require an 8" wheel. Some can run on a 6.5" as young hamsters but will need upgrading and most are small/defective anyway. The 9" Silent Runner is a popular choice as it accommodates those slightly larger Chinese hamsters.

Syrians: Almost all Syrian hamsters will require at least an 11" wheel but some larger Syrians may even need a 12" wheel to prevent spinal arching. Some small Syrians can use an 8" wheel but it's generally better to get an 11" wheel as you know it can accommodate your hamster.

7. Toys

Your hamster requires toys to keep it stimulated throughout the day and to prevent behavioural issues like bar chewing, attempts to escape, nipping, biting and irritability which are all behaviours linked to stress and/or boredom.

Dwarf and Chinese hamsters can use toys marketed towards hamsters as, due to their small size, they can use them safely. However, most hamster-marketed toys are too small for Syrians and it's generally better to get rat-sized toys for this species.

8. Food & water source

When it comes to food, you have two options: scatter-feeding and bowl-feeding. Using a bowl helps the owner to assess approximately how much food a hamster is consuming in a given time period but it offers no stimulation and can lead to obesity. Whereas scatter-feeding is more adventurous and imitates how your hamster would scavenge for food in the wild but it is harder to tell how much a hamster is eating using this method.

When it comes to water you also have two options: water bowl or water bottle. A water bottle is favoured by most owners as it prevents the water being contaminated or spilled and keeps it fresh for longer, however it is unnatural. If using a bowl, you must use a ceramic/glass one so it can't be tipped over and it is a much more natural way for your hamster to drink.

I hope this post was helpful and will help new hamster owners to set up their hamster's cage correctly.

[M3gan]

Great information!

[sarah001]

Some brilliant information there well done

[freyashamsters]

Thank you both

[cypher]

I think your dwarf wheel info is a bit dated freya, about the only 6.5" wheel that is big enough is the silent spinner (which oddly seems bigger than it is!) & they generally don't work any more so to be on the safe side I would say 8"/20cm wheel for dwarfs, most Russian hams will need the same size as a Chinese in my experience, even robos should be able to manage that, I wouldn't put any ham in a 4.5" wheel, the 9" silent runner is about the best of all though.

[freyashamsters]

Ok thanks Cypher, I'll edit it a bit now

[Pebbles82]

Love it! Excellent guide

[freyashamsters]

Thank you Serendipidity!

[chesca_27]

Amazing info. Perfect for someone looking into getting a hamster or new hamster owners.

[freyashamsters]

Thank you! Haha that's what I was aiming for