For Your New Pet Hamster

Hamsters can be kept both in cages and in terrariums,
both of which are available in any local area pet stores.
Cages are easier to carry, their bars can be used for
climbing, and they usually include a convenient front door.
On the other hand, glass boxes keep hamsters from
throwing litter out of their cages, provide a better view into
the hamster's home, and create a quieter and more
sheltered interior. In general, terrariums are more
appropriate for dwarf hamsters, which are more sensitive to
a disquieting environment and which would otherwise need
very narrow-grid bars to keep them from slipping through.
Middle-sized hamsters, such as the Golden Hamster,
especially enjoy climbing the cage walls (the cage should
have horizontal and vertical bars) and are more open to the
outside world, which is why cages might be the better choice
for this kind of hamsters.
Despite the hamster's small size, appropriate housings
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should always have a floor space of at least 40 cm by 60 cm
(16 by 24 inches) and be at least 40 cm (24 inches) in
height. Glass boxes must not be higher than their width to
allow for a sufficient air circulation. Although smaller in size,
dwarf hamsters should have bigger housings than their
larger relatives, at least 80 cm by 40 cm (2 feet by 4
feet). The reason for this is that the dwarfs are very active,
running and digging a lot, but they often cannot be taken
outside their houses for long, because they are not
comfortable there and, due to their smaller size, are more
endangered when leaving their domicile. Usually
hamsters with a bigger and more interesting home will live
longer and provide more visual entertainment.
In addition to buying the common housings sold in stores,
you can also build customized dwellings. In this case, use
only materials that are not dangerous to the animals.
Plywood and wood from conifers is not suitable, because
hamsters gnaw at their houses and both glue and resin are
poisonous for them. Using standard water-soluble white
wood glue to join pieces of solid wood, such as birch
or beech wood, creates a safe environment for the hamster,
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although you must check frequently to ensure that the
hamster is not gnawing through the wood. You can also
equip a purchased cage with several intermediate levels,
connected using stairs. Using wire grid for these platforms
instead of solid wood causes serious injuries and is therefore
not recommended.
The narrow and smooth plastic toy housings that can be
found in some stores are usually not appropriate as the sole
habitat for hamsters. The tight tubes are often densely
closed, preventing sufficient air circulation, and the plastic
surfaces, while easily cleanable, cannot absorb the
hamster's urine like natural materials. The result is a damp
and uncomfortable climate that is a perfect habitat for germs
and fungi. In addition, synthetic materials are unhealthy
when used for gnawing, making plastic tubes, "space
stations", and houses an improper and unnatural (though
often expensive) permanent home for hamsters. Reserve
these habitats for supervised play and activity.
The perfect place for the hamster's home is a well-lit room of
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constant, moderate temperature (18 to 26°C, 64 to 80°F), in
a place without strong solar irradiation that could cause
dangerous heating. Especially when wire cages are used, it
is also important to avoid air draft. Though they cannot see
very far, hamsters become more relaxed and curious when
positioned somewhat above the ground (at least 65 cm (2
feet)), from where they can perceive their surroundings.
Cover the inside of the hamster's residence, including all
intermediate levels, with a sufficiently thick layer of wooden
litter for rodents, available in pet stores. Although alternative
materials may work as well, most of these bear additional
threats. Cat litter is dangerous, because gnawing and eating
the chunks is deadly.
Hamsters are nest builders and a steady supply of fresh
strips of tissue or newspaper (with soy-based ink) allows
them to build a secure and comfortable spot in a corner of
their enclosure or in their hiding house. Hay, from shops or
even fresh from the garden, is also a valuable building
material for cozy hamster nests, which, as an additional
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bonus, is also perfectly edible.
A sand bath can provide a hamster with entertai