5 Things You Must Know About Caring for Hamsters

Hamsters are not only adorable, but they’re also a good starter pet or alternative to the more common options of cats and dogs, especially if anyone in your family has animal allergies. If you’re considering adding a hamster to your family, there are a few pieces of information that are important for any future hamster owner to know.

Here are five things you need to know about caring for hamsters:

1. Hamsters are low-maintenance, but their living space needs regular attention.

Since hamsters spend most of their time in their cage, it’s imperative to make sure their living space is as comfortable as possible. A solid bottom cage lined with an inch or two of recycled paper or wood shavings (aspen or pine), changed regularly, is generally best. I had a hamster cage with two levels so my dwarf hamster, Marshmallow, had room to climb and spread out. Keeping food and their bed on separate levels is also important. Make sure their fresh water is refilled daily, as they’ll typically want to drink after waking up or getting some exercise.

2. Hamsters are very picky eaters (and they like to hoard)!

Hamsters have a tendency to pick out the food they like to eat and ignore what they don’t. As such, feeding them pellet food is a good way to make sure they don’t pick through their food quite as much. Dark green vegetables like kale or collard greens can be added to their food sparingly, as well as small pieces of apple, banana, or melon. Make sure their food dish is refilled with pellet food to three-quarters full daily. However, be wary of how often you give them fruits, vegetables and treats. Hamsters hoard food, though where they keep it will depend on your hamster’s personality, so make sure they’re not being overfed. You’ll learn what treats your hamster prefers as they spend more time as a part of your family.

3. Despite their size, hamsters still need regular exercise.

When picking out pet supplies for your hamster, I recommend looking for cages that can have a hamster wheel directly attached to them for ease of access. A hamster ball is another way to make sure that your hamster is getting regular exercise. It allows for travel around the house in safety, as hamster balls are made of hard plastic that won’t easily break. When the hamster ball is in use, supervision is necessary. This is especially true if you have other pets or live somewhere that has a basement, a balcony, or any other area that might not be safe for hamsters to traverse into.

4. Hamsters operate on circadian rhythms different from humans.

Unlike cats and dogs, which generally operate on the same circadian rhythms, hamsters are a little bit different because they are nocturnal creatures. For this reason, hamsters make a good choice for families who still have children in school. Their cage can be checked on in the morning, and then the hamster will be awake in the afternoon around when children return home from school. This may vary slightly depending on the individual personality of your hamster.

5. Like with many types of pets, their personalities can greatly differ.

One of the things I love most about hamsters is how much their individual personality quirks can shine through their behavior and habits. My hamster Marshmallow loved treats, but she would only eat certain shapes immediately and bury the rest in her bedding for later. On the first night we got her, she spent more time than anyone in my family expected running in her hamster wheel. She ended up loving her observatory as a napping spot more than the wheel over time, though. One of my close friends has a hamster named Frankie; he seldom leaves his hamster house unless he hears the sound of a treat bag being opened. These are only a couple examples of the lasting happiness and fond memories a hamster can create when you bring one into your family.

Are you considering adding a hamster to your family? Leave a comment and let us know!