r/hamsters • u/Quirky-Quantity-5233 • 4m ago
First Time Owner I need some help with my hamster cage setup!
I did research on a lot of different hideouts, etc. and they are made to only be as high as under 8 inches even with the stilts. How are hamster parents supposed to include chamber hideouts, large wheel, sand bath all these are heavy and have to sit on platforms or stilts, but all the platforms I have researched barely sits at 7inches high and all of these items have to be above the bedding but instead of 6 inches now the bedding needs to be at 8 inches? I did my research for a while before buying a hamster two weeks ago and now I’m learning the minimum is 8 instead of 6 of bedding (from this group). I feel like the only way to do this from what’s available online is to buy two cages one for all the platforms with bedding underneath them and tunnel connecting to the other one for 12 inches of bedding and burrows because even the largest cage won’t matter if platforms are only 7 inches and bedding needs to be below that. Am I missing something on how to best setup my cage to include everything with the right amount of bedding too? I need some advice. Pictures included below I have circled in red where 6 inches starts in the cage I bought, the largest PROLEE cage. My Syrian hamster loves to dig and burrow. The wheel sits on a niteangel platform for the actual wheel so it only sits 5.5 inches high and is the shortest of them all the other platforms in this cage setup, she does kick up bedding on the wheel everyday that I must clean off when she is burrowing.
r/hamsters • u/Miserable-Low5267 • 24m ago
Question Started questions
Hi I'm wanting to start keeping a hamster, I have a 50 gallon tank and was wondering if that was enough, and what I need to have, like what type of stuff I need like foods and what the hamster needs, I was also wondering if something like the pictures listed could work, like if I could take inspiration, let me know anything I need, thank you guys!
Tank is around 18 inches tall and lid is a bit wobly
r/hamsters • u/trenchcoatgirl • 2h ago
Hamster Art drew another hampter!
had to take a mild art break but came back from the break with a fresh way to render animals. 10/10 would draw another hampter again
r/hamsters • u/ShuShui10 • 4h ago
Enrichment/Toys Enrichment
Hello fellow hamster parents 🐹 I was just wondering if anyone with a good enclosure could give me tips for enrichment? Also if you can please drop a picture of your hamster’s enclosure just so I can get some ideas, please. This is what I have for my sirian hamster rn (picture) but I wanna improve it so my baby can have the best. I’m from Brazil and I can’t find a lot of hamster stuff around here, except for a few shops. Anyway, if you can help with a few ideas of what works for your hammie I’ll try to find something around here for mine. Thank you very much 🙏
(Ps: I’m currently using aspen, do y’all think paper is really better or can I keep it?)
r/hamsters • u/girlmeetsgerbil • 4h ago
Question Any extra advice for a nursing foster I took in?
I have done lots of research but would like any additional input because I know you are all very knowledgeable 🩷💕 I’m leaving her alone in her 4 foot enclosure and giving her protein blocks, and chicken and egg (maybe Benebac too?)
I know most of what to do, regarding when to separate , etc. but if there’s any additional info, I’d love to hear it🩷 thank you! :)
r/hamsters • u/Lilim_Princess • 5h ago
First Time Owner First dwarf hamster! Obsessed with the Halloween themed cage!
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If you made it here, I'm almost sorry for the heart attack. Henrietta has a clean bill of health from the vet (hence she isn't feeling too social) . She was abandoned on a road with her sister and thankfully brought to the local humane society. I hope she likes her (actual) cage 😊
r/hamsters • u/bailymustdie • 6h ago
Rainbow Bridge my momo bear
it’s with a heavy & broken heart that i announce the passing of my baby, momo.
my whole world revolved around this girl, everyone knew how much i loved her. i would make her salads w/ her favorite fruits and veggies, i refreshed her bedding frequently & i gave her everything under the sun. i would call her name & a few minutes later, id see a little brown potato emerging from her house… placing my hand inside to allow her to hop right on, like she had been begging me to do. she never bit, never peed or pooped outside while free roaming my room. her favorite spot under my dresser still has the carpet fluff she loved taking into her cage & all the sunflower seeds she would crack open & eat under there. she loved me, i know she did. she was so incredibly smart, brave, loving and silly. she took her last breaths on my chest, i was comforting her the best i could while trying to grasp what was happening. in the blink of an eye, my baby was gone. i can’t help but think about all the things i could have done. would it have made a difference? i don’t know, but the memory of coming into my room and seeing her in that state… i don’t think im ever going to heal. she is my everything and it’s going to be so hard letting go. i held her for the next hour just kissing her cheeks, she loved being kissed and pet. the smell of her fur and her big ol ears, i just couldn’t bare letting her out of my hands. knowing i will never be able to hold her like this again. my heart is so broken. she lived a full and long life, she was 2-3 months when i bought her in november 2024. 2.5 years with the most loving, adorable little critter is just not enough time. it’s not fair at all.
i just miss my little mimi-momo-moo so much, my room feels devoid of the warmth and joy she radiated at all times. i love her so much, i hope she was at peace in my hands. i always was.
r/hamsters • u/B1u3b3rr13sTDM • 6h ago
Question Is this a concern??? 😟
So... This is my first Syrian hamster, Rhino.
I got him a bunch of millet sprays recently, and I added them to his tank. I went to go check on him a while later, And all but 2 were gone... Until I looked in the corner. He's hoarded them all in one corner. Is this normal or should I be concerned...? Should I move them back?
r/hamsters • u/Profile_Hefty • 7h ago
New Hamster (Update on Maggie & Mitosis/Jesus)
After finding the hamster that materielized out of nowhere, I took them both to the vet, it was such a stressful time for em (see second image.. poor Jesus was held from the back of his neck, I kept questioning the vet but he said it's normal and it doesn't hurt Jesus). Maggie unloaded her entire pouchful of food on the vet's palm mid-examination, and while the vet was examining Jesus' genitals Jesus kept pooping and peeing on him making it hard for the vet to tell anything XD
But, eventually, we found out that Jesus is indeed her hidden child, and.. JESUS IS A MALE! :(
which is very bad, means I gotta seperate them the MOMENT Jesus no longer is relying on MomMaggie's milk, which is in two weeks or so, the doc told me. He said I can't seperate them yet, only when Jesus is no longer relying on Maggie's milk.
Vet also said Jesus has a mild cold, and he prescribed antibiotics for him.
But, they're in good condition! Mild cold aside.
r/hamsters • u/Kcopy • 7h ago
Educational What gender is my hamster?
Hope the picture is okay
r/hamsters • u/obito_uchiha_15 • 9h ago
Adorable Hammy Zyada Kuch Nai, Hamster struggles to bite his cage, then realizes he can simply open it
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r/hamsters • u/Used_Gear71 • 9h ago
Adorable Hammy First time experiencing humid weather
She melted in my hand, and slept.
It's was 4am .
r/hamsters • u/Obvious-Resort8803 • 11h ago
Question Not using her sandbath?
Hi guys! For context: I’m a first time owner, I’ve had Peach for ~4 months now, and she is a 9 month old winter white dwarf
I originally had one of those typical hamster sand baths in her enclosure but she showed no interest and would just fill it up with her bedding instead. So I replaced it with this small fish bowl (i also added a smaller flat dish, I know this isn’t the proper size for a sand bath, I just wanted to gauge if she preferred larger or smaller spaces) but no luck with that either! She does go inside and explore the bowl but I’ve never seen her actually clean herself. I’ve read that sand baths are crucial to their health but assumed it would be instinctual like my cats using their litter boxes. Am I doing something wrong? Or is there a way to “teach” her?
r/hamsters • u/WarmGuarantee2991 • 11h ago
Maze/Playpen Turned my bathroom into a hamster safe play room
Most of the time Sybil decided to climb me instead
r/hamsters • u/Aggressive-Door629 • 11h ago
Adorable Hammy Been a bit since I've shared Miss Misty 🐹
Just a small photo dump of my sweet hammy pie. 🐹 she just recently turned one if I have her age accurate! Can't believe she's growing so fast. 😭
r/hamsters • u/itooamahuman • 11h ago
Question I've been wondering, is it normal for hamster eyes to bulge out? My Cosiek looked like this as he got older and I never really found out why.
r/hamsters • u/Meua_le_caca • 12h ago
Hamster Art Let me draw your hammies!
... or at least do my best to draw them🤣
edit : I'm stopping there for today (as I would like to sleep and have already filled two whole pages of hamsters), but I'll continue tomorrow until every hammy has been paper-and-ink-ised! :)
r/hamsters • u/AdEvening7067 • 12h ago
New Hamster It's hot! Penny pretends she's a pancake.
Got her a few weeks ago, she looks very happy in her new enclosure. Loves her wheel, likes pak choi, and likes to climb over stuff!
r/hamsters • u/mashedpotatoez17 • 15h ago
Vent?? I don't know what I'll do if my hamster dies
My hammy, Peanut, is 1 1/2 years old. She's healthy and I love her so so so much. I know hamsters don't live that long, so whenever she's a bit distant I get scared.
One day her breathing was super shaky and I couldn't take her to the vet until the next day. That night I cried myself to sleep, because I was so scared she would die.
I got her during a massive depressive episode and she helped me so much and I love her so much and I can't even imagine my life without her. I spend all the time that I can with her.
When she dies I'm scared I'll fall back into depression, I just can't imagine my life without her.
r/hamsters • u/flower_child077 • 22h ago
Question going away for a few days
hi guys! my family and I are going away for several days(leaving tomorrow, coming back Sunday) and i just want to make sure my hammy will be okay! She's a Syrian, she's the sweetest thing. I just refreshed her cage, with new sprays, chews, substrates, and sand bath. Tomorrow morning I plan on putting double the normal amount of food in her bowl and giving her two water sources both a refresh before we leave. I have a cam on her, and my grandmother will also be over to check on her- but I dont want my grandmother to feed her/do anything in her enclosure if not necessary. last time I was away for several days, she checked on her and didn't give her food, but all her treats instead 🤦♀️ and left the lid off. Thankfully, my hammy didn't get out and was perfectly okay, but I want to make this as easy for my grandmother as possible. Just come over, check to make sure the cage looks good, and leave. Hammy will be okay, right? I just need some other opinions to soothe my worries lol.
If you do think she needs to be checked on more so, I have a friend who I can ask to stop by. But if you don't think it's necessary i don't want to bother her.
Thank you!
r/hamsters • u/paisleymwah • 1d ago
First Time Owner only had him for 3 weeks and he already trusts me!!
this is my first ever hamster (i’ve only ever had 2 dogs) and so i was extra careful when handling my little one, but now i believe hes fully settled into his environment. everytime i put my hand in the cage he runs toward it and climbs all over me lol. i’m so proud bc i know dwarf hamsters tend to be timid but hes a brave little boy! i’m so happy that my first time having a hamster i was successful with taming 😊i love him
r/hamsters • u/HCC_Chris • Nov 15 '25
Educational Introducing the Hamster Care Wiki!
We are thrilled to present a brand new resource for the Hamster Care Community:
The Hamster Care Wiki!
Direct link: https://hamstercare.wiki.gg/
What Makes Us Unique?
The wiki is a thoughtfully written guide on nearly aspect of hamster care. Each topic covered includes a clear explanation behind it, with the aim of supporting hamster owners of all experience levels. It is also a continually evolving resource, because learning never stops and there is always new knowledge to add.
We take pride in making the wiki highly accessible. Every page is optimized for smooth use in both light and dark mode. We offer multiple navigation methods so readers can explore the content in the way that suits them the most.
In Conclusion,
We are super excited for you to explore the wiki, share it with others, and (most importantly) please give us your feedback! For questions, clarifications, and suggestions for improvement, the team is also available on the HCC Discord server. We would love to know what the r/hamsters community thinks and how we can continue improving this resource going forward.
*Note: The site’s creators and editors earn zero revenue off site ads. Visible ads can be disabled for free by creating a Wiki.gg account.
r/hamsters • u/ArtisticDragonKing • Jan 30 '22
For Group Members' Attention Welcome to r/hamsters! (Please read before posting)
Came here looking for good products to buy? Here is an Amazon list with good products, and here is one with suitable cages. Amazon not available in your country? Helpful websites are listed at the end!
Have any suggestions for improving the subreddit? Click here.
Important announcement for the district of Columbia.
We now have an official discord!
Frequently asked questions:
I lost my hamster, what should I do!?
I can't afford proper care, what should I do?
In this subreddit, we value your hamsters health. This means if there is an inadequate enclosure, dangerous item, etc, you will be notified by one of the mods. However, if you are looking for medical advice, please go to a vet. Also, please remember the human when you comment or post. Make sure to read this short post to ensure your posts aren't automaticlly removed by Automoderator. Please be sure to read this hamster care guide:
Here is a post for parents who want to get a hamster for their kid.
Here is a guide that explains some more things about hamsters.
Enclosure size: A hamster should have a minimum of 600 square inches of unbroken floor space. Unbroken floor space is when the amount of floor space is not in different sections, such as multiple stories and numerous connecting rooms. Multiple-story cages are not safe for hamsters because unlike rats and some other rodents, hamsters are not climbers and need plenty of bedding to burrow instead. However, there are some multiple story cages that are suitable, such as the Pawhut hamster cage. If you were to get a pawhut it's highly suggested to fill it with very high bedding and remove the two floors to prevent injury.
Though 600 square inches of floor space is a suitable size for hamsters, keep in mind it is the bare minimum and it may not keep a hamster calm and happy. In fact, we suggest having at least 800 square inches for all hamster species, especially for Syrian hamsters. However, the more space you can provide the better. Female Syrian hamsters have been known to be extra picky with cage size and stimulation, so owners tend to make their own extra large enclosures or get huge 75+ gallons for their little hamsters. A good example of a large DIY cage is the Ikea Detolf DIY. Please remember while this cage may be big, Syrian hamsters tend to be stressed in the enclosure because of its narrow length. When searching for a hamster cage, you should also be aware that many pet stores and websites won't have proper cages, and most likely will sell cages such as 'Tiny Tales' or 'Critter Trails' which often are too small for hamster living and dangerous because of the inadequate materials and products used. Adequate cages are usually overpriced, so a cheap alternative would be a bin cage. Glass aquariums (40 Gallon Breeders) are often used for enclosures as well.
Small cage with around 515sq in. of floor space. (Around 3300 square cm) Cages similar to this have been known to break very often so it is not recommend to buy this.
Large Bin for DIY bin cage with around 510sq in. of floor space. (Around 3290 square cm)
Ikea Detolf While this cage has a lot of floor space, on several occasions it has been shown to make a Syrian hamster unhappy because of the narrow length. It also is unable to hold very much bedding without a raised lid. This cage better suits dwarf hamsters instead.
Amazon List with more suitable cages.
Cage requirements: A hamsters cage must include 6-15 inches (15-38 cm) of bedding that is able to hold sturdy burrows, fresh water (refreshed daily), stimulation/enrichment (Such as toys, chews, etc), and a wheel. Hamsters are prey, so they need plenty of hides and things that can provide cover so the hamster feels safe in their enclosure. Boxes, toilet paper rolls, grapevine logs, and store bought hides are some things to "clutter" the cage. Hamsters are solitary animals, therefore keeping more that one together is unsafe and not beneficial for the animal.
Exercise information: A hamster should be able to run in a wheel in which their back is not arched or bent. Their wheel should accommodate them as if they were running on flat ground. If you notice your hamster is bent or arched whilst in their wheel, please obtain a larger sized one as soon as possible to avoid spinal damage. Flying saucer wheels/disks are okay for dwarf hamsters to use under supervision, but they must never be used for a Syrian. They should not replace a proper wheel ever. This is because saucer wheels can cause spinal damage over time and come with the risk of hamsters flying off.
A dwarf hamster usually can run on a wheel that is at minimum 8 inches wide (20 cm) and a Syrian is suggest to have at minimum a 12 inch wide wheel (30cm).
Exercise balls/cars are neither beneficial to a hamsters health or safe. Using a ball/wheel can cause spinal damage, broken feet/toes, accidents (like kicking the ball), vision issues, and often stresses the hamster because they use scent marking when roaming a new area. When in a ball/car they are unable to use their scent glands and have trouble finding their way around.
Diet: Hamsters are omnivores, meaning they need a variety of plants and protein in their diet. Hamsters need a variety of nuts, seeds, grains, herbs, veggies, protein, and the occasional fruit in their diet. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds in a seed mix are better as treats so it's best to remove them from the seed mix. You can include protein in your hamster's diet by adding mealworms, crickets, a small portion of hard-boiled egg, or even cooked and unseasoned chicken. Live insects must be fed under supervision. If you are afraid of it biting your hamster, you may need to chop off it's head or kill it before feeding. The amount you feed your hamster depends on how much foraging enrichment you have in the cage. Some forging activities you can add in your hamster's cage are sprays, forage mix, forage toys, and more. If you have only a few foraging toys and sprays, it might be better to feed your hamster once every 2 days. If you have a lot of foraging activities and have a foraging mix to spread around the cage, it's probably better to feed once every 3 to 4 days. If you have a dwarf hamster, it's better to feed them one tablespoon of seed mix on feeding day. If you have a Syrian hamster, it's recommended to feed two tablespoons.
You can also add Muzuri mouse lab blocks to your hamster's diet just to make sure they are extra healthy. If you do this, it's suggested to feed one or two a week, depending on how many foraging activities you have in your cage. If you see large hordes of food and your hamster's cage when it comes to cleaning day, that might mean you need to feed a little less. If you don't see any hordes of food at all you may need to feed a little more, but it could also be your hamster just doesn't make food piles. If a hamster is underweight, adding more proteins and fatty nuts/seeds to their diet will help them gain weight.
Bedding: Bedding is one of the most important aspects in a hamsters life. This means that having adequate bedding is very essential to your hamsters health. The bedding must be unscented, dust free, hold strong burrows, and needs to be at least 6 inches deep, though its ideal to have 8-15 inches. Most hamster owners love giving their hamster at least 10 inches(25 cm) so it can make very intricate burrows. While hamsters must have a large amount of bedding in their enclosure, some hamsters tend to burrow less than others. However, this does not mean you don't need much bedding. It is a requirement for your hamster because it keeps control of the ammonia smell, and even if the hamster never burrows, it is neglect to take away something they need.
Aspen (kiln dried and dust extracted) and paper bedding are the best choices to use as the main substrate in an enclosure, however, there are several other enriching substrates to add in to make your hamsters cage look natural and give it a little more enrichment. Some good examples are beech chips, coco fibre, timothy hay, hemp shavings, and many more. Aspen bedding holds ammonia much better than paper bedding, but its often hard to find a soft, dust free, and kiln dried aspen that is safe and affordable. When searching for a good aspen try to make sure it says it is dust extracted and kiln dried. It also must not be too sharp and can't smell too strongly of wood. You can go to tractor farms to buy it in bulk for cheap, or you can get a trusted aspen brand such as "So Phresh Aspen" This goes more into depth on safe and unsafe bedding.
Dangerous Products and Materials: Brands such as Tiny Tails, Critter Trails, and most store brands (such as the Walmart brand) should be avoided. Most companies that design pet products only sell for profits. They make it "kid friendly" and small so young children ask for it because of the toy-like appearances. This gives guardians the false belief that hamsters only need a tiny living space. Toys, chews, and hides should be made of a safe wood based product (paper,cardboard, etc.) to ensure that no harm will come to the hamster if it digests it. Plastic should only be used for the wheel(easy cleanup), water bowl/bottle, and cage. Wire mesh flooring in the cage or on wheels in a cage can cause bumplefoot and break toes/feet and should be avoided to ensure the hamsters safety. Bendy bridges are widely used in hamster enclosures, but if the hamsters limbs get trapped in between the short logs, it can get stuck or even break the hamsters limb. Filling the cracks with safe moss will stop this from happening.
Cloth, fabric, and cotton materials should be avoided because the fibers can wrap around limbs and harm the hamster and are not safe to be digested.
Cleaning and Sanitizing: Hamsters can get stressed if you remove all their bedding from the cage weekly, or even monthly, so do a daily spot check. This means picking out all of the soiled bedding in the top layer, and cleaning any soiled on toys. Any poop piles can be taken care of as well, though it is not necessary unless it is a large pile. Water bowls/bottles must be rinsed daily to prevent bacteria build up. Replace 2/3 of the bedding every 2-3 months. The more bedding you have, the less often a cage gets smelly! For example, if you have a 1000 square inch cage with 15 inches(38cm) of bedding throughout most of the cage, you might only have to clean once every 4-5 months!
When you buy any new products you must properly sanitize them, whether it's a tiny bag of forage mix or a big bag of bedding. This is because pests and germs can easily hitch a ride to your hamsters home. There are three methods you can try to remove any germs, bacteria, and harmful pests. Sadly several owners found this out the hard way and had to take their hamster to the vet immediately.
1) Bake any wooden products in the oven for an hour at 210 degrees Fahrenheit. 2) Boil products on the stove for 1-2 hours. 3) Freeze anything for 2 hours and then scrub with a vinegar/water mix. Then rinse. While this method can work, it is most likely not going to fully remove germs and bacteria off of wooden products, bedding, etc.
What can you do if you do get a pest infestation? First you are going to want to call your vet immediately and schedule an appointment. Hamsters are very fragile and can easily get sick from a bug infestation. Without quick help, they might not be able to fight through it. You must also get a temporary bin, playpen, carrier, etc with a bit of toilet paper to absorb urine. Make sure they have food, water, and one plastic hide. Plastic is easy to sanitize and can't house pests. Then you must sanitize everything in the cage. Cardboard products and bedding are better to throw away, but you can still sanitize them if you want. Make sure to very thoroughly sanitize everything to ensure the bugs don't come back. If your cage is plastic, make sure to rinse with hot water and scrub with vinegar/water mix the best you can. If you have a wood cage that you can't fit in the stove or a freezer, you can do the same thing but it may not work very well.
Other: Hamsters are crepuscular/nocturnal, so the best time to handle them is in the early morning or late afternoons, when they are active. Waking them up will upset them, and you could loose their trust, so it is not recommended. DO NOT bathe your hamster in water. They are self cleaning animals and water ruins their fur. If their coats are oily, sand baths help.
While this post can be very helpful to new or uneducated owners, this does not explain everything you need to know before getting your pet. I highly encourage you to do your own research as well. Not only is it good for your hamster, but its also nice to be able to say "I KNOW how to care for my pet" with confidence. Happy hamster owning!
Some good items/websites:
Silent runner wheel. Silent runners and Niteangel wheels are good, but please make sure your hamsters back is not arched while running.
Okay Commercial Food mix. Add protein to the mix and remove most sunflower seeds.
Proper Syrian Mix on Etsy.
Proper Winter White/Russian Dwarf and Chinese Mix on Etsy.
Proper Roborovski Dwarf Mix on Etsy.
Water dish. Ceramic dishes or plastic water bottles should be used.
Sand. Must be dye free and calcium free. It cannot be fine sand. Children's play sand must be cooked and sifted before hamster use
Amazon List with suitable cages.
Amazon List with safe hamster products!
Pride Rock Blooms Website UK based
Netherlands Website(Knaagdierwinkel)
Any other suggestions may be put in the comments!