How to Give a Hamster a Safe Home

Hamsters can be fun pets to own. They are small and cute. However, while they are fun, people do not realize that hamsters also require lots of care. Part of caring for a hamster is giving it a home that simulates the natural environment where hamsters live. This is done by providing a cage and bedding. You need to know the basic steps to provide a hamster with the correct housing.

Choose A Cage

When hamsters are in a home, they tend to live in a cage. If hamsters get along with each other, they can live in the same cage. However, if hamsters do not get along, they must each have their own cage. A cage must be chosen and there are three options for cages. These options are metal, plastic, and glass. Metal cages offer the most ventilation for hamsters. Glass cages are the easiest cages to clean, but plastic cages do not break as easily as glass cages. Of course, it is best if you can let the hamster feel the cage before buying one. This way you know if the hamster is comfortable in the type of cage that is chosen.

Choose the Bedding

Because hamsters live in burrows which have a cooler temperature and more humidity, it is important to line the cage with bedding materials. This helps to emulate the environment where hamsters live. There are different types of bedding. There are wooden beddings, bedding made from recycled paper and cardboard, and bedding that is made by tearing newspaper strips and putting them in the cage. If the hamster does not like the type of bedding that is chosen, try a different bedding. It is important to never use pine or cedar beddings. Fumes from these woods may smell good to humans, but they are not good for a hamster's respiratory tract.

Control the Temperature of the Cage

Hamsters should never live in an environment that is too cold or too hot. The cage should be kept between the temperatures of 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add Toys

Hamsters need to chew. Add some toys to the hamsters cage. These can be wooden chew toys and toilet paper tubes. Chewing helps keep a hamster's teeth from becoming too sharp and it also helps keep the hamster from being bored.

Add Tunnels to the Cage

Add tunnels to the cage so the hamster can run in them. This is a little bit like running in the burrows. Toilet paper tubes can also be used for this. It will help the hamster not be bored and will also entertain people who like to watch hamsters.

Clean the Cage Daily

Nobody cleans up after a hamster in nature. However, nature takes care of itself. When a hamster is in a cage, the cage will need to be cleaned. Every day, remove the wet and soiled bedding and litter if you use it. At least once a week, empty the cage and wash it completely.

If you do these things, you will provide a safe home for your hamster. This will help to keep your hamster happy.

Source:

Hardyal, S. (n.d.). How to Make a Hamster's Natural Habitat | eHow.com. eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the Curious Life | eHow.com . Retrieved May 15, 2011, from http://www.ehow.com/how_2336915_make-hamster_s-natural-habitat.html