Basic Equipment and Necessities for your Hamsters

Various other cage accessories can be placed in a hamster's cage to provide extra stimulation and a more interesting environment for the hamster. Hamsters are fun pets to keep and are even more fun to watch as they play with their toys. They don't like to be in completely empty cages so most people go out of their way to make sure that they have cool and interesting hamster toys. The variety of hamster wheels, games and tunnels that you can buy is endless.

House

There are various "houses" for sale in Pet Shops and a hamster will use these for nesting in. However, if these do not have a ventilated top or open front condensation can build up within the house. Although all houses sold at Pet Shops are suitable for Dwarf Hamsters, not all are suitable for Syrian Hamsters as the doorways and windows may be too small for some large Syrian Hamsters.

Wooden Blocks

There are various wooden blocks and climbing frames available for hamsters with holes the hamster can travel through. These are more suitable only for Dwarf Hamsters as the holes on many are too small for a Syrian Hamster to climb through.

Plastic Boots

There are various play "boots" designed for hamsters with holes that the hamster can climb in and out of. Be sure to check all holes are a suitable size to allow the hamster to easily climb through as some are only suitable for smaller hamsters.

Sand Bath

A sand bath can be provided by placing a suitable sized dish in the cage filled with chinchilla sand. Ceramic or Metal dishes which are not easily tipped are best used. Hamsters, particularly Dwarf Hamsters, appreciate having a dish of sand to roll in and this helps to remove the greasiness from the coat - remember in the wild they live in deserts so this is natural for them.

Tubes and See-Saws

There are a variety of plastic or wooden tubes and see-saws sold in Pet Shops for small animals. These are suitable for Dwarf Hamsters and the larger ones are suitable for Syrian Hamsters also.

Mineral and Salt Blocks

Many Pet Shops stock mineral blocks and salt blocks for hamsters. These are not really necessary for the hamster's well being.

Cardboard Tubes

Old cardboard tubes or toilet roll tubes can be provided for the hamster and it will enjoy using it as something to climb through, on or nest in as well as chewing it to pieces.

Wood Gnaws

Wood gnaws are available in Pet Shops or you can provide your own by supplying the hamster with a piece of apple branch. These provide the hamster with something on which to gnaw in order to keep its teeth trim.

Taken from www.shmat.com

Food Bowl


Ball Bearing Water Bottle - Check for easy access of water and bottle that do not leak will be the best.


Wheel - Hamsters should have wheels, and wheels should be large enough that the hamsters don't have to arch their backs to run on the wheel. Wheels should have a solid surface and no cross bars for support, so no limbs or other body parts can get caught.

--- Recommended Size of Wheels ---
Robos - 12cm wheel (but preferably 17cm if can afford the space)
Winter Whites/Puddings/Campbells - 17cm wheel
Syrians - 17cm (if less than 100g) or 21cm


Toilet - It can be the commercially bought toilet or just a simple plastic Tupperware container will do.


Hideout - eg. Hamhead


Chew Toys - toilet paper rolls are the most simple and easy to find items. Wooden chew sticks are good as well.


Nesting Materials - Unscented Tissue Paper

Cooling Pad - In view of the climate in Singapore, a cooling pad will be a good alternative if you don't have air-conditioning in the house.