HOUSING A HAMSTER :: CAGE FURNISHINGS
You may opt for a basic cage which is sold in pet shops whose design consists of a plastic base and a rigid wire top. These cages come in a lot of shapes and sizes and are easy to clean.
Hamster Nesting Material
Cedar shavings can cause the hamster allergic reactions. Pine shavings are preferable to cedar but paper based shavings are the best to use. Straw should not be used as this can be sharp and can cause injury to the hamster’s eyes or cheek pouches. The best bedding for hamsters is paper based bedding like toilet paper or tissue paper. Syrian Hamsters appreciate this type of bedding, while Dwarf Hamsters adore paper based bedding!
Hamster Food Bowl
Food bowls should be preferably earthenware since plastic bowls can be easily knocked over and chewed by hamsters. Food bowls should be refilled frequently.
Hamster Food
Do not buy food designed for guinea pigs or rabbits, as these may not satisfy the dietary requirements of the hamster and may cause the hamster harm. Basic hamster mixes are sold in pet shops and these mixes contain grains, cereals, nuts, barley, wheat, sunflower seeds, peanuts, maize and flaked peas. Hamsters appreciate green food but too much is not good for hamsters because green food can cause diarrhea.
Hamster Drinking Bottle
A drinking bottle supplies water to your hamster in the best way, as it ensures a good supply of clean water. Drinking bottles with a ball-bearing in the tube, are best as these are less inclined to leak. Hamster drinking bottles should be cleaned at least once a week by watering the bottle and using a cotton bud to clean the gap between the bottle and the opening. The water in the water bottle, should be changed everyday to guarantee fresh water to the hamster.
Hamster Wheels
Hamster wheels provide an excellent means of exercise for the hamster. Most hamsters use the hamster wheel at night since hamsters are nocturnal.
The first thing to look at is the size of the product. If the wheel you buy is too small, there is a chance that your hamster will be uncomfortable while using it. Generally speaking, dwarf hamsters should use the smaller styles available. The bigger Syrian hamsters, on the other hand, are more comfortable with large wheels. If you're not really sure what to do, just go with a larger model. Having a hamster wheel that's too big isn't really a concern.
Solid wheels are best, runged wheels can have a strip of cardboard weaved through the rungs to avoid a hamster’s feet slipping through. Wheels can squeak after a while and this can be stopped by placing a drop of vegetable oil on the axle.
Hamster Balls
Hamster Balls are clear plastic with an opening in which the hamster can be placed. The hamster ball is then shut and the hamster can run, moving the ball around the house. These are a safe way for hamsters to run around the house and prevent a loose hamster from escaping. If your hamster does not run in the ball, it means that it is not enjoying the ball or else that the hamster is tired.
Furnishing the Cage
Furnishings include plastic houses, climbing blocks, wooden / plastic ladders, hamster see-saws, hamster tubes etc. The cage can also be furnished with things such as toilet roll tubes and small branches of apple wood will also give the hamster something to climb on as well as to gnaw. You can also place a hamster potty in the cage to make the cage easier to clean. Check out this hamster article about hamster homemade toys.
by Albert Saliba