Supplies you will need for your hamster...
To ensure your hamster has the best start to its new life you will need to provide the basics! Here is a list of the basic items you will need to have ready for when your hamster comes home:
1. A large cage for Syrians (80cmx50cm- AT LEAST!) for Dwarfs, you need to ensure the bar spacing, if you have a wire cage, is small so that they cannot squeeze through the gaps (a maximum of a 1cm bar space is recommended). However, some people will recommend you have a plastic cage for Dwarfs as it is safer and they are less likely to escape!
2. Safe bedding for hamsters. Whatever you do, do NOT buy pine/cedar wood shavings or sawdust. These have been proven to cause respiratory problems because of the dust content in them. Also, please, please do not buy the cotton wool type bedding because "It looks comfy!" Cotton wool type bedding is a MASSIVE NONO! The cotton could twist itself around your hamster's legs and cut off circulation, causing loss of limbs. Also, if ingested it will block your hamster's intestines and this causes huge problems and discomfort for your hamster. Please DO buy a paper based bedding such as Carefresh, for nesting material, you can buy recycled paper from your pet shop or just plain old toilet paper will do very nicely!
3. A good quality food mix is essential for keeping your hamster fit and healthy! Brands such as Harry/Hazel hamster or your pet shop's own brand of muesli is very popular amongst hamsters and hamster owners! Do buy treats for your hamster but please bear in mind that if you have a Dwarf hamster, they are prone to diabetes which means you need to give them a low sugar diet. If unsure, please check with your vet or pet shop for more information on diabetes or what treats to give your hamster. As well as a good quality food mix, you can give your hamster fresh food. A list of the foods you can give your hamster is on the "About Hamsters" page.
4. A few toys and nibbles are essential for keeping the boredom at bay! If your hamster starts chewing on the bars then this is the biggest sign that they are bored and need more toys. Wooden toys are the safest for your hamster as they can also be chewed. Check out our list of the top ten toys on our "Top Ten Toys" page. Mineral stones are a good idea to keep in your cage. While most hamsters ignore them, there are some that chew them relentlessly! They are good for wearing down hamsters' teeth and provide some vital minerals to keep your hamster in tip top condition.
1. A large cage for Syrians (80cmx50cm- AT LEAST!) for Dwarfs, you need to ensure the bar spacing, if you have a wire cage, is small so that they cannot squeeze through the gaps (a maximum of a 1cm bar space is recommended). However, some people will recommend you have a plastic cage for Dwarfs as it is safer and they are less likely to escape!
2. Safe bedding for hamsters. Whatever you do, do NOT buy pine/cedar wood shavings or sawdust. These have been proven to cause respiratory problems because of the dust content in them. Also, please, please do not buy the cotton wool type bedding because "It looks comfy!" Cotton wool type bedding is a MASSIVE NONO! The cotton could twist itself around your hamster's legs and cut off circulation, causing loss of limbs. Also, if ingested it will block your hamster's intestines and this causes huge problems and discomfort for your hamster. Please DO buy a paper based bedding such as Carefresh, for nesting material, you can buy recycled paper from your pet shop or just plain old toilet paper will do very nicely!
3. A good quality food mix is essential for keeping your hamster fit and healthy! Brands such as Harry/Hazel hamster or your pet shop's own brand of muesli is very popular amongst hamsters and hamster owners! Do buy treats for your hamster but please bear in mind that if you have a Dwarf hamster, they are prone to diabetes which means you need to give them a low sugar diet. If unsure, please check with your vet or pet shop for more information on diabetes or what treats to give your hamster. As well as a good quality food mix, you can give your hamster fresh food. A list of the foods you can give your hamster is on the "About Hamsters" page.
4. A few toys and nibbles are essential for keeping the boredom at bay! If your hamster starts chewing on the bars then this is the biggest sign that they are bored and need more toys. Wooden toys are the safest for your hamster as they can also be chewed. Check out our list of the top ten toys on our "Top Ten Toys" page. Mineral stones are a good idea to keep in your cage. While most hamsters ignore them, there are some that chew them relentlessly! They are good for wearing down hamsters' teeth and provide some vital minerals to keep your hamster in tip top condition.