Caresheet
IN DEPTH PROPER HAMSTER CARE
Hamster Enclosure
Hamsters are active creatures and they need a suitable amount of space to roam around and burrow. Small cages may cause stress to hamsters so it is best to provide the biggest enclosure possible.
Too look for a suitable cage, we have to check the base of the enclosure (Aquarium, Bincage, or Bar cage). The base should be computed to get the floor space. To get the floor space we multiply the length and the width of the base. The result of that is the total floor space. There must be an unbroken floor space, meaning connected cages do not count.
Minimum Cage size for dwarf hamsters: 2300 CMSQ | 360 INSQ
Minimum Cage size for syrian hamsters: 2700 CMSQ | 420 INSQ
International Standard
Recommended size for Dwarf hamster: 3000 CMSQ | 450 INSQ
Recommended size for Syrian hamster: 3000 CMSQ | 450 INSQ
BINCAGE SAMPLES
AQUARIUM ENCLOSURE SAMPLES
BAR CAGE SAMPLE
BEDDINGS / SUBSTRATE
Hamsters are burrowers, meaning they love to burrow underneath their beddings. it is good to provide a deep beddings. at least 4-6 inches height. beddings are also use to absorb hamster pee. Refrain from using scented beddings, pine or cedar wood shavings and dusty beddings.
Recommended Beddings
Crediball Aspen 4KG
Paper Based Bedding
Sundog Wood Shaving
WHEELS
A hamster in the wild can run an average of 5.5 Miles per day as they look for food. It is vital to provide a suitable sized wheel to run on and work off their energy. One thing to consider when buying a wheel is look for a large sized wheel that will provide their back a straight running posture. Make sure that their back will not form an arc when running, for this may cause spinal injuries. Also, never provide a wheels with no solid grounding (no metal bar wheels), for this may lead to bumble foot or foot injuries when they run on such wheels.
MINIMUM WHEEL SIZES:
- 18CM and above for dwarf hamsters (Roborovski, Winter white, and Campbell)
- 21CM and above for Syrian hamsters
Food and diet
In the wild, hamsters are omnivores, it means they love to eat fruits, veggies, seeds, and insects (or meat). They need protein to supply their every need for energy.
A complete diet consist of a seeds mix and a lab blocks. We can also feed them some fresh veggies, unseasoned egg, boiled chicken meat unsalted, meal worms, and many other more.
Recommended Food: Versele-laga Hamster Nature, Versele-laga Crispy Muesli, Vitakraft Menu, and Jolly Fullvit .
Food available in the poultry shop: 1KG Hagibis / Doblado + 250G Integra 3000 + 250G Unflavored Oats.
Feeding: Hamsters do not overfeed. When feeding them, fill up their food dish to full. Only refill if there is just 10% food left. (refrain from refilling their dish if there is still above 10% food. They need to eat almost all the food served to have a balance diet.
For allowed food list, please refer to this list by Ontario Hamster Club.
Treats: Treats should only be given to hamster 2-3 times a week in moderation. We want them to get their needed nutrients in their food mixes.
Hideout
Hamsters are prey animals. They have the urge to hide under burrows to protect them from predators. This is where they feel safe and secure. Good thing we have commercial hideouts available to keep them safe. This also comes in many sizes and shapes.
Small hideouts are great for Dwarf hamsters but are not suitable for Syrian hamsters.
Sandbath
Hamsters groom themselves to keep them clean. They don’t use water and soap to maintain cleanliness and healthy fur. Hamsters use sand baths to keep them clean. Some also use this as their litter area (pee area). With a litter trained hamster, it would be easy to clean your cage by just cleaning the sand area with pee.
Avoid the use of scented or to dusty sand. This may cause respiratory illness and may cause serious complications.
For a video on cleaning and recycling hamster sand, please click here.
Philippine Hamster Keepers 
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