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Learn about hamster habitats, bedding and nesting which will help your hamster to live a long and happy life.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Congratulations on deciding to bring a hamster into your family! Make sure you have their new home set up before their arrival with this essential hamster shopping supply list.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Learn the many fun and easy ways to provide stimulating toys to enrich the environment of your pet rat or mouse.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Learn how to keep your pet's toys, bed, and habitat clean with these easy-to-follow tips, ensuring a healthier and happier environment for your pet.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Read more tips about hamster housing including how to choose bedding & nesting materials as well as some safety tips to keep your pet hamster safe
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Yes, most pet stores have a small animal section with a variety of toys. Look for chew toys with safe woods such as willow, apple, birch, spruce and aspen. Soft toys and exercise wheels are also good options.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out. Sound like you have a full house. 1. Birds will often bond together but continue to work with them in a quiet environ, offering treats to win and re-enforce trust. Toys, the radio or tv, can all assist with boredom. Setting up foraging toys so birds need to spend time looking for food. 2. There is no such thing as too big a cage. 3. Heating rocks are rarely approved for use, as they will eventually become faulty and get too hot, potentially damaging the animal. A heat lamp is recommended. 4. The bunny's litter box should be spot cleaned daily and full clean weekly. If you can smell it you waited too long. Good luck.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Do not use an aquarium tank. A suitably sized (and secure) wire cage with a solid bottom is recommended. HabiTrail and Kaytee have excellent choices for cages. Buy the largest cage you can afford and fit in the chosen space. You can use recycled paper bedding such as CareFresh or Yesterday's News. Aspen shavings or pellets are also acceptable. Do not use pine or cedar shavings as these can be irritating. A commercial diet from Kaytee or VitaKraft can be fed from a ceramic bowl. A ceramic bowl prevents gnawing and tipping. A non chewable water bottle can be hung to provide fresh water daily. Other necessary items include chew toys and an exercise wheel. Find a veterinarian experienced in treating pocket pets and have your new addition examined to confirm good health. Feed, water and exercise daily. Clean the cage weekly. These little guys require very little care and can provide lots of entertainment. Congrats and enjoy!
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Congrats on your new addition! It looks like you have everything you need. A water bottle wasn't listed, so if you don't have one be sure to pick one up at the local Petco. Rabbit safe chew toys can also be found at the store. Melo can eat as much timothy hay, oat hay or similar grasses as he wants. Do not feed him any alfalfa and limit pellets to about 1/8 cup daily. he can get a cup or two of fresh greens daily as well. If you have any additional questions, you can post them here.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Hi! Hamsters can make great pets if they are socialized and handled gently. A standard hamster cage with a wheel, tunnels, a hide box, some soft bedding in which to burrow (like carefresh), fresh food and water are the basic needs of any pet hamster. If you want, you can add a network of tunnels to provide more exercise and enrichment opportunities. Hamsters can get sick and should only be fed hamster specific food items to decrease the chances of tooth and gastrointestinal problems. It’s also a good idea to take your new pet to the vet shortly after you get them so you have a baseline of health and have an established relationship with a vet in the event your hamster does become ill. Good luck!
Updated on August 12th, 2025