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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 about hamster habitats, bedding and nesting which will help your hamster to live a long and happy life.
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

Learn more about your pet gerbil as it is a loving, friendly and innately curious animal.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Learn how to care for a gerbil, recommended diet and habitat setup. Find the right food, supplies and equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on October 29th, 2025
Gerbils come from a desert environment, but sand as a substrate is not practical and difficult to keep clean. Instead, you can use aspen shavings, hay or recycled paper bedding. Make it deep enough so they can tunnel through it and make little nests.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Care fresh bedding is what is recommended. It is the safest, healthiest bedding. Controls odors up to two times longer than traditional bedding. Absorbs up to three times its weight in liquid. Made from reclaimed wood pulp waste, not recycled paper. *99% dust-free for easy cleanup *Natural paper small animal bedding *CareFresh pet bedding with 10-day odor control formula *Absorbs 3 times more liquid than wood shavings Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Wow I can't believe she is allergic to plain care fresh paper bedding. You can always try plain AstroTurf or reptile carpet which is really easy to clean but may not be as comfortable. I honestly think your shredded t-shirts are a great idea as long as she isn't trying to eat any of it.
Updated on August 12th, 2025
Thanks for reaching out. Some animal tame better than others. The key is gaining their trust, often with the use of treats. Once they're used to your hand in the cage with slow and deliberate movements, leave the hand flat and allow them to crawl over it. Next your can attempt to lift them from below. Grabbing them from above often results in fear biting. Not sure if your asking about breeding or bedding. The bedding should be spot cleaned daily, as gerbils will often choose a corner to use as a toilet. The flooring should be a solid bottom to prevent leg damage. It can be covered with a softer material such as recycled paper products, which are absorptive and non-toxic. Many of the wood products are aromatic and damage lungs if inhaled over long periods of time. 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