There are several different options for housing your hamster. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Store-Bought Hamster Cages
There are several different types of store-bought hamster cages. Wire bar cages, plastic cages and combination cages are the major players.
Wire bar cages are the ones that have a plastic base to hold the floor covering, and the rest of the cage is made up of metal or wire bars. These cages provide maximum ventilation and interaction with your pet. However, they also can be messy if you have a hamster who likes to throw things out of the cage. Also, some hamsters will back up and actually lift their back end up, almost in a handstand, when they urinate, resulting in yet another mess to have to clean up. The bars allow the hamster something to climb on, but many hamsters will also chew on the bars. Some people can find this annoying as it can get rather loud in the middle of the night (remember, hamsters are nocturnal). Bar chewing can also cause broken teeth in some cases.
Plastic hamster cages are not as common in North America, but they do exist. They will keep the mess inside the cage as they are completely enclosed, other than some air holes in the roof. Some of these cages you can add on to, giving your hamster a larger living space. There are also no bars to chew on. The main drawback to these cages is ventilation. Humidity, condensation and ammonia from urine can be hazardous to your hamster’s respiratory health. Some people may find these cages can also be more difficult to clean.
Combination cages are those that are both wire bars and plastic. Most of these cages are expandable using tubes and other add-ons, which means they can become as large and complex as you wish. On their own, however, many of these cages are not large enough. The bars on the cage allow for ventilation, while the plastic areas help in keeping everything in the cage.
Make sure that none of the wire-type cages have a wire floor. They have to walk on the floor all day and wire floors and uncomfortable. They can also pose a safety hazard for paws which can get caught, resulting in a broken leg.
Aquariums for Hamsters
Some people use aquariums to house their hamsters. The benefit is that you can provide a fairly large living area for your pet. There are bottles and wheels made specifically for aquariums. These are also fairly escape-proof, though it has been known to happen. There are no bars to chew, so your pet cannot hurt his teeth but also can’t climb on them. Again ventilation is a concern, though the mesh or metal lids that can be purchased should allow a good amount of ventilation. Aquariums can be easy to clean but can also be heavy to lift once you get into a larger size.
Bin Cages for Hamsters
These are cages made out of modified storage bins. There are several ways to build them, both with bars and without. Again you can create a large living area for your pet. Bins can also be made to be escape-proof, but once again, of course, it can happen. You can customize these cages quite a bit, adding levels and even tubes. You are really limited only by space, supplies/tools and imagination. These are also cheap to make in comparison to purchasing a cage setup of the same size. They are easy to clean and light to lift and move. There can be some ventilation issues, but it’s very easy to increase the amount of ventilation.
Whichever style of cage you choose should give your hamster plenty of room to move around, space for an exercise wheel, some toys, food, a water bottle, and a sleeping area. Take into consideration ease of cleaning, expandability, cost and space in your home to keep the cage.
Social Behavior of Hamsters
Syrian Hamsters
Syrian hamsters are probably the most common of the hamsters that are kept as pets. Usually, the first hamster someone has. They are sold as Teddy bear Hamsters and under other “bear” names, dependent on coat color and length.
Syrians are completely solitary. This means they should never be housed with another hamster, Syrian, or otherwise. It is generally safe to have them live together in same-sex family groups until eight weeks of age, but at around eight weeks is when their solitary nature starts to show. They can, and will, fight, in some cases to the death. This may not always be visible to people who have kept them in pairs or groups until it’s too late. Syrians are nocturnal, so most of this fighting will occur during the nighttime hours. Though there have been some very rare cases of Syrians living peacefully together, it is not something that is ever recommended. Even the most experienced hamster breeders will only put a male and female together long enough to mate.
The rule for Syrians is one hamster per cage.
Campbell’s Hamsters
Campbell’s Russian dwarf hamsters are more social. They can be kept in same-sex groups (or mixed-sex if breeding is desired) and will live happily in most cases. Usually, the best way to keep a pair or group is from birth, though younger hamsters from different litters can be introduced.
The most important thing to remember is to have a spare cage or cages available to separate them if necessary. Some squeaking and squabbles are normal, but if blood is drawn, they need to be separated and most likely cannot be re-introduced.
Having one water bottle, food dish, house/hiding area, and wheel per hamster will also help to make sure they have nothing to fight over.
Also, ensure that you are only keeping Campbell’s with Campbell’s. None of the species should be housed together.
Winter White Dwarf Hamsters
Winter white dwarf hamsters are a social breed also. They can be kept in same-sex groups (or mixed-sex if breeding is desired) and will live happily in most cases. Usually, the best way to keep a pair or group is from birth, though younger hamsters from different litters can be introduced.
The most important thing to remember is to have a spare cage or cages available to separate them if necessary. Some squeaking and squabbles are normal, but if blood is drawn, they need to be separated and most likely cannot be re-introduced.
Having one water bottle, food dish, house/hiding area, and wheel per hamster will also help to make sure they have nothing to fight over.
Also, ensure that you are only keeping Winter Whites with Winter Whites. None of the species should be housed together.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters
Roborovski dwarf hamsters are a very social breed of hamsters. They can be kept in same-sex groups (or mixed-sex if breeding is desired) and will live happily in most cases. Usually, the best way to keep a pair or group is from birth, though younger hamsters from different litters can be introduced.
The most important thing to remember is to have a spare cage or cages available to separate them if necessary. Some squeaking and squabbles are normal, but if blood is drawn, they need to be separated and most likely cannot be re-introduced.
Having one water bottle, food dish, house/hiding area, and wheel per hamster will also help to make sure they have nothing to fight over.
Also, ensure that you are only keeping Roborovskis with Roborovskis. None of the species should be housed together.
Chinese Hamsters
The Chinese dwarf hamsters are fairly social. They can be kept in same-sex groups (or mixed-sex if breeding is desired) and will live happily in most cases. Usually, the best way to keep a pair or group is from birth, though younger hamsters from different litters can be introduced.
The most important thing to remember is to have a spare cage or cages available to separate them if necessary. Some squeaking and squabbles are normal, but if blood is drawn, they need to be separated and most likely cannot be re-introduced.
Having one water bottle, food dish, house/hiding area, and wheel per hamster will also help to make sure they have nothing to fight over.
Also, ensure that you are only keeping Chinese hamsters with Chinese hamsters. None of the species should be housed together.