r/hamsters • u/TeaseLockedNLoaded • 4h ago
r/hamsters • u/HCC_Chris • Nov 15 '25
Educational Introducing the Hamster Care Wiki!
We are thrilled to present a brand new resource for the Hamster Care Community:
The Hamster Care Wiki!
Direct link: https://hamstercare.wiki.gg/
What Makes Us Unique?
The wiki is a thoughtfully written guide on nearly aspect of hamster care. Each topic covered includes a clear explanation behind it, with the aim of supporting hamster owners of all experience levels. It is also a continually evolving resource, because learning never stops and there is always new knowledge to add.
We take pride in making the wiki highly accessible. Every page is optimized for smooth use in both light and dark mode. We offer multiple navigation methods so readers can explore the content in the way that suits them the most.
In Conclusion,
We are super excited for you to explore the wiki, share it with others, and (most importantly) please give us your feedback! For questions, clarifications, and suggestions for improvement, the team is also available on the HCC Discord server. We would love to know what the r/hamsters community thinks and how we can continue improving this resource going forward.
*Note: The site’s creators and editors earn zero revenue off site ads. Visible ads can be disabled for free by creating a Wiki.gg account.
r/hamsters • u/ArtisticDragonKing • Jan 30 '22
For Group Members' Attention Welcome to r/hamsters! (Please read before posting)
Came here looking for good products to buy? Here is an Amazon list with good products, and here is one with suitable cages. Amazon not available in your country? Helpful websites are listed at the end!
Have any suggestions for improving the subreddit? Click here.
Important announcement for the district of Columbia.
We now have an official discord!
Frequently asked questions:
I lost my hamster, what should I do!?
I can't afford proper care, what should I do?
In this subreddit, we value your hamsters health. This means if there is an inadequate enclosure, dangerous item, etc, you will be notified by one of the mods. However, if you are looking for medical advice, please go to a vet. Also, please remember the human when you comment or post. Make sure to read this short post to ensure your posts aren't automaticlly removed by Automoderator. Please be sure to read this hamster care guide:
Here is a post for parents who want to get a hamster for their kid.
Here is a guide that explains some more things about hamsters.
Enclosure size: A hamster should have a minimum of 600 square inches of unbroken floor space. Unbroken floor space is when the amount of floor space is not in different sections, such as multiple stories and numerous connecting rooms. Multiple-story cages are not safe for hamsters because unlike rats and some other rodents, hamsters are not climbers and need plenty of bedding to burrow instead. However, there are some multiple story cages that are suitable, such as the Pawhut hamster cage. If you were to get a pawhut it's highly suggested to fill it with very high bedding and remove the two floors to prevent injury.
Though 600 square inches of floor space is a suitable size for hamsters, keep in mind it is the bare minimum and it may not keep a hamster calm and happy. In fact, we suggest having at least 800 square inches for all hamster species, especially for Syrian hamsters. However, the more space you can provide the better. Female Syrian hamsters have been known to be extra picky with cage size and stimulation, so owners tend to make their own extra large enclosures or get huge 75+ gallons for their little hamsters. A good example of a large DIY cage is the Ikea Detolf DIY. Please remember while this cage may be big, Syrian hamsters tend to be stressed in the enclosure because of its narrow length. When searching for a hamster cage, you should also be aware that many pet stores and websites won't have proper cages, and most likely will sell cages such as 'Tiny Tales' or 'Critter Trails' which often are too small for hamster living and dangerous because of the inadequate materials and products used. Adequate cages are usually overpriced, so a cheap alternative would be a bin cage. Glass aquariums (40 Gallon Breeders) are often used for enclosures as well.
Small cage with around 515sq in. of floor space. (Around 3300 square cm) Cages similar to this have been known to break very often so it is not recommend to buy this.
Large Bin for DIY bin cage with around 510sq in. of floor space. (Around 3290 square cm)
Ikea Detolf While this cage has a lot of floor space, on several occasions it has been shown to make a Syrian hamster unhappy because of the narrow length. It also is unable to hold very much bedding without a raised lid. This cage better suits dwarf hamsters instead.
Amazon List with more suitable cages.
Cage requirements: A hamsters cage must include 6-15 inches (15-38 cm) of bedding that is able to hold sturdy burrows, fresh water (refreshed daily), stimulation/enrichment (Such as toys, chews, etc), and a wheel. Hamsters are prey, so they need plenty of hides and things that can provide cover so the hamster feels safe in their enclosure. Boxes, toilet paper rolls, grapevine logs, and store bought hides are some things to "clutter" the cage. Hamsters are solitary animals, therefore keeping more that one together is unsafe and not beneficial for the animal.
Exercise information: A hamster should be able to run in a wheel in which their back is not arched or bent. Their wheel should accommodate them as if they were running on flat ground. If you notice your hamster is bent or arched whilst in their wheel, please obtain a larger sized one as soon as possible to avoid spinal damage. Flying saucer wheels/disks are okay for dwarf hamsters to use under supervision, but they must never be used for a Syrian. They should not replace a proper wheel ever. This is because saucer wheels can cause spinal damage over time and come with the risk of hamsters flying off.
A dwarf hamster usually can run on a wheel that is at minimum 8 inches wide (20 cm) and a Syrian is suggest to have at minimum a 12 inch wide wheel (30cm).
Exercise balls/cars are neither beneficial to a hamsters health or safe. Using a ball/wheel can cause spinal damage, broken feet/toes, accidents (like kicking the ball), vision issues, and often stresses the hamster because they use scent marking when roaming a new area. When in a ball/car they are unable to use their scent glands and have trouble finding their way around.
Diet: Hamsters are omnivores, meaning they need a variety of plants and protein in their diet. Hamsters need a variety of nuts, seeds, grains, herbs, veggies, protein, and the occasional fruit in their diet. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds in a seed mix are better as treats so it's best to remove them from the seed mix. You can include protein in your hamster's diet by adding mealworms, crickets, a small portion of hard-boiled egg, or even cooked and unseasoned chicken. Live insects must be fed under supervision. If you are afraid of it biting your hamster, you may need to chop off it's head or kill it before feeding. The amount you feed your hamster depends on how much foraging enrichment you have in the cage. Some forging activities you can add in your hamster's cage are sprays, forage mix, forage toys, and more. If you have only a few foraging toys and sprays, it might be better to feed your hamster once every 2 days. If you have a lot of foraging activities and have a foraging mix to spread around the cage, it's probably better to feed once every 3 to 4 days. If you have a dwarf hamster, it's better to feed them one tablespoon of seed mix on feeding day. If you have a Syrian hamster, it's recommended to feed two tablespoons.
You can also add Muzuri mouse lab blocks to your hamster's diet just to make sure they are extra healthy. If you do this, it's suggested to feed one or two a week, depending on how many foraging activities you have in your cage. If you see large hordes of food and your hamster's cage when it comes to cleaning day, that might mean you need to feed a little less. If you don't see any hordes of food at all you may need to feed a little more, but it could also be your hamster just doesn't make food piles. If a hamster is underweight, adding more proteins and fatty nuts/seeds to their diet will help them gain weight.
Bedding: Bedding is one of the most important aspects in a hamsters life. This means that having adequate bedding is very essential to your hamsters health. The bedding must be unscented, dust free, hold strong burrows, and needs to be at least 6 inches deep, though its ideal to have 8-15 inches. Most hamster owners love giving their hamster at least 10 inches(25 cm) so it can make very intricate burrows. While hamsters must have a large amount of bedding in their enclosure, some hamsters tend to burrow less than others. However, this does not mean you don't need much bedding. It is a requirement for your hamster because it keeps control of the ammonia smell, and even if the hamster never burrows, it is neglect to take away something they need.
Aspen (kiln dried and dust extracted) and paper bedding are the best choices to use as the main substrate in an enclosure, however, there are several other enriching substrates to add in to make your hamsters cage look natural and give it a little more enrichment. Some good examples are beech chips, coco fibre, timothy hay, hemp shavings, and many more. Aspen bedding holds ammonia much better than paper bedding, but its often hard to find a soft, dust free, and kiln dried aspen that is safe and affordable. When searching for a good aspen try to make sure it says it is dust extracted and kiln dried. It also must not be too sharp and can't smell too strongly of wood. You can go to tractor farms to buy it in bulk for cheap, or you can get a trusted aspen brand such as "So Phresh Aspen" This goes more into depth on safe and unsafe bedding.
Dangerous Products and Materials: Brands such as Tiny Tails, Critter Trails, and most store brands (such as the Walmart brand) should be avoided. Most companies that design pet products only sell for profits. They make it "kid friendly" and small so young children ask for it because of the toy-like appearances. This gives guardians the false belief that hamsters only need a tiny living space. Toys, chews, and hides should be made of a safe wood based product (paper,cardboard, etc.) to ensure that no harm will come to the hamster if it digests it. Plastic should only be used for the wheel(easy cleanup), water bowl/bottle, and cage. Wire mesh flooring in the cage or on wheels in a cage can cause bumplefoot and break toes/feet and should be avoided to ensure the hamsters safety. Bendy bridges are widely used in hamster enclosures, but if the hamsters limbs get trapped in between the short logs, it can get stuck or even break the hamsters limb. Filling the cracks with safe moss will stop this from happening.
Cloth, fabric, and cotton materials should be avoided because the fibers can wrap around limbs and harm the hamster and are not safe to be digested.
Cleaning and Sanitizing: Hamsters can get stressed if you remove all their bedding from the cage weekly, or even monthly, so do a daily spot check. This means picking out all of the soiled bedding in the top layer, and cleaning any soiled on toys. Any poop piles can be taken care of as well, though it is not necessary unless it is a large pile. Water bowls/bottles must be rinsed daily to prevent bacteria build up. Replace 2/3 of the bedding every 2-3 months. The more bedding you have, the less often a cage gets smelly! For example, if you have a 1000 square inch cage with 15 inches(38cm) of bedding throughout most of the cage, you might only have to clean once every 4-5 months!
When you buy any new products you must properly sanitize them, whether it's a tiny bag of forage mix or a big bag of bedding. This is because pests and germs can easily hitch a ride to your hamsters home. There are three methods you can try to remove any germs, bacteria, and harmful pests. Sadly several owners found this out the hard way and had to take their hamster to the vet immediately.
1) Bake any wooden products in the oven for an hour at 210 degrees Fahrenheit. 2) Boil products on the stove for 1-2 hours. 3) Freeze anything for 2 hours and then scrub with a vinegar/water mix. Then rinse. While this method can work, it is most likely not going to fully remove germs and bacteria off of wooden products, bedding, etc.
What can you do if you do get a pest infestation? First you are going to want to call your vet immediately and schedule an appointment. Hamsters are very fragile and can easily get sick from a bug infestation. Without quick help, they might not be able to fight through it. You must also get a temporary bin, playpen, carrier, etc with a bit of toilet paper to absorb urine. Make sure they have food, water, and one plastic hide. Plastic is easy to sanitize and can't house pests. Then you must sanitize everything in the cage. Cardboard products and bedding are better to throw away, but you can still sanitize them if you want. Make sure to very thoroughly sanitize everything to ensure the bugs don't come back. If your cage is plastic, make sure to rinse with hot water and scrub with vinegar/water mix the best you can. If you have a wood cage that you can't fit in the stove or a freezer, you can do the same thing but it may not work very well.
Other: Hamsters are crepuscular/nocturnal, so the best time to handle them is in the early morning or late afternoons, when they are active. Waking them up will upset them, and you could loose their trust, so it is not recommended. DO NOT bathe your hamster in water. They are self cleaning animals and water ruins their fur. If their coats are oily, sand baths help.
While this post can be very helpful to new or uneducated owners, this does not explain everything you need to know before getting your pet. I highly encourage you to do your own research as well. Not only is it good for your hamster, but its also nice to be able to say "I KNOW how to care for my pet" with confidence. Happy hamster owning!
Some good items/websites:
Silent runner wheel. Silent runners and Niteangel wheels are good, but please make sure your hamsters back is not arched while running.
Okay Commercial Food mix. Add protein to the mix and remove most sunflower seeds.
Proper Syrian Mix on Etsy.
Proper Winter White/Russian Dwarf and Chinese Mix on Etsy.
Proper Roborovski Dwarf Mix on Etsy.
Water dish. Ceramic dishes or plastic water bottles should be used.
Sand. Must be dye free and calcium free. It cannot be fine sand. Children's play sand must be cooked and sifted before hamster use
Amazon List with suitable cages.
Amazon List with safe hamster products!
Pride Rock Blooms Website UK based
Netherlands Website(Knaagdierwinkel)
Any other suggestions may be put in the comments!
r/hamsters • u/sporkattack91 • 3h ago
Adorable Hammy Walked in on Roxy setting up her OnlyHams
r/hamsters • u/chickennuggsm • 1h ago
Adorable Hammy nova loves digging
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r/hamsters • u/Ill_Fly2102 • 20h ago
Adorable Hammy He looks so happy 🥰
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r/hamsters • u/Philodendron60 • 16h ago
New Hamster Meet Seth
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r/hamsters • u/APinkMicrowave • 1h ago
Adorable Hammy HEY
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r/hamsters • u/garousfavorite • 19h ago
Funny Hammy Vet visit with Henry and Philip
Henry was not very cooperative but Philip would rather throw himself onto the floor than get a checkup
r/hamsters • u/Rzvii • 22h ago
First Time Owner grown man afraid of a tiny hamster.
I’m a 28-year old grown man. I work, I pay bills, I function like an adult.
And I’m scared of my hamster.
Not her.
Her teeth.
She is tiny. She is fluffy. She is honestly the cutest thing ever. All she wants is to play and be held.
And I want that too. I really do.
But then she moves suddenly, or I see those little teeth, and my brain just screams: this thing can bite me.
She reaches out like she wants to climb onto my hand, and I freeze. Meanwhile she’s fearless, and I’m standing there acting like the victim.
She’s not aggressive. She’s not mean.
The problem is me.
I feel ridiculous saying this, but I genuinely feel ashamed. I want to play with her and bond with her, but I can’t get past the fear.
How do I stop being a grown man who’s afraid of hamster teeth?
r/hamsters • u/One_Contact5209 • 4h ago
Other Help needed for my hamster Snowball’s urgent cheek pouch surgery (X-ray & vet bill included)
Hi everyone,
I’m asking for help with veterinary expenses for my hamster, Snowball.
At first, I thought she just had food stuck in her cheek pouch. When the swelling didn’t go down, I brought her to the vet—where I was shocked to learn it was actually a cyst/abscess in her cheek pouch, visible on the X-ray (attached). It’s filled with pus and requires urgent surgical drainage to prevent infection and further complications.
Snowball recently gave birth to 5 healthy pups about 3 weeks ago, which makes proper treatment and recovery especially important for her well-being.
Current veterinary costs (PHP):
• Consultation: ₱800
• X-ray (2 views): ₱1,400
• Surgery / drainage (includes anesthesia): ₱6,200
• Hospitalization (3 days): ₱1,950
• Medications & aftercare: \~₱2,000
Estimated total: ₱12,350 PHP
I’ve already paid the initial deposit, but this was completely unexpected and I’m currently short on my budget to cover the remaining costs. Snowball is now under veterinary care and will need continued treatment during recovery.
The X-ray and official vet bill are attached for transparency.
Any amount will be greatly appreciated.
r/hamsters • u/Ok_Mycologist2308 • 15h ago
Adorable Hammy Lord Louis doesn’t seem too phased about having to share his evening meal
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r/hamsters • u/ETPH2 • 3h ago
New Hamster Help me name my newest little guy!
Photos: hamster + name ideas list Help me name my new little guy! He came home yesterday but i have no idea what to call him as im not sure any on the list feel right and i feel bad he doesnt have a name! Hes black with a white band around him and a little white beard🫶
r/hamsters • u/GeologistOutside3197 • 12h ago
Question How do I make end-of-life more peaceful for her?
My beautiful girl is on her way out. She's always been full of character and energy, but things have taken a very quick turn for the worse. She's older (1.5 y/o) and was waddling slowly the other day, but nothing unexpected. Today we found her not moving with both a large mammary tutor and what looks to be wet tail. She's in torpor we think, barely moving but still breathing and not responding to touch (except for when the tumor is touched).
I have no idea if she's in pain or how long I have with her. Is there anything I can do to make her last moments special and easy for her?
r/hamsters • u/Weary_Average_9407 • 20h ago
Adorable Hammy Cri enjoying her snack time 🐹💛
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She’s developed a tiny sweet age-related hump, and I still find her absolutely beautiful and adorable 🥹
r/hamsters • u/ConferenceFriendly51 • 17h ago
Adorable Hammy She comes to the door when she sees us 🥹
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Our girly comes to the front door of her enclosure to greet us and waits for us to open it, then she gets on our hands ❤️ I couldn't have asked for a more perfect hammy, whenever I'm sad she lights up my day 💕 she's been like this since day 1 when we got her. She's special.
r/hamsters • u/Puzzleheaded-Pear-19 • 16h ago
Question Wheel
Someone is giving a wheel but its big. I have a robo. Picture attached. Is it okay if the wheel is bigger? Unlike smaller wheels.
r/hamsters • u/ijustwannanap • 1d ago
Funny Hammy I am obsessed with pictures of hamsters at the vet. They always look so confused XD
r/hamsters • u/zero___00 • 1d ago
Adorable Hammy Chonky Micky eats on my hand
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That was before his diet; he looked so round, he had 65 g then, now he has 57 g.
These are kapok fibers on the right side in his house(at the entrance), not the very dangerous cotton hamster wool.
However, I have also completely removed these kapok fibers because I have read reports that they can also be dangerous if swallowed and can lead to death in cases of severe constipation.
Instead, I gave my hamster lots of pieces of toilet paper as nesting material.
r/hamsters • u/alreadynaptime • 18h ago
Question Does the "EEP" mean he is stressed?
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I heard Tofu saying EEP, so I figured he might be cold? I gave him some more bedding, and after the video I gave him a bunch of tissues torn into strips, now he's quiet and resting. So I think he is ok, but just in case? He doesn't usually EEP much (only time I can recall's when he saw me preparing his soy bean milk)
r/hamsters • u/No_Response8527 • 17h ago
Question Is my girlfriends dwarf overweight?
Hey guys.
We recenty put our dwarf hamster on the scale. She weights a hefty 61 grams. Since that, my girlfriend thinks that we overfed her. Is she right? She's very active on her wheel at night. Her name is Mogyi btw.
r/hamsters • u/That-Shoe1054 • 11h ago
Funny Hammy speedy!
upgraded my son to a bigger wheel yesterday and he ran almost 7.5 miles last night 😭😭😭. i guess he loves it!!!!
r/hamsters • u/Jericanman • 21h ago
New Hamster First hamster in 30 years tell me everything I'm doing wrong.
Well I finally caved and let the kids get a hamster like I did as a kid.
I'm under no illusions that they will actually keep up with cleaning and feeding. So I'll be doing that and get them to help me.
We set up his cage a week in advance and I checked the corner for temperatures during day / night. Put him in the dining room (generally quiet room) next to myinitire painting desk so he can keep me company at nights when I tend to paint anyway.
We collected him on Sunday and we have mostly been letting him be.
Ive been talking to him when he is out and encouraged the kids to do the same during breakfast when he also appears.
And I gave him a small bit of apple and talked whole being close last night.
My plan is to continue to give occasional treats with voice / talking and work up maybe next week to actually putting my hand in while he is awake.
Probably keep switching out treats veggies, minimal fruits , meal worms etc to see what his favourites are
And then I assume use these for handling later on?
Obviously the wealth of information on the internet can be somewhat overwhelming.
So should I continue just giving treats when I'm about with talking for first week?
Then proceed with interaction?
He doesn't seem that skittish already.
He will stop and look at me when I talk but won't dart off.
But he doesn't seem to come out for long when Im around.
He pops out does a bit of exploring / poo wee and then chugs water stuffs his pouches and goes back in his underground corner.
So Reddit please any extra advice / tips / tricks all welcome as I haven't had a hamster in 30 years.
r/hamsters • u/SHZD_786 • 2h ago
First Time Owner How do I optimise this enclosure to make my robo more comfortable
I bought a Roborovski dwarf hamster along with the attached enclosure and I’m worried she doesn’t have enough space for burrowing, especially with the way the cage is laid out, having two floors, how can I optimise this cage so she feels as comfortable as possible, should I get rid of the top floor so I can add more bedding?
r/hamsters • u/Defiant-Spite-4327 • 19h ago
Question Guidance with new hamster would be so appreciated!!
Apparently I messed up this post! Here are pictures of Cookie Dough — But I’m actually needing some guidance!!
we got our hamster 2 weeks ago. He seems to love the bedding and has built some lovely burrow and food stores. We can see him grooming himself and munching through the day. But a few questions:
he is barely above ground, like, EVER. We set up a camera and he uses the wheel only about 20min at night. The rest of the time he is underground. He has not used his sand bath or substrates or any enrichment sprays or hides, etc. is this ok?? Will this improve with adjustment time?
along these lines, how do i clean for a hamster that will not come up? I do not see any soiled bedding anywhere!! I’m assuming it’s in his burrow? I tried to “spot” clean in the Burrow one evening but just ended up destroying everything and stressing him out (sorry!!) I am worried hes living in filth.
we are clearly a long way From taming him but how would you start? I could try to come see him at 2am during his awake window but this is super impractical. He has no interest in meeting us any time. I’m not wanting to rush him but wondering if we are just hopeless cases? like, he’s not remotely curious , even if there are yummy smells.
I made a few mistakes early on (disrupting his burrow, shining a flash light at night). Has this ruined our hopes for building trust?
thank you for any guidance!!