Improving your hamster’s habitat is essential to ensure its well-being and health. A suitable environment allows your little companion to lead an active and fulfilled life, reflecting its natural behaviors. Here are some tips to optimize its habitat.

1. Choose a spacious cage

Hamsters need enough space for their well-being. It is recommended to opt for a cage with a floor space of at least 4,000 cm². For example, a cage of 1 m long and 50 cm wide is suitable. A terrarium, a large plastic tub or a Bucatstate-style habitat are also a great option, as they offer a clear view of your pet.

2. A comfortable background

Use unscented wood shavings or paper-based bedding without baking soda. Avoid cedar bedding which is harmful to the respiratory tract. Make sure to put down a thick layer of substrate (6 inches) so your hamster can dig tunnels in it.

3. A litter box

Hamsters are animals that can use a litter box to relieve themselves which could help you keep their environment clean and less odorous.

4. Install accessories for enrichment

To stimulate your hamster and prevent boredom, it is essential to add various accessories to its habitat:

• Exercise wheel: A wheel is essential to allow your hamster to exercise. Make sure it is large enough to keep his back straight while he runs.
• Hiding places: Hamsters need places to hide to feel safe. Tunnels, wooden houses, or cardboard tubes can serve as shelters.
• Chewable materials: Provide chewable objects, such as hazel branches or heather roots, to help with the natural wear of their teeth and keep them occupied.
• Sand bath: A container filled with special hamster or chinchilla sand will allow your hamster to clean itself and maintain its coat.

5. Ensure adequate nutrition and hydration

Make sure your hamster always has access to fresh water. It is recommended to provide two sources of water, such as a bottle and a ceramic bowl, to ensure constant hydration. As for diet, a combination of high-quality pellets and seed mixes suitable for hamsters is ideal. Don’t forget to occasionally offer fresh fruits and vegetables in small quantities.

6. Maintain impeccable hygiene

Clean your hamster’s cage regularly to prevent waste buildup and prevent odors. Remove perishable food scraps daily and change soiled bedding. A complete cage cleaning, with replacement of all bedding, can be done every two to four weeks, depending on the size of the habitat and your hamster’s behavior.

For additional advice and discussions with other hamster enthusiasts in Quebec, you can join the Facebook group ” Passion hamsters du Québec “.

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