The most important thing to do when raising a hamster is to buy a cage, food and to equip the cage with various facilities. The cage should be chosen responsibly, as should the place where you keep it. There are several different types of cages. They vary in size, shape, price and internal design. There are three main types: terrariums, plastic and wire.
Wire cages are the most popular. When buying a cage for your hamster, think first of all about the safety of your pet and how easy it will be to maintain and clean. Cages with several parts and various tubes are more difficult and complicated to clean and will take more time. You will need to clean your hamster’s cage at least once a week.
Storage location
Before setting up and preparing the cage, you should decide where in the room you will keep it. Importantly, the cage should be kept away from direct sunlight and draughts and at a constant room temperature. NoIt is not advisable to keep the cage near a heater or a fireplace, as the hamster will be uncomfortable if the air is too hot. It is also not advisable to place the cage near other pets, which may injure your small pet.
Preparing the cage
When you bring your new cage home, it should be washed and dried before you start preparing the inside. Line the base of the cage with hamster bedding such as wood chips or similar.
Hamster watering can and food
Fill the water bottle with water and place it in the cage. Add hamster food to the food bowl and place it in a corner of the cage.
The hamster may be nervous and have an upset stomach in the first few days, so it is best to start with a mixture with or without pellets. Vegetables, nuts and fruit are best given after a week, once the pet and its body have got used to the new environment and diet.
Provide hiding places
Hamsters feel happy when they are safe, so they need to be able to find a place to hide.and a number of places convenient for hiding. For example, you can use a few cardboard tubes, either store-bought or homemade, which will make your pet feel safer.
Narvel accessories
You can use all your creativity to fill your hamster’s cage with different games, equipment and decorations. For example, it can be a treadmill, ladders, tubes and even a separate hamster house in the cage. Whatever equipment you decide to equip the cage with, everything must be clean and safe. The hamster must be able to run and crawl freely in its cage, fit everywhere and not get stuck.
Running wheel. A treadmill is often already included when you buy the cage, but if it is not, you can buy one separately. Fix the wheel to the wall of the cage or, if the wheel is built-in, place it in a stable and suitable position.
Sand bath. The sand in the cage bowl is needed for the hamsters to shake off their fur. Sand bath You can easily set up your pet’s water bowl: take a suitable size bowl and fill it with chinchilla sand. Preferably choose a ceramic or metal bowl, which your hamster won’t turn over so easily when it pees. All hamsters, especially dwarf hamsters, like to roll and bathe in sand baths, which keep their fur clean and remove excess fat from their fur.
Mineral and salt pebbles. These are designed for your hamster to obtain various minerals and salts that are often not present in normal feed. The hamster licks these pebbles to obtain useful substances. Not all hamsters may like salt pebbles, but this is normal.
Cardboard tubes. Old cardboard tubes or toilet paper cardboard tubes are suitable for a hamster cage. The hamster will love to crawl around in them, make itself a cuddle or break them into smaller pieces.
Wooden stand. Your hamster will need a wooden stand for sharpening