Your Hamster Cage

You should purchase the largest hamster cage that you can afford.   The larger the better.  Ideally the sides of the cage should be wire mesh to ensure good ventilation.  Hamsters do tend to be quite territorial so when trying to answer your question “how to ensure my hamster lives longer” you should think hard before housing more than one hamster per cage as you run the risks of fights breaking out.  You should cover the base of your hamster cage with some wood shavings and provide some straw bedding.  Don’t place the cage in direct sunlight or in draughty location as these can both cause health issues.  Then provide your hamster with plenty of toys to play with and keep the cage clean.

Feeding Your Hamster

Always keep fresh water available in a bottle.  Give you hamster fresh food every day in a feeding bowl in a corner of the cage.  It may be worthwhile placing the bowl in an area that is easily accessible and therefore easy to clean.  You might also give your hamster fresh vegetables and occasionally some fruit and also supplement its diet with occasional vitamin supplement tablets.

Keep Your Hamster Healthy

You should provide a wooden gnaw to ensure that they are able to keep their tooth growth under control.  Generally speaking if you keep your hamster cage clean and your hamster well fed you can have a reasonable expectation that your hamster will live a clean and healthy life for several years.
And that’s it really.  Hamsters are really very easy animals to look after and can give you hours of fun if you do look after them.  So if you want to know “how to ensure my hamster lives longer” you should give you hamster a large cage, feed it a good diet, provide an active play area and keep its living environment clean you should have no problems.

The minimum size for a hamster cage should really be at least 18 inches square and a similar height.  Unless your hamster is a dwarf hamster you really shouldn’t be considering a hamster cage that is any smaller than this minimum size.

Big hamster cages are easier to clean than smaller ones as you will have greater access to the interior of the cage when cleaning.  In addition, wire hamster cages are probably over all a better choice of material for the walls and roof of the cage, although you should try to make sure the base of the hamster cage is plastic or at least solid in formation as if it was a wire mesh then there are likely to be comfort issues for your hamster and hygiene issues for you as the hamster will likely defecate in on the floor of the cage which would soak through into the surface below.  Plastic hamster cages, even the ones which would qualify as being big hamster cages tend to have a significant number of tubes and tunnels built into the design, which is great for the hamster but will always present you with problems when you are attempting to keep the cage clean.

Although it is recommended that your big hamster cage has wire mesh sides and roof, the size of the mesh should really not exceed more than one half of an inch.  Any more and there is a real possibility that your hamster will be able to escape and come to some harm.  It is very difficult to lose a hamster in even the smallest of houses so be aware at all times of the potential to lose your hamster.

The other aspect associated with big hamster cages is the ability to put a hamster wheel inside.  A hamster wheel is an important play and exercise item and should not be overlooked.  Hamsters are nocturnal and will use the hamster wheel far more at night, but they do love to run and hunt for food and as large an exercise wheel as possible is definitely preferable.

Whilst you can definitely get away with a regular hamster cage, big hamster cages with an interesting and varied play area within are by far the preferable option as your hamster will have a better overall quality of life and be a better and more entertaining pet as a result.

The pros of the rotastak hamster cage include giving your hamster room to play through the tunnels and climb through the tubes. The Rotastak hamster cage is like Lego for kids! They can create their own ideas of tunnels for their little pets and they stay interested at the same time. Most of the time when you buy your kids a new pet, they stay engrossed for only a short time but can easily get bored as time goes by! The activity that your hamster will likely exhibit in the Rotastak hamster cage may well keep them interested in their pet for longer.

With the Rotastak hamster cage they can play and be creative at the same time. The cage comes with in different colors and enhances the decor of your house! These types of cages are perfect for your dwarf hamster since they are small and can fit through anything. However, although these cages may seem like a good idea and certainly provide a great little run for your pet you should be aware that there are some cons, or things that you should certainly consider before purchasing, as well!

Since these cages consist of various small parts, it can be quite frustrating to clean! You have to take apart all the small bits and pieces in order to clean it properly!  Getting food in the right places can also be a bit of a hassle as well!  Since the Rotastak hamster cage is filled with all kinds of tubing, it might be hard on your hamster to ventilate!  This is important as your hamster does not react well to stuffy high temperature environments and it may cause irreperable harm.

The plastic accessories of the Rotastak hamster cage have been accused of being made of poor quality plastic and could snap easily! When buying a Rotastak hamster cage, make sure you shop around for one that is durable and comes with warranty! There are rotastak hamster cages that are a bit more expensive but you will notice that they come with lots of space, thick plastic and metal bars! So if you’re buying your hamster a home of its dreams them make sure you make it a good one!

You can pick a cage that is made of plastic with string metal bars or an aquarium, which makes an ideal hamster cage. If you choose to pick an aquarium as your dwarf hamster cage, keep in mind that although they are great for viewing and cleaning, they can be heavy and quite cumbersome when it comes to moving them around!  A plastic cage for your dwarf hamster is probably the ideal solution! But make sure that the cage you choose has a large tray on the bottom. This gives you the opportunity to put into the hamster cage a hamster wheel and some other play devices allowing your hamster to be properly active and it also makes it easier for you when cleaning.

Now that you’ve decided on the perfect dwarf hamster cage, it’s time to show you a few tricks and tips on how to clean it! Dwarf hamsters are very delicate and usually have fun cleaning themselves. You can help them by buying some sand from your local pet store. This is not your ordinary sand that you get at the beach. The sand is called chinchilla sand! Please make sure that you purchase chinchilla sand and not dust, chinchilla dust can be extremely harmful to your hamsters respiratory systems!

When cleaning the cage, make sure you use pet safe cleaners and not your home based cleaners! Home based cleaners leave behind a residue which is harmful to your hamster! Make sure you clean the cage at least once a week and change the bedding at the same time! This ensures that your hamster is clean at all times and thus stays healthy!

Do not mistake your hamster for your pet dog and give them a bath! Hamsters are dry animals and enjoy being that way. Giving them a bath can cause them to get wet tail and could be harmful! Your dwarf hamster cage must be filled with fruits, vegetables and water at all times! These tips will ensure your dwarf hamster stays healthy and nourished forever!

Hamster cages are often are rectangular shaped and have large steel doors. When investing in a hamster cage make sure it is easy for you to go in and clean! With your hands of course!  Make sure the plastic on the bottom is thick and durable and the steel bars are thick! Hamsters have strong teeth and you don’t want your pet chewing through the cage in the middle of the night!

Aquariums make great hamster cages and boast a better view as well! Aquariums give your hamster the space they need to grow! If you decide to use an aquarium as a hamster cage then make sure you replace the glass top with a wire mesh about a 1centimeter thick!  Since hamsters cannot tolerate much heat, the wire mesh will give your pet as much air they require and therefore help them to adjust to room temperature.

Hamster cages need to be decorated just like any ideal living room! The cozier you make it for your hamster the longer they will survive. Start by putting wood shavings on the bottom of the cage and make sure you keep them moist. You don’t want your hamster chewing at them and find yourself replacing it the very next day!  Try using wood other than cedar as it gives out a lot of oils that could be harmful to your hamster’s respiratory system!

Use your imagination when creating the perfect environment for your hamster. Hamster cages can be decorated with toys, a small bed and even a hamster wheel!  Cleaning the hamster cage should be done once a week by first placing your hamster in a hamster ball! Use a moist cloth to get rid of all the dust. Your hamster cage will make it easier for you to clean while having fun with your hamster at the same time!

There are a few tips to keep in mind before investing in a large hamster cage! First get to know your hamster and what breed they are! If they are a dwarf or another type or one that grows fasts, buying a large cage may at first may seem like an excellent idea but if your hamster is not going to use all that space, then you’re just going to make it harder on yourself when cleaning the cage.

Once you are familiar with your hamster and are ready for a large hamster cage then look for a cage that is sturdy and tough. Just remember the larger the cage the more tough it needs to be! Large hamster cages can be frustrating to clean depending on where all the doors are located. To make it easier for yourself look for a cage that has a large but sturdy door and one where your hand fits easily!

A large hamster cage will need a bit more bedding that normal ones! You have to keep in mind that hamsters travel a lot and the more space you lend them the more they will use! So start of by getting some moist wood shavings (most of these are readily available) about 3-4 inches thick to provide maximum comfort. You will have to change the bedding one a month depending how hyper your hamster is!

Now the great thing about a large hamster cage is you can decorate them to the fullest! So get all the toys possible and pamper your hamster! You can be creative and don’t forget to visit your nearest pet shop as well. Some ideas of toys can include wheels, chewing toys (hamsters love them), and don’t forget the hamster wheel! Your large hamster cage will be much easier to clean and to raise your little buddy at the same time!

Placing your hamster in cardboard or wooden boxes is not the best idea! Hamsters have teeth much stronger than human beings and can chew their way right through them. Picking a hamster cage is easy but you need to be careful as to which one is right for your pet!  The hamster cage can be made of plastic with a hamster wheel and toys too! If you to decide on a plastic cage for your hamster make sure the plastic is thick on the base and has metal bars all around! Get one with a lift up lid or a large opening which will help you when you clean the cage.

Many experts suggest using aquariums as hamster cages! Aquariums are spacious, easy to clean and can be accessed from the top. Keep in mind hamsters cannot sustain high temperatures so if using an aquarium as a hamster cage them make sure you replace the glass on the top with a wire mesh that is sturdy and tough. The size of the wire mesh should be around 1 by 1 centimeter.

Now that you decided on a hamster cage, it’s time to create the environment! Just keep in mind that no matter what home you decide to go with, the environment is what will make your hamster grow and live to its fullest! The floor of the hamster cage must consist of wooden shavings for comfort. Try to keep it within 2-3 inches thick and try to use wet wooden shavings! Eventually after playing for a while the hamster with chew up some of the wooden shavings so it’s a great idea to keep the shavings moist!

You can use cedars in you hamster cage as well but it is not recommended as they produce oils that may be harmful to your hamster. When cleaning the hamster cage take your hamster out first and keep it in a safe place like a hamster ball! Then clean and get rid of all the used dust and bedding and wipe it with a soft cloth. Cleaning your hamster cage once a week is an excellent idea!