Hamsters belong to the group of muroidae and are classified with the cricetinae. Their natural habitats are the dry deserts and sub-desert areas of Eurasia. The kinds of hamsters we keep as pets are golden hamsters, Djugarian hamsters, Robovski hamsters, Campbell’s dwarf hamsters and Chinese striped hamsters.

Hamsters are not really suitable for children under 12 years. They are nocturnal and solitary, and don’t like being touched. On top of that, their life expectancy is only about 2 years.

Hamsters need a place to retreat for sleeping or for storing food. Little wooden huts are well suited, because they have a natural exchange of air, sounds are muted and they are nice and dark. In addition to that hamsters like using tunnels or nests made of wood, grass or wicker as hiding places. Although many hamsters store food in the corner of their cage or in such a hut, you should also provide a food bowl. A water bottle which can be attached to the outside of the cage is a suitable water supply. Especially dwarf hamsters love a basin with chinchilla sand in which they can take a bath.

Hamsters will always urinate in the same place. Put a litter tray in that place with a little bit of litter. That will make it easier to keep the cage clean.

Hamsters need variety and they need to be active. Climbing frames provide ideal activity which will help to keep your pet fit and healthy. Ladders, seesaws or bridges as well as nests and tunnels made of natural materials allow hamsters a variety of activities.

A running wheel can also be a substitute for missing exercise. As a general rule: rather choose a larger model than one which is too small. Models with closed running areas are safer especially for small animals. Check regularly whether the running wheel runs smoothly and quietly, and doesn’t show signs of gnawing.

Diet
Dry feed is available in special ‘Small Hamster Mixtures’ for dwarf hamsters. The normal feed mix is too coarse for them. You should add herbs and forage to their diet, e.g. dried stinging nettles or dandelions, fresh fruit or vegetables. Especially suitable are e.g. apples, strawberries or pears, carrots, fennel, maize or cucumbers. Feed these extras in small portions from time to time, not daily.