How to Create a Habitat for a Hamster
Hamsters are rodents that make excellent pets. However, hamsters do require a pretty decent amount of maintenance to keep them happy, healthy and comfortable. These things consist of keeping a clean home for him, making sure he eats, drinks and exercises well, and keeping his teeth down to size.
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Things You'll Need
- 25-by-10-inch Aquarium or 2-square-foot cage (bars should not be spaced more than 1/2-inch apart)
- Bedding
- Hanging water bottle
- Food dish
- Exercise wheel
- Alfalfa cubes
- Toilet paper
- Toilet paper rolls
- Blocks
- Hide box
Instructions
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1
In your aquarium or cage, place about a 2-inch thick layer of bedding at the bottom. Bedding can be wood chips or paper chips. Stay away from cedar or pine though.
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In one corner of the aquarium, place your hamster's hide box, which could be tissue box or wood house. In front of the house, place some toilet paper. Your hamster will use his mouth to soften the toilet paper and put it in his home to make it more comfortable.
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Away from your pet's home, place his food dish and hang his water bottle.
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Place an exercise wheel (one without spaces, as they can injure the hamster) somewhere in the cage. You may also place the toilet paper rolls near the exercise wheel for your hamster to run in and out of for exercise.
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Place blocks and other things in the habitat for your hamster to explore. Some things include, but are not limited to, small branches, toilet paper rolls and pieces of cardboard. Do not place plastic toys in the habitat as hamsters may chew on them and injure themselves.
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Alfalfa cubes are very important to hamsters as their teeth never stop growing. To keep them down to size, you must always have something available for your pet to gnaw on. Alfalfa cubes are a good choice and your pet may also chew on toilet paper rolls, cardboard and wood chips.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure that your hamster has access to food at all times as they have very fast metabolism. They enjoy fresh vegetables and on occasion, wheat products such as bread and whole grains. Once a month you may give your hamster a scrambled egg as a source of protein.
Clean out your pet's habitat at least once a week to avoid bacteria growth and to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.
Hamsters need to be let out of their cage for a small amount of time everyday. You may put her in a plastic tub or let her run around a room that has nothing she can injure herself on or crawl into and become lost.
Wash your hands before and after handling your hamster. If he smells food on you, he may mistake your hand or fingers for a treat.
