Care Sheet

What do I need for my pet hamster?
Now that you have decided on a pet hamster you should have all the supplies necessary before bringing your pet home. This care sheet will guide you in having everything you need. Remember, hamsters are chewers, wanderers, and burrowers so choose the home accordingly.

Habitat

You will need a cage or aquarium that is at least 15 inches long by 12 inches high for one hamster or two dwarf hamsters. Get the largest size possible. The bigger the cage the happier your pet will be.

Bedding or substrate for the bottom of the cage where your pet can burrow and hide.

A water bottle or water dish. You will have less mess to clean up if you use a stoppered bottle in place of a water dish.

A food dish.

Hide and sleeping areas for your hamster.

Toys such as an exercise wheel, ramps, and tunnels so your pet hamster can exercise and explore.

Food and Supplements

Hamster food, either pellets or mixed seeds and grain.

Fresh food like acorns, apples, bananas, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, zucchini, cucumbers, grapes, kale, oranges, peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, and turnips.

Vitamin, mineral, and calcium supplements.

Treats to add variety to your pet’s diet.