Pet Hamsters 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Hamster Care

Fun Hamster Facts

• The word “hamster” is derived from the German verb hamstern, meaning “to hoard.”
• Hamsters can only see in black and white, and their vision is limited to a few inches ahead.
• The most popular pet hamster is the Syrian or golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).
• A hamster’s teeth grow continuously throughout their life—chewing helps hamsters keep their teeth ground down to a manageable size.

Hamster Care Supply Checklist

As a hamster caregiver, you’re responsible for meeting your new pet’s needs for a safe and clean habitat, a healthy diet, opportunities for enrichment, and routine veterinary care.

• Enclosure
• Bedding
• Food and treats
• Food dish
• Water bottle
• Exercise wheel
• Chew toys
• Hide box
• Cleaning supplies

Habitat

Consider your hamster’s habitat an investment in their health and happiness. Your hamster will spend the majority of their life in an enclosure, so it’s important to put careful thought into choosing, decorating, and maintaining it.

Choosing an Enclosure

When choosing a hamster enclosure, size is the most important consideration. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, a senior associate veterinarian at Petfolk, in Marietta, Georgia, says, “Cages for hamsters should be of an appropriate size to allow for them to burrow, climb, and run as needed.”

Dr. Alleyne recommends minimum cage dimensions of 24 inches long, 12 inches wide and 12 inches high—that’s at least 288 square inches of floor space. Bigger is better, however, so size up if it’s within your budget to do so.

The ideal type of habitat depends on the species of hamster you have. Wire cages may be appropriate for larger species like Syrian hamsters, who won’t be able to squeeze through the bars. For smaller species like Roborovski dwarf hamsters, however, solid enclosures similar to aquariums will be more secure.

Hamsters are notorious for being talented escape artists. Mind the spacing of bars and gaps in your hamster cage but, most importantly, ensure the habitat has a tight-fitting top. Cage doors should snap securely shut or have latches or clips to keep them closed.

Diet

Though their care requirements are similar, hamsters have different nutritional needs than other small pets like gerbils and guinea pigs. Offering a balanced diet is the key to ensuring your new hamster’s long-term health.

What Do Hamsters Eat?

Wild hamsters are omnivores, known for stuffing their cheek pouches with just about any food they can find—primarily plants and insects. A healthy pet hamster diet should mimic the variety and nutritional balance of a wild hamster diet.

“A balanced diet for hamsters involves a high-quality food mix with a variety of seeds, grains, and pellets,” says Dr. Alleyne. He recommends supplementing commercial hamster food with fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, cucumbers, broccoli, and carrots. Hamsters can safely consume small amounts of dried insects and cooked animal protein—like hard-boiled egg or unseasoned chicken—but a balanced plant-based diet can adequately meet their protein requirements.

Commercial hamster food like Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend is formulated to meet your hamster’s core nutritional requirements. These diets typically include a combination of foods like seeds, dried fruits and vegetables, and pelleted food.

Find out more about what pet hamsters can eat.

Handling Your Hamster

When you first bring home your hamster, it’s important to give them time to adjust to their new environment. After a few days, however, you can begin to spend time with your pet.

How much your hamster likes being handled may depend on the species. “In general, the smaller the hamster, the less likely they are to want to be handled,” says Dr. Sweitzer. “The larger ones tend to be a little easier to socialize.”

How To Hold Your Hamster

Always wash your hands before handling your hamster, using unscented soap if possible. Wait until your hamster is active to pick them up. If they’re sleeping, wake them gently by speaking to them in a soft voice.

Place your hand in the enclosure for a few seconds before trying to pick up your hamster—don’t sneak up on them or chase them around the cage. As you lift them, make sure they’re facing toward you, not toward open space.

Hold your hamster with both hands, cradling their bottom with one hand for support. Keep a firm hold but don’t squeeze them too tightly.

Safety Tips for Handling Hamsters

Keep in mind that hamsters are prey animals and may be frightened by sudden movements or loud noises. Be gentle when picking up your hamster and never corner them in their cage. If your hamster appears to be distressed, return them to the cage immediately.

“Hamsters do not necessarily require regular handling,” says Dr. Alleyne, “though social interaction can help with fearful or aggressive responses.” If your hamster doesn’t enjoy being handled—or if you’re worried they might escape—simply spending time together while they are in their cage is a perfectly acceptable alternative.

Maintaining Your Hamster's Health

As you care for your hamster, be watchful for signs of illness and have a plan in place should your hamster require veterinary care.

Signs of a Healthy Pet Hamster

“A healthy hamster should have a shiny, clean coat,” says Dr. Alleyne, “have eyes that are bright, be very active in exploring their environment, and exhibit normal grooming habits such as cleaning their face and grooming their fur.”

Spending time with your hamster is key to becoming familiar with and developing a baseline for their normal behavior. Minor health problems can quickly turn serious in small animals, so it’s important to be vigilant and to notice changes as early as possible.

Common Health Problems

Health issues in hamsters are often linked to poor husbandry (care and maintenance) or improper diet. According to Dr. Alleyne, some of the most common health problems in hamsters are “digestive conditions such as wet tail [characterized by severe diarrhea], skin problems due to mites, and dental issues due to overgrown teeth.” All of these conditions require prompt veterinary attention.

A sick hamster may show reduced interest in food and exercise. In cases of respiratory illness, you may notice wheezing, sneezing, or discharge from the eyes or nose. Changes to the quality of your hamster’s coat, like hair loss or signs of poor grooming, may also indicate illness.

When To See Your Vet

Preventive care is key to keeping your hamster healthy and maximizing their lifespan. Dr. Sweitzer recommends an annual exam with a small pet or exotics vet to identify problems with your hamster early. “Plus, if you get an exam when they are healthy,” he says, “it’s easier to get in and know where to go if an emergency health problem happens.”

Outside of annual checkups, you should take your hamster to the vet if you notice sudden or significant changes to their appearance, appetite, behavior, or breathing.

FAQs About Hamster Care