How to Care for a Hamster: Expert Tips to Get Your Setup Right
By Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY
February 6, 2025
Hamsters, with their cuddly fur and small size, are a popular choice for many families. According to experts, they can be ideal first pets for those with limited experience.
“They are really a pet, just like any other,” said Tony Adler, co-president of the California Hamster Association.
Adler further explained that hamsters, like cats, are fairly self-sufficient. “They can take care of themselves, but they do benefit and enjoy human interaction.”
So, how does one provide the best care for these small, cat-like rodents?
Habitat Essentials
Adler recommends a shift away from the smaller cages often used in the past. The current guideline is to provide a living space of at least 600 square inches, without any breaks or tiers.
Owners should also provide a deep bed of 6 to 15 inches of bedding to encourage burrowing behavior, according to Adler.
Dietary Considerations
Dr. Brittany Childs, a veterinarian at the VCA West Suburban Veterinary Hospital in Westmont, Illinois, advises new owners to carefully research a hamster’s diet before bringing one home. She also points out the many different species of hamsters, with Syrian and Russian Dwarf hamsters being the most common.
Social Needs
Childs and Adler emphasized that hamsters should never be kept together in the same enclosure. They are solitary animals, best housed alone.
“Hamsters are best kept solitary as they do not tend to get along with other hamsters,” Childs said.
If a hamster has a litter, Adler advises against separating the pups from their mother until they are four weeks old. The environment should be kept as stress-free as possible to avoid the mother harming the babies.
“She has to be on her own, and then the babies – males and females – need to be separated so that they don’t create more babies,” Adler said. “And then at six weeks, they have to be completely alone.”
Costs and Nocturnal Nature
The cost of owning a hamster varies depending on location, according to Dr. Childs. It’s best to contact local veterinarians to find out the likely costs.
Adler estimates an initial cost of at least $100, with annual expenses of about $200 to $300.
Regarding their activity levels, hamsters are primarily nocturnal. Any nighttime sounds of activity are normal, Childs explained.
