Q&A for How to Set Up a Hamster Cage

Chocolate, candy, meats in high fat, the leafy green parts of a tomato, junk food, beans, potatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, and all citrus foods.

You can leave a hamster alone for a day or two as long as it has food and water. Personally, I wouldn't take a hamster on a trip. I would have someone come and take care of my hamster while I was away.

As long as your hamster has adequate food and water and cannot get out of his/her cage, then he/she will be fine if you have to leave the house. I leave my hamster for 7 hours when I'm at school and he is fine.

It is best to purchase a house and see if your hamster prefers burrowing.

No. Unless there's no gap between the floor and the door, you absolutely cannot leave them by themselves as they can squeeze under that gap. In addition to this, it chew on cords and toys and if it chews on an electrical cord, it can be electrocuted. In addition to that, it's going to find a small crevices and disappear. You won't be able to reach it and it'll suffocate, starve, and inevitably die.

Hamsters usually enjoy turnips, carrots, chicory, spinach, parsley, pumpkin, endive, cauliflower, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, asparagus, raisins, seedless apples, berries, pears, plums, and peaches. If your hamster is not enjoying one, try a different one until you get it right. Make sure not to feed them too much sugar (fruits) as it could cause diabetes.

Syrian. Also known as teddy bear, black bear, or teddy Syrian. Once tamed, Syrians will want to be loved by you.

In one year (without the cage cost) a hamster could cost from $70 and up. These costs are from the bedding, food, toys, chews, treats, etc. With vet costs that could go up to $100+.

You can still have a hamster if you have dogs, but they are not allowed to interact with each other at all because the dog could hurt it. Just keep the hamster in your room and keep the door closed. Keep the hamster's habitat high off the ground so the dogs couldn't get it if they accidentally got in.

The easiest hamster to maintain is a Syrian. They are a lot easier to take care of than dwarves.

Winter White hamsters make very good pets, and because of their smaller size, they are recommend for older children to adults. Winter Whites are very social once tamed, and if treated right, they can even be taught tricks.

You could probably buy some treats that are especially made for keeping the teeth short, or you could bring them to get checked out by a professional.

I recommend you go see a vet. Most illnesses in hamsters from the rear area, such as diarrhea, can easily be fatal.

Aquarium tanks or bin cages are best. DIYs are great too just stay away from Crittertrail and things like that. They are much too small and the hamster can get through the bars.

Tubes are not necessary for a hamster, but it is recommended that your hamster has a variety of toys. If you can't afford to buy tubes, you can use empty toilet paper rolls.

It is recommended that the hamster does have a ball for when you clean the cage and if you don't have a wheel on the inside of the cage. It could also give you time to bond with the hamster while it is getting exercise.

Not really. When you first get it you will have to pay $70-80 for the cage, water bottle, wheel, etc. After that it's just about $7/month for food and wood chips.

It will take time to get your hamster used to being held. (Don't try to hold your furry friend while they are eating or sleeping.) Start by hand feeding the hamster, and then slowly start to pet him gently. He'll need to be used to getting pet before he can be held. Cup your hands slowly around the hamster, without squeezing, and lift. Just stay calm and confident, and practice holding the hamster each day. He'll warm up to you and cuddle you soon!

Hamsters are solitary animals and that prefer to live alone. Once they are over 4 months old, hamsters reach adult age, where they become aggressive to other hamsters and need to be separated from their litter mates. Hamsters will attack each other and it will often end in the death of one of the hamsters.

The Syrian (male) hamster is the most suitable option for children. Dwarfs are very fast and so harder to handle.

If he/she is only alone for a couple of hours that's fine, but if you're going to be gone for over 12 hours, I personally recommend getting a hamster carrier and bringing him/her along with you.

A veterinarian is an expert on animal welfare and illness because of years of study and experience. Of course you can check to see if there are signs of illness, but trying to resolve the illness yourself may result in injury or death of the hamster, and sometimes illnesses are not detectable to the naked eye.

Syrian hamsters are bigger and are more resilient.

Yes, as long as it has plenty of food and water, it's fine to leave it alone for that long. You might want to still give the hamster a few extra days when you get back to get used to having you around before you start handling it.

No, this is not a good idea since your hamster could run out of food or water without you knowing about it. You should ask a friend or family member to stop by your house a few times to check up on your hamster.

Not as bedding, but you can add it in a small corner or even right beside the enclosure so that the hamster can get use to your scent. The only issue with it being inside the enclosure is that it may chew on it and ingest it.

You should wait a few days with a light cloth over the top of the cage before you interact with it.

If they are familiar and raised with each other since birth. If not, then absolutely not! They are solitary, territorial, and aggressive toward any other hamster. They will fight to the death!

It depends on what you are the most comfortable with, and which kind you can provide for.

There's a chance that your hamsters will chew on it, but plain cardboard is typically safe for hamsters, and they'll have fun doing it.