Hello, my name’s Valerie and I love all things pets. I have always been fascinated by tiny pets such as hamsters and mice, and after my friend mentioned getting one for her daughter, I thought I would find out a little more about these cute creatures.
Many people have grown up with hamsters as pets. In fact, they are often the very first pet one may have had. They are also popular for classroom environments.
Hamsters are easy to handle, and fun to watch. They require very little care, apart from a clean cage, food and water and some ways to exercise.
Dwarf hamsters have a tendency to bite but with training should stop this habit.
They can live for up to three years and grow to lengths of about 5cm, weighing up to about 2 ounces.
Dwarf hamsters include several different species, all with different characteristics. One thing they share is that they all make delightful first pets.
Hamsters are nocturnal, which means that they are awake and playful during the night, and resting during the day. They do adjust to human routines and are still fun to have around during the day.
Although it’s usually best to keep hamsters alone (especially Syrian hamsters), dwarf hamsters are considered to me “more” sociable, therefore could potentially be kept in pairs.
However, each hamster is individual, so you may still find that dwarf hamsters prefer living alone.
What to Put in a Hamster Cage
The reason why a dwarf hamster cage needs to be quite large is because there are several things that are essential inside it.
The cage must be big enough for one hamster. If you have two Dwarf hamsters you should get a cage that is 0.5 cubic foot larger, so that they will not be crowded.
– Your dwarf hamsters need a place where they can hide away. This is often in among a pile of wood shavings. Cardboard tubes also make great places so you need to ensure that there is space for these.
– Water bottle and feed station. These need to be accessible to you to remove and clean daily.
Some water bottles are made to be attached to the cage wire, and others are free standing. If you choose a free standing water bottle, make sure that it is sturdy and will not tip over and maybe injure your pet.
– A wheel is a great addition to your hamster cage. Not only will this keep him occupied for some time, but it is also a good form of exercise.
– A bed area. He will spend some time here, so it should be comfy and snuggly for him. Washable bedding is a good idea.
– Hamsters love their toys! A good selection will keep your pet happy for many hours. Make sure that his toys are durable enough to last and not be destroyed in a day.
Dwarf hamsters need good quality cages and there are several things which should be considered before buying a cage.
I found out some interesting facts about hamster cages, here are some considerations:
Size of the Cage
Even though the hamster is a small creature, they still need space to run and play.
Often cages seen in pet shops are too small for them to exercise adequately.
It is a good idea to aim for a minimum of 24” x 12” and to have the cage at least 12” high.
Ease to clean
On the whole a cage with a removable base is the best option.
This means that when you come to clean it, you simply lift the top off the base and clean it.
There are cages where the base is integrated into the top and these are more difficult to clean.
Make Sure it’s Escape Proof!
It is a good idea to make sure that the top and the bottom clip together so that they cannot be dislodged.
Small children are fascinated by these little creatures and may harm them if they handle them roughly.
Also, make sure that the hamster cannot squeeze through the bars and run off.
Ventilation of The Cage
Some cages come with lots of tubes and compartments so the hamsters can play.
They must be well ventilated otherwise there will be problems with air quality and condensation.
While the wire cages also provide good ventilation, they should be kept out of draughts.
Once you’re set on the cage itself, there’s a few more items that you need, which can be found below:
Bedding in The Cage
In the cage there should be a 1”- 2” layer of shredded paper. You can also use wood shavings. Be aware that paper which is cedar based, can be harmful to small animals.
Bedding should be changed at least once a week when you clean the cage. It should also be disinfected and any wet spots removed each day.
A point to remember here is that if you or anyone in your home has asthma, the bedding should be a serious consideration for you.
Never use pine or cedar shavings as they are known to affect people with respiratory problems.
Fabric that is comfortable and non-toxic will keep your little friend healthy and happy in his cage.
You can buy hamster bedding from most pet shops and many online stores. Make sure that the bedding is odour eliminating so your home and his cage stay fresh-smelling.
Chew Toys For Entertainment!
Hamsters love chewing on wood chew sticks or mineral sticks which keep their incisor teeth clean and short. Their teeth grow continuously so they need plenty of things to chew on.
You can give them wood sticks to chew on but they should not be made from wood hat has been treated with chemicals or pesticides.
Also cedar wood is toxic for small animals. Many pet shops sell selections of wooden chew toys that are suitable for small animals.
While it is tempting to buy toys designed for children, it is not a good idea to use them for your hamsters as they may break and harm these small creatures.
If dwarf hamsters are the same sex they can be housed together, although only do this is they have been raised together. If not, they will do better apart as they can be solitary little creatures.
In case of extreme temperatures, either cold or heat, they should be moved. They should never be kept in direct sunlight or draughts.
Best Cage For Two Dwarf Hamsters
Now as mentioned before, the minimum size you want to be aiming for is 24 x 12 inches. This is recommenced for ONE dwarf hamster.
So, when looking for a cage for TWO dwarf hamsters, you want to try and get a cage that’s as big as possible. The cages below should be suitable, but make sure to read reviews!
As mentioned earlier, some hamsters are better alone, therefore it may be worth getting two cages anyway, one for each hamster.
Below are some cages that I found on line that should accommodate for your hamster, and may be suitable for 2 dwarf hamsters.
1. Prevue Pet Products 528 Universal Small Animal Home
There is a platform that features a small ramp for the hamsters to get up on to. There you can place bedding and food along with their water bottle.
If you like you can move the platform higher or lower, depending on how easily your pets can climb the ramp. There is plenty of room in the cage to add several toys to keep your hamsters occupied.
There are two large doors, at the front and the top for easy cleaning and to change bedding, and the wires are very close together so your hamsters will not be able to slip through and escape.
The cage measures 32” x 19” x 17” and the base is extra deep at 6”. The wire spacing is 3/8” so the cage is also suitable for small mice.
2. Lixit Animal Care Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage
The cage comes with an assortment of accessories such as tunnels, slides, houses, platforms and houses. There is also an exercise wheel, food bowls and drinking bottle.
The cage is really easy to put together and the plastic is high quality so should be fine even with a hamster that chews everything.
The cage measures 31” x 20” x 20” and comes with directions to assemble it. These dimensions should provide plenty of space for toys to keep your hamsters occupied!
The bar spacing is perfect so even a small hamster will should not be able to escape.
3. Lixit Animal Care Savic Mickey 2 Mice and Swarf Hamster Cage, X-Large
Also included are things like a house, wheel feeding bowls and water bottle. The size is 31” x 20” x 15” which should be enough for two dwarf hamsters.
There is plenty of space for tunnels and tubes, and because of the size, it is easy to clean the cage.
The cage is large enough to take a 14” free standing wheel as well as several other toys and gadgets to keep you and your hamsters amused.
The metal bars are small enough so that even small hamsters shouldn’t be able to escape.
Final Thoughts
Even though Dwarf hamsters are so tiny, they can still be immense amounts of fun to watch.
Children will adore seeing them running and hiding, and even adults will be fascinated by these delightful little pets.
As outlined, they may be better apart, as they may not be very sociable with other dwarf hamsters, unless they’ve been brought up together.
If you do opt for two dwarf hamsters in the same cage, make sure you purchase one that provides plenty of room for both and keep a watchful eye on them.
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below!