Hamster care for kids · 4 min read
A home for a hamster
A hamster needs lots of floor space. Here is what is inside, and why.
Big, big, big
In the wild, hamsters run for miles every night. So a hamster home must be big.
Potato's home is long and wide. He can run from one end to the other.
Little round cages with tubes look fun, but they are too small. A hamster in a tiny cage gets sad and bites the bars.
Deep bedding
Hamsters love to dig. They make tunnels and secret rooms underground.
The bedding should be as deep as a grown-up's hand, or deeper. Use dust-free paper bedding made for small pets.
Never use fluffy cotton bedding. It can hurt a hamster's tummy and feet.
A big wheel
Hamsters run at night. A wheel lets them run without going anywhere.
The wheel must be big enough that his back stays straight. Potato's wheel is bigger than a dinner plate.
A solid wheel is best. Wheels with bars can trap tiny feet.
A sand bath and hiding spots
Hamsters clean their fur by rolling in sand. Use special hamster sand, never dust.
Potato also has a wooden house, a cork log, and cardboard tubes. He picks a different bedroom every week.
Potato's quick quiz
True or false? Tap to see the answer.
Small round cages with tubes are best for hamsters.
Nope. They are too small. Hamsters need a big floor and deep bedding.
Hamsters clean their fur in sand.
True! A sand bath keeps fur clean. Never wash a hamster in water.
A hamster wheel must keep his back straight.
True! A big wheel keeps his back straight while he runs.
Questions kids ask
Why does my hamster bite the bars?
He is bored or his home is too small. A bigger home with deep bedding and chew toys helps.
Can a hamster live in a fish tank?
Yes, a big glass tank with a mesh lid is a great hamster home. Ask a grown-up about air and the size.
How deep should the bedding be?
As deep as a grown-up's hand, or deeper. Hamsters need to dig tunnels.