Skip to main content

Wondering how to take care of a hamster? Here are 8 pet hamster care tips that all beginners need to follow

Tips for taking care of your hamster to guide a first-time pet owner

There's a reason hamsters make such a good first pet — actually a few. They're funny, cute, good with kids, and relatively easy to care for. But that doesn't mean you won't put in a bit of work. Between cage cleaning, feeding, exercise, and hand training, you may find yourself overwhelmed those first few weeks. Don't look for the refund button. Instead, go through these easy steps to tackle your new endeavor. Here's how to take care of a hamster. 

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

1 hour

What You Need

  • Cage

  • Bedding

  • Pet-safe cleaning products

  • Hamster wheel

  • Tubes

  • Treats

Hamster walks across the counter in his home

Is it easy to take care of a hamster?

Well, yes and no. You will put much less time (and money) into taking care of your small pet than you will a large dog. But you still need to attend him every day. Your standard care checklist includes daily feeding, water change, and handling. That’s right, you need to bond with your hamster so he gets used to you and you'll keep that going by playing with him every day.

Hamster plays in his tubing with wheel behind him

Do hamsters like to be held?

Your hamster will love cuddles, provided you start early and consistently pet him. Remember, hamsters, like other mammals, use their sense of smell, and you can begin by standing near his cage and talking to him if he’s skittish. These animals become aggressive if left untamed, so frequent handling needs to be your priority.

Woman holding a hamster eating a treat

Do's and don’ts with hamsters

Step 1: Do get a hand-raised animal. Holding your tiny rodent every day won’t do much good if he already has aggressive tendencies. Look for a respectable breeder who has carefully raised him for the first eight weeks of his life. Then, you’ll work on your own training.

Step 2: Don’t leave your hamster for long periods. During the day while you work, he's mostly sleeping, so you're good there. But no hamster should be unattended for a full day. It’s easy to get someone to drop in to feed and pet your animal for a few minutes when you head out of town.

Step 3: Do clean his cage often. Trust us, these little critters make a big mess for their size, and you’ll need to stay diligent about cleaning the cage long after the appeal wears off (although maybe there’s no appeal to scooping poop). Pick a day that becomes a cleaning day and make sure you replace his bedding every week.

Step 4: Don’t use harsh chemicals in the cleaning process. Even if you wash his belongings afterward, he’s very sensitive to smells, including bleach and other household products. You can invest in something pet safe, but regular soap works just fine (make sure it’s unscented).

Step 5: Do get him lots of toys. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they need something to do after you hit the hay. Try to fill his home with a variety of toys, some for chewing, others for climbing, a wheel for exercise, and a little tubing to explore.

Step 6: Don’t get him a hamster ball. Many hamster balls have caused injuries, so think twice before you bring one home. If you decide you need one, research thoroughly to get the right size and clean it after every use. Alternatively, invest in a pen that can give him the same opportunity to run around outside his nest every so often.

Step 7: Do set up a strict feeding schedule. It’s best if your hamster knows when to expect food, and a daily feeding time will help you remember to pay him a visit. Feed while he’s awake, so once at night and once in the early morning works really well. You’ll probably catch him snoozing if you attempt to give him his lunch mid-day.

Step 8: Don’t give him too many treats. We love treating our pets, and they love it when we do. Hamsters eat bugs, which they will enjoy on special occasions (always purchase these from the pet store since insects from outside might have diseases). If you’re a bit squeamish, stick with fresh fruit as his snack.

The biggest tip of all: Try to incorporate your pet into your everyday routine. That way, your responsibilities feel like a normal part of your day akin to brushing your teeth. Daily handling also cues you into any problems he might experience. You’ll be familiar with his eating and bathroom habits and therefore able to spot issues. Anytime things change drastically, it means to call the vet.

Editors' Recommendations

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
How to tell if your guinea pig loves you – some ways may surprise you
These are the signs your guinea pig loves you as much as you love him
A happy guinea pig hangs out in the grass

We know how much we love our pets. The question is if they love us, too. It can be tricky to tell how animals feel since they can't tell us about their moods. But that doesn't mean we can't ever figure out what's in the minds of our furry friends.

Guinea pigs in particular make a lot of interesting noises and show postures that help us decipher their thoughts and feelings. By paying close attention to your little guy and learning a bit about how he thinks, you can get a pretty good sense of his inner goings-on. And you won't have to watch very long to confirm that your guinea pig loves you.

Read more
Can snakes swim? Here’s what you need to know about how these legless creatures move through water
Yes, all snakes can swim — here's how they do it
Water snake swimming through seaweed

Love snakes or hate them, they're fascinating creatures. Unlike other reptiles, snakes don't have arms or legs. Yet, even without appendages, these slitherers can move across many different types of terrain, often very quickly. They can make their way up mountainsides and climb to the tops of trees. Some even leap and glide from branch to branch!

But have you ever wondered, "Can snakes swim?" -- and which snakes can swim? Well, the answer, interestingly, is all of them.

Read more
This is how to find a lost hamster the same day it goes missing
Don't panic if you lost your hamster: Try these tips to locate him
Hamster peeks out of his cage

Owning a pet means spending a lot of time keeping him safe and secure. You frequently find yourself checking to make sure the latch is shut. Yet even if you have a perfect cage setup, your guy might find his way out. Many small pets are known escape artists — they get out by chewing, shrinking themselves, or pushing on a latch. Once you discover your animal has gone missing, don't panic. But do act quickly. These are the steps to follow if you want to know how to find a lost hamster.

Read more