Hamsters

• Do not provide hard, plastic toys. When your ham- ster chews them they can splinter and leave sharp edges. Also, if a hamster swallows a fragment it may become extremely ill. • Make hiding places from cardboard boxes or the cardboard centers of toilet rolls. These can be empty or you can put bedding and some food in them, giving your pet the chance to rummage among the bedding for some tasty treats and chew up the cardboard box, real hamster heaven. • Pet shops also sell wooden bridges and rodent playgrounds which you can use to help keep your hamster fit either in the cage or when you take it out. • Provide your hamster with a wheel. This should have a solid back and sides, but not an exposed spindle. It should fit to the side of the cage. An alternative is the “flying saucer” wheels that are free standing, slightly dish-shaped, and tilted at a 45-degree angle. Do not get one that is too small. If your hamster has to curve its spine when stand- ing in it, he will do long term-damage to hips, shoulders, and back.

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Hamsters