• 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