A suitable environment for hamsters

Make sure your hamster has a suitable place to live

Facts

Wild hamsters live in warm, arid climates.
Hamsters are sensitive to bright sunlight.
Hamsters are very sensitive to high frequency sounds which we cannot hear, and can find this stressful.
Wild hamsters live in deep burrows.
Pet hamsters prefer to occupy a cage with a solid floor covered by a suitable litter material
Hamsters naturally build nests.
They quickly dig burrows, and can escape easily from poorly constructed cages.

Provide your hamster(s) with a comfortable, dry, draught-free, clean place to live, in a quiet place where they can rest undisturbed. Make sure they are not exposed to draughty or damp conditions.
Make sure that you house your hamster(s) in a room where the lights go off at more-or-less the same time each night. Try to avoid erratic hours of lighting.
Make sure you house your hamster(s) away from items in the home which can generate ultrasound, such as television sets, computer screens, vacuum cleaners or sources of running water.
Provide your hamster(s) with a suitable home cage, and appropriate bedding and nesting material, see Home cage for Hamsters (PDF 254KB).
Make sure your hamster has a suitable place to hide, see Shelters for Hamsters (PDF 235KB).
Make sure their cage is clean (Cage Cleaning for Hamsters (PDF 228KB)) with dry bedding and nesting material.