You can find a wide assortment of hamster housing available in many different sizes, shapes, and styles at most any pet store, but it is important to keep in mind that hamsters are active animals who need roomy to roam. Cages that are too small will cause fights if multiple hamsters are sharing a single confined enclosure. The more space your hamster has to explore, the healthier and alert it will be. You should purchase a cage that is large enough to provide separate eating, sleeping, toilet and play areas for each hamster in the cage. This requires two of everything if you have two hamsters, including two exercise wheels.

A general rule of thumb is that a cage 2 feet long and a foot high and a foot deep, is the proper amount of space for one Syrian hamster or a pair of dwarf hamsters. Wire cages are the most popular, they are easy to clean and many feature sliding bottom trays for easy clean-up. Wire cages also provide great ventilation and a good view of your pet. Keep in mind that the spacing between a cage’s wire bars must be small enough to keep your hamsters inside, if a hamster can poke his head through the bars, he can probably squeeze all the way out when you aren’t watching.

Wooden cages are not suitable for determined escape artists like hamsters. Hamsters can make quick work of any wood with their sharp teeth and powerful jaws, plus the wood will absorb unpleasant odors. Plastic cages can be suitable for hamsters, but care must be taken to ensure they have proper ventilation and don’t get too hot inside. Cages made of a combination of both plastic and wire can be a good alternative. Cages designed for mice are usually acceptable for hamsters, but rat cages are not due to their wider spaced bars.

The prices of hamster cages vary greatly depending on the retailer. The same cage will often have different prices at different stores, and the amounts are not insignificant with variations as much as $25 to $50 on a single cage being common. You don’t have to spend $50 on a decent hamster cage though. It is possible to get a small wire and plastic combo cage suitable for one hamster for less than $25 at most stores. The prices go up with the size and number of features of the cage, and the big two- and three-story hamster cages or “hamster resorts” sell for over $200 at many stores, some even reach $300. Between those low and high extremes you can find good, affordable hamster cages of all sizes and construction readily available at pet shops and online retailers.

Hamsters in the wild can cover up to two miles a night in their nocturnal quest for food. Your own hamster probably doesn’t get nearly that much exercise, even if you have provided an exercise wheel in the cage. Plus, hamsters can get cranky, destructive and even ill if they don’t get adequate exercise. This makes the hamster ball an ideal form of exercise and entertainment combined together. Your hamster will not be the only one entertained either, as watching your little buddy cruise around the house or yard in his plastic sphere can be a highly amusing pastime.

Hamsters are naturally curious animals and most quickly learn to love expanding their world with adventures in their hamster balls. Once they start having fun with a hamster ball they will always want to be in it. The plastic ball provides protection from bumps and cats and dogs can’t make a snack of your pet hamster if he secure inside his sturdy bionic ball. Hamster balls come in various sizes that are suitable for most every type of hamster and feature air holes or slots to circulate fresh air. They are easy to clean and very affordable too. Hamster balls might be the most fun a hamster can have, so don’t deprive your own favorite pal and get a hamster ball today.

Hamster Ball Tips

Get the correct size hamster ball for your hamster. Your pet will not be able to enjoy the experience if he is cramped inside a ball that is too small.

Make sure the hamster ball has adequate ventilation slots, your pet can’t exercise if he can’t breathe.

Try introducing your hamster to the hamster ball after dark when his nocturnal curiosity is high.

Keep an eye on your hamster when he is in his ball. Even though he is safe in his protective ball, accidents can happen.

Keep your hamster ball clean inside as well as outside. Hamsters occasionally relieve themselves inside their balls.

Hamster Ball Fun Fact

Various outlets of the Petco chain of pet supply stores sometimes hold Hamster Ball Derbies. The stores set up miniature hamster ball “tracks” that allow hamsters to “race” each other to the finish line. The events are usually held on Saturdays and features prizes and awards for the “fastest” hamsters. Contact your local Petco for more information.

Hamster Ball Theory of Existence

“…Everyone on Earth exists inside a set of concentric hamster balls. The wider your world is, the bigger the ball is. If you are sad & depressed – your ball is very small. The goal is to make your ball as big as possible. Eventually your hamster ball will get so big you are no longer aware of it and then you are free…..”

The cage should be spacious enough for the hamster to do what it does best – exercise. A hamster cage should be no smaller than 19”x19” and at least 6” high. The breed of hamster you have purchased is a consideration when choosing the size of cage. Syrian hamsters are relatively large, but are generally housed alone, and will only need adequate room for a wheel, a place for food and water bowls, and a corner where a small house can fit since hamsters like privacy when they sleep. The Teddy Bear variety of Syrian hamsters should also be housed alone since they are very aggressive.

Dwarf hamsters, despite their name, should have larger cages because they prefer to live in a group. Do not buy them a wire cage since they can squeeze through the bars and escape. They should have plenty of exercise room because they are likely the most active of all breeds.

If you have purchased a Roboroski hamster make sure you buy a large cage. A cage that measures at least 24”x12” is required for this breed even though they are small in size. Never house them in a wire cage. A plastic cage, or glass tank, is the preferred for the Roboroski.

Keeping the cage clean is another consideration when you purchase your pet’s home. Plastic cages with built-in tunnels are the hardiest to keep tidy and they do not allow good ventilation for the animal. Wire cages have the advantage of good ventilation and give your hamster exercise opportunities. Glass aquariums are easy to clean but again ventilation and exercise is not the best in this type of housing.

Safety, however, is an important feature of any cage. If you have other pets choose the glass or plastic cages to prevent accidents.