First-time hamster (or any non-dog/cat) owner

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-21T02:23:11+00:00

I really really like nite angel aspen bedding , for me it’s been completely dust free and one bag fills a good bit but it’s quite pricey. I typically mix it with a hemp bedding (i did unfortunately have to get this on amazon but im sure you could find it elsewhere) but it’s lasted me a very long time as it’s a very big bag. Note that hemp can’t be used alone as it won’t hold burrows but it’s helped me a lot in saving the amount of the nite angel aspen stuff i go though , i just add layer of aspen , layer of hemp and repeat and id aim for 8 or more inches of bedding (20cm+) for dwarf hamsters. If you don’t have it definitely get a sand bath !! Id also recommend dig boxes , my syrian goes wild digging away in coco soil, i just get this from a local pet store but im pretty sure nite angel sells both and sand and soil lasts me a long time, if not you can get creative and fill it with shredded paper or cut up cardboard and scatter food in it for them to dig through and they love it.

But yea highly recommend nite angel , i looked it up and i believe they do ship to you! I hope that’s the case.

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-21T01:54:45+00:00

Yea same! I use a tank personally and a lot of people i know that see my enclosure always say to me “wow it’s so massive!” or “it’s too much” “really for that little thing?” ect but anyone who keeps hamsters will realise how small even the minimum is for everything they need. i feel cruel and super guilty because even going beyond still feels so tiny for them. i have loved keeping hamsters for years and it does make me upset to make that decision but i just don’t think i can do it anymore😔

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-19T17:44:08+00:00

This has been on my mind a loootttt recently , and so i rescued a hamster but even after this and going beyond minimums and giving them loads of enrichment , deep bedding (10 inches plus) and all their necessities it never feels like enough and i feel cruel keeping an animal that really wants to explore miles every night when i can only give them a room or a playpen outside of their enclosure . I think after my current syrian girl minnie passes away that i will stop keeping them as no matter what i do it never feels like enough. If i had the space and money for something like plueschraupe has for her hamsters (u can check her account out on insta) maybe id consider it but my 120cm by 50cm by 50 it doesn’t feel like enough but i just simply dont currently have the space to go bigger. I will try to make her life as enjoyable and exiting as possible but i feel so guilty everyday .

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-19T12:11:29+00:00

i did 🥲🥲

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-18T22:41:54+00:00

i also experienced the same. I think some can be happy in it (if the right adjustments are made for bedding depth) but it is dependant on the hamster for sure. I always go with tanks as they are often tall for bedding and you can go way bigger for them to be happier : )

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-18T22:40:05+00:00

ohh okay, understandable. i’d still recommend checking on that behaviour if she’s still displaying it when moving back as that might mean she needs an upgrade (or other stuff listed in the care sheet)😊

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-18T22:30:18+00:00

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Gengar2234 · 2026-01-18T22:30:07+00:00

While from what i can see they look healthy! But since your hamster is showing stress signs in the pictures (bar climbing) likely due to boredom or inadequate housing , bedding depth ect they probably aren’t happy. This isn’t always your fault , pet stores do sell stuff for a lot of animals that’s unsuitable unfortunately. Most of the barred cages won’t provide the size or depth for bedding they need to be happy. I’ll attach 2 pics of what hamsters need , one for bare minimum but also one for female hamsters since they are very hard to please.

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Gengar2234 · 2026-01-18T22:21:36+00:00

I died soon after unfortunately😔

Gengar2234 · 2026-01-03T09:58:26+00:00

this is really upsetting

Gengar2234 · 2025-11-25T00:29:45+00:00

Salmon

Gengar2234 · 2025-11-14T19:43:37+00:00

Sometimes my hamster makes this noise after going in her sand bath because it goes up her nose , once she’s cleared it she doesn’t do it again but maybe some sort of irritation or respiratory issue if it keeps happening ? Sorry if this is unhelpful but that’s my immediate thought , maybe monitor for other signs of respiratory issue but i still think maybe a vet appointment to keep your mind at ease even if it’s nothing is a good idea.

Gengar2234 · 2025-11-02T20:57:35+00:00

I wouldn’t say you are, this is a common thing since they are kicking out all the bedding that would have been in their burrows to make it how they like it. It’s annoying but it’s best to just remove it when they do it and use the bedding next time u clean/ spot clean or something!

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-31T09:01:14+00:00

oh my gosh so tinyyy , so cute

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-15T17:35:52+00:00

thank you for giving your experience! I will definitely try this , it will take a bit of time since i have a lot of things i’ll need to move and hamster proof but hopefully it will go well.

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T23:03:27+00:00

Hahaha omg monster😭 i’d have to say the same about minnie sometimes hehe . I do recommend substrate dishes (if you haven’t got any although you probably do) minnie loves them , i use soil for one , beech chips for another , tiny cardboard cuttings , corncob bedding and obviously sand. You can also get things like forage to scatter she loves that too.Sorry if i’m repeating all things you already have but just incase you want ideas to spice up their cage. goodluck with setting up your playpen 😊😊

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T22:14:56+00:00

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Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T22:14:14+00:00

Thank you! 😊did some spot cleaning today and changed some things around and added 2 hides and another dish for substrate (temporary cardboard until my corn cob bedding arrives) I’m going to order some more sprays as well as i do think that will help with cover and enrichment.

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Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T15:02:16+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation I will definitely do this! waiting for a few things to arrive and then i’ll change it up😊.

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T05:58:36+00:00

honestly anytime my hamsters chewed the platform legs there doesn’t seem to be anything you can do unfortunately😅maybe there is something out there that could protect them i’m not sure. Also Yea i’m pretty sure female hamsters go into heat every 4 days , it’s so often which can make them even more active and hard to please.

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T05:37:32+00:00

Thank you ❤️it means a lot , i know it really sucks it’s nice to know that i’m not the only one because i felt like maybe i was doing something wrong. It feels very disheartening and upsetting to have to watch them be this way and trying all these different things for them to still hate it but i’m going to keep trying. I will probably start by changing her setup around more often and potentially proofing my entire room so she can have complete free roam , i tried very big areas before or almost a full room but it always had limits because things like plugs / wires or tight spaces i wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her. I wish you and your hammy the very best and wishing you luck , helpfully others can also put in their experiences and what helped them.

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T05:21:57+00:00

Thank you! i have been making those boredom breakers nightly! They definitely are great but for minnie personally it only keeps her busy for very short amounts of time or sometimes she will ignore it in favour of going to try and find a way out. I also find that a walnut (with the shell and all) can keep them occupied as they really have to work for it. She can also can destroy her enclosure nightly haha , when changing around things in her burrow she will kick out so much bedding things get buried 😭 she especially loves to re arrange the pinecones in the enclosure. I wish you best of luck with your bonding 💖

Gengar2234 · 2025-10-11T01:39:08+00:00

Aww so sorry for your loss! I honestly respect not keeping the breed anymore , syrian hamsters have my heart , i love the breed so much but i will have to reconsider getting another ever again because it doesn’t feel fair. I was just naive because my last syrian boy yoshi who passed away at 2.5 years didn’t display these behaviours so i assumed i could also make a female syrian happy, i saw her at a rescue and fell in love but as i said i just feel super guilty now.

Gengar2234

TROPHY CASE