Hamster housing
The minimum sized housing we adopt Syrian hamsters out to is 100x50cm floor space, for dwarf hamsters minimum 80x50cm. Ideally though dwarfs also need at least 100x50cm floor space. If you're starting out with an 80x50cm please upgrade them at the earliest opportunity!
Examples of suitable housing for hamsters:
(please note - some of these cages come with unsuitable accessories that shouldn't be used)
Savic Plaza: 100x50cm
Bar spacing may be too wide for Roborovskis. The tray isn't deep enough to provide Syrians with enough burrowing depth but could be modified
Savic Mickey 2XL: 80x50cm
Starter cage for dwarf hamsters. Narrow bar spacing so also suitable for robos
Ferplast Mary: 80x50cm
Starter cage for dwarf hamsters
Bar spacing may be too wide for Robos
Ferplast Criceti 100: 95x57cm
Bar spacing may be too wide for Robos
Tray isn't deep enough to provide Syrians with enough burrowing depth but could be modified
Ruffy 2: 80x50cm
Starter cage for dwarf hamsters
Bar spacing may be too wide for Robos
Alaska: 84x48.5cm
Starter cage for dwarf hamsters
Bar spacing may be too wide for Robos
Zoozone2: 101x51cm
Lid needs meshing
Allows for good burrowing depth
Barney: 100x54cm
Narrow bar spacing so suitable for Robos.
Tray isn't deep enough to provide Syrians enough burrowing depth but could be modified
Alexander: 101x52.5cm
Bar spacing may be too wide for Robos
Tray isn't deep enough to provide Syrians enough burrowing depth but could be modified
Maxi Duna Multy: 99x51.5cm
Great for all hamsters
Borneo XL: 119x59cm
Narrow bar spacing so suitable for Robos too
Tray isn't deep enough to provide Syrians enough burrowing depth but could be modified
Mamble 100: 100x54cm
Bar spacing may be too wide for Robos.
Tray isn't deep enough to provide Syrians enough burrowing depth but could be modified
Living World Eco Habitat: 98.5x58.5cm
Great for all hamsters
There's an even larger version too
IKEA Detolf: 163x43cm
These can be turned into fab hamster homes, just need to make a meshed lid
Read this blog post to find out more about alternative housing
All types of hamsters love burrowing so like to have deep bedding. We mostly use Aubiose + Megazorb. Most pet shop woodshavings are unsafe.
Please read these blog posts by FiveLittleHams: Choosing bedding Choosing the best cage Safe & Unsafe nesting material
Bedding/substrate
All fluffy types of nesting material are unsafe, even if they're marketed as 'safe'. Use teabag type nesting material instead or non-scented loo roll ripped up