If your child decides to have a small pet to take care of in the home, why not get a dwarf hamster? These little creatures are cute, cuddly and very energetic. They require little supervision and are affordable to maintain.
If you decide you want to care for a dwarf hamster, you will need to make a habitat for it in your own home. There are some things to keep in mind when creating an environment for your new pet.
Here’s how to create a habitat for dwarf hamsters.
- Choose a proper location in your home to place his home in. It should be well ventilated and not too hot. There should be no drafts. Also, its cage should be placed away from areas where there are loud noises or too much vibration, such as next to the TV. It may not be a good idea to keep its cage in a bedroom either. Dwarf hamsters are nocturnal creatures so these are up and busy at night. These creatures may disturb your sleep, especially if they make too much noise from all the playing and running around. The living room may be a good location for them.
- Find an appropriate cage. It should be just the right size for your hamster to prevent injuries. You can purchase a plastic habitat for it at the pet store. It has little tubes that connect to other areas. It resembles the dwarf hamster’s natural environment in that it has a lot of places to burrow under. However, some hamsters can chew through the plastic tubing and escape so you will need to check it every so often to make sure the tubes and any other plastic is secure. A popular choice is an aquarium because it is inexpensive. It should be at least a 10 gallon aquarium or bigger. Hamsters can’t chew their way out to freedom but you will need to secure the cover on top. Another option is to use a wire cage because it is well ventilated. Just make sure the spaces between the wires are properly spaced and the base of the cage is plastic.
- When you have cleaned his chosen habitat, line the bottom with two inches of wood shavings. Never use cedar because it is deadly to hamsters. You can purchase this from the pet store.
- Place his food and water supply. It has to be replenished regularly and uneaten vegetables should be thrown away.
- Place activities inside the cage for its entertainment. Place a wheel inside the cage. You can also use toilet paper rolls and make little tunnels for the hamster. Place some wood sticks under the wood shavings so the hamster can find surprise treats as it burrows around.
- Clean the habitat regularly. Take out the hamster first and place him in a safe location where can’t escape. Wash down the habitat and dry thoroughly. Change the wood shavings once a month and replace chewed up tissue rolls as needed.
Give your hamster a proper habitat and care for him properly. A good habitat will make your hamster feel safe and secure and help him stay healthy.