Hamster Care on a Budget
Yes! You can be on a budget and provide a happy life for your little hamster. There are a few essential things hamsters need in order to be happy and healthy. Don’t skimp on these things and you’ll be more likely to have a good bond with your hamster in addition to avoiding future medical bills caused by using cheap or unsafe products.
You don’t have to be rich to have great style, nor do you have to be rich to have a great hamster cage- you just have to know what to spend you money on (and what not to!)
*This is not to say that a happy hamster might not get sick- please ensure you have $500 saved for unplanned medical bills (or start saving now!) and make sure you have established that relationship with a good exotic vet in your area.
Here are the products I recommend for those on a budget (some are DIY/free!):
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Get Inspired
I suppose this is less of a product recommendation but it is an important part of the process. It’s important that you check out how other hamster owners set up their enclosures so you can get ideas of how you’d like to set up yours. It’s a tricky game, getting all these things in the enclosure, making it functional for your hamster and aesthetically pleasing for you! Instagram is a great place to start. Accounts I suggest checking out include: Campbell’s Mommy, Lenny the Hammyy, Niteangel Pet , Hamsterscape , TheHamsterTails , Chai_TheHamster (many more suggestions to come!)
Once you’re inspired (and maybe even have a “theme” in mind - like “Fairy Garden” ), this will help you decide which products are best for you. You should also be considering the type of hamster you got (Syrian, dwarf, robo, Chinese) since their size and gender will be big driving factors in how you set up your cage and what size items you need.
Enclosure
In the US, the minimum hamsters need is 600 square inches of unbroken floor space- this means it doesn’t count if you put two cages of smaller sizes connected. It must be one, large, space.
If you would like to read further on this, I suggest checking out the California Hamster Association’s Cage Page!
Bin Cages:
Bin cages are truly the most amount of space you can get for the least amount of money. It does require some DIY and some tools. If you don’t feel comfortable with DIY projects maybe best to pick one of the other options below.
For instructions on how to make a bin cage (and more information!) I have a page totally dedicated for them, click here.
Pros of bin cages: light weight, easy to move around, durable, inexpensive
Cons of bin cages: takes some DIY work & additional materials. Click here to see exactly how to make one and a list of needed supplies.
The bin cages I recommend are:
200 Qt/50 Gallon Sterilite Bin: This is a great bin that provides around 650 sq inches and is 17” high, allowing for a lot of room for enriching burrowing! You can purchase them from Walmart here. Or from Home Depot here.
For an example of a 200 qt bin cage set up, please see my blog post here.
Christmas Tree Bin: The Christmas tree bin can be difficult to find outside of the holiday season. During off times you can find it at the Container Store here. You can find it at popular locations like Target & Walmart come late November. This bin is long but not very tall (only about 14” high with the lid on). It provides a great amount of floor space (in the 900 sq inch zone) but may be a difficult bin for someone with a Syrian hamster as it is not very tall (it might be a stretch to get a 12” wheel in it, but I think it can be done).
PetCo’s Aquarium Sale:
About twice a year, PetCo has an incredible sale selling their aquariums for $1/gallon! A 75 gallon tank is a good size for any type of hamster (about 900 sq inches).
Pros: Tanks are lovely to look at and the correct size tank provides your hamster with a good amount of living space.
Cons: Heavy to move. Can be more expensive.
To Purchase: while you can purchase these online, you must pick up in person. Click here to see the 75 gallon tank. You may also need a lid for your tank (lids are a necessity for Syrian hamsters or if you have other animals in your household.).
You might also find one for sale second hand on Facebook Marketplace or other, similar, second hand marketplaces. I found one for free, it just needed some cleaning!
Further Reading: YouTuber HoppingHammy did a comparison video of Hamster Tank sizes that I think is great and super helpful! Including this for you below!.
Ikea Linnmon Hack
If you haven’t figured it out already, people LOVE to use Ikea furniture for hamsters! I have increasingly seen the Ikea Linnmon hack done to create a cage that is a bit deeper and wider than the Detolf. It does a bit more handy work and might not be a project just anyone is up for. Including some vidoes I felt might be helpful if you’re down for the challenge!
Pros: Gives a great space that’s both wide and deep, good for Syrian hamsters.
Cons: Requires a bit more DIY work than the Detolf or Bin Cage.
Further Reading: Check out Interview_With_The_Hampire’s Website to see what tools she used. Benji and Baloo on Instagram also have a fab looking Linnmon
Second Hand Enclosures:
I had the fortune of finding a 75 gallon tank that someone didn’t want anymore! This could be you! Check FB marketplace or wherever you find local sales near you for used aquariums. Search for the 40 gallon breeder tank or the 75 gallon tanks. The 55 gallon tank is an awkward size for hamsters and is not recommended.
Make sure you bring someone who is experienced with moving heavy items to help you move the tank- 75 gallon tanks weigh 140 lbs without water in them! Please don’t injure yourself!
Many people will also sell their DIY Ikea hacks or other DIY hamster enclosures, it is worth checking for this on your local online marketplaces! I was able to find a second-hand bin cage from a thrift shop that I used when I first got a hamster.
Make sure you thoroughly clean the used tank and then rinse with water to ensure no harmful chemicals are left behind. For plastic or glass you can use dish soap and water (I used my shower for cleaning).
I’m including some additional videos below from Erin’s Animals and Victoria Raechel discussing how to properly disinfect and clean used hamster items.
Multichamber Hide
In some countries, providing a multichamber hide for your hamsters is required by law. It may not be required where I live, but I think it should be! Here’s why- hamsters are naturally burrow animals who create multi-roomed burrows for all of their activies, like sleeping, storing food, toilet area, socializing area, etc. Multichamber hides give them the chambers they naturally desire and most hamsters will make their multichamber hide their main nest.
I recommend placing your multichamber hide on stilts so you can provide burrowing space underneath.
The good news is you can make your own DIY multichamber hide! Including several videos from YT below to give you some ideas. If you use a box please ensure that the cardboard is clean and from an interior ply (not the exterior box something was shipped in). Shipping boxes are often very dirty and I have heard they are being sprayed with disinfectant due to the pandemic- best to stay away from theses.
I would also recommend staying away from colored cardboard or cardboard with a plastic coating on it as your will chew on it. I like to use the boxes that my wine shipments come in! They are very sturdy and they are a clean, interior layer only used for packaging the item. Video of this below too :)
For any DIY crafts you can use a hot glue gun with non toxic glue or Elmer’s non-toxic school glue without issue. Just make sure there are no large bits of glue or your hamster may try to eat it (of course this is why you want non-toxic glue!)
Additional Hides, Tunnels & Accessories:
Hamsters are busy little animals who spend less time “playing” and more time building their world. They like to create intricate tunnel systems and gather food for the looming winter months they foresee. Hides and tunnels give them additional points of interest or places they might incorporate in their little world. But these hides don’t have to be expensive or even store bought!
Keep in mind that Syrian hamsters should not have any tunnel or hide with a diameter or less than 4”. They may be able to make 3” work, but with full cheek pouches they can damage their cheeks going through small holes.
Dwarves should have 3” openings or larger, robos can do 2” or larger.
It is not uncommon that hamsters get stuck and perish in hamster tubes (like the classic, Kaytee variety). This would be a very sad end for your hamster, don’t let it happen to you!
Here are some good ideas:
Wide Mouth Glass Jars from Peanut Butter (or similar):
Due to the size of glass jars, I only recommend this for dwarf or robo hamsters. Syrians may be too large for this.
You can used jars you already have, find them at Goodwill, or purchase them!
Terra Cotta Pot or Mug on its Side:
Terra cotta pots, plant pots & mugs are great for hamster use! I currently use a pot from an orchid I got as a gift. It looks nice and is a great, open hide for my hamster to get cozy under (featured in the video below).
Just make sure you remove any stickers or foam pieces from the bottom of your pots before you place them in your hamster cage- you don’t want your hamsters nibbbling on these things!
See an adorable photo from BenjiandBaloo using their terra cotta pot!
Cardboard Boxes with Holes:
My hamsters seem to get a lot of joy from a small box with a few small holes. Packaging from shipments also make great hamster hides (as long as it’s cardboard/paper based and not Styrofoam or plastic!).
only use interior boxes and packaging only- you don’t want to expose your hamster to the outer box the item was shipped in, you want to only use the interior layers of cardboard for your hamster. For example- when you order a Niteangel wheel, they’ll ship it in a box, and inside that box is the Niteangel box with a wheel inside! This is a double gift as you can use that clean box for your hamsters!
I like to use molded, cardboard packaging from beer and wine shipments. See below for some examples :)
Tissue boxes (remove the plastic bit), toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls and clean shoe boxes also work well!
These boxes can be used inside cage setups to create cozy spots for nesting or eating snacks and are also great additions to any playpen.
Bedding
There are many types of substrate you can provide your hamster. It is not advised that you use materials meant for gardening as they may contain pesticides or splinters. For all hamster beddings it is strongly advised that you freeze them for 48 hours. This freezing helps prevent any paper mites or bugs getting into your hamster cage.
Here are a few I recommend:
Paper Bedding
I suggest using white, Kaytee Clean and Cozy in most of your cage. Pile it high, as high as you can. It is recommended that bedding depth not go below 6”, although more is always recommended (aim for 10-12” if you can). Stick with the unscented king as hamsters have delicate respiratory systems and are sensitive to smells.
DIY Paper Bedding
If you are not able to purchase or find paper based, Erin’s animal has a great video about how to make your own tissue.
Aspen Wood Shavings
Aspen is one of the few wood options that are okay for hamster use. Cedar and pine are not safe for hamsters- if you have these please use them for your garden instead! Pine and cedar give off toxic fumes to small animals like hamsters. Aspen is not very soft and doesn’t hold tunnels well. If you want to use aspen, I suggest using it in just a part of their cage where there isn’t a lot of burrowing depth. I like to use it under sandbaths or around the wheel.
Hemp Based Bedding:
Many hamster owners are making the switch to hemp based beddings. I have not had a chance to personally try them yet, but I do like the idea that hemp is a more sustainable material to use for bedding. Erin’s Animals even says it’s her favorite substrate! Maybe it’s worth a try!?
Moss & Hay
Additionally, many hamster caretakers mix or layer orchard grass hay into their paper bedding. Make sure you don’t get this confused with timothy hay (which is pointy and can cause injury to your hamster’s eyes!). Orchard grass hay is soft and easily breakable. Some people say it provides structure to tunnels (I have yet to see a scientific study on this…) but it does add some color and can be quite attractive.
I find orchard grass hay very helpful in creating boredom breakers. I am allergic to it so I wear a surgical mask while handling it.
I also use Sheet moss for reptiles It looks gorgeous and is nice and soft for the hammies.
Loose Coconut Fiber
Coconut fiber comes in a huge bag and will last you a long time. Most hamsters love having a section of their enclosure that is coconut fiber so they can dig and play in it. One of my hamsters even enjoys sleeping in it! I like to sprinkle seeds in their coconut fiber for them to hunt for enrichment.
*Please freeze coconut fiber and paper bedding for 48 hours before using. I often stick mine in smaller ziplock bags so I can fit it in the freezer. This step should not be skipped as any natural substance could bring bugs or mites and dealing with mites is not fun and expensive (you will need to visit the vet and then buy all new hamster things!). Don’t let this happen to you!
Rocks
If you have access to some smooth rocks from your backyard this is a great addition to your hamster habitat. Make sure you fully clean your rocks using dish soap and warm water to ensure they are very clean before you put them in your hamster’s cage. Rocks can help hamsters keep their nails trim in addition to giving them an additional texture to experience. Make sure the rocks are smooth as rough or sharp rocks could injure your hamster. Click here to see the video Erin’s Animals made about how to find and disinfect rocks!
Plants:
Some plants are safe to use in hamster habitats and make attractive and interesting additions for you and your hamster. Erin’s Animals has a great video about hamster safe plants here. HamsterScape also has an informative article about hamster safe plants.
You can also grow your own wheat grass at home with a kit!
Wheel
Hamsters spend a lot of their waking time on their wheel. Some hamsters even nap in their wheel. A good wheel is incredibly important to your hamster’s health and happiness.
A wheel should allow your hamster to have a straight back when they run on it, they should not have to lift their chin at all. Any curvature in their spine can cause a lot of pain and back problems for your hamster later in life.
Wheels should also be a solid surface with no mesh or bars. Bars or mesh can literally cost your hamster their life- they can get their foot stuck in it and break their foot and unfortunately hamsters cannot always survive the surgery needed to mend it.
If you don’t believe me, check out this heartbreaking post from a Hamster Rescue in Southern California showing a hamster who broke two legs in a mesh wheel. *Trigger warning, some people may find this post disturbing.
Syrian Hamsters:
While some Syrian hamsters can use a 10” wheel, most Syrian hamster owners will say that 12” is a better fit. If you have a young hamster you might not know how large they will become. It’s best to go big so you don’t have to buy another wheel down the road. Hamsters can easily use a wheel that is much larger than they are, but they cannot use a wheel that’s too small. When in doubt, go big!
Chinese Hamsters:
Chinese hamsters are much smaller than Syrian hamsters but are still very long bodied. Best to stick with a 10” minimum wheel for your Chinese hamster
Dwarf Hamsters (winter whites, Campbell’s and Robos):
Dwarf Hamsters can use a wheel as small as 8” but can also use larger, 12” wheels without an issue. If your hamster is flipping a lot in their wheel they may need a larger wheel. It seems counterintuitive, but a large wheel means they whip around to the top more slowly, allowing them time to catch their feet.
For more on wheels, please see my dedicated Wheel Page!
Kaytee Comfort Wheel
If you’re on a budget, I recommend the Kaytee Comfort Wheel (video included of my little Laverne on her 8” comfort wheel). Comfort wheels are inexpensive, sturdy and reliable. I find they work best when placed inside a sand bath since they do not have a heavy, sturdy base (the sand helps keep them in place).
The comfort wheel comes in 8” and 12” (and also some smaller sizes that are not appropriate for hamsters). Get the 12” for Syrian hamsters and all other types of hamsters, 8” for dwarves only.
Pros: Lightweight and easy to spin for any size or age hamster. Wide, solid running base. Inexpensive
Cons: Limited color options , can be loud while in use
To Purchase: From Chewy here, from Amazon (click on image below). The Comfort Wheel also has a look-a-like sold at PetSmart, you can purchase here.
High Quality Food
Hamsters are omnivores and need approx 18-20% protein in their diet. In the US the easiest way to get a quality, balanced died it by mixing one full bag of Mazuri Rat & Mouse blocks with one full bag of Higgins Sunburst seed mix. I have additional links below for other healthy treats to be used for the taming process or in boredom breakers or hidden around a playpen for some enrichment.
I suggest freezing all food for 48 hours to ensure there are no bugs in it (I have experienced this… don’t let it happen to you!)
Studies have shown that hamsters prefer variety in their diet, so I frequently feed my hamsters small pieces of carrot, lettuce, spinach, and (unsalted, plain & cooled) scrambled egg as a treat. Give small pieces of fresh foods to your hamsters so they don’t store them in hoard for later.
If you think your hamster may have stashed away a piece of fresh food it never hurts to give their nest a once over just to make sure, you don’t want them to get sick if they try to eat it later.
Please see Hamster Hideout Forum for more detail about nutrition and a list of safe vegetables. I also now have a dedicated Food and Water page that I will keep updated with more detailed info on how to feed and hydrate your hamsters!
Water bowl and Bottle
I like to provide both water dishes and bottles for my hamsters. I do this to provide backup, since sometimes the bottle stops working and sometimes my hamsters fill their water bowls with fluff for a reason I can’t discern. All of my hamsters use both the bowls and the bottles, so I continue to leave both in there so they can choose which they prefer.
For water bowls, it’s important that you place them on a flat surface to keep them from spilling. I usually place my water bowls on top of a multi chamber hide or platform.
I really like the adjustable water bottle from Niteangel, but also have this ceramic water bottle holder from LoveDrizzlesStudio and it works perfectly for my robos (although I replaced the bottle it came with with the You & Me, 4 oz variety (link to PetCo), I find these water bottles work best for my dwarf & robo hamsters). The ceramic variety may be a bit low to the ground for a Syrian hamster.
I use distilled water for my hamsters to ensure that their water is clean and healthy.
I clean and replace bowl water daily. For the water bottles I wash them once a week and replace the water at this time. I use a straw cleaner to clean the inside of the metal shaft to ensure there isn’t a back up of icky bacteria inside the water bottle. I use dish soap and make sure to rinse very thoroughly (if they accidentally consume any dish soap this would probably make them quite sick, so I do take extra precaution to make sure the bottles are totally rinsed)
Please see this post from Hamstertivity all about how to place and maintain a water bowl.
One link shown below is for a self-filling water bowl. I haven’t personally tried this one before but I have heard other hamster owners say they like it.
Sand Bath & Sand
A sand bath is an essential part of a dwarf hamster’s enclosure. Syrians also benefit from sand (some really love digging in it!) but for dwarves it is a must. I encourage you to provide more than one sand bath!
Sand:
You can either purchase sand (I recommend Reptisand or the Niteangel hamster sand) or get children’s play sand (which you must first sift and sanitize).
If you purchase reptile sand, make sure the sand you buy is not calcium sand or hamster/chinchilla bathing dust- these are dangerous to hamsters.
The most economical choice for safe sand for your hamster is using children’s play sand! Children’s play sand requires some extra work before you can give it to your hamster for safe use. Including a video from HammyLux all about how to prep your children’s play sand for your hamster.
Playpen & Free Roam Time
Out of cage time is very important- this is a great time for taming & bonding with your hamster, in addition to giving your hamster additional enrichment by getting to explore a new space.
There are many ways you can provide out of cage time. I suggest that you start with a plastic bin and move onto a playpen and then a home-made walled in enclosure or hamster proofed room (I personally never do full free roam, I always have cardboard wall barriers because my hamsters are fast and unpredictable!). Out of cage time can be stressful for some nervous hamsters, their stress can make them run away from you quickly and hide in a spot you cannot reach.
Never bring your hamster outside- they can quickly pick up parasites, other bugs or diseases, or a sharp eyed hawk might just notice your cute, little friend. For more info on this, please see this post from DogsHamsters
The playpen I recommend is this nylon-walled playpen. It is not totally hamster proof so I do not recommend leaving your hamster in it unattended. I use the small size for my robos and the large size for my dwarves. I am working on building my robo’s confidence so that I can transition them to the larger size soon!
When your hamster is tamed and relaxed around you they may be ready for a larger playpen that allows them to experience a much bigger space. There are many low-cost or free DIY ways you can make your own playpen! Including some ideas here.
Free Roam Time
If you choose to free roam your hamster it is best to have a dedicated room to that hamster where you can take time to ensure your hamster cannot get lost or squeeze behind a door. One day to do this is possibly line the room with cardboard pieces to ensure your hamster cannot escape.
Some people say bathrooms are good free roam spots since they are generally free of furniture or clutter. I still find free roam time to be a bit nerve wracking and I personally depend on my handy, cardboard walls to ensure my hamsters stay safe.
Enrichment
There are many ways to provide your hamster with a full and enriching life that don’t break the bank. Including this great video from Victoria Raechel in addition to some boredom breaker suggestions!
Not Recommended:
Cotton fluff, Kapok, hamster balls, small cages connected together, edible hides, used hamster things that are not properly baked / disinfected, used hamster items that came from an ill hamster.
For more info on why these items are unsafe, please see Hamster Welfare’s Website.
Further Reading & Additional Ideas:
Hamster Info Ireland has a great list of items from Ikea or around the house you could use for your hamster here.