housing my new dwarf hamster

Question
Hi there, pls could you kindly advise me on keeping a dwarf hamster in an 18 inch cage.  I would like to know whats the best accessories and ideas for a house etc.

Thank you so much,

Jess

Answer
Hi Jess

Dwarf hamsters love playing.  so, make sure your hamster has got lots of tubes and things to run around.  They seem to like to vary where they sleep - so if you put a few different 'houses' for them - log roll, a coconut shell house, or similar and place some of their bedding in each so that they can choose where to sleep. Your hamster will need a wheel to run in - make sure it is one of the smaller wheels (not the large wheel for a Syrian as your hamster will have problems running in it). If your cage is actually a tank, then you'll need a free standing wheel for your hamster.  Just remember that they can't climb onto things that easily because of their small size, so will need ladders or similar to get onto platforms etc.  

You could also get a hamster exercise ball - syrian hamsters go in these for a run around - but they do make smaller versions specially for dwarf hamsters.  In my experience they have always enjoyed a runaround in these, but do keep an eye on your hamster as the size of the ball tends to get stuck under furniture!

Hope you enjoy having a dwarf hamster.

Regards