Hamster Cages
You’re going to need the right housing for your hamster, which is why we encourage you to purchase wired or plastic hamster cages. However, wired cages are a great way to keep your hamster fit and active as some hamster such as Syrians like to climb the wired cages. Whether you have one hamster or more, we suggest you purchase the largest cage within your budget as these cute little pets love to run around. You should also ensure that the hamster is located in a warm, quiet room which isn’t too bright. Always ensure that your pet is safe away from predatory animals, such as dogs and cats.

Exercise
If there is one thing hamsters love it is exercise; therefore, we strongly recommend that you incorporate an exercise wheel into their cage. Exercise balls for when you play with your hamster outside of their cage are also a worthwhile investment. Large hamster cages with more than one level are also a great way for your pet to actively explore their surroundings and enjoy their time in the cage.

Hamster Bedding
You should be sure to create a cosy and comfortable environment for your pet hamster by incorporating bedding into their cage, such as barley straw, paper bedding, wood shavings and other products that we sell here at Ideas-4-Pets.

Separating Hamsters
It is imperative that you do not place male and female Syrian hamsters in the same cage as each other, as this can lead to a large amount of breeding and cause fights between the animals.

Hamsters typically live for between two and five years, are cheap to take care of, easy for children to handle themselves, and are the least likely of the common pet options to provoke allergies (and the wrath of Mum if not cleaned out every day!)

Environment
Unlike larger rodents (e.g. rats who require rat cages of a significant size) hamsters are content in a hamster cage environment of relatively small size. Even the simplest hamster cages tend to include a wheel, climbing bars etc. This is usually sufficient and will give children the opportunity to watch their little friend go about its daily/nightly business easily. Unlike animal environments such as a vivarium or rabbit hutch, hamster cages are small and very easy to clean, making them ideal for little hands with short attention spans!

Handling
Hamsters are great starter animals because they can become very familiar with handling. They tend to be most active at night though, which can sometimes disturb very light sleeping children. Hamsters are fragile, and great for teaching even very young children how to approach, treat and care for all animals.

There are lots of different types of hamster, so be sure to do a little research online before you buy.

Ventilation
A hamster’s cage needs to be well-ventilated because hamsters can easily suffer from heatstroke when the weather gets warm. Cages that have walls which are made entirely of transparent plastic should be avoided as they can act like greenhouses for hamsters.

Heat
Hamsters are very sensitive to heat, so when you first choose a place to put your hamster’s cage, ensure it is in an area which is unlikely to receive particularly high temperatures. Never put a cage next to a window or any other area which receives direct sunlight. Similarly, open heat sources such as fireplaces should also not be in close proximity.

Cold
During the colder months, try to avoid putting your hamster’s cage directly on a cold surface such as a concrete floor. If this is unavoidable then the cage should be insulated by wrapping a blanket or a towel around the bottom of it. On particularly cold nights, be sure to provide your hamster with extra nesting material so that they can stay nice and cosy when the temperature drops.

When it comes to buying cages for your domestic animals, look no further than ideas-4-pets. Whether you need a hamster cage, parrot cage, or rat cage, our high-quality products will help to keep your pet healthy, happy, and in tip-top condition.

Indeed, specifically bred rats have been kept as pets since at least as early as the late 19th century and their appeal shows no sign of declining. Of course, if you intend to get such animals as an addition to your home, you must make sure you are clued up on how to look after them. After all, their welfare is your responsibility and this is something you must take seriously. So, it is crucial you get a good rat cage and provide the little animals with healthy food and plenty of water.

As well as this, you must ensure they have enough items to keep them amused in their cages. They are extremely active and inquisitive, so it is not enough to simply put them in an environment in which they can eat, drink and sleep. You should also place plenty of toys in the cage and a wooden block for them to chew on.

You also ought to make sure there are plenty of things for the pets to climb on and explore and an exercise wheel is a good idea. Cardboard rolls and boxes are also helpful and you can easily get your hands on ladders, ropes, plastic tubes and other such products. Additionally, it is helpful to rotate the toys so that the rats remain stimulated.

Here at ideas-4-pets, we stock cages for rats, as well as dog guards, hamster cages, cat runs and many other such items.

After all, apart from feeding, watering and cleaning, there is very little you need to do to keep your four-legged friend content.

However, one thing you should be aware of is the importance of the particular hamster cage you choose.

The more elaborate the enclosure is and the more toys your furry companion has, the more active he is likely to be.

For example, you can get hamster cages that have space for toys, wheels and passageways that he can squeeze through.

Such items will make his life more varied and will also allow you to get more from him.

The range of behaviours he will be able to exhibit in a more elaborate hamster cage will more significantly greater than if he is cooped up in a small, dull container.

These days, it is possible to get many different types of hamster cages, so you are likely to be spoiled for choice.

Of course, on the odd occasion you may also take your pet out of his confinement to let him roam around on the carpet. This is fine as long as you keep your eye on him, as you don’t want him scampering off and getting lost.

After all, such animals are of great interest to any cats that may be in the area and they also run the risk of being squashed accidentally by a person.

Youngsters love being around animals and many want the chance to be able to care for them at home.

Well, with Christmas coming up, you may feel that now is the appropriate time to relent and give into their requests.

Of course, the type of animal you decide to get as a gift for your little ones depends on a number of factors.

Your budget, the size of your home and whether or not you or your partner has allergies to particular creatures are likely to feature among these.

One pet that can be perfect as an offering to boys and girls is a hamster. Such lovable, furry creatures are easy to care for compared with larger animals like dogs.

And getting such a pet is a great way of teaching your children about responsibility and how to look after something.

Also, over the years they will have the opportunity to understand more about the life cycle by caring for such animals.

If you do decide to get a creature of this kind, you should also invest in a hamster cage. And these days there are also a range of accessories that can go in hamster cages.

To find out more about the kind of hamster cages available, simply browse our website. Also, you should take the time to peruse the hamster bedding we have that could go in your hamster cage, should you get one.

Here are some toys you can make to put in the hamster cage to keep your pet entertained. With just a few simple materials you can make your hamster cage into a veritable theme park.

1. Make tunnels from cardboard tubes (from toilet roll or kitchen roll). You can make an entire maze if you have room in the cage. Hamsters love tunnels!

2. Make monkey bars for your hamster with thick cord (such as shoe laces) or pipe cleaners. You can easily string things across hamster cages to make a jungle gym for your pet.

3. Make a fun house with a cereal box. Cut windows in the sides for your hamster to poke his head out of. Try shredding some paper and putting it in the bottom of a small box. Hamsters love playing in shredded paper.

4. Add a snugly bed using an old slipper or the hood of an old sweatshirt. Hamsters love cuddling into balls in warm places, and these will make great beds.

When making toys or beds for your hamster, remember that anything you put in hamster cages should be non toxic, and should not have any sharp edges.

This type of animal requires plenty of room to exercise in. Although they are only small, they are very active at night and so keeping them in a container that lacks sufficient room is not advisable.

Hamster cages should be large and have plenty to keep your furry companion entertained.

If you’ve ever been kept awake at night as your pet charges around its hamper cage and furiously makes turns in its wheel, you’ll understand they have  lots of energy to burn.

Such creatures are nocturnal by nature and so they are most likely to be out of their beds after the sun goes down.

By investing in bigger and better hamster cages, you can experience benefits too.

After all, watching your four legged friend make his way through tunnels, up walls and across ledges is great entertainment and can keep you amused for hours.

This is surely preferable to watching him cooped up in a small cage where he has little to do.

You could also use a child’s birthday as an opportunity to invest in such a product, as your youngsters will no doubt be even more thrilled than you to see the family hamster get an upgrade to his pad.

So, what are you waiting for? It could be the perfect time to purchase a better hamster cage. After all, as they say, there is no time like the present!

However, it is important to remember that, as with all pets, they come with their fair share of responsibilities.

As well as making sure you give them the right sorts of food and provide them with enough water, you have to keep their hamster cage clean.

After all, failing to do this not only causes your four-legged friend problems, but can also leave an unpleasant odour in your home – which is not ideal!

When tackling the issue of cleaning hamper cages, there are a number of useful tips.

For example, you should ensure you put down a good layer of sawdust or shavings on the floor of the hamster cage as this absorbs the urine. Sawdust is generally considered to be the more absorbent of the two options, but whichever you go for is entirely up to you.

An important thing to note when cleaning hamster cages is never to put newspaper down under this layer as if your pet ingests it, it could poison them.

It is also helpful to have a ‘damp corner’ in a hamster cage where your furry companion can do its business. Using a plastic tray lined with sawdust is one option for this.

Generally speaking, it is recommended to clean the home thoroughly every week. However, the water bottle should be refilled every day and any droppings and perishable food removed too.

The damp corner should also be cleaned at least a few times a week.

You should place the hamster cage in a quiet and dimly lit area of the house, and make sure that the hamster cage is not too close to pets such as cats and dogs if you have them. Hamsters will thrive satisfactorily in temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but be aware that very cold temperatures may send them into hibernation. If this happens, gently warm them in your hands to wake them.

Avoid drafts, excess humidity and drastic changes in temperature, such as in an air-conditioned room, bathroom or laundry room, as they can contribute to respiratory problems. Another thing to bear in mind is to not place hamster cages near a window where it will be in direct sunlight all day or in a conservatory as this can cause heatstroke.

An exercise wheel in the hamster cage is essential. These animals are naturally active and will run many miles a night given the opportunity! An exercise ball for use outside the cage is also a good idea as this will let your hamster get more exercise. Apart from anything else, watching a hamster playing with a ball is a great source of entertainment for youngsters and adults alike.