Hamster Bedding
There are lots of different bedding options, but some should be avoided. We’ve listed a few of the pros and cons for the different types of bedding on our "How Much Is Hamster Bedding". Hamsters love making little burrows and tunnels out of their bedding, so once you’ve decided on a suitable material it’s a good idea to add quite a lot to your hamster’s enclosure.
One option is to store your hamster’s bedding in a sealed box to prevent other creatures getting at it.
Some owners opt for a light-coloured bedding, as this makes any blood in the cage more obvious. If you spot some blood, then it’s a good idea to give your hamster a thorough health-check. Small nicks and cuts can be treated at home, but large injuries and blood in urine or around the genitals means that your hamster needs to see a vet.
Depending on your hamster enclosure there are different ways of storing your bedding. For those who have a Qute with storage, then you can simply keep your bedding in the drawer. Owners without this option often choose to keep their bedding in a sealed box so that the bedding doesn’t get wet. If you’re worried about pests, such as if you’re keeping your pet in hay, then some owners opt to freeze their bedding for 48 hours to kill any pests living in the bedding material. This will minimise the chances that your hamster contracts mites - just be sure to properly defrost the bedding before you put it back into storage or in your hamster’s cage!
Where Do I Put My Hamster Bedding?
Whichever hamster bedding you use, you’ll want to keep it fresh and dry. Hamsters often nibble their bedding, and if there’s dirt or mould on the bedding then it could cause problems with your pet’s digestive system. This provides them with an activity, with warmth, and it also soaks up their waste, making it easier to clean the cage. Whilst some owners keep it in a sealed container, others choose to freeze their bedding for 48 hours to minimise the possibility of the bedding transferring any parasites to their pets. If you do choose to do this, make sure that the bedding is thoroughly defrosted before putting it in your hamster’s cage or they could risk getting chilled.
If you have the Qute hamster cage that comes with storage, then you can keep your hamster bedding nice and dry in the built-in drawer in the unit. In the event that you don’t have one of these, then it’s important to have a good, dry area of your house in which you can store your hamster’s bedding.
How To Hamster-Proof Your Room
Hamsters are wily little creatures that can get into the tiniest of nooks and crannies. They are excellent climbers and burrowers, and their sharp teeth can cause havoc if they’re let loose in a house.
It’s really hard to predict which areas are susceptible to invasion by your tiny pet, so you’ll probably want to cordon off an area rather than attempt to hamster-proof your whole room. Hamsters can burrow into chairs, get stuck under tables, and obtain lost by crawling through holes in floorboards or skirting boards. Perhaps the best option is to make a little enclosure for you both to enjoy. If you can find a section of floor that you can sit on comfortably, then you can build a little wall out of cardboard or other objects - just make sure that this makeshift wall can’t fall on your pet! Normally, cardboard isn’t the best at keeping your hamster in, but if you’re in there with your pet keeping an eye on it then you should be able to prevent escape attempts. As always, stay with your hamster while it's out of its cage and keep any other pets out of the room - cats, dogs and ferrets in particular can do serious damage to hamsters.
However, no matter how well you hamster-proofed the room, these little hammies are never safe in a family environment on their own. They enjoy playing and exploring, so you may be wondering how you can keep your furry friend safe when you let him out of his cage to explore. Furthermore, time spent outside the cage is ideal for bonding and playing, so benefit from it!
Are you considering getting your hamster something fun to play with? Check out Entertaining Hamster Toys.