123 replies to this topic

[BudgetBunny]

Although I'm not a first time hamster owner I found this information extremely thorough and it will definitely help any newbies out there! I've owned hamsters for more than 6 years and still find new things to learn about! Taxonimist I noticed that you mentioned extreme temperatures and recommended purchasing a thermometer to regulate this however you didn't mention what 'extreme' included? I was just wondering if you had a more exact temp. that is too hot or too cold for a hammy? Thanks for so much! You have been very helpful to me today! 

[Taxonomist]

Although I'm not a first time hamster owner I found this information extremely thorough and it will definitely help any newbies out there! I've owned hamsters for more than 6 years and still find new things to learn about! Taxonimist I noticed that you mentioned extreme temperatures and recommended purchasing a thermometer to regulate this however you didn't mention what 'extreme' included? I was just wondering if you had a more exact temp. that is too hot or too cold for a hammy? Thanks for so much! You have been very helpful to me today! 

 

Good question!

 

Ideally, hamsters should be kept in temperatures between 68F and 72F.  That's what seems to be most comfortable for them.  In the wild, their underground burrows are maintained at around this temperature year-round (which is pretty amazing!).

 

As a range of survivable temperatures, I would keep it between 60F and 80F.  Anything outside of that range can cause health problems.

[CaliforniaCole]

Good question!

Ideally, hamsters should be kept in temperatures between 68F and 72F. That's what seems to be most comfortable for them. In the wild, their underground burrows are maintained at around this temperature year-round (which is pretty amazing!).

As a range of survivable temperatures, I would keep it between 60F and 80F. Anything outside of that range can cause health problems.

Do you have any ideas on how to lower or raise the temperate in the room in case it gets too hot or too cold? My parents don't like to turn on the air conditioner or heater too often.

Would a fan or a space heater work?

[robo4love]

This is super helpful! Im putting it in my hamster binder for sure.

[lifewithhamsters14]

This was so helpful! I am a new hamster owner and this will help me! Thanks a lot!  

[RachelsHamsters]

I think this is the best thread on HH. Well done!

[Usagii]

Thanks for this post, it really helps me xD doing some thorough research before buying my Syrian hamster....

[Tofuthehammy]

Good job! I can't believe that you could type all that my fingers would be about to fall off!





Good job,
Tofuthehammy13

[filteringlight]

thank you so much! so helpful!

[audgle]

Thanks so much for this!

I learned lot's of new things!

[StripedHamsters]

Thanks! This is really detailed and helpful.

[Emma&Chester]

Excellent post, but the part of 360 square inches being the minimum of floorspace isn't entirely true, in fact, that horribly small minimum is only relevant to the United Sates and Canada. Users here are from all over the world, many being from Europe where over 500 sqaure inches of floorpsace is the minimum, and it's even larger for Germany.

Just a little tip, in case any new European or German hamster owners read this post.

[Ping]

Excellent post, but the part of 360 square inches being the minimum of floorspace isn't entirely true, in fact, that horribly small minimum is only relevant to the United Sates and Canada. Users here are from all over the world, many being from Europe where over 500 sqaure inches of floorpsace is the minimum, and it's even larger for Germany.

Just a little tip, in case any new European or German hamster owners read this post.

 

As far as I know, Hamster Hideout's 360 sq in. minimum wasn't actually based on any official recommendations or studies. It came about, I believe, as that is the floor space of a 20 gallon long tank, which is often recommended for beginner owners. You're right, it is a horrible small space when compared with a number of officially-recognised minima, but to be fair it is a LOT better than most commercial cages available (particularly in the US and Canada) and is a good starting point.

 

I know the UK's RSPCA recommends 450 sq in, and standard cages on the continent are often MUCH larger.

[Emma&Chester]

As far as I know, Hamster Hideout's 360 sq in. minimum wasn't actually based on any official recommendations or studies. It came about, I believe, as that is the floor space of a 20 gallon long tank, which is often recommended for beginner owners. You're right, it is a horrible small space when compared with a number of officially-recognised minima, but to be fair it is a LOT better than most commercial cages available (particularly in the US and Canada) and is a good starting point.
 
I know the UK's RSPCA recommends 450 sq in, and standard cages on the continent are often MUCH larger.

Personally, I don't agree at all with tanks unless the hamster is being used for breeding purposes (of course should be left to the professionals). I've bred and raised hamsters for over 8 years and I know for a fact how much they love to climb, plus wired cages offer plenty of ventilation preventing any potential infections. Tanks (20 gallon tanks are too small in my opinion, and this should be raised to a minimum of a 30 gallon, even 40 gallon) offer no where for the hamster to climb, and can become extremely stuffy in the summer (ecspecially if one lived in a tropical climate where it's humid) and have the potential to cause respiratory issues, etc. Tanks should only be used as a add on digging area, or for small species of dwarf like the Roborovski, and pregnant hamsters that are expecting like I said above.

Sure, it's bigger than most commercial cages in the US/Canada, but to be honest with you the minimum of 360 sqaure inches is simply not enough. Hamsters, as I'm sure you know, in the wild have large areas of floorpsace where they have their burrows, run around, etc - 360 square inches, by the time a house, food bowl, toys, and exercise wheel is added - is virtually nothing.

[Ping]

Personally, I don't agree at all with tanks unless the hamster is being used for breeding purposes (of course should be left to the professionals). I've bred and raised hamsters for over 8 years and I know for a fact how much they love to climb, plus wired cages offer plenty of ventilation preventing any potential infections. Tanks (20 gallon tanks are too small in my opinion, and this should be raised to a minimum of a 30 gallon, even 40 gallon) offer no where for the hamster to climb, and can become extremely stuffy in the summer (ecspecially if one lived in a tropical climate where it's humid) and have the potential to cause respiratory issues, etc. Tanks should only be used as a add on digging area, or for small species of dwarf like the Roborovski, and pregnant hamsters that are expecting like I said above.

Sure, it's bigger than most commercial cages in the US/Canada, but to be honest with you the minimum of 360 sqaure inches is simply not enough. Hamsters, as I'm sure you know, in the wild have large areas of floorpsace where they have their burrows, run around, etc - 360 square inches, by the time a house, food bowl, toys, and exercise wheel is added - is virtually nothing.

 

 

Sorry :( I wasn't trying to defend it, I was just trying to explain to you where I believe it came from :(

 

In my experience, some hamsters like to climb, some to burrow. Tanks can often provide plenty more burrowing space than a lot of cages.

 

I'm not sure where you are getting the info that a smaller cage or tank is suitable for a smaller hamster such as a Robo? From what I have seen, Roborovskis are often more active than any of the other species so if anything would need a larger cage?