The Chinese Hamster

Chinese hamsters are native to Mongolia and China. They are around 3.5 to 4.7 inches long and weigh around 1 to 1.8 ounces. They live up to about 2 to 3 years old. Like all species, Chinese hamsters are nocturnal. And, they have the longest tails out of all the other species!!

Chinese Hamster Care Guide

Everything you need to know

Cage: According to the Humane Society of the United States, a cage of a Chinese hamster should be at least 576 square inches. Most cages from pet stores like Petco and PetSmart are way too small. Large aquariums are suitable for your pet, but I would recommend a bin cage as your least expensive option. The larger your cage, the better.

Food: Hamster food sold at pet stores are often not nutrient enough for hamsters. I recommend feeding your hamster both Mazuri Mouse and Rat Pellets and Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Food Mix For Hamsters and Gerbils.

Wheel: The minimum wheel size for Chinese hamsters is 6 inches, but I recommend getting your Chinese hamster a 10 to 12 inch wheel. A small wheel can curve and injure a hamster's back when running. The bigger the wheel, the better.

Water bottle/bowl: Your Chinese hamster needs a source of water to drink from. While a water bottle may be less messy, a water bowl allows a hamster to drink more freely. I personally prefer to use a water bottle, but it is really up to you to decide what you want to use.

Chew toys: Your Chinese hamster needs something to gnaw on to trim their teeth down. You should avoid plastic chew toys or chew toys made out of sawdust, pine or cedar. These materials can be dangerous for your hamster if ingested. I would recommend getting your hamster wooden toys made out of oak or maple, apple sticks, or timothy hay sticks.

Hides: Hamsters are prey animals and don't like to constantly be out in the open. They need hiding places in their enclosure to safely take cover in. Plastic hides are not recommended because your hamster can accidently eat the plastic, which is harmful for them. Pine or cedar houses should be avoided for the same reason. I recommend getting your hamster wooden hides from the company Niteagel. They create hides with several chambers suitable for all species of hamsters.

Bedding: Provide your hamster bedding to burrow in. Avoid pine or cedar shavings because their oils can irritate the lungs of your hamster. Pine and cedar shavings are also sharp enough to injure your hamster. If you want to use wooden shavings, use aspen instead. However, I would recommend getting your hamster paper bedding. Avoid anything scented to prevent irritation to your hamster's nose.