okay listen up potential pet owners
if you have/are planning to have a hamster or any small rodent then listen up. this post is more specific on hamsters, but is also applicable for other small pets.
DO NOT use wood shavings as a bedding. i don’t care what it says on the packet or whatever renowned brand it is. don’t do it. these cause respiratory issues and should never ever be used. ever. the much better alternative is stuff like carefresh (and thats what i use too)
DO NOT use the ‘soft fluffy’ beddings they sell for hamsters and other small pets. this stuff is awful. i know the stuff looks and feels so comfy and you think ‘ah my hamster would love this’ but there are so many issues with this stuff. firstly, more respiratory issues. secondly, this stuff can and will block your hamster’s intestinal tract and compact in their stomach. hamsters like to put stuff in their cheek pouches, this stuff can get stuck in there too. tiny legs and arms (front legs?) can get tangled up and injured. you can use things like torn up tissue and toilet roll for this. and it’s best to leave clumps; let your hamster move it and rip it up themselves- it counts as enrichment and gives them something to do!
please please please get a cage that’s big enough. and i’m not talking about the ones you see in stores - everywhere. i’ve seen attendants guide a mother and her kid around, pointing out the stuff to get for their brand new hamster… which included wood shavings, fluff bedding, and a tiny cage…
carrying on from that last point, as a bare minimum you need something that’s 59cm x 36cm x 25cm. and on top of that you need multiple floors. depending on the size of your small pet, you have to make sure to give them proportional furniture. wheels, hide-houses, etc. chew toys are also a necessity. if your hamster starts chewing the bars, it can mean one of many things. your hamster is bored. the cage is too small and the hamster wants to get out. it’s a bad habit. either way, you need to stop them in whatever way possible. chewing bars could mess up their teeth, and consequently the teeth will grow too long and the hamster could starve since it can’t eat. another possibility is the teeth growing and injuring the hamster and possibly leading to death. note: roborovski shouldn’t be housed in cages with bars as these are very small and nifty critters and they’ll just get the heck outta there.
*an example of a cage you see in pet stores that are faaaaar too small.
to conclude this ramble, know that although these companies sell materials and pet supplies, they are in it for the money. be wary of the treats as well, since different types of small pet can and cannot eat certain things. i remember reading a review of a woman saying she found apple seeds in her hamsters hanging treat. even though humans can deal with the tiny dose of cyanide, hamsters can’t. i mean, they’re tiny. almonds are also a big no for the same reason. honestly though, you can look up lists of what your pet can and cannot eat and how you should go about it. as an example, a syrian hamster can eat spinach. you have to give them small amounts over a period of time, so they can get used to it without causing an upset stomach.
anyway i hope anything i said has been useful, and please take these into account if you have/are planning on having a small pet. inadequate care for such a small animal could end up killing them.













