Probably the most important factor to keeping your hamster healthy and happy is his hamster cage. There are several different kinds of  hamster cages, and choosing the right one depends on the type of hamster you have and your personal tastes. Keep in mind that some  hamster cages suit some hamsters better than others, and some hamster cages require more work on your part than others. No matter what hamster cage you choose, you should keep the following in mind when deciding where to place your cage:

• Hamsters require quiet during the day. Find a place for the cage where they will be able to sleep soundly during the daytime.
• Keep your hamster cage out of direct sunlight. An overly warm environment can cause your hamster to dehydrate quickly.
• If you have other pets in the house keep your hamster cage out of their reach, preferably in a room that the other pets aren’t allowed into.
• Hamsters don’t like drastic temperature change, so place the cage in a spot with a constant temperature. Drafts and air conditioners can lead to illness, so if you can, keep the room temperature between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

As far as the size of the hamster cage goes, the quick rule of thumb is the bigger the better! You want a cage that’s at least 15 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches deep in order to provide your hamster with enough room to run around the cage. Your hamster will want to set up a toilet area, a nesting area, an eating area, and a play area, so your cage will need to be big enough to accommodate all of this.

Avoid old metal cages! You probably won’t see many of these anymore, but if you do it’s best to steer clear. Most new wire hamster cages are rust resistant, but some of the older ones are not. Your hamster will happily gnaw on the bars of the cage, and as older metal hamster cages tend to rust, this can make your hamster very sick indeed.

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