.png)
ENRICHMENT
Enrichment covers a wide variety of things when we are looking at hamster care from hides & tunnels to dig boxes, sprays & forage and even different textures.
Enrichment is sometimes overlooked in favour of making sure a hamster has the right size cage and wheel but it is arguably just as important to their welfare and needs to be considered carefully.
MULTI CHAMBER HIDES
In the wild, hamster create complex burrow systems comprising of many chambers that they use for different things. Giving them a multi-chamber hide helps them replicate this behaviour in their enclosure. Your hamster may use the chambers for sleeping, storing food, going to the toilet or they may just decide to start their burrow from the safety of one of the chambers.
​
They also make great platforms for keeping water bowls safe from deeper bedding - just make sure you add stilts so it doesn't end up buried in bedding.
When choosing your MCH make sure you pick one large enough for the species you want to adopt. Syrians need entrances to be at least 7cm in diameter and dwarf species require at least 5.5cm.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
TUNNELS
Tunnels are a great form of enrichment for your hamster. They help create safe pathways to travel through their enclosure, add texture and offer hiding spots for them to groom or eat their favourite snacks.
​
Make sure your tunnel has a suitable size entrance for the species of hamster you want to adopt - 7cm for Syrians and 5.5cm for dwarf species.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
HIDES
It's really important to offer your hamster enough hides to feel safe and comfortable in their home. Hides can come in lots of different forms most commonly wood, ceramic, plastic and cardboard and offer a chance to add some colour and personality to your hamsters enclosure if you choose.
Just make sure your hides are large enough for your hamster to comfortably fit and have entrance sizes in a suitable size for the species of hamster you want to adopt - 7cm for Syrians and 5.5cm for dwarf species.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
SAND BATHS & DIG BOXES
Dig boxes can be a great opportunity to add enrichment without taking up additional space in your enclosure. If you use a large enough dig box you can place your wheel or hides inside and double up on enrichment per square inch.
​
Make sure your sand bath and dig boxes are large enough for your hamster to comfortably dig and roll.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
CHEWING ENRICHMENT
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Your hamsters teeth will grow continuously through their lifetime and as such it's important to provide them with opportunities to gnaw and grind their teeth down. Whimzees are a favourite for hamsters along with things like safe wooden chews, loofa, apple wood sticks or dandelion root.
Chews also provide a form of enrichment for your hamster so try to ensure they have at least a couple of option in their enclosure at all times.
​
NATURAL ITEMS
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Items like cork logs, java branches and stones can help you create an enclosure that closely mimics your hamsters natural environment, They also act as clutter which can make your hamsters enclosure feel more enclosed and safe for them while they explore and forage.
.png)
