How to Set Up a Hamster Cage (Beginner's Guide)

A happy hamster needs a large cage, deep bedding to burrow in, a solid (not barred) wheel and plenty of hideouts. Most pet-shop cages are too small — bigger is always better.

Last updated: 9 June 2026 · PetsRus Team

The essentials

• Space: the largest cage you can fit — aim well above minimum guidelines.
• Bedding: deep, dust-free bedding so they can dig and tunnel.
• Wheel: a large, solid-surface wheel to protect their back and feet.
• Enrichment: hideouts, chew toys, a sand bath and tunnels.

What to avoid

Skip tiny cages, wire/barred wheels, fluffy cotton bedding (a tangling hazard) and housing Syrian hamsters together — they're solitary.

Frequently asked questions

How big should the cage be?

As large as possible with a big unbroken floor area — hamsters roam a long way each night.

Can two hamsters share a cage?

Syrian hamsters must live alone. Some dwarf species can pair if introduced carefully.