| Preparing the Cage for your New Hamster |
| Before you buy a hamster, the cage must be pre-assembled and ready so your hamster is able to enter it as soon as you get home. Follow and complete this checklist before you buy your hamster to ensure that your hamster's cage is ready: |
| Equipment Feeding The Cage Handling An Interesting Life Finding a Lost Hamster Health Dealing with Hamster Loss |
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| _ After buying the cage, assemble it if necessary. _ Check that the door latches properly; if not, you may need to return the cage. _ Practice taking the tray on and off a few times. _ Take the tray off and fill it with wood shavings; the deeper the layer is, the better, as hamsters are burrowing animals. _ Fill up the water bottle and food bowl and place it in easy reach for the hamster. The spout of the water bottle should be at about shoulder height for the hamster (about 8 cm (3 in) for a Syrian hamster) _ Attach or insert the wheel. _ Attach the salt lick to the side of the cage, a bit higher than shoulder height. _ Fill the sleeping box/hamster house with bedding and shavings. Leave room for your hamster (don't feel disappointed if your hamster chooses not to sleep in the house, as all hamsters have different tastes!). _ "Decorate" the inside of the cage. Make it as interesting as possible for your hamster; add platforms by sliding thin wood horizontally through the bars; place a cardboard tube in the cage for your hamster to chew on; add interesting objects such as pinecones for your hamster to investigate. For more cage ideas, visit the Homemade Toys section. |
| Preparing the Cage (feel free to print this checklist. For personal use only) |
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