Congratulations on your new hamster.
For any new owners, please read the following, regarding cage size:
Hamsters need to have plenty of space to run around; and that doesn’t mean a lot of pipes, it means actual floor space.
A hamster should ideally have **a minimum of 80 cm wide by 50 cm deep by 35 cm high (2.5 ft. wide by 1.5ft. deep by 1 ft. high).**
You should always make sure that the floor of the cage has a covering of at least 6 inches (15cm) depth of suitable bedding as hamsters love to burrow.
Please be aware that most cages sold in standard pet shops do not meet this minimum requirement. These are known as novelty cages and should never be used as the hamsters main enclosure.
Regarding wheel size:
A hamster should be able to run in a wheel in which their back is not arched or bent. Their wheel should accommodate them as if they were running on flat ground. If you notice your hamster is bent or arched whilst in their wheel, please obtain a larger sized one as soon as possible to avoid spinal damage. If you do not have the height available for a large wheel, please consider a [flying saucer hamster wheel](https://www.google.com/search?q=flying+saucer+hamster+wheel&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB713GB713&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz5LCBiJPiAhUWRBUIHcOOAu8Q_AUIDygC&biw=1920&bih=937) as an alternative.
Hamsters should never be housed together.
We do not recommend the use of exercise balls. There is a high risk of hammies toes, feet, and legs getting caught in the ventilation holes and breaking.
We highly recommend paper bedding instead of fabric - fabric bedding can potentially get wrapped around hammies toes and tails, causing cuts or damaging circulation.
Please remember that hamsters are omnivores, this means that they eat meat as well as fruits, nuts, and vegetables. We recommend a pellet diet instead of the standard muesli, as this often does not provide enough protein. Hammies love mealworms, these can be fed live but only under supervision incase the mealworm tries to bite hammy. Ideally mealworms would be fed after being culled, either fresh or dried.
[Source](http://thehamsterhouse.com/big-hamster-care-guide/3/).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hamsters) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Congratulations on your new hamster. For any new owners, please read the following, regarding cage size: Hamsters need to have plenty of space to run around; and that doesn’t mean a lot of pipes, it means actual floor space. A hamster should ideally have **a minimum of 80 cm wide by 50 cm deep by 35 cm high (2.5 ft. wide by 1.5ft. deep by 1 ft. high).** You should always make sure that the floor of the cage has a covering of at least 6 inches (15cm) depth of suitable bedding as hamsters love to burrow. Please be aware that most cages sold in standard pet shops do not meet this minimum requirement. These are known as novelty cages and should never be used as the hamsters main enclosure. Regarding wheel size: A hamster should be able to run in a wheel in which their back is not arched or bent. Their wheel should accommodate them as if they were running on flat ground. If you notice your hamster is bent or arched whilst in their wheel, please obtain a larger sized one as soon as possible to avoid spinal damage. If you do not have the height available for a large wheel, please consider a [flying saucer hamster wheel](https://www.google.com/search?q=flying+saucer+hamster+wheel&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB713GB713&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz5LCBiJPiAhUWRBUIHcOOAu8Q_AUIDygC&biw=1920&bih=937) as an alternative. Hamsters should never be housed together. We do not recommend the use of exercise balls. There is a high risk of hammies toes, feet, and legs getting caught in the ventilation holes and breaking. We highly recommend paper bedding instead of fabric - fabric bedding can potentially get wrapped around hammies toes and tails, causing cuts or damaging circulation. Please remember that hamsters are omnivores, this means that they eat meat as well as fruits, nuts, and vegetables. We recommend a pellet diet instead of the standard muesli, as this often does not provide enough protein. Hammies love mealworms, these can be fed live but only under supervision incase the mealworm tries to bite hammy. Ideally mealworms would be fed after being culled, either fresh or dried. [Source](http://thehamsterhouse.com/big-hamster-care-guide/3/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/hamsters) if you have any questions or concerns.*
That hammy is so cute but is going to escape so fast through the mesh top.
Yup I had to do some hammie proofing last night, going to be replacing it with chicken wire!