Hamsters' habitat should have a big cage possible with a minimum of 450 square inches of space with a spacing of 8.5mm bar spacing to prevent escaping. Hamsters also require a thick layer of bedding material to be able to dig and tunnel, store food, sleep, and absorb waste. The bedding ideally should be 15 inches deep or more along the floor of the cage as they are burrowing animals. Additionally it should be safe for the hamsters entire body including the mouth and they use their cheek pouches to carry it. Some safe bedding options include Aspen shavings, hay, and Granulated paper (absorbent but not clingy). For water, a water bottle must be used as a water bowl containing the risk that they will fall in and drown. A food bowl, made of heavy ceramic. Hamsters should have a lot of enrichment items such as chew toys-keeps their teeth from getting too long, consisting of a small dog biscuit, wooden block, section of twig from a fruit tree. Exercise equipment and toys, an appropriate sized wheel (should not be a wire wheel as they can get injured) is a must have, other toys include ladders, rocks, pipes, cardboard rolls.
The hamsters enclosure should remain out of direct sunlight, away from drafts from either an open window or air conditioning vents. The cage should be well ventilated. If exposed to drafts it can lead to respiratory problems. They should be kept around 65 to 80 degrees fahrenheit. The hamster's cage and accessories should be kept clean. Waste should be removed and replaced with clean bedding every day or two. Leftover fresh food and vegetables should be removed to prevent health problems from spoiled foods.The hamsters themselves do not need to be bathed or washed and they have the ability to clean themself. Every 3-4 weeks, all bedding should be removed, cleaned cage and toys.