Bedding, Sand & Depth

Hamsters are burrowing animals which in the wild dig and inhabit tunnels which can range up to 70 cm (about 27.5 in) deep and several meters long. They contain multiple caves and tunnels connecting them to serve as sleeping den, toilet area and storage to house their large hoards. Hamsters have a natural urge to burrow and build these tunnels, closing off old ones and constructing new ones on a regular basis.

The hamsters we keep in our homes still have the same natural urges as their wild counterparts which is why we need to offer them a safe, stable substrate to be able to burrow in.

We recommend the following minimum depth to be added to the majority of the enclosure:

Syrian Hamsters – 30 cm or 12 in

Winter White, Campbell and Hybrid Dwarf hamsters – 20 cm or 8 in

Chinese Hamster – 25 cm or 10 in

Roborowski Dwarf Hamster – 15 cm or 6 in

More is always better! As already mentioned, hamsters a very avid burrowers and the more bedding offered, the more likely they’ll follow their natural urges and create intricate tunnel systems.

The following materials are safe to be used as a substrate in the majority of the enclosure:

All hamsters require a sand bath where they’re able to dig and roll in. You can use a large dish or a box to hold it. It should have the following minimum sizes:

Syrian Hamsters – 30 cm or 12 in in diameter, with a sand height of at least 10 cm or 3.9 in

Winter White, Campbell and Hybrid Dwarf hamsters – 20 cm or 8 in, with a sand height of at least 5 cm or 1.9 in

Chinese Hamster – 25 cm or 10 in, with a sand height of at least 5 cm or 1.9 in

Roborowski Dwarf Hamster – At least 1/3 of the enclosure, with a sand height of at least 5 cm or 1.9 in

Bathing sand for animals is typical made from either minerals or clay minerals. The most common mineral for sand is quartz, and quartz sand is deemed rather safe to use among rodent and reptile owners. Desert sands typically contain quartz sand.

Clay minerals are less common, the most commonly used one is sepiolite. Unlike quartz sand, sepiolite can clump when in contact with liquid.

Both quartz as well as sepiolite have a risk of causing diseases affecting the lungs, most notably lung cancer. Risk assessments are taken on workers who handle the substance frequently and are exposed to for long periods of times, often over years. The risk is rather low for rodents as they typically do not live long enough to be negatively affected. Owners should take caution when interacting with sand in a way that causes a lot of dust to become airborne, such as when pouring or cleaning it. Wearing a mask and good ventilation when pouring it is recommended.

The following sands are recommended:

• Chinchilla Sand, not to be confused with Chinchilla Dust!

• Bathing Sand marketed towards hamsters or gerbils

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• Reptile Sand, in any color, with no additives such as calcium or dyes

Some recommendable sand options (non-exhaustive):

Dig Box

Additionally, the following materials can be used in dig / burrow boxes for further enrichment. They usually don’t hold burrows very well, but can be a fun way to entertain your hamster.

The following materials should be avoided, as they can pose a risk to your hamsters health and well-being.

• Wood Bedding made from Pine or Cedar

• Unlabeled Bedding

• Scented Bedding or Sand

• Sawdust, as well as any bedding containing excessive dust

• Chinchilla Dust, due to it being too dusty

• Aquarium Sand, Sand for birds, Children’s Play Sand: These sands have sharp grains which can cause damage to the hair and skin

If you come across any bedding not listed here and are unsure about its safety, feel free to reach out!

Some examples of unsafe bedding options (non-exhaustive):