To some people, hamsters are tiny, smelly rodents. To other people, they’re adorable tiny, smelly rodents. Whatever your opinion, if you plan to adopt one you’ll need to do your hamster a favor and not buy one of those colorful, wiry cages at PetSmart.

Hamsters may be tiny, but they’ll need as big a tank as you can find. The bigger the better. They love to move around, climb, and dig. You’ll want to fill the tank with a couple inches of bedding, so they can dig tunnels.

Exercise is important for hamsters! This means that you need to get a bigger wheel that is large enough for the hamster to run without having to scrunch up its back.

Syrian hamsters, also known as golden or teddy bear hamsters, are a very common breed. It is important to note that they are solitary creatures that prefer to live alone.

Humane Society: Hamster Housing

Youtube: Good and Bad Hamster Cages