Syrian hamsters must be kept singly whereas the Russian and Chinese hamsters will live together with others of their own species. If you intend keeping the 'Dwarf' varieties in a wire top cage the bars must not be more than 6 mm apart as these animals can get through very small gaps. Glass or plastic aquariums can also be used.

Sawdust (or wood shavings) should be spread on the base of the cage and a handful of bedding put in a corner. The bedding can be of the shredded paper variety. It is recommended that a water bottle be used, with the spout fitted to the cage at the right height for your hamster to reach.

Most hamsters do not smell if they are cleaned regularly. When cleaning, the sawdust and old food should be thrown away and the cage base washed and dried. Place fresh sawdust in the cage, along with new bedding if necessary. Rinse the water bottle and fill with fresh water. Then give your hamster its daily helping of food.

When choosing a hamster check that it is bright eyed and holds its ears erect. It should be free from open or healing cuts and should not bite when picked up. Ideally, a hamster should be between four and eight weeks old when bought and you should be able to handle it.