Hamster Hides

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hamster hides are an essential part of any good hamster enclosure. In the wild, hamsters will build complicated burrows with chambers for sleeping, storing food, bathroom, hang out time and so on!

Hamsters are prey animals and do not like wide, open spaces. Giving them tunnels, hides and additional items that create cover (like a large, sandblasted grapevine) will make them feel more comfortable and give them more nooks and crannies to explore…. you will find they LOVE a good nook or a cranny :)

The hamsters in your homes will use a hides for various purposes including:

-storing their food stash

-a place to snack comfortably

-a hide in a sand bath gives them a place to bathe or sometimes just hang

-a place to sleep

-a place to nap (many hamsters have different nap spots as opposed to sleeping spots!)

-a pass through to get to another spot

-a potty area

-a ceramic hide can be a place to cool down

-a cozy hide with lots of bedding can be a place to keep warm

Types of Hamster Hides

Multichamber Hide

Multichamber hides are an important part of any hamster’s enclosure - hamsters in the wild will create burrows with multiple rooms (one for sleeping, one for seed stash, one for bathroom, etc!). Multichamber hides help encourage hamsters to practice their natural behavior, in addition to providing them the security of a hide.

I highly recommend getting stilts for your mult-chamber hide so you can add several inches of bedding below it. Without stilts, your hamster may try to burrow underneath the multichamber anyway and could get stuck - particularly if you plan to put anything heavy on top of it (like a wheel or sand bath).

I love the cork mats from Niteangel- they allow my clumsy, dwarf hamsters to climb on top of the chamber easily. otherwise, the wood can be slippery, particularly for older hamsters. You can also create your own cork mat by purchasing adhesive cork and cutting it to fit.

Check out more from Niteangel & Bucatstate.

If you cannot afford to purchase a multichamber hide, you can make one at home using clean cardboard, a non-toxic glue gun & some wooden dowels for support.

Single Chamber Hides

Small pet brands Niteangel & Bucatstate are constantly coming up with practical and adorable little hides for your hamster. From coconut hides to animal shaped ones, you can never have too many!

Ceramic hides are great for cooling down your hamster during summer months.

To ensure your hamster does not get stuck in a hide, ensure that all openings for dwarves are at least 2” in diameter and for Syrians 3-4” in diameter. If you purchase a Niteangel hide or another hide from a reputable seller they will specify if the hide is made for dwarves or Syrians. Dwarves can size up but Syrians cannot size down.

It is also helpful if the hide has an open bottom, this makes it more useful in a sandbath!

There are also lots of small pet shops on Etsy who sell adorable, hamster-safe hides. You can see my favorites here.

You probably already have lots of hamster-appropriate hides in your home! I like to use wide-mouth jars (left over from jam) for my dwarf hamsters. Large, ceramic pots without holes in them (like the kind you get with an orchid) also make great hamster hides. Get creative! Just make sure the opening is large enough for your hamster so they don’t get stuck, and no small holes- your hamster may try to get through them and get stuck (so nothing with handles or a pot with a drainage hole).

Bridges

Bendy bridges are great, versitile items to keep in your stash of hamster things. Bendy bridges can be a hide in addition to providing a pathway for your hamster to get to something. There are many types and kinds, it’s great to have a variety of widths and lengths.

Some bendy bridges have gaps between the wooden bars- you’ll want to either purchase bridge without gaps or fill the gaps with moss by glueing it with a hot glue gun (using non-toxic glue of course!). If your hamster gets their foot stuck in those gaps they can be severely injured resulting in the loss of the leg, a lot of pain and anguish for you both & a hefty vet bill!

I have found that the Niteangel bridges I’ve purchase so far do not have this issue, thankfully!

Tunnels

Tunnels are an important part of any hamster enclosure. Tunnels allow your hamster to move about their enclosure while feeling safe. They can also help your hamster get started burrowing if you stick one partially into a big pile of bedding.

There are many great options, including toilet paper rolls or hamster tunnels for purchase. Ensure that tunnels are at least 2” for dwarves and 3 1/2” for Syrians. Make sure the tunnel you purchase is labeled as appropriate for the type of hamster you have (Syrian or Dwarf).

*The colorful, Kaytee Fun-nels are generally too small for most hamsters (only 1 3/4” wide), only Roborovski hamsters (the smallest type of dwarf) can safely use them without risk of getting stuck. For larger hamsters, Kaytee does make a “Giant” size Fun-nel that is 4 3/4” wide, plenty wide enough for any hamster!

Cork Logs & Flats

Cork logs & flats make great additions to your hamster’s enclosure. They provide a new texture and surface, allow for climbing and more unusual & interesting pathways. They are also very lightweight and easy to place in your hamster’s enclosure!

I suggest getting the cork rounds in size M & up for dwarf hamsters and size L for Syrian hamsters. Cork flats can be any size since they are not full circles and there is no risk of your hamster getting stuck in a cork flat.

As with all natural items I highly suggest leaving these cork flats in the freezer for 48 hours before use. Cork flats are known to carry bugs on them, freezing is a good way to ensure they do not inhabit your hamster’s enclosure!

Alternatively you can bake cork in your oven at 200 degrees F for 20 minutes or so. Keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

Grapewood Vines

Grapewood vines are a beautiful way to add interest to your hamster’s enclosure. I highly suggest the Zoo Med Sandblasted variety. These are often available at pet shops that sell reptile items.

Another type of wood often found in pet stores is mopani wood. Mopani wood is darker in color and can be quite beautiful but has a high level of tannins that are toxic to hamsters - please stick to sandblasted grapevine instead! Click here to see an example of mopani wood at PetCo.

Favorite Independent Hamster Hide Shops

Follow Me on Etsy to see my latest fav small animal shops!

Innodove: On Etsy. SO cute, great hides that double as photo opportunities.

HamNoodle: on Etsy. Adorable, handmade hides, large enough for Syrians!

Peekabo Hideouts: Instragm. Etsy So cute, handmade!

Love Drizzles Studio: on Etsy on Instagram. One of my favs! I have a few of their hides and water bottle holders, so pretty and well made!

Owl Make it Crafts: on Etsy I have some fleece pockets and tunnels I use in my hamster playpens. My hams love to cozy up and take naps in these, and they are great because I can just pop them in the wash! Totally customizable in coloring.

Hamster Home Shop This small animal hide shop is based in Germany but ships worldwide! Website Instagram