Hamster Playpens

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

It took me a while to figure out how to create a safe and fun space for my hamsters to enjoy. Videos on the internet made it seem like every hamster was just excited to be around you and it was as simple as having them crawl around a bathtub.

I didn’t have this experience with my hamsters, particularly my Roborovski hamsters. They are nervous and sometimes bite when they are afraid (poor things!). It took me a while to figure out how to give them the enrichment of exploring a new space without causing them stress or fear.

(but now I’m am obsessed with creating fun, themed hamster playpens for all seasons!)

Here is what I’ve learned so far about playpen time:

Start Slowly

Lots of hamsters are scared when you remove them from their cage. Start with a smaller playpen or a 100 qt bin. Set it up with lots of hiding places & tunnels so they never have to feel exposed. Let them explore for a minute or two until they start to look frantic and then bring them home. Try leaving the lights off for them if they are very nervous. Make sure you follow up with a treat so it’s a good experience.

Keep this up daily if possible and slowly work your way up from 100 qt bin to a large size pop-up play pen or home-made playpen/safe area of your home and allow them a bit more time each time as long as they continue to look calm and not frantic.

This process might take months! The reality is that hamsters are prey animals and at first will be hesitant to be in a new area. This is a great opportunity to observe your hamster, get to know their body language & listen to their tiny noises. Make sure your hamster feels safe at all times (aka, there are never enough hides!). Gain their trust and this process will be really rewarding!

Give them something to do

I have found that my hamsters enjoy playpen time more when there is an activity involved- in particular, hunting for seeds. Make it a game! Sprinkle seeds (I suggest millet seeds: https://amzn.to/3zAMqIw) around the playpen or in foraging areas made of hemp or coconut soil. Put some hamster seed sprays hidden in a few spots. Give them a mission to accomplish!

Give them peace and quiet if they need it

One of my Roborovski hamsters, Steven, is very nervous. Steven loves exploring the playpen, but only if the lights are dimmed and he’s allowed to do it on his own. I do try to squeeze in some human-hamster interaction moments to feed him a treat or let him eat out of my hand, but he mostly stays within a hide or a tunnel unless I turn off the the lights and don’t make any sounds. So, that’s what I do for Steven. As soon as I turn off the lights, Steven is off exploring and enjoying himself! Figure out what your hamster needs to enjoy their experience and try to provide it for them.

whatever you do, please make sure there are no cats, dogs or small children around!

I have heard so many tragic stories of cats, dogs or a well-intended child causing a major injury to a small animal like a hamster, gerbil or guinea pig. The most tragic stories are when a cat or dog mortally injures the hamster on a Sunday when a vet office isn’t open and there’s nothing you can do to help your hamster’s unnecessary suffering and you just have to watch them slowly pass in pain. Don’t let this happen to you! Ensure that dogs and cats are secured in anther room behind a locked/secure door and children are supervised.

Playpen Components

Playpen & Ground Cover:

I like to use this nylon pop up playpen for my hamsters - it’s easy to set up or move around as needed, and large enough to create a nice space for them.

Please make sure you don’t get the kind with mesh walls - hamsters can easily climb and chew through this!

It works well for my dwarves, they can’t climb the nylon walls. They can, however, chew through the nylon floor, so I line the floor of the playpen with 2 yards of white fleece fabric. This fleece fabric also provides a nice, soft floor for the hamsters to run or take a nap on :). Just make sure your hamsters don’t chew on the fleece blanket - this can get stuck in their intestinal track.

Make sure hamster nails stay trimmed or they can get caught on the blanket!

Wheels:

I like to have a wheel in my playpens, since my hamsters all seem to love them so much.

I also give my hamsters the exercise discs for playpen time. These discs can be somewhat controversial, as hamsters can get injured if they are not well controlled on them. Watch your hamster and make sure they are using it safely and not bending their back when they run or flying off when they stop. My hamsters all seem to enjoy using these so I keep it in the playpen for them. Get 7 1/4” for dwarves and robos, 12” for Syrians.

Hides & Tunnels & More!

It’s also important to provide your hamsters with lots of hides and tunnels so they don’t feel too exposed during their playtime. Hamsters don’t love wide open spaces, instead they want a crowded area with lots of corners to tuck into and explore. Here are some favorite hides and tunnels of mine!

* Please ensure that Syrian hamsters have minimum diameter openings of 3” and 4” if it’s a tunnel. Anything smaller and your hamster can get stuck & die! The original Kaytee “Fun-nels” are only appropriate for Roborovski hamsters and are too small for any larger type of hamster.

Please use your best judgement and don’t give your hamster any tunnel or hide with an opening that might be too small for them:

Independent Hamster Hide Shops

There are lots of other places to get adorable accessories for your hamster that are great for playpen use! Including some of my favorites below!

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.

Treats & Foraging

Treats

I like to hide treats for my hamsters to find all over their playpens. As many of my hamsters are quite food motivated this gives them something to work towards.

Baby puffs, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are great to use with a new hamster as these things are very large and it’s easier to hand them to your hamster. For small hamsters like dwarves and robos I’ll often break the baby puff in half.

On the flip side, tiny millet seeds are fun to sprinkle around the playpen for your hamster to find. They are so little they’ll go crazy sniffing them out around every corner!

Foraging

I like to sprinkle foraging mix and sprays around the playpen, like the ones sold from Oakwood Forest and Tiny Flowers.

The foraging mix I often sprinkle into areas they can dig around in- like a box filled with loose coconut fiber, hemp fiber or just paper bedding.

Bonus points if you sprinkle some loose millet seeds in there as well, your hamsters will have so much fun searching for them!

Also including a link to a recommended foraging container - I love these lightweight, acrylic trays for sand baths & coconut soil foraging areas

A whole sunflower head also is a great, playpen item! You can find them on Etsy here.

Water

I always provide water for my hamsters in their playpens. Some of them prefer to go home to drink water, but some will partake. To me it’s like inviting a guest to your place but not offering them something to drink, it’s just good manners!

Clean Up

Playpens can get messy fast. I got this tiny vacuum cleaner to do some quick clean up without having to dismantling everything. I figured no matter what this is a great, little vacuum to have around- it’s cordless and can be charged with a USB!