Best Hamster enrichment items

What types of enrichment do hamsters need?

Hamsters benefit from a variety of textures and hiding places, for stimulation and as they are a prey species. There are a lot of items or "toys" sold for hamsters which aren't suitable or safe, so here are some recommended items which are perfectly safe and suitable for hamsters. And also a list of items to avoid, further down.

It can get expensive setting up a hamster enclosure, so some people just choose to buy a few enrichment items, and also use inexpensive cardboard tunnels and hides

This article contains some Amazon Associate affiliate links and other affiliate links. If you purchase an item from one of these links, we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, which helps fund this site.

GOOD ITEMS (Recommended and safe)

HIDES

Additional hides in a hamster enclosure add enrichment and give hamsters places to dive into and feel secure. Two or three additional hides, in addition to a large house or multiroom house, are usually recommended. Entrance holes need to be at least 7cm in diameter for a Syrian hamster and at least 5cm in diameter for a dwarf hamster. For larger multiroom houses, see our HOUSES AND NESTING BOXES article.

Syrian Hamsters and all species

Hamsters seem to love the roundness of coconut huts as an extra place to cosy up in and these are inexpensive hides. Both of these have a large entrance for Syrian hamsters - also suitable for dwarf hamsters.

Happy Pet coconut hut Uk Coconut hut Amazon US Coconut hut Chewy.com


Rosewood carrot cottage - these are inexpensive little cardboard houses with hay stuck on the outside are very popular with hamsters both in a playpen and inside the enclosure. Good for keeping nails and teeth trim. Choose the smallest size for a Hamster. One of these fits inside the Ferplast Aladino medium sized pet carrier - in case you need a small house for a pet carrier - large enough for all species of hamster.
Rosewood carrot cottage small Uk (affiliate link)
This doesn't seem to be available in the USA, however the Rosewood celebration "cake", which is similar - is available - see below

The Hugro Nibble House is chewable and has marigold, hisbiscus and niger seed stuck on the outside and comes with hay inside. This is not as small as the carrot cottages. If pushed down into substrate, it could also make a step.
Nibble house from Getzoo.de - ships to Uk, USA and Europe


Happy Henry Homes Campervan - these are safe formaldeyhyde-free plywood and slot together like a jigsaw. It's a quirky, fun hide if you have space in the enclosure for it. Mainly intended for Syrian Hamsters but could be used for dwarf hamsters as well.
HHH Campervan Uk (affiliate link)

JR Farm grass igloo - this is more like woven hyacinth than grass. They make a nice largeish, natural cosy hide in an enclosure, for climbing over (grippy) or diving into for a wash. Syrian sized but suitable for dwarf hamsters as well. Robos like climbing over them.
JR Farm grass hide from Getzoo.de - ships to Uk and Europe


Niteangel Peep Hide - these are very popular for the front of glass and perspex enclosures under the bedding, to see the hamster underground at the front of the cage. There are various similar ones available but the hole sizes can be too small on some.
Niteangel peep hide uk Amazon.com USA Amazon.fr Amazon.de Amazon.nl (affiliate links)


Peep chamber hide - similar idea to the Niteangel peep hide - to go under bedding at the front of a glass or perspex enclosure.
Happy Henry Homes Syrian peep chamber hide Uk Dwarf: Happy Henry Homes Dwarf hamster peep chamber hide Uk
Similar one from Niteangel Uk Similar one from Niteangel USA (affiliate links)


Bucatstate ceramic cactus hide. This comes in two sizes. It provides a nice hidey place for hamsters, particularly in warmer weather, but they use them all year round.
Large Size for Syrians Uk (affiliate link) Large size for Syrians USA (affiliate link)
Small size for Dwarf Hamsters Uk (affiliate link)


Bucatstate ceramic mushroom hide. This is only in one size, which is plenty large enough for Syrians but also suitable for dwarf hamsters.

Mushroom hide Uk (affiliate link) Mushroom hide USA (affiliate link)


Bucatstate Terracotta Castle Hide - this is a very popular terracotta hide. It has a secret compartment for a small ice pack for hot weather. Very hard to get hold of at the moment and pricing may be higher than usual where available.
Bucatstate Terracotta Castle - ebay - it may or may not ship to the USA (affiliate link)


Rosewood celebration "cake". Similar to the carrot cottage above, this has dried carrot on the outside, dried coconut on top, hay inside, a few round treat balls and some dried flowers. While it's intended as a celebration cake, the top lifts off and the base can also make a small dig box and a general enrichment item or treat All hamster-safe and sugar-free.
Rosewood round Uk (affiliate link) Rosewood round USA (affiliate link)


Dwarf Hamsters only

Niteangel ceramic mushroom hide - a nice ceramic hide for dwarf hamsters. As with some other Niteangel items, this is not inexpensive but ceramic hides do tend to cost more generally.

Amazon Uk (affiliate link) Amazon.com USA Amazon.nl Amazon.fr (affiliate link)


Trixie ceramic apple hide. A very cute ceramic apple hide from Trixie - only Uk and Europe.

Viovet Uk
Trixie Apple Hide Getzoo.de
Bucatstate also have a similar one Bucatstate ceramic apple hide Uk (affiliate links)

Trixie ceramic peanut hide - Uk and Europe

Trixie peanut hide Uk Viovet Uk (affiliate link)
Trixie ceramic peanut hide Getzoo.de


Trixie ceramic round house with food indent in lid. Doorway 5cm diameter. This hide has a useful indent on the lid for putting food or forage in. As with all ceramic items, they need to be supported underneath - eg on a platform. Can come in different colours. The Uk link is the grey one shown. The Getzoo link is a taupe one.
Trixie round ceramic hide Uk (affiliate link)
Trixie round ceramic hide Getzoo.de

Aeroplane grass hide - another fun quirky one - tried and tested by a robo! Uk only from Hope's Healthy Treats

Aeroplane Grassy Hide



BRIDGES AND RAMPS

Hamster bridges and ramps are important to give access to platforms, sand baths, house roofs etc. Safe items like these, will generally say "beech wood" or "beech ply" or a specific type of wood like pine or rubberwood. If it doesn't say what type of wood it is, then best to be wary.

Niteangel Bridge for sand baths. This bridge is smooth wood, and no gaps for toes to get caught in. It is shorter and steeper at one side and longer and less steep at the other side. It can be used as a general ramp or bridge as well. This is suitable for all species of hamster - Syrians as well as dwarfs.

Amazon Uk £13.99 Amazon US $14.99 Amazon.nl Amazon.fr Amazon.de (affiliate links)



Niteangel bendy stick bridge. As the description suggest, these can be bent into shapes. Again these are smooth wood without any gaps to get toes caught in. They can be used next to a house or ramp to give access and also provide a hide for a dwarf hamster to sit under. The smallest size is the one for hamsters - 11.4" x 5.9". Suitable for all species of hamsters as a ramp or bridge and can be a hide as well.

Amazon Uk £15.23 Amazon US $9.99 Amazon.fr (affiliate links)


Bark wood bendy stick bridges. These have natural bark and are also suitable - with a proviso. Natural sticks are uneven shapes, this creates gaps, which hamster feet or toes could get trapped in, causing injury. Use moss or paper bedding to stuff in the gaps then they can still be safely used.

Amazon Uk Trixie version £3.49 Amazon US Niteangel version $9.99 (affiliate links)

Niteangel ramp/hide. This is a useful ramp that is also a hide although the hide is only big enough for dwarf hamsters, but the ramp is suitable for both. Due to the shape it can be used in various locations - next to a house or platform or up against other items, or just on its own.

Amazon Uk £15.59 Amazon US $16.99 Amazon.nl Amazon.fr Amazon.de (affiliate links)



Niteangel ladders. These can be used hooked over or clipped on platforms or sandbaths. They are a solid ramp and no gaps so safe for hammy feet. However, these might only effectively work for niteangel houses and platforms.

Amazon Uk Amazon US Amazon.nl Amazon.fr Amazon.de(affiliate links)



SAND BATHS AND SAND

Hamsters benefit from a good sized sand bath. For Roborovski hamsters a sand bath is essential. Dwarf hamsters and Syrian hamsters enjoy a sand bath (with exceptions). They sometimes also use it as a toilet and sand can be sifted out with a small sieve. There are various sand baths available to buy or you can just use an ice cream tub or pyrex dish - but all sand baths are heavy so need to be supported underneath (on a platform or on legs). Ideally they have a partial roof or you can put a small house inside, so the hamster doesn't feel exposed. A large cork log over a sand bath can also make it sheltered (as shown).


Happy Henry Homes in the Uk makes some amazing sand baths (as well as houses). This one comes with screw in legs of the length you choose.

Happy Henry Homes with legs Uk (affiliate link)


Happy Henry Homes cloud sand bath - comes with legs of the length you choose

Happy Henry Homes cloud sand bath with legs (affiliate link)


Happy Henry homes sand box with multiple entrances - needs to sit on a platform

HHH Sand box (affiliate link)


Happy Henry Homes small sand box - needs to be supported underneath

HHH Small sand box (affiliate link)


Niteangel large acrylic and wood sand box - available in Uk, US and Europe

Amazon Uk Amazon.com USA Amazon.de Amazon.nl Amazon.fr (affiliate links)


Getzoo 27cm sand bath - Germany - ships to Uk
Getzoo 27cm sand bath - Amazon.de (affiliate link)

Getzoo 21cm sand bath - Germany - ships to Uk
Getzoo 21cm sand bath (affiliate link)


Rosewood hay sand bath - small to medium. This is an inexpensive option for a sand bath or dig box - similar to the carrot cottage above but larger - approx 8" x 5"
Rosewood sand bath Amazon Uk Rosewood sandbath Jollye's Uk Rosewood sand bath Amazon.de (affiliate links)


Trixie small ceramic sand bath - approx 8" x 6"
Trixie ceramic sand bath (affiliate link)



Niteangel small corner acrylic sand bath - can also be used as a toilet to fit inside multiroom houses (affiliate links)
Amazon Uk Amazon.com USA Amazon.de Amazon.nl


Sand for sand baths and toilets

There are various safe sands to use for Hamsters. Reptile sand is fine as long as it is calcium free. You can also use sterilised childrens play sand. Recommended ones below:
Komodo natural sand Uk Komodo natural sand Amazon.de (affiliate links)
Zoo-med Reptisand white uk Zoo-med Reptisand natural red Uk (affiliate links)
Zoo-med Reptisand white USA Zoo-med Reptisand natural red USA (affiliate links)
Niteangel desert sand Uk Niteangel desert sand USA Amazon.fr Amazon.nl Amazon.de(affiliate links) (shown in photo)

PLATFORMS

A platform in an enclosure enables overhead cover for a hamster and also somewhere to place heavier items such as ceramic items, wheels and some sand baths. It can be difficult finding them with legs the right length for your requirements. Some have a choice of leg length. Otherwise, making them is an option.

Happy Henry Homes cloud platforms - you can choose the leg length - they just screw in. These are particularly good for barred cages with a curved base as they fit right into a corner.
HHH Cloud platform Uk (affiliate link)


Happy Henry Homes Curved platform - two of these next to each other can make a long curved platform - you can choose the leg length
HHH Curved platform Uk (affiliate link)



Happy Henry Homes platform - various sizes available - you can choose the leg length
HHH platform various sizes Uk (affiliate link)



Happy Henry Homes rectangular platform - various sizes - you can choose the leg length
HHH rectangular platform various sizes (affiliate link)



Niteangel wave platform - 7" tall
Amazon Uk Amazon.com USA Amazon.nl Amazon.fr Amazon.de(affiliate links)



Niteangel wheel platform - small. Indented to fit Niteangel hamster wheels. Quite low at 10cm (4") tall.
Niteangel Uk Niteangel USA (affiliate links)



Trixie platform with ladder/ramp. The ladder looks a good fit with no gaps. It is apparently about 28cm tall.
Trixie platform uk Trixie platform Amazon.de Amazon.nl Amazon.fr



Trixie natural living shelter platform - this is inexpensive and the legs screw in to the bottom and it is about 21cm tall
Amazon uk Amazon.com USA Amazon.de Amazon.nl Amazon.fr




TUNNELS AND TUBES

Rosewood hyacinth tunnel. Suitable for all species of hamster - the small size is 7cm diameter approx. These are soft, chewable and have a couple of holes in the side that hamsters like to peek out of or weave through.

Hyacinth tunnel Uk Hyacinth tunnel US Similar niteangel hyacinth tunnel US (affiliate links)

Rosewood seagrass tunnel. Similar to the hyacinth tunnel but made of woven seagrass, which is another interesting texture and natural. Again the small size is suitable for all species of hamster. Diameter approx 9cm.

Seagrass tunnel Uk Similar Niteangel seagrass tunnel US (affiliate links)

Trixie wicker tunnel - a popular natural tunnel for an enclosure and suitable for all species of hamster.

Wicker tunnel Uk Note this is available in the US but more expensive Trixie wicker tunnel USA (affiliate links)


Savic large rat tube - this is a plastic tube and can be very useful to use as a "taxi" to transport hamsters to and from and enclosure to a playpen. Hamsters tend to walk in if it's offered, and you lift them out with your hands over the end. Note - the chains aren't safe to use and can be removed.

Savic rat tube Zooplus Uk Savic rat tube Pets at Home Uk - Note: Available in the US but quite expensive Savic rat tube US (affiliate links)


Cork logs are excellent enrichment for a hamster cage and can be very useful to access platforms. They are lightweight, so don’t need supporting. they add another texture, and help keep hamster nails trim. They come in various lengths and sizes so you need to check size carefully to make sure it fits. Cork bark pieces are also useful and can make a little step up to a wheel for example, or just add enrichment at substrate level generally.

Getzoo 30cm cork tunnel (as shown in image) Uk and Europe
The Cork Shed - has a huge range of cork tunnels - you can choose the particular shape and size from the picture. Uk site.
Amazon Uk Trixie Cork Tunnel (affiliate link)
Amazon Uk - Pro Rep Cork Tunnel (affiliate link)
Amazon US Galapagos Cork Tunnel (affiliate link)
Amazon US Zoo Med Cork Tunnel (expensive) (affiliate link)

Dwarf Hamsters only

Rosewood shred a log. This is a tunnel made from layers of cardboard and chewable - however it's only really suitable for dwarf hamsters due to the tunnel size.

Rosewood cardboard log (affiliate link)


OTHER ENRICHMENT ITEMS

Alternative textures and bedding items for dig boxes

Cork granules - useful for an alternative substrate in a dig box
Niteangel cork granules Uk Amazon.nl Amazon.fr Amazon.de
Niteangel cork granules USA (affiliate links)


Coco chip bedding - also useful as an alternative texture and substrate for a dig box
Niteangel coco bedding chips Uk Amazon.nl Amazon.fr
Niteangel coco bedding chips USA (affiliate links)


Coco peat bedding - alternative substrate or for a dig box
Niteangel coco peat bedding Uk Amazon.nl Amazon.fr
Niteangel coco peat bedding USA (affiliate links)


Moss - another interesting texture and useful for filling gaps in bendy stick bridges, as mentioned above
Niteangel forest moss Uk Amazon.nl Amazon.fr .de (affiliate link)
Niteangel forest moss USA


Grass mats - these are useful generally but can also be used inside the bars of a barred cage at one end, to keep bedding in for deeper bedding.
Trixie grass mats Amazon Uk Trixie grass mat/hammock Zooplus Uk
Grass mat pack of 2 USA (affiliate links)


Rosewood hyacinth chill n chew mat - suitable for chewing, denser weave but less flexible than grass mats - can be used in enclosure or on top of platforms
Chill n chew mat Amazon Uk Chill n chew mat Viovet Uk
Rosewood chill n chew Amazon US (costs more as imported) (affiliate links)

Rosewood trio of balls - The hyacinth ball is useful for sticking pumpkin seeds under the folds as a boredom breaker. Seagrass ball similar and also useful to unravel for safe string, Wicker ball can be a bit pokey so best used in a playpen under supervision, rather than an enclosure.
Rosewood trio Amazon Uk Rosewood trio Viovet
Rosewood Trio Chewy.com $4.88 Similar Niteangel trio Amazon US

Mini Forage box - Mrs B's Garden on Etsy
Hamster mini forage box

Sprays
Sprays are stalks of hamster-safe wheat, barley, flax, some flowers and various other natural sprays - you stick them in the bedding like little trees - these provide cover and a natural environment and also foraging for hamsters to nibble. They are available in various places - but check they are hamster-safe. A few options below - also in the UK, sprays can be bought individually from Hamsters We Love shop and various other places.
Niteangel Sprays Uk (as shown in picture)
Niteangel 2 Uk
Niteangel 3 Uk
Bucatstate sprays
Millet sprays pack
Rosewood pick-n-fly Uk (inexpensive small bundle)
Niteangel sprays 1 Uk
Niteangel sprays 2 US
Bucatstate sprays US (inexpensive smaller bundle)

WHEELS - for suitable hamster wheels please see our WHEELS article.

NOT RECOMMENDED

Many items similar to those shown below are unsafe or dangerous for hamsters. Chains for a foot to get caught in or nails can be torn out, ladders with gaps for a leg to fall through, items with fabric that can be chewed, wrapping threads around teeth and legs (this can lead to amputation), or fabric or "fluffy bedding" swallowed, leading to digestive blockage. "Edible" houses and logs made from sawdust and honey which aren't healthy to chew and could cause blockages. Items with nails and glue which could be chewed. Items which are badly made and can collapse and fall apart on a hamster. Items a hamster could get a head trapped in or a leg or foot trapped in.

Thankfully there are many safe items for hamsters today and cardboard is your friend for making things as well. Here are @Eric65's Hammy, @Yorkie's Robin and @Magpie's Mr Maggie, enjoying the Rosewood celebration cake, the Bucatstate Mushroom hide and the Bucatstate Cactus hide, respectively