Hamsters are among the most popular small pets worldwide, yet their welfare is frequently compromised by housing that fails to meet their behavioral and physiological needs.
Hamster welfare is a significant and underappreciated problem in the companion animal trade. The image of hamsters as easy, low-maintenance pets has led to widespread housing in cages that are far too small, with bedding too shallow for burrowing, and in environments with inappropriate temperature and light cycles. Scientific evidence now clearly links small cage size and shallow bedding to elevated cortisol, stereotypic bar-chewing, and reduced life expectancy. Hamsters experiencing chronic stress also display cognitive impairments analogous to depression in other species. The solution is straightforward: deep bedding of at least 30 cm, large enclosures, cardboard tubes and hides for enrichment, and respect for nocturnal schedules. Better pet retail standards and public education are urgently needed.