Molesey Vets’ 5 Must-Have Hamster Accessories
November 10, 2025
Tiny paws, twitchy noses and a whole lot of personality – hamsters may be small, but they have big needs when it comes to enrichment. If you’re looking to keep your fluffy friend entertained, comfortable and living their best hamster life, these five must-have accessories – as recommended by our vets in East Molesey – are a great place to start!
Setting up a hamster home and need more advice on keeping your hamster happy? Contact us for a check-up and to receive tailored advice from our vets at Molesey Vets.
5 accessories your hamster needs in their life
1. A wheel worth running on
This one’s a classic, but not all hamster wheels are created equal. A wheel that’s too small or has rungs instead of a solid surface can cause back problems or injury. Choose a wheel that’s the right size for your hamster’s species – Syrians need around 28cm in diameter, while dwarfs do well with 20cm+ options.
Top tip: smooth, silent spinners are best for you both!
2. Tunnels, tubes and hideouts
Hamsters are natural burrowers and explorers. Add a mix of tunnels, wooden bridges, cardboard tubes and cosy hideaways to mimic their wild instincts. Our vets in East Molesey advise changing the layout every so often to keep things fresh and fun – just imagine it as a new interior design project for your little housemate.
We found some great ideas on this Hamster Homes Pinterest board.
3. A proper sand bath
Forget water baths – hamsters keep their coats clean with sand! Providing a shallow dish filled with chinchilla sand (not dust!) helps them stay clean, remove grease from their fur and enjoy a good wriggle. It’s also great fun to watch.
4. Chews and nibble toys
A hamster’s teeth never stop growing, so they need things to gnaw on. Our vets at Molesey Vets advise that wooden chews, cardboard, pumice stones or hamster-safe nibble toys all do the trick. It’s enrichment and dental care in one!
Unlike some commercial products, ensure any pumice stone given to a hamster is a pet-safe, untreated version without added minerals like lime or salt, which can be harmful. Head to a pet shop in Surrey, rather than sourcing a pumice stone for human use.
5. A deep burrowing zone
Hamsters love to dig and tunnel, so give them a nice deep layer of soft bedding – aim for 15cm or more. Aspen shavings or paper-based substrates work well and let your hamster burrow to their heart’s content.
Need more advice on keeping your hamster happy? Contact us for a check-up at Molesey Vets and ask our vets any questions you might have on enrichment ideas.
