A hamster is a small, sensitive animal whose needs are often misunderstood. Before adopting one, it's important to know that hamsters are:

1. A prey animal, easily stressed and requiring gentleness and security
2. A nocturnal and crepuscular animal, active mainly in the evening and at night
3. An exotic animal, with specific needs in terms of habitat, diet and environment
4. A solitary and territorial animal, which, in captivity, should never live in a group (except under certain conditions that must be approved by experienced specialists).
5. An animal with very limited vision, which relies mainly on smell and hearing to find its way around its environment
6. A financial commitment, including suitable housing, veterinary care and enrichment activities
7. An animal with a short lifespan, generally 2 to 3 years
8. An animal whose teeth grow continuously, requiring safe materials to gnaw on.

A suitable habitat meets or exceeds the minimum recommended size of 100 x 50 x 50 cm.

Choosing a suitable habitat is one of the most important decisions for a hamster's well-being. With a relatively short lifespan, every month counts: providing a spacious, stable, and durable environment from the start allows your hamster to live life to the fullest, without compromising its comfort or health.

Many new caregivers choose aquariums measured in gallons, believing that a large number automatically equates to ample space. This is a common myth: gallon volume does not reflect the floor space, which is essential for allowing hamsters to explore, dig and engage in their natural behaviors. Some "40-gallon" aquariums are actually too small, despite their appearance.

Investing from the start in a habitat (not a cage) that meets or exceeds the recommended dimensions prevents you from having to buy a larger model later. It also prevents your hamster from wasting precious parts of their life in a space that is too small, when it could have thrived in a truly suitable environment.

According to the TVT guidelines, hamsters should be provided with a minimum of 20 cm of bedding, with 30 cm or more strongly recommended to enable stable burrow systems and natural subterranean activity. Insufficient depth can lead to frustration, increased stress behaviors and reduced environmental control.

Bedding is a critical structural component of a hamster’s environment.

As natural burrowing animals, hamsters require a deep, compressible substrate that allows them to express species‑typical digging and tunnel‑building behaviors. Adequate bedding depth supports thermoregulation, nest construction, stress reduction and overall behavioral health. It also contributes to hygiene by absorbing moisture and reducing ammonia accumulation, and it plays a role in maintaining proper respiratory conditions by limiting dust and airborne irritants.

In Quebec, several types of suitable bedding are available, but it's important to understand that they don't all serve the same purpose. A distinction is generally made between primary bedding, which forms the base of the habitat, and secondary bedding (also called substrates), used in more targeted areas.

The main bedding

Covers most of the bottom of the enclosure and must be:

• absorbent
• little or no dust
• unscented
• deep enough to allow digging (ideally 20 to 30 cm)

Suitable bedding includes :

• Paper (Carefresh, Kaytee, Oxbow, BMR)
• Hemp
• Aspen

Complementary Substrate

Serves to enrich the environment and offer varied textures. Its role is not to absorb urine, but rather to stimulate the senses and encourage natural behaviors such as grooming or exploration.

Suitable substrates includes :

• Soft cork granules
• Coconut fiber
• Cocopeat
• Dust-free sand
• Forest moss (sterilized & pesticide-free)
• Aspen fiber
• Hay

These substrates are placed in specific areas: digging boxes, exploration corners or spaces dedicated to sand bathing.

Bedding to avoid

• Cedar
• Pine
• Scented bedding
• Clumping or very dusty sand
• Cat litter
• Very hard wood pellets

In the wild, hamsters travel impressive distances each night - often between 6 and 10 km, sometimes more depending on the species. In captivity, they don't have the opportunity to explore vast territories, which is why the wheel becomes an essential element of their well-being.

A suitable wheel

To choose a suitable wheel, six (6) criteria are essential:

1. Sufficient diameter : a wheel that is too small forces the hamster to bend its back, which can lead to pain and spinal deformities.
2. A solid and smooth running surface without bars or wire mesh to prevent injuries to paws.
3. A vertical design without a central axis to allow the hamster to run in a straight line without twisting, bumping or getting stuck.
4. Quiet operation : a noisy wheel causes stress for the hamster and the individuals around it.
5. Safe materials : Non-resinous wood, thick and non-toxic plastic, acrylic.
6. A stable and easy-to-clean base designed without nails or exposed metal parts.

Wheels to avoid

Even though the risks are now well known, many dangerous wheels remain widely available on the market. They are often attractive, colorful, or inexpensive, but can cause serious injuries: fractures, sprains, spinal problems, cuts, or even amputations. Many people are unaware of their danger because these products continue to be sold as "suitable" for hamsters.

It is therefore essential to know how to recognize models to avoid.

• Wheels with bars that are too small, have holes, are unstable, or are poorly designed can jeopardize a hamster's physical and mental health.

An unsuitable wheel can cause chronic pain, back deformities, paw injuries, or significant stress.

Information à venir.

Finding a vet comfortable with hamsters isn't always easy. As an enthusiast actively involved in online communities, I've seen how scattered and sometimes difficult to verify information can be.

I have therefore compiled here a register – by region – of Quebec veterinarians who accept or are very familiar with exotic pets. It is based on community recommendations, shared experiences, and publicly available information, including that from the website of the Quebec Order of Veterinarians.

See the list of veterinarians by region

The goal is to help everyone find a competent veterinarian more easily, whether for an examination, follow-up, or emergency.