Dwarf hamsters, such as Roborovski, Campbell’s and winter white, need a cage at least 100 x 50 x 40 cm and a solid 8 in wheel. Whether two can share is where the sources split.
Pet
Dwarf hamster
Your tank or cage
Your tank against each minimum
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Cage size
Woodgreen’s minimum for dwarf and Roborovski hamsters is 100 cm wide, 50 cm deep and at least 40 cm high (39.4 x 19.7 x 15.7 in), with bars 7 mm apart. PDSA’s 100 x 50 cm floor is for hamsters in general. VCA’s 10 gallon tank is far smaller than either.
Alone or in pairs
RSPCA: Roborovski, Campbell’s and winter white dwarfs can sometimes live in pairs or trios, but even dwarfs don’t need other hamsters to be happy.
RVC: Chinese and Russian species may be kept in pairs or single-sex groups, watched carefully for fighting, which is more likely in an enclosure that’s too small.
PDSA: pet Russian dwarfs shouldn’t be housed together, as dominance issues and fights often occur.
Woodgreen, VCA and the MSD manual: keep hamsters alone.
Alone is the safe side. If two do fight, RSPCA separates them for good, as hamsters don’t play-fight.
Temperature
PDSA gives 18–21 °C (64–70 °F), out of draughts and direct sunlight, and RVC and the MSD manual 18–26 °C. RSPCA keeps all hamsters indoors.
Bedding and wheel
Give room for at least 25 cm (10 in) of bedding to burrow in (PDSA). Materials and what to avoid are on bedding for small pets.
Woodgreen gives hamsters other than Syrian and Chinese an 8 in (20.3 cm) solid upright wheel. See wheel sizes by pet.
Everyday food
Pellets are the staple. Keep sugary fruit and veg to small amounts: PDSA singles out Russian dwarfs. The full list of foods to avoid is on what do hamsters eat.
What to get
On the list
What to get
Common questions
Can Roborovski hamsters live together?
Sometimes, RSPCA says: Roborovski, Campbell's and winter white dwarfs can live in pairs or trios, though many fall out later in life. Woodgreen keeps every hamster on its own.
Is a Syrian hamster cage fine for a dwarf hamster?
Only if its bars are 7 mm apart or less: Woodgreen gives dwarfs 7 mm bars against 1 cm for Syrians, on the same 100 x 50 cm floor with at least 40 cm of height.
Care comes from RSPCA, PDSA and Woodgreen (UK pet charities), the Royal Veterinary College, VCA Animal Hospitals and the MSD Veterinary Manual; tank sizes from Aqueon. Checked against published data from Aqueon, RSPCA, PDSA, Woodgreen Pets Charity and Royal Veterinary College (plus 2 more).
See all 7 sources
Aqueon, “Critical dimensions for all aquariums” (product catalog page 66, PDF, 2023)
RSPCA, Hamsters: environment, company and diet
PDSA (UK vet charity), Hamsters as pets
Woodgreen Pets Charity, Caring for hamsters; What to feed your hamster
Royal Veterinary College (Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital), Hamster care, December 2022 (PDF)
MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck, pet-owner edition), Providing a home for a hamster
VCA Animal Hospitals, Housing rodents
General care guidance from animal welfare charities, vets and makers' published sizes. It isn't veterinary advice: if your pet seems unwell or has eaten something it shouldn't, call your vet.