Polski
Hamsterscaping: natural design for hamsters (golden hamster & dwarf hamster)
Apple tree is part of the natural food of rodents and rabbits. They regularly encounter the apple tree in the wild and like to nibble on the twigs. Apple tree is rich in fibers and vitamins and the twigs help to wear down the teeth. A natural snack and al
Read more
An ESVE Pet Bouquet is the most natural snack you can give your rodents and rabbits. You can place or hang the varied mix of grains, grasses and herbs in the enclosure. Not only does it look beautiful, but it meets the animal's natural gnawing needs and a
Read more
Delicious sun-ripened oat ears to nibble on and harvest. Small rodents are especially fond of these ears. With their hands they deftly remove the seeds from the casings and snack on them. In addition to healthy fats, vitamins and minerals, the animals als
Read more
JR Farm Canary Seed Harvest is sun-ripened and comes straight from the farm. Treat your furry friends to a delicious and challenging treat with JR Farm Canary Seed Harvest! These sun-ripened seeds, straight from the farm, not only offer tasty nibbles but
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Beautiful sun-ripened amaranth for rodents and rabbits! Small rodents in particular enjoy eating the seeds. It not only provides the animals with additional nutrients, but also a challenge and nibbling fun.
Read more
Treat your rodents and rabbits to a tasty and healthy treat with JR Farm Meadow Harvest. This mixture of various meadow grasses, delicious oats, foxtail and millet offers a valuable addition to the diet of your little friends and can also serve as a decor
Read more
Discover the taste and nutritional value of Canary Seed Harvest, a high-quality treat for your rodents. This carefully harvested canary seed is a tasty addition to your little friends' diet, allowing them to enjoy a diverse and nutritious menu.
Read more
These nice branches with whole cotton balls can be used as decoration for hamster scapes, but also as nesting material. In the latter case, the small rodents have to pick apart the cotton balls themselves to make a nest. The branch is supplied complete wi
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Delicious dried whole sunflower heads packed per three. The heads are filled with sunflower seeds that can be harvested by the animals themselves. A very fun activity that not only provides a lot of activity and prevents boredom, but also gives the animal
Read more
Spoil your rodents with the simple and nutritious pleasures of Barley Harvest. Harvested and selected with care, this high-quality barley provides a tasty and natural addition to the diet of your beloved pets.
Read more
Enrich your rodents' diet with the delicious Dill Harvest, a natural nibble treat that is both tasty and nutritious. This carefully selected dill harvest offers your little friends a fun snack to enjoy.
Read more
Give your rodents a tasty and nutritious treat with Amaranth Harvest Green. These carefully selected green amaranth leaves provide a tasty and healthy addition to the diet of your beloved pets.
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Enrich the diet of your rodents and rabbits with the tasty and varied treat from JR Farm Nibble Potpourri. This mix of different types of millet and wild grasses, such as flax, mohair millet, canary seed and plume millet, offers a delicious nibbling pleas
Read more
The JR Farm Linseed Flax is a bundle of delicious harvest with sun-ripened linseeds. This harvest is very popular among rodents and is especially appreciated by small rodents such as Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils! The harvest is 100% natural, untreated and c
Read more
Bring a touch of freshness and vitality to your rodents' diet with Green Wheat Ears Harvest. These carefully harvested and selected wheat ears offer a tasty and nutritious addition to your beloved pets' menu.
Read more
Spoil your rodents with the unique texture and taste of Hare's Tail Harvest. These carefully collected and dried hare tails are a natural and engaging addition to the diet of your beloved pets.
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Treat your rodents and rabbits to the delicious treat of JR Farm Millet! This natural snack consists of carefully selected, sun-ripened seeds that provide lots of nibbling fun and nutritional value. Whether you want to contribute to their diet or are look
Read more
Delicious dried whole sunflower heads packed per three. The heads are filled with sunflower seeds that can be harvested by the animals themselves. A very fun activity that not only provides a lot of activity and prevents boredom, but also gives the animal
Read more
Natural Dried Sunflower: A Colorful Treat for Rodents and Hamsterscaping Adventures! Imagine bringing the joy of summer into your little rodent's life with our Mini Sunflower. These beautiful and natural treats are not only a tasty treat, but they also of
Read more
Trixie Willow Bridge 22 cm You can really go in all directions with this fun Willow Bridge! The bridge can easily be bent. This natural Willow Bridge is suitable for both smaller and slightly larger rodents. For the smaller rodents you can...
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
The Trixie Willow Bridge 27 cm is a flexible ladder that can easily be hung in the cage. A nice bonus is the recess where something nice can be done. The bridge can easily be bent into different shapes.
Read more
You can really go in any direction with this fun Hazelnut Bridge! The bridge can be easily bent, so it can be used as:
Read more
This willow bridge 55 cm is particularly suitable for small rodents. For larger rodents, the bridge actually has no function. Thanks to the beautiful length of approximately 55 cm, you can go in all directions with the bridge. For example, the bridge can
Read more
This natural bridge is made of natural, untreated willow wood and is suitable for both smaller and slightly larger rodents. This natural willow bridge is suitable for both smaller and slightly larger rodents. For smaller rodents, you can transform the bri
Read more
Hamsterscaping: natural design for your hamster (hamster cage & terrarium)
Hamsterscaping is the natural and clever way to furnish a hamster cage or terrarium as a mini-landscape: with a deep digging layer, safe hiding places, a sand bath, and foraging areas. It not only looks great, but above all, it makes the habitat natural for your hamster: digging, hiding, gathering, and foraging as it naturally does.
At DRD Rodent Shop®, we help you choose the right rodent products that work in practice. From tunnel-resistant bedding to the right sizes for houses and exercise wheels . Specialists since 2011 – with a focus on well-being, safety, and a habitat that's easy to maintain.
Getting started with hamster scaping: here's how to do it smartly
The most beautiful hamster habitat doesn't start with "more decor," but with a solid foundation. First, choose a suitable enclosure , then build the digging layer , and finally create zones with houses , tunnels , a sand bath , and foraging areas.
Whether you want a tranquil "desert look" or a more "forest" scape with moss and cork, the basics remain the same. If the foundation is right, your hamster will naturally do more: dig, drag, hoard, and run trails.
Also view our range of Hamsterscaping Moss .
Think in zones: this is how your hamster cage becomes logical
A hamster feels most comfortable in an enclosure that's "full" and organized. You can achieve this by creating zones:
- Resting zone (nest/sleeping): main house + nesting material, preferably sheltered.
- Digging zone : the deepest part of the ground cover, this is where tunnels and storage areas are created.
- Sand bath zone : a permanent place for bathing (and often also as a toilet area).
- Foraging zone : scatter feeding, snack areas, search and play materials.
Tip: Create routes between areas with natural tunnels and shelters. This creates peace and quiet, as your hamster will find shelter to move around.
Excavation layer & ground cover: the difference between "nice" and "working"
Hamster scaping depends entirely on the digging layer. Many hamsters love to dig, but they'll stop if the tunnels collapse immediately. Therefore, it's best to choose substrate that is tunnel-resistant and comfortable to the touch. See: Hamster substrate .
How deep?
A common guideline for hamster scaping is a 20–30 cm digging layer (deeper is fine if your enclosure allows it). More important than the number: can your hamster create tunnels that stay put without you having to "push" everything down?
Construction in 4 steps
- Base layer : Fill the enclosure with a comfortable main bedding.
- Texture : Add a second texture (where needed) for grip and strength.
- Zone depth : make one corner really deep (digging zone) and keep the resting zone a little more stable/compact.
- Nesting material : Always add enough nesting material so your hamster can build a warm nest.
Extra fun (and functional): mix or layer ground coverings. This creates variety in texture and allows you to visualize zones. For inspiration, you can also look at tags like wood fiber and paper .
Houses & shelters: why multiple places work better
Hamsters don't like open spaces. They're most relaxed when they have a choice of multiple hiding places. Consider a main house (e.g., a multi-room house) plus additional hiding routes and "stopovers." See: Hamster Houses .
- Multi-room houses : popular because hamsters often create a “bedroom” and “pantry.”
- Ceramics/terracotta : nice as a cool shelter (also in warmer periods).
- Cork/tree trunk : ideal as a route and shelter at the same time.
When choosing a cage, consider the size (especially for golden hamsters). More space is almost always acceptable – the cage should remain practical: hamsters can enter, turn, build a nest, and store supplies.
Tunnels, routes & natural materials: an atmosphere that really makes a difference
In hamster scaping, natural materials aren't just "decorative." They help you build routes, define zones, and safely fill the enclosure. Useful starting points: cork tunnels , tree trunk tunnels , vines , and moss .
Tip: Use "under and around" techniques. So: a tunnel under a canopy, a route along a cork piece, and a hiding place behind a house. This way, your hamster can move around without feeling "out in the open."
Sand bath: permanent scape zone for coat care
A sand bath is a permanent feature in many hamster scaping setups. Ideally, create a single, well-defined area (this also helps with your maintenance routine). See: Hamster sand & sand baths .
Practical: You can sift the sand occasionally (depending on use). A sieve is useful for removing small debris.
An exercise wheel in a hamster scape: size and stability
An exercise wheel is an important part of many hamsters' daily routines. In hamster scaping, placement is especially important: a deep digging layer can sink, so ensure a stable base. See: Hamster exercise wheels .
- Dwarf hamster : a minimum of 20 cm is often recommended.
- Golden hamster (Syrian hamster) : often at least 28 cm for comfortable running.
Many people find a wooden wheel attractive in a natural setting. It looks great and can be pleasant to the touch. See also: wooden exercise wheels .
Foraging: The simplest upgrade with the biggest effect
Want your hamster to be "more hamster"? Let them forage. Instead of putting everything in one bowl, you can scatter (some of) the food in the digging layer, under a bridge, or among natural features. This encourages foraging and instantly makes your scape more interesting. See: Play & Foraging .
Handy additions to your scape: gnawing material (natural nibbling) and herbs & seeds (tasty to sprinkle).
(Fresh) plants in hamster scaping: atmosphere and distraction
Fresh plants instantly give a scape a natural look. Use them as decor, as greenery for nibbling, or as a sniffing corner. Ideally, choose plants intended for small animals and place them securely to prevent too much soil from seeping into the enclosure. See: Fresh hamster plants .
Maintenance & spot cleaning: how to keep your hamster scape fresh
The great thing about hamster scaping is that you usually don't have to replace "everything" all the time. You work in zones and do primarily spot cleaning : cleaning locally where necessary.
Hamster Scaping Safety: You Really Want to Get This Right
A scape is only successful if it's safe. With a few simple choices, you can prevent risks and ensure your design remains stable in the long run.
Checklist: hamsterscaping basic set
Hamsterscaping manual
Want a practical step-by-step guide to get you started right away? Check out our manual – handy if you're building your first hamster enclosure or upgrading an existing one.
Click on the image to open the manual
Frequently Asked Questions about Hamster Scaping
What exactly is hamsterscaping?
Hamsterscaping is the natural design of a hamster cage or terrarium as a mini-landscape with zones: digging layer, hiding places, sand bath, and foraging areas.
What substrate is suitable for hamster scaping?
Choose substrate that supports digging and helps tunnels "stand." In practice, a combination of structure and volume often works best. See: hamster substrate .
How deep should the excavation layer be?
A commonly used guideline is 20–30 cm, but the most important thing is that the soil allows for tunnels and does not collapse immediately.
Which materials are suitable for a natural hamster scape?
Cork, tree trunk tunnels, grapevine, and hamster-safe moss are popular choices for routes, hiding places, and finishing touches. Start with: cork tunnels and grapevine .
How many hiding places does a hamster need?
A main house plus several hiding places usually works best. This way, your hamster can choose where to rest and how to move around. See: hamster houses .
Can hamster scaping also be done in a glass cage/terrarium?
Yes, that's right. In a glass enclosure, you can often easily add deep ground cover and create zones. See: hamster cages & terrariums .
What is spot cleaning?
Spot cleaning is localized cleaning: removing wet spots, checking storage areas, maintaining the sand bath/walking wheel, and replacing only what is absolutely necessary.
