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Hamsterscaping: natural design for hamsters (golden hamster & dwarf hamster)
Handy wooden platform for the rodent enclosure. The plateau is made of untreated natural wood and is equipped with a handy staircase. The plateau is suitable for small rodents such as: Mice, Hamsters, Gerbils and Rats.
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Use the plateau as an extra floor or create a cozy corner for your rodent(s). The plateau is a fun challenge in the enclosure that your rodents will really appreciate. Place a food bowl on the platform and a ladder against it...
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A very large platform that can be placed across the entire width of the enclosure. The space under the platform can be completely filled with ground cover and the platform itself provides a stable base for food bowls, water bowls and other accessories tha
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A very large platform that can be placed over the entire width of the accommodation. The space under the platform can be completely filled with ground cover and the platform itself provides a stable base for a food bowl, drinking bowl and other accessorie
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Popsicle sticks are a popular choice for DIY rodent projects. These gnawing sticks are made of beech wood and are 100% natural. They are available in two different sizes.
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The Cotton & Hemp Mix is a beautiful blend of wonderfully soft cotton enriched with high-quality hemp. The hemp is lighter in color than usual because we only use the soft inner hemp stalk instead of the entire stalk. Thanks to the combination of these tw
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Cotton N Fibre is the ultimate power blend of soft cotton and robust wood fiber. It's a dynamic duo specially formulated for adventurous tunnel-builders among small rodents, such as mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, and gerbils. The diggability of cotton an
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Nesting material made of 100 percent pure natural hemp fiber for rodents and birds. Mini-Hemp Soft offers protection against draughts and provides a woolly warmth. Due to the unique properties of hemp fiber, the nest stays dry and free of odors for longer
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
For owners of small rodents such as mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters and gerbils who are looking for a dramatic and stylish way to improve the living environment of their furry companions, there is now Desert Sand Black. This unique sand not only adds an ae
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With the JR Farm Litter Summer Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful summer environment. With flower meadows and aromatic flowers as well as lush foliage, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The bedding is 100% natural and therefore
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With the JR Farm Litter Forest Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful wooded environment. With crispy poplar bark and crunchy pine cones, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The ground cover is 100% natural and therefore also edible.
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With the JR Farm Litter Forest Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful farm environment. With deliciously crispy hay and fresh ears of corn, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The bedding is 100% natural and therefore edible for the
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Get ready for a woodland adventure, rodent friends and fluffy bunnies! Discover the delightful Forest Bedding, specially designed to make your little friends feel like they're exploring the heart of the forest! This bedding brings the best of nature into
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The BiMSi® lavender herbal bath contains carefully ground lavender leaves, which on the one hand pamper the coat and skin from the outside and on the other hand have a relaxing effect on the animals. The skin is the rodent's largest sensory organ. She nee
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The Bathhouse is suitable for both Dwarf hamsters and Golden hamsters. It has an entrance on both sides that your rodent can easily crawl through. Both the roof and the plexiglass at the front are also removable.
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Let the digging begin with this handy sandbox from Trixie. Made of untreated natural wood, it features two entrances and a beautiful plexiglass viewing window on the front. Once filled with chinchilla sand, the animals can enjoy a bath and groom themselve
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Kapok is a legume from the kapok tree. It holds even more surprises for your rodent. It contains a soft, cottony substance that makes a wonderful nest. This nesting material also contains some seeds that are delicious...
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Kapok is an animal-friendly nesting material that, thanks to its thin, easily tearable fibers, is ideal for use as nesting material for small rodents. Kapok is extra soft and warming, yet also digestible and dust-free. It complies with animal welfare requ
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Coconut & Coir 25 Liters as a natural bedding gives the rodent habitat a very natural look. Besides its appearance, it's dust-free and absorbs moisture quickly and easily. It doesn't mold, making it ideal for outdoor use.
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Discover Plospan Wood Fiber Bedding - the ideal choice for your rodents! It offers numerous advantages, including an affordable price and abundant bedding. Small rodents love digging in wood fiber, and with a generous 20cm layer, they can really have a bl
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Plospan Kingsize Wood Shavings are especially recommended as ideal bedding for your small rodents with sensitive respiratory tracts. It's the most dust-free bedding in the Plospan range, minimizing respiratory irritation. The Kingsize is slightly coarser
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Hempflax Mini Hemp Hemp Ground Cover 3 kg is the heavenly choice for your animals! Mini-Hemp ground cover is like a fluffy cloud of fine wood core made of hemp fiber. It has a natural sponge effect so that moisture and odors are better absorbed. Urinary a
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This bedding is made of wonderfully soft paper flakes. High-quality recycled paper makes this bedding/nesting material unique, highly absorbent, and also very fun to play in and build nests in. The paper is dust-free and super absorbent!
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The Safebed Paper Flakes are paper flakes made from very fine and very softly shredded pieces of high-quality colored paper. This bedding can be used as ground cover, excavator bucket filling or as nesting material. It is wonderfully soft and absorbs mois
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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.
