TL;DR

Hamsters do burrow with adequate bedding.
Not all beddings are made equal for burrowing!
A mixture of different bedding material is best for your hamsters to burrow in. Also, #aestheticgoals

Do hamsters burrow?

Yes! Hamsters are natural-born burrows, they dig through substrate to make a network of intricate tunnels to dwell in. Did you know that hamsters have been observed to dig up to 0.7m deep in the wild?

Before domestication, hamsters use the tunnels and holes from burrowing as a way to shelter themselves from predators and unpredictable environmental changes. They have also been seen to use burrows to store food!

A natural burrow system of a wild hamster! (Credits to Hamster Hideout)

How do I let my hamster burrow?

First, grab your materials!

Paper bedding
Soft hay
Hideouts
Bedding toppers (optional)

Next, clear away soiled bedding, wheels, platforms, hideouts etc from the enclosure. Make sure to leave at least ⅓ of the old bedding to make this process less stressful for your hambaby. Mix in new bedding with the old bedding. Ensure that there is enough bedding of at least 7 inches!

Add in about 3-4 generous handfuls of soft hay. Depending on the amount of bedding and space you have, a general guide would be a 3:1 ratio of bedding to hay.

Add in about 2-3 handfuls of bedding topper and give everything a good mix.

Place the hideouts in your desired area and cover them with the mixed bedding and compress it gently. After compressing, the height of the bedding should be at least 6 inches. This allows for proper burrowing to take place and for the burrows to hold their shape.

Lastly, place everything back into the enclosure, sprinkle more bedding toppers and enjoy watching tunnels and holes form!

You can assist your hamster by placing them in an underground hideout and covering it with the mixed bedding and gently compressing it. Your hamster will eventually start to burrow out or to other hideouts!

Things to note:

1. Paper bedding

There are essentially two types of bedding - circular and shredded. Shredded has been seen to hold burrows better than the circular shape but both should work fine.

1: shredded 2: circular. Kaytee Clean and Cosy paper beddings sometimes can look different depending on when the pack is manufactured! (Credits to Nite Mare via Singapore Hamsters Club)

2. Soft hay

Your hamster will not be eating the hay, instead it is meant to act as a glue to bind the bedding together to ensure a more stable structure.

Timothy, alfalfa, and orchard grass hay are some soft hay that will not hurt your hamsters’ paw.

3. Bedding toppers

Bedding toppers act as an incentive for your hammie to burrow and it is also good for them to munch on!

Bunny Nature Botanicals Mix is a great option!

4. Want to know what other beddings are safe for hamsters? Read our article here!