After a period of living solo, it may be natural for renters to want a furry friend who can provide companionship and help them unwind after a busy day. Understandably, quite a few of these folks may find themselves considering hamsters! Unlike dogs or cats, which require more space and may pose more hurdles for renters bound by lease agreements, small hamsters are a popular pet choice because they can easily be raised in a cage.
However, some renters may be concerned about where to start or how to become a proud hamster parent, pondering questions such as, “Do I need prior permission from the management company or landlord?” or, “What are the dos and don’ts of keeping one on my own?”
To assist anyone in this predicament, this article will discuss several important points, including permission issues, the requirements of a hamster-friendly room, and the details of pet care. We hope this guide helps you as you seek out the perfect palm-sized pal!
Village House offers many pet-friendly rental properties, so if you’re thinking of living with a hamster friend, please visit our website! We have a wide assortment of lovely, reasonably priced rooms.
Why hamsters are ideal pets for people living alone
Here are four reasons why hamsters are recommended pets for individuals living by themselves:
1. They are easy to keep even in a small room.
For solo tenants, room sizes are often in the 4.5- to 6-tatami mat range. (Tatami mats can vary in size, even when they are labeled as “standard.” For a tatami mat that’s about 1.62 m², these rooms would calculate to roughly 7.3 to 9.7 m² or about 79 to 104 ft²). Now, if the hamster is of a small breed, they will still only be about 7 to 12 cm long (approx. 2 ¾ inches to 4 ¾ inches) when fully grown. For these critters, the cage should be at least 45 cm wide, 30 cm deep, and 25 cm tall (approx. 17 ¾ by 11 ¾ by 9 ⅞ inches), so you can see that even a small room could accommodate a cage for a small hamster.
2. They are beginner-friendly in terms of pet care.
The only training that would benefit both you and your hamster is potty training. Once they learn to do their business in a specific corner of the cage or a litter box, cleaning their home will become easier. To feed them, remember to put out food and change the water once a day. Also, change out soiled bedding and clean the toilet area and floor once every one to three days, keeping an eye out for dirty areas to ensure your little pal’s happiness and health.
In general, thoroughly wash the cage and hamster wheel about once a month, though you will want to clean the wheel and any toys as needed, depending on what you observe. With proper knowledge and dedication, caring for a hamster is quite manageable even for first-time pet owners.
3. They are affordable to care for.
The average cost of keeping a hamster is about 1,300 to 2,000 yen per month. Even if you live on your own, you could easily make room in your budget for a furry friend by perhaps adjusting your lunch routines or entertainment expenses. As for obtaining your pet, you can buy one from a pet store for about 1,000 yen depending on the breed, but you can also do some research and adopt one.
4. They are less likely to be the source of noise complaints.
Unlike some other pets, hamsters themselves rarely make any noise. Even when they do squeak or chirp, the sound is quiet enough so that it wouldn’t bother your neighbors. Therefore, you can safely keep a hamster without worrying about excessive noise or being confronted by neighbors.
Can I have a hamster even in rentals that aren’t “Rental properties that allow pets”?
Simply put, even small animals that live in cages cannot be kept in rental properties that are listed as “No pets allowed” (“petto-fuka”; ペット不可). If you want to own a hamster, make sure you live in or find a rental space that specifies “Pets allowed” (“petto-ka”; ペット可) or at least “Pets negotiable” (“petto soudan-ka”; ペット相談可).
If the landlord discovers that you have been keeping a pet without prior permission, you may be required to give up the pet or ordered to vacate the property. In some cases, you may not only find yourself facing eviction but also incurring additional costs, such as repair fees or fines.
Bottom line: to be a responsible pet owner and provide the best living situation for yourself and your animal companion, it is crucial to first consult with your landlord or management company before bringing a critter home.
Now, ready to get a hamster? But first, key points to note: Noise and odor control, establishing a daily routine, etc.
- Hamster wheels can be very loud.
Hamsters are primarily nocturnal animals, becoming more active at dusk and most active after you turn off the lights for the night. On top of that, hamsters are surprisingly very active and are said to run around 9 to 20 km (5.6 to 12.4 miles) per day.
Accordingly, a running wheel is an essential part of any hamster’s home, but its squeaking or rattling noises can be remarkably loud at night and may lead to trouble with your neighbors. With that in mind, it’s necessary to search for a wheel that is as quiet as possible and to place the cage away from any wall that separates your place from your neighbor’s.
- Pet odors will need to be controlled.
Hamsters may be small, but they can still create a distinct odor. To prevent your room from absorbing this smell, be sure to routinely clean the toilet area or litter box, change the bedding, and wash the cage itself. You could also invest in an air purifier to keep your room smelling fresh. Do not rely on air fresheners or scented sprays to mask any pet odors (more on this in a few paragraphs).
- You need to be aware of their reproductive capacity.
Though this number can vary from breed to breed, on average, hamsters can give birth to 3 to 7 babies in one litter. Domestic hamsters can breed year-round, and biologically, some females can reproduce as often as every 2 to three weeks, between the age of one month to 18 months.
In light of this, we recommend having just one hamster to prevent uncontrolled reproduction. Breeding should be left to experienced professionals, not only to avoid the potential of having too many hamsters to care for but also to keep your pet healthy and free of stress. As an additional benefit, it is said that hamsters kept alone bond more easily with their owners.
- Hamsters are sensitive to stress.
Hamsters can be delicate creatures – if you immediately try to touch or play with your new pet too much, this will cause undue stress. Be patient and let your friend get used to their new home and your presence before interacting with them more. They are also sensitive to light, sound, smells, and humidity, so you will want to place the cage in as quiet a location as possible.
As mentioned earlier, hamsters are nocturnal and will not be too active in brightly lit rooms. Try to set up a daily routine for your pet by covering the cage with a cloth or blanket at a set time to limit light (but make sure there is adequate air circulation). In addition, hamsters have an excellent sense of smell. Perfumes, fabric softeners, scented candles, and other artificial scents will cause discomfort and can even lead to respiratory problems. Therefore, it would be best to avoid using such products around hamsters or picking them up while wearing scented products.
How to care for a hamster! Further steps: Set the ideal room temperature and humidity, and prevent your hamster’s escape
- Control your room temperature and humidity.
For hamsters, the room temperature should be about 20 to 26⁰C (68 to 78⁰F), with humidity around 40 to 60%. To keep your pet comfortable and healthy, you will need to keep an eye on these factors and adjust as necessary.
If the room temperature is too high, this can cause dehydration and promote the growth of dust mites and bacteria. To keep the room temperature low enough, make sure to use your air conditioner (without directly sending air to the cage), or get a cooling pad for the cage and use it as needed during times of hot weather.
On the other hand, if the room temperature gets too low, hamsters can go into a dangerous state called torpor, which can lead to dehydration, hypothermia, and even death. During the colder months, try using a space heater in the room or an electric warming pad for the cage to keep the temperature warm enough.
- Take measures to prevent escape.
Hamsters are very curious animals and can be pro-escape artists. They could squeeze into or out of openings as small as 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 inches) or climb the cage and escape from the top. With this in mind, you should always make sure that any cage doors are tightly closed. You may also want to take additional measures, such as keeping the cage within a pet pen or enclosure (with openings that are tight enough to prevent escape) in case your adventurous buddy manages to get out of their cage.
Keeping a hamster: financial costs
It’s typical to spend around 15,000 yen on supplies when preparing for your first hamster. However, you can expect to spend over 20,000 yen if you choose a more expensive breed, or if you develop a preference for certain manufacturers or materials and opt for more expensive items, such as the cage or wheel.
Tips for finding a hamster-friendly rental
If you live by yourself and want to have a hamster friend, keep the following three criteria in mind when searching for a room.
- Search for properties that allow pets.
First and foremost, prioritize properties listed as “Pets allowed” or at least “Pets negotiable.” Fortunately, quite a few landlords are open to allowing small pets like hamsters even if their properties are advertised as “No pets allowed,” so you don’t have to rule them out completely. In any case, it’s crucial to tell your real estate agent or potential landlord that you would like to keep a hamster and to initiate the discussion early on in the search process.
- Ensure that the room has air conditioning.
As mentioned earlier, the optimum room temperature for hamsters is between 20 to 26⁰C (68 to 78⁰F). To reduce the risk of dehydration and other issues during the hot months, it’s essential to find a rental with air conditioning. Bear in mind, however, that this will not automatically solve everything – room temperature and humidity can vary between the floor and the ceiling, so remember to install an indoor thermometer and hygrometer on the cage and be diligent about maintaining the proper conditions.
- Find a property with a nearby veterinary hospital or clinic that can treat hamsters.
In Japan, it’s common for veterinary hospitals to specialize in dogs and cats. If you find a nice rental with a nearby vet clinic, make sure that they also treat small animals such as hamsters. This way, you will know where to go in case of any emergencies.
At Village House, we offer numerous pet-friendly rental properties across all of Japan’s 47 prefectures, with rent starting from 20,000 yen. If you need a room where you can live with your palm-sized pal, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Hello, I’m Machiko Doi, a freelance writer who writes about housing and living in Japan.
I live in an 80-year-old house that I inherited from my grandparents along with my two shelter cats and daughter.
We live a relaxed life while repairing the house.
I like to cook vegetables from the garden and fresh fish caught by my father, and enjoy them with cold beer on a hot day or hot sake on a cold day.