one word: SAND, my gerbils are allergic to bedding so they are housed in sand, they love and are a LOT calmer in it and i dont see why hamsters coul dnot be housed in sand, it is VERY cheap, only needs changed every 6 mos. or so, all you do to clean it is sift out the poops basicly, try it, it means the difference between keeping them or not i use traction sand i find it works the best, although i have used play sand as well