What do I do?

[HammysMom]

That was just a joke I was making to myself. Mostly I just wondered if he was scared. He didn't seem scared, but for obvious reasons I put him away quickly so I wasn't sure. He can't resist a tube, so I figured since we don't have a ball yet that would be the best thing, I don't wanna just reach in a grab him. We have one pet store in my town and I go to work before it opens and get off after it closes...so annoying! But I'm off this Saturday so we are going to make a trip there. I forgot to ask the lady how old he was, he must be fairly young since he was with his litter mates in a puny little aqaurium, so I figure he must be 8 weeks or less. Due to his size, I would guess probably he's probably closer to 8. I haven't measured him, but he isn't particularly small. If its the same litter in the tank I will ask her how old they are.

Seriously, I was appalled at the hamster cage at the pet store. The poor little hammies were in what I would guess to be a 10 gallon tank with maybe an inch of bedding and they were all piled in a corner sleeping. No toys or anything, just a food dish and water. Poor little babies. I do know that when I took my stepdaughter to get hers, she brought us a male out of the back, so maybe there is a more appropriate set up back there for at night. I was surprised because while they might be the only one in town, they've been around forever and all their other set ups are very good. The hamster, mouse and gerbil cages left a lot to be desired though, IMO.

[Anthorn]

Originally Posted by evel_lin

That's precisely the reason why modular cages aren't very good. Natural behaviour is for the hamster to construct their own tunnels which they are able to do in a large cage with a deep layer of substrate. Modular cages are expensive, easily broken and have poor ventilation. Larger cages allow the hamster more room to explore and dig and also keeps down the smell, especially if you spot clean regularly.

OP I think a bin cage would be a fantastic idea. Have you had a look on the wiki in the taming section? I tend to just keep gently scooping and handling my hamsters to tame them and gradually increase the amount of handling they have each time until they are comfortable

Nevertheless in a habitat as opposed to a cage we try to mimic the animal's natural habitat as closely as we can. Having a modular environment doesn't mean we have to use a modular system. Several of us on these very forums connect two cages together using tubes. In any case even with a modular system hamsters can get more exercise running through tubes than they would ever get with a single cage.

Bin or tank cages are not too bad provided there is sufficient air circulation. This calls not only for a wire top but also a wire side or front. That means a bit of D.I.Y. cutting the bin as well as finding suitable wire front which can actually come from an old cage. Without the air circulation, the bin is likely to stink really bad!

[evel_lin]

Originally Posted by Anthorn

Nevertheless in a habitat as opposed to a cage we try to mimic the animal's natural habitat as closely as we can. Having a modular environment doesn't mean we have to use a modular system. Several of us on these very forums connect two cages together using tubes. In any case even with a modular system hamsters can get more exercise running through tubes than they would ever get with a single cage.

Tubes connecting two good sized cages together are not the same as a modular system. I don't think it's fair to say a hamster gets more exercise running though a tube than it would in a singular cage, it all depends on the size of the cage. To get a similar floor space to that offered by an Alexander cage for example would require a very expensive tube system that still wouldn't offer as much opportunity for enrichment. IMO a large floor space with a good amount of substrate is far closer to the animals natural habitat than a load of gaudy plastic tubes.

Tubes can be an answer sometimes, but I think there are often better solutions out there if you look

[HollyHamster]

Originally Posted by Anthorn

Nevertheless in a habitat as opposed to a cage we try to mimic the animal's natural habitat as closely as we can. Having a modular environment doesn't mean we have to use a modular system. Several of us on these very forums connect two cages together using tubes. In any case even with a modular system hamsters can get more exercise running through tubes than they would ever get with a single cage.

Bin or tank cages are not too bad provided there is sufficient air circulation. This calls not only for a wire top but also a wire side or front. That means a bit of D.I.Y. cutting the bin as well as finding suitable wire front which can actually come from an old cage. Without the air circulation, the bin is likely to stink really bad!

That whole myth surrounding air circultation in a bin/tank cage is just that, a myth. I have both a bin cage with just a mesh top and a tank style cage with a mesh style top and both are just fine. I've never had problems with ventilation.

Besides, this argument is deterring from the main topic of this thread. I would keep on the main topic for the sake of the OP.

[Anthorn]

Originally Posted by evel_lin

To get a similar floor space to that offered by an Alexander cage for example would require a very expensive tube system that still wouldn't offer as much opportunity for enrichment.

4 Ovos* connecting with 60cm tubing x 4: Which has the larger floor space? Square wire cages have the advantage of as you say, enrichment. Yes, they score because such things as hanging bridges, trapezes, etc can be added. But it's debateable whether we add those for the hamster's benefit or our own benefit. Yes, some of us spend a lot of money on our hamsters, myself included.

*In my own experience most tubes coming with modular systems are too small for a full grown Syrian. You can start off with these for a baby but you'll have to replace them soon. The only tubes I've found that are suitable are Savic Metro but I suppose there are others out there.

Getting back to the topic, my own approach can be seen from my cage for my new Syrian: It's a Savic Hamster Heaven Metro with penthouse and tubes removed and the only thing I've added to the basic set up is a Bull Rush Ball (Pets At Home). It will stay like that for the first 10 days and then other wooden toys will be added every few days. All that is done to guard against too much stress and possible wet tail although in over 30 years of keeping pet hamsters I have never experienced wet tail. Your hamster is obviously suffering from stress and making changes to the cage or moving to a different cage will only increase that stress. Let the hamster get used to the cage and make its home before you make changes to it.

[HammysMom]

It was odd, but once I simplified his cage and it became smaller he calmed down considerably. Our taming sessions have been going so well the last three days, he has made huge strides.

Today the replacement hybrid cage came. I had to go with a different model than the previous one, but I like it. It will do for a while. He was due for a thorough cage cleaning anyway, so I went ahead and attached it. It has a wheel, which he chewed his old one, so the sooner the better anyway, I was worried he wasn't getting enough exercise. I kept a significant portion of his bedding to place in both his old and new units and half the bedding for his nest. I kept the basic configuration the same so as to keep it familiar to him. His nest is in the same place, the water is on the same side, just shifted left, and tubes were added to connect it to the hybrid unit and add the mini maze back on. I was glad to add a den back to it, as he favored it, and I'd like to make it a sand bath or potty, if he'll cooperate and since it attaches directly to the hybrid I don't have the worries about ventilation or trapping himself in there.

I'm very glad to have the hybrid cage so that I can add a regular water bottle. He seems to drink fine from the ovo bottle, but it does leak a tiny bit, not much though. Also I don't think he could drink from it if I didn't tilt it to the side at about 45 degrees. I also plan to get him a flying saucer wheel, it will fit great in the ovo home(guess that would make it his "gym" lol), and take out the wheel in the hybrid so that he has more room for climbing and other toys.

He had playpen time while I cleaned and constructed his cage, then a short romp in the tub with my daughter. Since we put him back in his cage I've been watching him, so far he doesn't seem disturbed. He's even climbed out on my hand from his nest, hoping for a treat, I think. And it seemed like he was having fun exploring the extra space rather than frantic type, freaked out running around. He definitely checked it AAALL out for any weak spots. I don't think a single square inch didn't get sniffed, climbed on, nibbled at or pushed on....you know, just in case!