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Old 11-27-2015, 12:46 PM   #1
Pygmypuff
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Default Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

Hello all!

I'm currently preparing to own a Roborovski (or possibly a Campbells Russian Dwarf or Chinese!) and in need of some advice about what else I need for the little guy or gal. So far I've got a wheel (11 inches, is this too big?), two hamster houses, a tunnel, a bridge, a platform toy, a Sisal natural ball with a bell in it, chinchilla sand, hemp bedding (14kg bag of it!), sanitized rocks, a food bowl, a water bottle, two bags of food, and a jar to put the sand in. Do I need anything else? For example, lots of people seem to have hamster chews in their cages. Are these just bits of coloured wood that you can buy pet shops called wooden chews? Or are they something different? Would I need those if I've already got loads of wood in the cage? Do I need a salt lick? Or a calcium lick? Or maybe some more tunnels and toys?

Also - the amount of protein in the food I bought is a little low, so I was thinking of adding some regular protein to the hamsters diet. I've heard you can give hamsters little bits of chicken or fish, and also bits of hard boiled egg, is this true? If so, how often should I give it to them? Daily?

Last thing, does the IKEA Billy bookcase extension make a good cage? I think it's what I'm going to go for and I was just wondering if any of you have owned it or know someone who has and what you think of it.

Thanks very much!
Forest
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Old 11-27-2015, 01:17 PM   #2
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Default Re: Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

Both mine totally ignore any chew I give them that isn't edible! I'd go for a small Whimzees toothbrush.

Hamsters don't need mineral/salt licks.

I give mine chicken once a week, and they usually get a bit of scrambled egg or hard boiled egg once a week As well.


With the cage set up, I would start with what you have then watch them carefully to see if they are entertained enough and what they enjoy, and add/change things if and when you need to. For instance, Glowy's cage has been a work in progress and when the last of his new things arrive this week I think he will be sorted, he is very high maintenance and a fearless athlete/climber so he needs lots to stimulate him and keep him safe from falling too far. He's having lots of bridges and hanging stuff. Nibble likes digging and tubes,so he has lots of substrate and lots of tubes!
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Old 11-28-2015, 12:21 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

Mine all ignore wood chews too, Whimzees are usually most popular although my new Chinese is ignoring them & seems to prefer Greenies.

I agree you don't need mineral or salt licks.
Some of the best toys for dwarfs are simply cardboard tubes & egg boxes are a huge favourite, mine all love the seagrass tunnels too. Coconut hideouts are also good.

If you're unsure which foods are safe to supplement your hams diet just refer to the wiki list a young ham can have a little extra protein 2 or 3 times a week or you can just give a mealworm or two daily, once fully grown they don't need quite so much extra protein.

Not sure about the Ikea Billy, I'll leave that to someone who knows a bit more about DIY cages!
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Old 11-28-2015, 12:30 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

I found this for you:
DIY IKEA Billy Extension Cage


And this too if you're ambitious:
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/12/m...apartment.html
The instructions seem to be gone but you get the idea.
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Old 11-28-2015, 01:34 AM   #5
Pygmypuff
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Default Re: Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

BertieBobbins - Okay, thank you, that's really useful I'll try out the cage as it is and see how it goes to start with!

Cypher - Thank you! Whimzees and Greenies are both in the dog food section right? My hamster Pygmypuff used to love her seagrass tunnel so I think I'll get one of those again. Okay, thanks again!

Piebald - Thank you, those are both really useful links! I'm not sure I've quite got the DIY skills for the apartment though...
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Old 11-28-2015, 02:16 AM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

Whimzees & Greenies are both dog chews yes, whimzees are easiest enough to find, greenies a bit harder but they do have them at Zooplus.
Greenies Dental Care Chews | Great deals at zooplus!
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Old 11-28-2015, 07:22 AM   #7
Kiki_3173
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Default Re: Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

I have an IKEA Billy Extension Cage...in fact, that's my posting that Piebald linked above As you said above...I would only ever put a single dwarf or a Chinese hamster in this cage...and I'd never use this small space for a Syrian.

I love the Billy cage, but it really depends on your hamster and what each hamster prefers. It is only just over the suggested minimum cage size. I built it for my first dwarf, Smudge, who was a rescue from the SPCA. For her, it was bigger than anything she'd had before...and she got A LOT of out of cage time. After Smudge passed, I had a very skittish, reserved Chinese hamster (Pippa) that lived in it. It was perfect for her because it provided a very secure place and I provided a ton of hides for her as well.

Some hamsters don't like the small space, so you'd have to keep an eye on your hamsters behavior. Also, remember that it is made of wood, so a very active chewer could do some damage! lol

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any questions you might have, that I haven't covered


As for chews, the favorites among my hamsters have been the Whimzee's that have been mentioned above, and the plain mini-Milkbones. None of my hamsters have really taken to wooden chews.


Here are a few pics of the Billy:



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Old 11-28-2015, 12:28 PM   #8
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Default Re: Hamster Chews and IKEA Billy

Thank you for the advice Kiki! It sounds like a great cage in general. I love your set up by the way
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