Food and other items for a new Syrian? - Page 3

Nedriel · 09-28-2016, 08:28 AM

Hmm from viotec which toys do you recomend me then? they got a lot things and not sure then which one is safe and nice for them

Nedriel · 09-28-2016, 08:38 AM

Oh I just put the list of the toys from that brand for have your opinion haha x3 I'll look and buy some of your list :3 also I got a bit of doubt, I was going to buy the wheel on other website but since they got this one https://www.viovet.co.uk/Interpet_Su...=wheel&sct_r=5 I think it looks nice, but it says... "The wheel comes with a sturdy free-standing base for placing on the enclosure floor, or clips for attaching to the side of a wire cage." 1 think is, you like this wheel for a hamster? and 2 when it said "or clips for attaching to the side of a wire cage" it means I can put the white thing between the bars?

Thanks you and again and sorry for spam all my questions haha

cypher · 09-28-2016, 08:43 AM

Viovet are a bit annoying as they don't include all the ingredients in things but from seeing those herb mixes elsewhere I'm pretty sure they're ok.

Opinions vary on plastic running balls, personally I don't like them & think it far better to set up a safe play area or play pen where your ham can explore naturally rather than be confined in a ball.

On your list, number one should be ok, number two I wouldn't bother, number three is ok, wooden chew toys are often totally ignored! They prefer the whimzee or antos dog chews if you can get them, the Boredom Breaker Play 'n' Climb Kit probably wouldn't be much use for a syrian, I use the rainbow bridge for my dwarf hams & while it may be ok it could be a bit small to be much use to a syrian, the cardboard tubes or the hyacinth tubes are ok but the crinkle tubes you would have to watch carefully for chewing & remove it was chewed at all, Boredom Breaker Activity Assault Course for Hamsters I wouldn't regard as safe or suitable, Boredom Breaker Carrot Play Patch is probably better for rabbits!The last toy looks unsafe & unsuitable too.
I think that just about covered everything on your list!

You will need a house but you can use a cardboard box with the base cut out & make a hole for the door.
Have a look for a corner litter tray as most syrians are fairly easy to litter train.

That wheel only comes in two sizes & only the larger 30cm would be good for a syrian, not sure how that one fixes to the bars tbh but it should be ok freestanding.

AmityvilleHams · 09-28-2016, 08:48 AM

The first item(corn rattle rollers)wouldn't likely be hamster-friendly.Some rats might enjoy them though.The second item(woodies caterpillar)is definitely worth trying and is safe.The third item(boredom breaker chew tubes)are fine also but you need to get a large size for Syrians,either the rat or guinea pig size.The guinea pig size would probably be ideal though,since it would allow a bit of room for filled pouches.The fruit rollers are safe too

As for the play and climb kit they're not Syrian sized and are more appropriate for mice and Chinese hamsters.The rainbow bridge is,as with the caterpillar and fruit rollers,completely safe.

The crinkle tunnel isn't the greatest idea for Syrians as the material,if chewed as it most definitely would be,would not be safe.The activity assault course is a major fall risk.

Hamster balls are definitely not a good idea.They're considered extremely cruel in some countries,they can cause injuries,they completely block a lot of important senses,cause very serious stress which can lead to illness,and are completely overpriced with no benefit to them.A better option that would be more natural would be setting up some sort of playpen.You can do this for free with a bathtub or hamster proof room,and it actually benefits hamsters by allowing proper enrichment.

I could see the log shape tunnel working well for smaller Syrians

The seagrass and hyacinth tunnels are both fine as well,but size medium or large would be Syrian appropriate.The carrot play patch could potentially work well,but it is a trial and error sort of toy.Not all hamsters will like them,but some might.

The herbs plus might be okay.Opinions vary on peppermint though which is an ingredient.Nature's Salad is fine too,but again peppermint is an ingredient.

Nedriel · 09-28-2016, 09:06 AM

Okay I did get the caterpillar one, the rainbow bridge and boredom breaker chew tubes and guinea pig size

(next time when I use the food and get more HH I'll try the others things you told me

)
I guess it's much better get something like https://www.viovet.co.uk/Naturals_Ca...nimals/c17273/

But I also looked for https://www.viovet.co.uk/Savic_Sputn...putnik&sct_r=1

And also https://www.viovet.co.uk/Small_N_Fur...nimals&sct_r=1 they are save for hamsters?

If not I'll get firts one, Medium size I guess right?

And okay! maybe I can get one and give sometimes, what happen with peppermint is bad?

And for a wheel to a syrian hamster what size is better? for see if I can find something here >-< if not I'll get that one is a bit expensive but better than nothing haha

AmityvilleHams · 09-28-2016, 09:21 AM

The medium carrot cottage would be great

You can definitely have a variety of houses and hiding places,hamsters do like that generally especially in larger cages.The rat sized Sputnik is Syrian sized so that is another great option.

The hanging house is definitely not a good idea.It's too small for Syrians and hamsters would chew the material and that would not be safe,plus the clips look similar to those on a product in the US which has caused injury to mice.Generally hanging houses with clips is a bad idea for small animals,except when using very specific ones that are toe(and tail in some cases)safe.

Some people think mint is safe,others don't.

Nedriel · 09-28-2016, 09:32 AM

Okay! I'll get the medium carrot one and since I'm going to take one Sputnik for my rats I'll see firts is she likes it and then I know for sure if she likes or not x3
I did get the hebs plus for try also aaand the wheel 30cm is good or maybe too much? which size is nice for a syrian hamster run confortable?

Also now that I'm asking everything, for food I got a ceramic bowl, 120ml maybe too small? I got another one about 420ml, 120ml too small? or ok? or 420ml better? ceramic bowl are nice? and for drink? I wanted to take crystal one and try since I though water could be more "fresh" or something haha x3 crystal is nice? or better plastic?

(thanks you A LOT!! for all this help again!!)

AmityvilleHams · 09-28-2016, 09:45 AM

30.5 cm is 12 inches,not 30 cm.So,the 12 inch wheel is actually 30.5 cm.It's the best size for Syrians as it fits any size Syrian,while if you get a wheel that is too small it can cause serious back problems

Ceramic bowls are best.They're easy to clean,durable,can't be destroyed by hamsters,and cannot be tipped over.It doesn't have to be a very big bowl,actually

However a sand bath with either children's play sand(baked and sifted to sterilize it,get bags not loose though)is very beneficial to hamsters and for that a large bowl is good.Something like a cereal bowl could work,but it just has to be big enough to fit your hamster and allow them to roll around in the bowl.

For a bottle,Viovet sell the classic water bottles which are very cheap and they sell sizes which are actually hamster appropriate.Get several bottles though,you never know when one might stop working or if you need a spare for travelling or something like that!

Pebbles82 · 09-28-2016, 09:46 AM

Hi. I use Harry Hamster for our Syrian (now called Tiny Friends Harry Hamster). I tend to get two of these 700g bags at a time to save on postage. I keep one bag in a lock and lock box and the other bag in the freezer for when the lock and lock box starts to get low.

One bag lasts me 2 to 3 months maybe. Depends if I throw old food and replace it every day or leave it out for 2 days and top it up

I tend to chuck it out and replace it every day these days for hygiene. About a tablespoonful of it in a bowl, or scattered on the substrate or half a tablespoonful in the bowl and the other half scattered on the substrate (they like foraging for it).

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Supreme_Har...amster&sct_r=1

For veg I give it daily, but to start with maybe every two or 3 days for a younger hamster so they get used to it and it doesn't upset their stomachs. Then move onto every day maybe. I just give a very small piece about 1cm cubed size (doesn't have to actually be a cube! Just to give an idea of size). I tend to keep in broccoli, carrot, cucumber, cauliflower and give a different one each day. I also put out a couple of "extras" of fresh food in different places in the cage.

Fresh extras could be - half a brazil nut, a small piece of cheese, apple or banana, half a pecan nut or walnut, some pumpkin seeds. Just to keep life interesting and it's healthy.

The Harry Hamster has all the nutrients and vitamins required. The fresh supplements are probably healthier and balance with it. You can also give the occasional piece of plain cooked chicken as an extra treat.

Rat size toys work well for Syians as a lot of hamster toys are only big enough for dwarf hamsters. Rat tubes and tunnels and sputniks are good and I had a large wood rabbit house for our Syrian for a nesting box at one time - big enough to fit a litter tray in one corner and still space for hoards and a cosy nest.

Pebbles82 · 09-28-2016, 09:51 AM

Carrot cottage. The small is fine as a toy and in cage extra. The Medium is pretty big and would work as a main house and also fit a litter tray inside. A Syrian can still get inside the small one if it's on top of substrate and they can also chew the door bigger

This is our Syrian chewing the small one. He spends ages on it when he is out of the cage or in his pet carrier but when he had one in his cage he ignored it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLWkqBYbrpk