Where to start?

[Millie]

Originally Posted by Hamsterita

Hi Millie and welcome back!

I think that everybody give you good advice.

If you're thinking of getting a syrian a 20 to 28 cm wheel would be best. I have the trixie wheel and works fine, my hamster it's in my room and I don't have problems sleeping.

I would order fitch if I could, however It's not available where I live so I use fitch and I'm happy with it.

Syrians usually aren't fans of sand, but if you can provide yours a little bit of sand it's a good way of enrinchment. You can also use the rest to potty train him. It's very useful.

Probably the most affordable cage that fulfils the recommended minimums are the Alaska (sold at zooplus). I recommend to take a look at the german site because in my case it's cheaper than the spanish site, but I don't know if it happens in other countries. There are another nice cages in that page as the barney and the alexander. You have tank cages too but they are more pricey.

If you have any specific questions just ask us !

Hey! Thank you, it has been a while! lol.
Thank you for that, I'm going to have a look at the wheels tonight and see what one I prefer. Good to know that it's quiet!

Aw thats a shame, where about's are you located? I think you mistyped what you use but I would be interested to know. Also regarding sand, I'm not 100% sure how you mean to use it? I thought it was for chinchillas.. I honestly have no clue

I was thinking about ordering the Alaska! Thank you for all your help

[Millie]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

That would be the first time I'd ever heard about Fitch having any sort of dust,so I'd say it was merely a bad batch.It's an extremely good substrate though,and nobody else that I'm aware of has ever had that same issue.

I think I'm going to order a sample of it

[Drago]

Originally Posted by Millie

Oh lovely! I would love to see a photo of him!

At the moment I'm leaning towards the Alaska.. not only is it cheaper but I think it would fit better in the area I had in mind! What cage do you use?

Yes I checked the website out, I definitely think I'll be ordering some Fitch! As well as the silent runner too.

Thank you for being so welcoming and helpful

The Alaska would make a great cage and most people who have used it with their Syrians say they'd recommend it to anybody! I currently have Duncan in a 40 gallon breeder as I'm building him a square metre cage which should be done in a couple of weeks

If you want to see some pictures of my little guy, and see me beginning his cage you can check out his thread Duncan's thread

Let us know if you have any other questions Looking forward to meeting your new ham once you get him/her!

[worldturns]

Originally Posted by Millie

I know! I have missed having a little fluff ball to cuddle! I'm going to get a syrian hamster, as I haven't had experience owning any others.
Thanks for your suggestions! I will definitely check them out, I love looking through the forums to get inspiration.

My last hamster Evie lived in a zoozone and I soon found out that she liked to have a nibble at the plastic too! I keep tropical fish too so I do actually have several spare tanks.. hmm thats got me thinking now

Also, Penny is a lovely name! What type of hamster is she?

I added the link to the fitch Web page to my original reply
penny is a Syrian. I called her penny because I kept finding pennies everywhere the week I was trying to decide on a name for her. so she is my lucky penny. y9u know that old saying see a penny pick it up and all day long you have good luck.

as long as the spare tanks you have meet the requirements for a Syrian, sizing that is, there is no reason why you can do a bit of diy of those tanks to make them fit the hamsters needs. just make sure that the lid has good ventilation and the tank is cleaned throughly of course

[Millie]

Originally Posted by Drago

The Alaska would make a great cage and most people who have used it with their Syrians say they'd recommend it to anybody! I currently have Duncan in a 40 gallon breeder as I'm building him a square metre cage which should be done in a couple of weeks

If you want to see some pictures of my little guy, and see me beginning his cage you can check out his thread Duncan's thread

Let us know if you have any other questions Looking forward to meeting your new ham once you get him/her!

Yay! Now making an order on Zooplus! Beyond excited

Aw I will deffo have a look at Duncan's thread, I love seeing other peoples fur babies!

I did have one more question.. What food would you recommend?

[SabreRose]

I was out of the hamster loop for a long time too. Finally got one almost two years ago and realised how much I'd missed it. I'm glad you too will soon have a hammy baby

Cage: the minimum is 80 x 50cm but I'd always say go 100x 50cm. Or even bigger if you can.
I'm in love with the Alexander cage from Zooplus (100x50 plus upper level) so I'd recommend that. But the Barney (also zooplus) is the same size and a little cheaper. Zoozone is great too but I'd always say go for zz2 and not zz1.
If you can get a big enough bun for a bin cage then they are great and cheap but I've yet to come across a bin that even reaches 80 x 50

Wheel: I've recently found out about silent runners (apparently they're so so silent and really safe but mine hasn't arrived yet so don't quote me in that) which are meant to be good. But pricey but a good investment. Wodent wheels are good too or trixie rodent wheel if noise isn't an problem (they are LOUD)
My hamsters seem to prefer flying saucer wheels to their standing wheels so I'd definitely recommend them. Just make sure you've got the right size for your hammy.

Bedding: I've heard fitch is great but never used it as it's not sold/shipped to where I live but if you're in the uk then defo go for it.
Also I'm sure you know but just in case (I don't know until two years ago and I'm ashamed) don't buy the cotton fluff bedding. It's very dangerous for hamsters.

Good luck with your new baby

[Millie]

Originally Posted by SabreRose

I was out of the hamster loop for a long time too. Finally got one almost two years ago and realised how much I'd missed it. I'm glad you too will soon have a hammy baby

Cage: the minimum is 80 x 50cm but I'd always say go 100x 50cm. Or even bigger if you can.
I'm in love with the Alexander cage from Zooplus (100x50 plus upper level) so I'd recommend that. But the Barney (also zooplus) is the same size and a little cheaper. Zoozone is great too but I'd always say go for zz2 and not zz1.
If you can get a big enough bun for a bin cage then they are great and cheap but I've yet to come across a bin that even reaches 80 x 50

Wheel: I've recently found out about silent runners (apparently they're so so silent and really safe but mine hasn't arrived yet so don't quote me in that) which are meant to be good. But pricey but a good investment. Wodent wheels are good too or trixie rodent wheel if noise isn't an problem (they are LOUD)
My hamsters seem to prefer flying saucer wheels to their standing wheels so I'd definitely recommend them. Just make sure you've got the right size for your hammy.

Bedding: I've heard fitch is great but never used it as it's not sold/shipped to where I live but if you're in the uk then defo go for it.
Also I'm sure you know but just in case (I don't know until two years ago and I'm ashamed) don't buy the cotton fluff bedding. It's very dangerous for hamsters.

Good luck with your new baby

Aww how lovely, I can't wait to get mine!

Today I ordered the Alaska cage and a few other bits like wooden bridges, tunnels etc to go with it! I also ordered fitch. I'm planning on getting a silent runner, what size would I need for a Syrian?

Also what food would you recommend? Im not sure what one to get! My local pet shop does various musuli ones as well as like pellet types?

Thanks for replying!

[Millie]

What size hamster ball would I need for a Syrian? Unfortunately it's not an option for it to be let loose in our house and would need to be in a ball..

[AmityvilleHams]

Hamster balls do not count as enrichment.They really don't offer anything,and in some places are considered cruel as they inhibit senses,are forceful,provide no true exploration and enrichment(refer back to the inhibition of senses issue,as this plays into that as well but there is much more to it than just that),and can be extremely dangerous for tiny claws and toes

For food the best in the UK is Harry Hamster.It's not expensive,but the quality is wonderful and it meets the nutritional needs however you do need to offer animal protein(freeze dried meat is ideal,cooked would be fine as a treat but has far less nutritional value so is inferior to freeze dried or raw meat,or freshly killed or dried safe insects along with freshwater shrimp once again dried)regularly for the diet to be truly natural and appropriate to the species.

I would stick to a Silent Runner only,in the 12 inch size of course as that fits any Syrian.You don't need a flying saucer nor are they really that great of a wheel even as an addition,since they don't replicate the natural running pattern in any way as companies like to claim They cause side arching,are much more dangerous due to the design even though some would claim they're perfectly safe,and there are definitely much better things to use to fill up the space one would take up while offering far more enrichment!

[JLPrairie]

Hamster balls can be really dangerous for a hamster. Hamsters seem to only run it them because they're terrified and are trying to get out.
Do playpens count as "letting a hamster loose?" Playpens are great, as long as they're large enough.