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Old 11-05-2017, 12:20 PM   #1
awesomedough
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Question Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

As explained in the title, i am getting a syrian hamster for christmas and i've done hours of research on them, but im still not 100% sure about my ability, and think some friendly tips could help. im brand new to this forum and to hamster keeping, and im really looking forward to doing so.

Last edited by awesomedough; 11-05-2017 at 07:51 PM.
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Old 11-05-2017, 09:58 PM   #2
SunnyOy
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Default Re: Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

Cage, Wheel, Bedding, Nests, Food, Toys.

Cage must be big enough to let hamster run freely. I bought one normal cage and connected it to a huge container, so I make sure my hammie will not get stressed inside a small area.

Wheel must be at least 21cm(8inch). If you are buy a male hamster, 8 inch should be good enough since my male hammies do not like to run on 12 inch wheel. No wire, no noise, and no less than 8 inches.

Bedding can be aspen wood and paper(without scent). I would prefer paper since it is soft and warm. aspen wood might be a bit sharp for hammies. Avoid cedar, pine, and cotton.

Nests can be wooden nests or ceramic nests(for summer, it is cooler). please make sure the size of nests not too small(cannot cover hamster and they sleep in bent shape) or too big(too cold for them in winter).

Nutrition can vary a lot, but I give my hamsters oxbow pallets, broccoli, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried carrots, dried banana, walnuts, pecan nuts, grains for everyday meal. I give them some boiled eggs and chicken breasts once in a week. All food should contain zero add-in flavours (salt, sugar, spice, etc). I try to avoid yogurt since the ingredients may not be very safe.

For toys, size must be larger for syrian hamsters. Larger tube, larger hideouts, larger running balls. Please do not give them very sharp wood to bite.

Last but not least, male syrians tend to be very lazy and sleepy after 5 months, while females are super active and energetic(takes longer to tame). It's up to your preference to choose the gender of your own hammie.

Good luck!
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Old 11-06-2017, 09:27 AM   #3
Jeir
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Default Re: Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

Might help if you say where you're located. Availability of supplies can vary due to location. Best selection is in Europe, while the US/Canada have much less choice, and other parts of the world it can be very hard to get some things. I'll mark with a * what I use.

Cage:
Should be minimum 80x50cm, and be able to fit a 11-12inch wheel. Avoid any cages that have different parts connected (e.g. Rotastak, Habitrail), as well as any tall cages with several levels. One large floor is the best thing for a hamster, and often you can provide additional levels if needed.
Suggested: Alaska, Alexander, Barney, Hamster Heaven, Hamster Plaza*, DIY cages.

Wheel:
Should be 11-12inches/28-31cm. 8inches/20cm is not big enough for any full-grown Syrian, and is better suited to dwarf hamsters. The running track should be solid, and there should not be a spindle sticking out of the wheel where fur can get caught.
Suggested: Silent Runner, Karlie Wonderland/Trixie Wooden Wheel*, Wodent Wheel.

Food:
The feeding/nutrition section covers this, really.
Suggested: Harry Hamster*.

Substrate/bedding:
Low/no dust is best. Some hamsters can develop allergies to certain woods. Pine shavings should be kiln-dried, (they are in the UK/Europe, elsewhere you'll have to check). Hemp and paper-based substrates are quite good. It should be quite deep in the cage so the hamster has plenty to dig/nest in. Bedding/nesting material should just be strips of tissue. Do not given any kind of 'fluffy' bedding.
Suggested: Fitch pet bedding*, hemp, aspen.

Toys:
Tunnels/hideaways. Cardboard tubes from toilet paper rolls are usually a favourite. You may want to see about getting a sandpit as well; they enjoy digging in it, and often will use it as a potty, keeping the cage cleaner for longer. Children's play sand or chinchilla sand (not dust! Suggested: Supreme Science/Tiny Friend's Farm Chinchilla Sand) can be used for this.

Last edited by Jeir; 11-06-2017 at 09:43 AM.
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Old 11-06-2017, 10:03 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

I second Jeir's post For our Syrian (and the previous one) I have the 100cm Barney cage, 12" Silent Runner wheel, Fitch substrate. A large wood house that is dark inside and big enough to fit a litter tray inside (not essential but a house that's big enough to build a large nest is a good idea - shoebox size - and a corner litter tray helps save on cage cleaning and less stress for the hamster).

I like large cork logs for floor toys - they make both a tunnel and a ramp up to a shelf, are lightweight if burrowed under and interesting texture. I also like the rat sputniks - and our hammies have seemed to like them too (a kind of plastic hanging house/hammock).

Basically - rat sized toys, wheels and houses A shelf or platform is important too - they like to sit under one sometimes to feel secure and a shelf is a good place for heavier items so they don't sink into the substrate, plus hams seem to like running up ramps.

Height. You don't want a cage that's too tall or there are fall risks and injury risks - no taller than 45cm ideally - anything taller and you need a lot of shelves or a full level.

Are you in the Uk?
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Old 11-06-2017, 10:17 AM   #5
awesomedough
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Default Re: Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

thanks so much everyone! i actually just brought it home from woodgreens (early present)
and he came with a huge cage, two houses, masses of shredded paper with his scent, an 11' wheel, a wood chew, and loads of tubes. i've given him some food to forage for and a small bowl of water, plus a sand bath. As we got him from woodgreens he is already quite good with being picked up and stroked. He's 9 weeks old and he's tan with a dark dorsal stripe. right now he's hiding, but of course he is ;P
i am in the uk
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Old 11-06-2017, 10:19 AM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

Ooh how lovely - he will have been well cared for. Yes best to leave him for 2 or 3 days to get settled in and then start handling gradually so he gets used to you. Meanwhile you can talk to him through the cage so he gets used to your voice.
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Old 11-06-2017, 10:21 AM   #7
awesomedough
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Default Re: Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

Oh, and his name is simon. :P
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Old 11-06-2017, 11:12 AM   #8
awesomedough
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Default Re: Getting a syrian for christmas, any tips?

yeah, planning to
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