They like similar things in a way but everything needs to be bigger
Rat sized toys etc work better for syrians. Most things sold for "hamsters" are only big enough for dwarf hamsters. They are fairly easy though and happy with cardboard! Cardboard hide outs and tunnels. Some people use Pringles tubes which are a good size (if you get Pringles where you are!). Any house with an entrance hole, the entrance needs to be at least 6cm in diameter, or yes they can get stuck. With full pouches they can be about 7cm wide. Now although some of the plastic tubes are about 6cm in diameter they are long and therefore more easy to get stuck in. And Syrians vary in size a lot. Our first Syrian grew enormous and got stuck in some tubes. It was very upsetting at the time but we managed to break him out. You can use cardboard inners from kitchen rolls if you slit them down the side so they expand.
I think they do best with a blank cage set up basically and then add things. So a good sized cage or tank without any tubes. A shelf or platform, a good sized house that's dark inside and big enough to build a big nest (they can build enormous nests) and bury hoards under their nest, and a wheel that's big enough to run in with a straight back. So minimum 8" diameter but as hamsters can still keep growing in the first 9 months it's probably better to go with 11" diameter just in case. Most people go for 10" to 11" diameter wheels for Syrian. Even if an 8" is big enough, they run better and easier in a bigger wheel so it's more enjoyable for them.
So then you have the basics and can add floor toys like large tunnels (I also like the large cork logs - it's not just a large tunnel but it's also something to climb over that is an interesting texture and if sat next to a shelf can double up as a ramp). Extra hidey places - cardboard, wood etc. A shoebox makes a good sized house/hide. Cut the base out and cut a hole for a door and keep the lid as a lift off roof. So it's open underneath and sat on top of the substrate so keeps well aired and they can bury hoards under the nest. The lift off roof is good as it means you can check inside without having to take the house out. So the nest doesn't fall apart. They are very precious about their nests and hoards.
So very similar to dwarf hamsters in that they need enough space, suitably sized safe items, plenty of substrate (I do 5 to 6" in a cage), plenty of enrichment. Enrichment is basically variety - places to go things to do, different textures, different places to sit and have a wash and making sure there isn't too much empty open space. I think a shelf is fairly essential - they like to sit under it and climb up onto it.
The one big difference is that Syrians will almost always use a litter tray! And it makes life a lot easier. You empty the litter tray and the rest of the cage stays clean and dry for a lot longer, also less stress for them as less big cleanouts. You can"spot clean" occasionally in between if necessary. Most of them pee in their wheels at some point as well but you can just clean the wheel out as and when needed.
The key with that is the Syrian hamster will only use the litter tray if you put it where they choose their toilet area! If you put it anywhere else they will ignore it and keep peeing in the same place. They usually choose a corner of the cage as a toilet area, so when you find out where the toilet area is, you can just spot clean that area/corner and pop the litter tray there and then put a bit of the stinky substrate on top of it initially so they know it is still their toilet area. You can get corner litter trays that work well for this. I have always used the corner litter trays and our first syrian used to carefully pee in the very back corner then sit in the front of it for a wash. They really are quite clean and houseproud. Baby syrians can have a few accidents at first, peeing in the nest but they soon get used to using a litter tray.
If you have a large house then they often move their toilet area inside the house (ensuite bathroom). Since discovering that I use large houses and put a litter tray inside the house - at the end nearest the door (they tend to nest in the darkest end) and they use it. Best thing to put in a litter tray is Chinchilla bathing sand (must be sand not dust) - soaks up the pee and you just tip it out every few days and replace the sand.
The other difference is Syrians don't really need a sand bath, and some aren't interested in them anyway. So I just give a sand potty. Whereas dwarf hamsters (especially robos) really need one and enjoy it. Although there are varying opinions on sand baths for both syrians and dwarfs. I don't give a sand bath for a Syrian though, just a potty/litter tray
In terms of cage size - 80cm by 50cm is considered by many to be a minimum size for a Syrian but it depends on the cage and the height as well. I find that size cage can soon fill up with larger items and if the cage is quite low then fitting a big enough wheel in can be a problem- even if it fits it takes up too much of the floorspace and you need very little substtrate at one end to fit it in.
90cm or 100cm is a good size for a Syrian really - with depth about 45cm to 50cm. Having said that you don't have to have a lot of large items in a cage for enrichment and an 80 x 50 cage like the Hamster Heaven can be fine for a Syrian. Depending on the hamster. For some hamsters they need a lot more space. Some are happy with that size. I tend to go bigger and then fill it up - easier than goign smaller and then having to buy a new cage!
The cage doesn't want to be too tall either due to fall risks and injuries. So 40 to 45cm max height really. The Hamster heaven is 38cm tall (it says 50cm but that includes the penthouse thing on top). It's a good height for safety but with an 11" wheel in it can get a bit cramped.
Not sure what cages are available to you but I would definitely get one without tubes. The Hamster heaven is a good cage if you remove the tubes and penthouse and most of the rest of the interior as well! And start wth a plain cage.
What do I need to know about keeping a Syrian?
Linear Mode
