Syrian hamster toys

[Sabby]

I am thinking of adopting a Syrian hamster and does anyone know what type of toys and wheel are good as they all look small and where is a good site to get them off

[flowerfairy]

Zooplus are a great site for hamster toys. Rat toys are usually a better size for syrians. Zooplus also do great cages.

Serendipity will be along soon hopefully with her usual wonderful list of links and advice.

[CMB]

Get toys and wheels designed for rats or guinnea pigs. 11 or 12 inch wheel for a Syrian is best so they can run with their back flat.

See some other posts for suitable accessories for Syrian cages.

[pinkneon]

Hi Sabby!
I am hoping someone comes along soon to help. I can't remember where I used to get my hammy stuff from, but am actually currently in the process of ordering some things as I am getting a new hammy really soon. I'm using Pet Supplies at zooplus Online Pet Shop, Pet Food & Pet Accessories. and Welcome to Pets At Home ... Pets at home is can be a little expensive, but some of the things I have seen don't look too bad. Only thing is I can't get all the stuff I wanted from there as some items are in-store only so they won't deliver them and we don't have one in this area! Zoo plus is quite good too, though doesn't seem to be as good as I remember! But it does some good cages too. Rat sized wheels, cages are good. I am getting some of the larger versions of some of the items I am getting so they will be ok for my new hammy. Some toys comes in two or three different sizes - but a couple of the really big ones are for rabbits and guinea pigs so probably wouldn't fit in your cage! I have to pop out now, but when I get back I shall post a link to some of the things I am getting, to give you a few ides

[cypher]

For a really good guide to the best wheels see Serendipity's thread here.
Guide to suitable hamster Wheels
Rat toys are generally a better size for syrians, have a look at other people's cage set ups too, that will give you a good idea of suitable toys & accessories.
Let's see your cages! (From May 2015)

[Pebbles82]

Thanks Cypher! Souffle has kindly just updated the photos on the wheel thread.

We have a very large Syrian and I wasted money on some useless toys, toys that were too small and things that were either dangerous or fell apart. So here are my favourites - includes cage accessories as well as toys:

Rat sized Sputnik - you can get these from Amazon, Zooplus or Rat Rations (you can choose your top and bottom colour on rat rations). You can hang it from the top of the cage to make a hammock/roof top hide.

Nobby Sputnik, Extra-Large, 29 x 26 x 19 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

Hyacinth tube - I really like this, no sharp bits and the smallest size is plenty big enough for a large Syrian (the medium side is HUGE!). You can get it from Amazon or Viovet.

Rosewood Boredom Breaker Small Animal Activity Hyacinth Tunnel, Small: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

Boredom breaker rat tube (medium size 10cm). I had one of these tied to the roof with sisal string in Charlie's old cage, leading from his house roof to his sputnik entrance. I noticed when I had it on the floor of the cage, that they are a bit slithery inside if you have them at an angle (eg going down under the substrate) so they're better just level as a floor toy It's tough cardboard so strong and can be chewed as well. From Amazon and Viovet

Boredom Breaker Rat Medium Tube: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

I also have these from Rodipet which I love: Most cork logs are way too big - this one is just the right size and is also the size as described. I put cork and natural wood in the freezer for a couple of days before using, in a plastic carrier bag, just in case anything microscopic is living in them!

Cork log/tunnel - I like this as a floor toy, nice and grippy inside and can also be used as a ramp up to a shelf (by climbing up the outside).

https://www.rodipet.de/shop/zubehoer...a-6-10-cm.html

Vine branch - mine was 30cm - they ones they sell now are 20cm. Again you can get these other places but they are usually massive and the Rodipet ones are true to size advertised. I put that in the freezer too lol.

https://www.rodipet.de/shop/zubehoer...e-ca-20cm.html

Hemp mat

These are quite big. You can cut them into the shape/size you want. I have a circle piece cut to line the Rat Sputnik, which makes it cosy, and you can use them on a shelf or house roof as well to cushion a fall onto them. Not necessary but I like them

https://www.rodipet.de/shop/zubehoer/nagermatten/

Rainbow Bridge - lots of people have these! They are quite small so I don't find it much use as a bridge, but as a toy it's good - our hamster just likes running over it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Bor...bridge+hamster

Carrot log - this is a good size - ours spent weeks chewing at this when we first got him

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Bor...arrot+log+roll

Savic Rat tube - I got one of these recently to replace Charlie's roof tube when he moved cages - I love it - it's quite big though - I was inspired after seeing the one Coco got! I took the chains off though and tied it up with Sisal string again. Chains can be a bit risky - hamsters jump and get toes and feet caught in them and can end up hanging by a broken leg. You could prop this somewhere or tie it to the side of a cage or the roof.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Giant-...Savic+Rat+tube

Coconut hidey place - this one was one I found that has a hole big enough for a Syrian

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...rch_detailpage

Corner potty litter tray

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hamster-corn...=hamster+potty

Grooming bench Check it for splinters - mine was ok

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kerbl-Wooden...ds=kerbl+bench

Bendy stick bridges - these are staples for most people - you can bend it into a bridge/tunnel or have it straight as a ramp/ladder. I have this one. I also have a larger one, but it's really big - although the bigger one is good for standing on its side to divide substrate into different heights, as a fence.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...rch_detailpage

Ranch house cages on ebay also make good shelves in all different shapes and sizes, that come ready to screw in, with screws and washers supplied and fittings in place sunk into the wood shelf

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Small-Anim...anchhousecages

Food bowls: I have this one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...rch_detailpage

Like these but don't have one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/fantastic-st...h+hamster+bowl

Water bottles - I like these - they let water out well but aren't drippy like some, and have a holder that fits to the bars so you can have them inside the cage.

http://www.portonaquapet.co.uk/FPI_4...inky_B.-M42882

One of my favourite things is these cardboard hay houses Our hamster doesn't do much with them in his cage, but demolishes them and spends ages playing inside and chewing, when out of the cage or in his pet carrier. They're good in the cage as well though and can make an extra 'step'

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Nat...ay+house+small

Houses - Rodipet make really good houses with lift off roofs.

https://www.rodipet.de/shop/haeuser/

I currently have this large Ferplast one with a lift off roof (which is about the same size as a Labyrinth house), but would like a labyrinth house. The flat roof doubles up as a shelf as well

http://www.portonaquapet.co.uk/SIN_4..._Rabbit-M40762

Also have this kabob thing to hide treats and extras on - I swapped the little ring at the bottom for a larger one though (just a standard keyring ring I used) as I was worried about his foot getting caught in the small ring, but depends how high you hang it I guess.

https://www.viovet.co.uk/Small_N_Fur...%27bob&sct_r=1

Our hamster tends to ignore most fun looking things lol - but likes his tubes and little cosy round places like the coconut house and sputnik with hemp mat in. He likes the kabob because it has food on

Toilet roll and kitchen roll tube inners are good toys too, and cardboard for them to shred - but it can be good to slit them down the side in case a hamster grows too big for them and gets stuck. You can also make toys with toilet roll tubes and sisal string. Rodipet sell sisal string as well

https://www.rodipet.de/shop/zubehoer...sisalseil.html

And this is Erin's Hamsters 10 toilet roll toys video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuPeyD6w-CI

Main thing is - as you can see, Syrians need large accessories and toys, and it's one of the reasons why the bigger the cage the better. We had an 80cm by 50cm cage, which met the minimum RSPCA requirements - and it started to look very cluttered and not enough space left once the big stuff was in it. I reckon 100cm cage is good. 80cm really is the minimum I reckon. The Alaska is 82cm and that helps a bit! Unless you have a really large Syrian!

[pinkneon]

Hi Sabby. Sorry, my "popping out" turned into a VERY long lunch date (we didn't stop talk lol) followed by some (food - I promise!) shopping, so I've just got home. I'm going to start by buying a few things to go in the cage, then once I have the hamster I will buy more I think otherwise I will never decide what to put in the cage, and they will be left with food, water and a house lol ... Though I can't even decide which things to buy as everything is amazing!!
So I am planning on getting the following :
1) A wooden chew carrot (Nibble Wood Carrot - Great small pet deals at zooplus)
2) This bed, which will also make the roof like a second level as I have a one level cage (Great selection at zooplus: Corner Cabin for Small Pets) OR this one (Wooden Raised House | Pets At Home)
3) A cork tunnel (Tunnels & Dens: bargain prices at zooplus: Trixie Cork Tunnel)
4) A wooden hanging chew toy (Small Animal Wooden Garland Chew | Pets At Home)
5) An edible log (http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...=45&orderBy=4#)
6) An apple bowl - for eating from not playing lol
And I'm pretty sure I will find some other nice things too lol

[CMB]

It's fun hamster shopping. I have a growing collection of hamster things, but no hamster lol pets@home cardboard chube, flexi tunnel, Sputnik, wood chews, hanging chew toys, bendy bridge (must have as they have various uses), see saw, extra hides, pack of plastic chutes. All ready for my Russian dwarf or robo dwarf.

[RubyDG]

Doesn't look like anyone has mentioned Viovet so I'll add the link for any future shops: Viovet. I find that they are really great for toys like chews and bendy bridges and so on. Definitely a lot cheaper than Pets at Home and often you will find the same products for much less .

EDIT: Serendipity did have a Viovet link in her list of goodies!

[pinkneon]

Hi Sabby. Sorry, my "popping out" turned into a VERY long lunch date (we didn't stop talking lol) followed by some (food - I promise!) shopping, so I've just got home. I'm going to start by buying a few things to go in the cage, then once I have the hamster I will buy more I think otherwise I will never decide what to put in the cage, and they will be left with food, water and a house lol ... Though I can't even decide which things to buy as everything is amazing!!
So I am planning on getting the following :
1) A wooden chew carrot (Nibble Wood Carrot - Great small pet deals at zooplus)
2) This bed, which will also make the roof like a second level as I have a one level cage (Great selection at zooplus: Corner Cabin for Small Pets) OR this one (Wooden Raised House | Pets At Home)
3) A cork tunnel (Tunnels & Dens: bargain prices at zooplus: Trixie Cork Tunnel)
4) A wooden hanging chew toy (Small Animal Wooden Garland Chew | Pets At Home)
5) An edible log (http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...=45&orderBy=4#)
6) An apple bowl - for eating from not playing lol
And I'm pretty sure I will find some other nice things too lol