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Old 08-05-2016, 12:49 AM   #11
Emma H_amster_
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Quote:
Originally Posted by CMB View Post
Start with the cage you already have (Alaska) and see how the hamster behaves. If you think your hamster needs a bigger cage then upgrade to a bigger cage. Some hamsters prefer/need a smaller cage than others.

Having a smaller cage to start with can make taming easier.
how do I know if it's too small for it? how does it show it?
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Old 08-05-2016, 12:52 AM   #12
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

In my opinion the Detolf would be fine for a dwarf hamster but it's very narrow so not great for a Syrian without being doubled up.Lack tables are just Ikea furniture,they're a side table of sorts and they're actually very cheap!They'd probably be better than a Detolf since you can do more with them due to the sides being able to be meshed,but there is always a double Detolf with a topper style lid.It would be way more expensive though and a lot bulkier than the Lack tables

A square meter cage is simply what it sounds like!It gives a square meter of floor space,which is species appropriate by actual scientific research unlike most minimums.Something like an 80 cm x 50 cm cage is not species appropriate though but is fine as temporary housing,while a 100 cm x 100 cm cage would actually be appropriate.Scientists have said that hamster needs can't really be fulfilled in captivity to the fullest extent and even said they shouldn't be kept as pets,but since they will most likely continue to be pets it is of course best to give at least a square meter cage if not even larger.These are animals which would travel miles at a time,so really even 100 cm x 100 cm isn't that great but it is still headed in the right direction overall.

Any form of chewing at the cage is a very good indicator of boredom!Something to remember is that even in tank style cages hamsters will often chew if the cage is too small,so don't just switch to a similar sized tank and assume that covers the problem since really the hamster will most likely chew the sealant anyways.

Last edited by souffle; 08-05-2016 at 06:52 AM.
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Old 08-05-2016, 12:56 AM   #13
Emma H_amster_
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
The Detolf would be fine for a dwarf hamster but it's very narrow so not great for a Syrian without being doubled up.Lack tables are just Ikea furniture,they're a side table of sorts and they're actually very cheap!They'd probably be better than a Detolf since you can do more with them due to the sides being able to be meshed,but there is always a double Detolf with a topper style lid.It would be way more expensive though and a lot bulkier than the Lack tables

A square meter cage is simply what it sounds like!It gives a square meter of floor space,which is species appropriate by actual scientific research unlike most minimums.Something like an 80 cm x 50 cm cage is not species appropriate though but is fine as temporary housing,while a 100 cm x 100 cm cage would actually be appropriate.Scientists have said that hamster needs can't really be fulfilled in captivity to the fullest extent and even said they shouldn't be kept as pets,but since they will most likely continue to be pets it is of course best to give at least a square meter cage if not even larger.These are animals which would travel miles at a time,so really even 100 cm x 100 cm isn't that great but it is still headed in the right direction overall.

Any form of chewing at the cage is a very good indicator of boredom!Something to remember is that even in tank style cages hamsters will often chew if the cage is too small,so don't just switch to a similar sized tank and assume that covers the problem since really the hamster will most likely chew the sealant anyways.
aah ok! well they probably can't survive in the wild tho because they only know about being a pet :P I will look into it tho! maybe I can make a corner cage or something xD any good toys for a Syrian?
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Old 08-05-2016, 01:04 AM   #14
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Behaviour is a good way of knowing. Bar chewing particularly is often a sign something is not right in the setup. It could be because the wheel is too small to run on comfortably, or not turning. Hides are too small or not dark enough. The water bottle is stuck and no water is coming out. Some hamsters are more active than other and just need more space for toys and running about.

Before getting a bigger cage you can check other things like those above. See the cages thread to see how much will fit in various cages. This is a good way to help choose a cage.

Tubes, bendy bridges of appropriate size. A box for digging/deep substrate, a variety of things to chew. Things to climb over are good for hamsters.
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Old 08-05-2016, 01:20 AM   #15
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Good toys are natural toys!Avoid plastic at all costs,it isn't breathable at all so it will get smelly and could cause breathing problems for any rodent.Plus,if it gets chewed it is extremely unsafe,so anything plastic should be exclusively for playpen time or something like that

Something like a hay tunnel or wicker tunnel would be really good actually,since it would be a chewable tunnel that is breathable and natural and completely safe.Just make sure you get ones that are actually natural and not the snak shack style houses,as those are very bad and aren't particularly healthy for any animal to be ingesting due to chemicals added and unhealthy ingredients as well as pine shavings being used in them which can cause allergic reactions.

JR Farm Heu-Tunnel günstig bei zooplus This would be good,since it is just a hay and parsley tunnel with safe ingredients.

Korkröhre günstig bei zooplus Cork rounds and cork in general make lovely additions to cages,and these would make excellent tunnels but once again unlike plastic tubes these are completely safe!

Weidenbrücke für Nager günstig bei zooplus This is just one of many bendable bridges you can purchase!Bendable bridges are great since they can perform several tasks at once in the habitat,such as being a ramp as well as a hiding place.

Eck-Spielhaus günstig bei zooplus This is just a wonderful natural wooden corner house!It's always good to be able to offer multiple hiding places,but a labyrinth style house would be better than having open houses.However,it is still good to at least offer a variety of hiding places instead of only giving one or two of the same type.

Grashaus XL günstig bei zooplus This hay house is an example of several similar ones.It's not the greatest price though,especially if you're worried about it lasting for a good amount of time relative to the price point.

http://www.zooplus.de/shop/nager_kle...ubehoer/160840 Another hay house,but a much better size and price

There are tons and tons of options out there,but there are also lots of DIY projects which would be just as good such as a simple cardboard box labyrinth house
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Old 08-05-2016, 02:40 AM   #16
Emma H_amster_
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Quote:
Originally Posted by CMB View Post
Behaviour is a good way of knowing. Bar chewing particularly is often a sign something is not right in the setup. It could be because the wheel is too small to run on comfortably, or not turning. Hides are too small or not dark enough. The water bottle is stuck and no water is coming out. Some hamsters are more active than other and just need more space for toys and running about.

Before getting a bigger cage you can check other things like those above. See the cages thread to see how much will fit in various cages. This is a good way to help choose a cage.

Tubes, bendy bridges of appropriate size. A box for digging/deep substrate, a variety of things to chew. Things to climb over are good for hamsters.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
Good toys are natural toys!Avoid plastic at all costs,it isn't breathable at all so it will get smelly and could cause breathing problems for any rodent.Plus,if it gets chewed it is extremely unsafe,so anything plastic should be exclusively for playpen time or something like that

Something like a hay tunnel or wicker tunnel would be really good actually,since it would be a chewable tunnel that is breathable and natural and completely safe.Just make sure you get ones that are actually natural and not the snak shack style houses,as those are very bad and aren't particularly healthy for any animal to be ingesting due to chemicals added and unhealthy ingredients as well as pine shavings being used in them which can cause allergic reactions.

JR Farm Heu-Tunnel günstig bei zooplus This would be good,since it is just a hay and parsley tunnel with safe ingredients.

Korkröhre günstig bei zooplus Cork rounds and cork in general make lovely additions to cages,and these would make excellent tunnels but once again unlike plastic tubes these are completely safe!

Weidenbrücke für Nager günstig bei zooplus This is just one of many bendable bridges you can purchase!Bendable bridges are great since they can perform several tasks at once in the habitat,such as being a ramp as well as a hiding place.

Eck-Spielhaus günstig bei zooplus This is just a wonderful natural wooden corner house!It's always good to be able to offer multiple hiding places,but a labyrinth style house would be better than having open houses.However,it is still good to at least offer a variety of hiding places instead of only giving one or two of the same type.

Grashaus XL günstig bei zooplus This hay house is an example of several similar ones.It's not the greatest price though,especially if you're worried about it lasting for a good amount of time relative to the price point.

http://www.zooplus.de/shop/nager_kle...ubehoer/160840 Another hay house,but a much better size and price

There are tons and tons of options out there,but there are also lots of DIY projects which would be just as good such as a simple cardboard box labyrinth house
thanks guys! aren't hay bad for hamsters in that way that it can hurt their food save thingy I can't remember what's called?
and what should I do with my wood stuff? idk if I still can use it (that fit in size)
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Old 08-05-2016, 02:47 AM   #17
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Some hay can be sharp or rough,but if you don't want to use hay you don't have to since there are plenty other options if you think it's too risky!

You can freeze or boil wood items but it depends on the type of wood.Cork for example would be harder to boil since it floats more plus it traps water so it wouldn't be as easy to dry.

If you have anything a Syrian can fit into though,freezing would be the easiest option.You could freeze then boil the items or freeze,boil,and freeze again.Either way works,but you only really have to do one option unless you're paranoid and like to do things more thorough than necessary!
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Old 08-05-2016, 03:10 AM   #18
Emma H_amster_
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
Some hay can be sharp or rough,but if you don't want to use hay you don't have to since there are plenty other options if you think it's too risky!

You can freeze or boil wood items but it depends on the type of wood.Cork for example would be harder to boil since it floats more plus it traps water so it wouldn't be as easy to dry.

If you have anything a Syrian can fit into though,freezing would be the easiest option.You could freeze then boil the items or freeze,boil,and freeze again.Either way works,but you only really have to do one option unless you're paranoid and like to do things more thorough than necessary!
ok thanks!
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Old 08-05-2016, 05:31 AM   #19
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

I haven't read everything here but I think the alaska you already have would be just fine for a syrian emma, it's a good size & high enough to fit a nice big wheel in, cage sizes etc can start to sound really complicated but you have a good cage so really you just need to think about a larger wheel & house or just use a nice big cardboard box & maybe some tubes or other toys that are more rat or guinea pig size than the ones you see sold for hamsters & that's all you need to begin with anyway.
I doubt many wooden hamster toys or ladders & things would survive boiling tbh, unless it's something you really want to keep it's best to start with new wooden things if you get another ham.
You're right about hay, it can damage their pouches so you have to pick through it carefully to remove any sharp bits & freeze it for at least 48 hrs in case of mites so it's quite a lot of bother & they don't really need it, many hams will just ignore it.
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Old 08-05-2016, 05:45 AM   #20
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Default Re: questions about Syrians

Hay gets confusing too!There are so many types of hay out there and then there are different forms too,like hay biscuits and hay houses or even just plain hay.For example though timothy hay would be extremely coarse and rough for a hamster,at least as far as hay on its own goes while something like alfalfa or meadow hay might be safer since they're actually soft hays.Hay houses can be okay though,but that is a personal choice at the end of the day.
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