Newbie with questions.

Katybeth · 07-12-2014, 07:14 AM

Hiya my name is Katy, and i'm getting a new hamster tomorrow, and i have some questions, and i was wondering if you could help?

1) What is the best type of substrate to use for a hamster?
2) Do i put the hamster in a small cage to begin with (Because it is only 4 weeks old, but i want to hand tame it first)
3) What would be the best food for a hamster?

Thanks, that's all i need to know for now, but i'm sure there will be more questions later

Esmy · 07-12-2014, 07:31 AM

Hi and welcome! What country are you in? That will make a difference on the answers you get.

Colby and the Dwarfs · 07-12-2014, 07:37 AM

Esmy is right, but I can try to help though.

1) For the UK, I've heard Fitch is good. In the US lots of us use Boxo and Kaytee, as well as Carefresh. Toilet paper is a universal favourite for the hammies!

2)Some people do, some people don't. Just see what you think after you meet your hamster really.

3)I'm using Oxbow, but I've heard Hazel Hamster or Harry Hamster or something like that is good? I really don't know to be honest, in the US lots of people use Oxbow(and Harland Tekland).

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-12-2014, 12:48 PM

Welcome to the forum

1. I use fitch for my hamsters and find its best for me and my hams, but the best substrate is debatable - lots of things work well. Woodshavings might be best avoided but they work for some, hemp and cardboard based beddings are two more examples of things that work really well for people

(Just avoid citronella on the hemp)

2. I'd say it depends on the cage size to be honest. If you want to use a really huge cage later then a smaller cage at first does make it easier to tame the hamster, but most people don't and that works fine. I only use smaller at first because of how big the cages most of my hamsters have (e.g most of my dwarf hamsters have 100cm by 50cm cages and catching an untame dwarf in them can be a nightmare).

3. It depends where you are but in the UK Harry Hamster is a good one, if I had to only use one food for my hams that'd be the one I'd choose. Most mixes advertised for hamsters should be ok and I mix a few well reccomended mixes together to get a more varied diet (the ones I use are Harry Hamster, Burgess supahamster dwarf, Jr farm hamster and Jr farm dwarf hamster).

What species of hamster will you be getting?

(Edited to add, I looked for the thread thanks to micearenice too)

Esmy · 07-12-2014, 12:57 PM

Ohh I just saw that your parents is on the micearenice forum.

Welcome! Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but most people here are from the UK and have great advice as I'm sure you can already see. Nice to meet you!

Katybeth · 07-12-2014, 03:12 PM

Thank you everyone, ive decided to go for a small cage at first and then work my way up as she gets bigger and tamer (hopefully)

Mum is waiting for a delivery of eco bed which she uses for her mice so for the first few days she's going to have to be on wood shavings until that arrives. Mum is thinking of changing over to fitch though.

Thank you kyrilliondaemon for the harry hamster suggestion, mum will look for some tomorrow.

I'll post some photo's of her tomorrow

**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-12-2014, 03:35 PM

I was tempted to name eco bed as a possibility entirely because I saw your Mum uses it for her mice

Woodshavings won't hurt, one of ours is on them and staying on them, its just that there're debates over if other things are better. We actually have a hamster who was on woodshavings in his last home, seems to like his woodshavings and has stayed on woodshavings - its never done him any harm

A small cage at first works, good luck taming her. I hope both you and your ham like the harry hamster too

Lots of pet shops sell it, theres not much variety in it but its a good mix and all of ours like it.

Katybeth · 07-13-2014, 06:52 AM

thank you, well we picked her up this morning, i havent decided what to call her yet but I think i might call her Stitch

I got some shavings and some paper based bedding from pets at home for now and put some of each in for her and a couple of toys as well and I got her some harry hamster food as well. Muum has hurt her shoulder so for the time being she is going to have to stay in this cage until mum can manage to get in the loft.

I did get some photos tho

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**kyrilliondaemon** · 07-13-2014, 10:01 AM

She's adorable

A few minor things to mention though, firstly while that cage won't hurt for a few days long term its way too small (I know you plan to give her bigger later though), and secondly the wheel is far too small for a syrian hamster. As she's young she may be ok with it short term but if her back seems at all bent it'd be best to take the wheel out and just give her a bigger one in her next cage. I've already said this to your Mum but I hope her shoulder is better soon

Katybeth · 07-13-2014, 02:22 PM

Hi, No mum has already said that Stitch wont be able to stay in that cage for long, just that my mum has hurt her back, and she is not well enough to go up a ladder into the loft where the other cages are.

Mum said that eventually Stitch will be able to have the hamster heaven one that is currently in the garden at the minute, waiting for mum to clean it out

And when she gets a little bit bigger we are going to go shopping for her to get a bigger wheel.

Another question, What treats do hamster like, like what am i aloud to give them and what am i not aloud to give them. Mum has bought cucumber, carrot sticks, some nuts, and other various fruit, but is there anything in particular that she might like?

Thankyouuu