First hammy in over 10 years

[hamstermomma]

Im about to buy my first hamster in over 10 years and can't believe how much is available for hamsters now! So I need a bit of advice from you all
I still have my cage and bits and bobs from my last hamster, all in great condition still
So what kind of bedding does your hamsters like?
Im looking at getting a new house for my hamster to sleep in, what do your hamsters like to sleep in?
What food would you recommend?
Whats your hamsters favourite toys?
Any tips?
Thanks!

[Shannonmcn]

The accepted minimum standard for cages has changed a whole lot in 10 years, your cage might not be suitable. Your best plan is to post a photo so some others can give opinions.

I personally use carefresh because I can't easily get Fitch bedding or other recycled paper products. Google Fitch paper bedding or I think Megazorb is another one and see if you like the price!

I like the Woodlands Hamster Cottages for hides as they're pretty roomy.

Good luck with your new baby!

[NiceCrocs]

Shannon's right in that your old cage may not be great for a hamster, the recommended minimum nowadays is 360 square inches of open floor space (having multiple levels doesn't count) so take that into account.

My preferred bedding is unscented Kaytee Clean & Cozy, which is paper-based. Just don't use pine or cedar shavings, as they contain harmful oils and dusts. Aspen is okay though

My hamster strongly prefers solid-bottomed houses made of glass or ceramic. If I don't provide her with one she'll make an open nest in her bedding, rather than use any other house

The most popular foods here on the forum are Oxbow, And Hazel Hamster (or Harry Hamster if you're in Europe). If you're in the UK, Burgess Hamster Harvest is also very good. My two hamsters eat a mix of oxbow and hazel

Easily my hamsters favorite toys are their wheels. My robo Lucy will run for hours a night, and my syrian, Margo, while she's much lazier than Lucy, still uses it more often than any of her other toys. So definitely you want to invest in a good-quality wheel with a solid running surface (no wire mesh or bars!) and enough space for the hamster (in diameter: 11 inches for Syrians, 8 inches for Chinese and Russian dwarves, and 6 for Robos are my rule-of-thumb measurements) so that their back doesn't arch when they run

[hamstermomma]

Great thanks for all that

I've got a large cage and it's still available to buy now so I know it's fine. However I was looking at possibly getting a knew cage at some point. I was looking at the 'Fun Area Leon' available on zooplus but wanted to check sizing and things like that first
Does anyone have this cage?

[Shannonmcn]

Just in case its 360square inches footprint is the generally accepted minimum in the U.S. as NiceCrocs said and it's about 80x50cm in the U.K so just check you're within that and you're good to go. A lot of places still sell cages that are much too small.

Generally flat space is better suited than multiple levels. The Barney, Alexander, Alaska, Skyline Trio, hamster heaven are all suitable cages. And the mamble 100 is a bargain at 100cm long and £40 but I haven't got one myself, I'm still debating it the Leon has a lot of floor space but personally I would go for something lower and wider.

[cypher]

The base area of the Fun area Leon cage is a bit smaller than recommended, it does make up for it with the extra levels so it's not too bad, one thing to remember though is that as a ham gets older it may find it difficult to use all that space on separate levels (I know it seems a bit early to think about that but it is worth considering!)
I wouldn't say it's a bad cage but if you have the room I'd suggest going for something that has a bigger base rather than the levels.
I agree that all those cages Shannonmcn recommended are good.

[hamstermomma]

Thanks guys!!
I'm so excited to have a hamster again!

[NiceCrocs]

The fact the cage is still available doesn't make it good. After all, crittertrails are still sold every day, and they're barely bigger than a shoebox >.<

The Leon is a bit small for my tastes, and I'm not a fan of leveled cages, but it's not bad; there are way worse cages you could get, but if you're buying a new one anyway, I would recommend getting the biggest one you can find

[Thin Lizzy]

Totally agree with NiceCrocs on getting the biggest cage for your furry ball. My going hamster loves the flying saucer and she makes me dizzy with her spinning, my older hamster prefers his wheel. Again, get the biggest size cause they grow, I prefer the cardboard tubes, The plastic tubes can be chewed and eaten too easily and dangerous if swallowed. Good luck xx