Hello!

[mushroomandcucumber]

Hello! This is my first ever post. I don't actually have a hamster at the moment, but I am seriously considering it! I've been researching a lot and watching a lot of YouTube videos. I was just wondering if you experienced hamster owners had any advice?

I would like to adopt, because I know that it would be the better option as there are a lot of hamster out there that need homes but no where around where I live seems to have any hamsters for adoption. So I am not sure what to do about this.

I have also been looking into hamster cages, and I am torn between an Imac Fantasy (With the extention of course) or the Alaska.

I would be very grateful for any advice!

[pinkneon]

Hi, and welcome!

Do you know what type of hamster you'd like to get? A Syrian hamster (the biggest ones) need large toys - usually people use toys for rats - and a large wheel (around 11" or 12"), so I personally would go for the Alaska out of those cages as I don't think the wheel would fit in the Imac (I am guessing based on the photos online as I've never owned one!)
Not sure about the adoption thing - do you have an RSPCA center near you, or any kind of rescue center that take small animals?

[Aisling and hamster]

Hi and welcome to HC.... I hope you get your hamster soon.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Hope you decide to rescue a hamster, that's great

[CMB]

Rescuing a hamster is good as there are lots of unwanted hamsters looking for new homes.

The Alaska cage is better than the Imac Fantasy. Cages are better with a large floor space on one level rather than separate levels. Tubes can be a problem for dwarf hamsters to climb and Syrians can grow to big to fit through the tubes.

There are cages with narrow bar spacing, which be better if you get a dwarf species. You can also get tank style cages. Have a look on the zoo plus website. They have some suitable cages for Syrian or dwarf hamsters at reasonably prices.

The show us your cages thread on this site can help you choose a cage as they show what wheels, houses, toys etc can fit in.

[cypher]

Hi & welcome to HC

I have the same problem with adopting hams in my part of Wales, there's never any up for adoption anywhere near to where I am, P@H adoption centre is my only chance of finding a ham needing a new home but even that's a fair distance away, it can be a bit frustrating but even if you have to go to a pet shop & buy a ham they still need good caring homes so no harm in that.

I would think carefully about which species you would like before deciding on a cage, the Alaska is a really nice cage & I do use it but it can be a bit big for some dwarf hams & is quite high so takes careful planning when setting up but it is a good size for a syrian.
I don't think the imac fantasy cage really provides the best environment for a ham tbh, they do best with a good size cage on one level with enough depth for a good layer of substrate.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hello and Welcome to HC. Hope you find a hammy to adopt.

[mushroomandcucumber]

Thank you so much for your advice and welcomes! I really appreciate it! I have decided on a Syrian, because I have some experience with them

Thank you for the cage advice. I think that I will be going with the Alaska!

I'm very excited and am putting all the pieces of my plan together so hopefully I will be adopting soon!

[pinkneon]

Yay! EXciting!! Looking forward to seeing your new furbaby!

[Pygmypuff]

Hello and welcome to HC!

Super excited to hear all about your new furry when you get them!