Hello from sunny Spain!

[Pebbles82]

Agree there are no stupid questions. Hamsters also vary in personality so what's good for one isn't always the same answer for another But generally they like lots of substrate, lots of paper nesting material, a good sized wheel and house and a few toys. And a good sized cage to put them in. Your guinea pig cage sounds good. How is your partner making it hamster-proof? I know some people mesh guinea pig cages. If so it can be an idea to mesh the inside rather than the outside, so they can't squeeze between the bars and get stuck under the mesh (if it's on the outside). When meshing inside though you need to be careful there are no sharp edges. I'm sure your partner has the right tools to ensure that A good pair of wire cutters are essential I think and a sander or dremmel helps.

[FelicityAnn]

No fears, Serendipity - he has put the mesh on the outside, but it is well secured in a lot of places, and all the sharp bits are on the outside - witness the blood on his hands! And he has made a removeable frame top, to make cleaning easier for me.

I have put in 3 - 4 inches of 'PaperSan' substrate (10 kilos of the stuff!) I am going to have a try at making my own 'Carefresh' following one of Erin's videos, and give it an inch or so on top of the paper pellets.

I am going for the 'natural look', so my OH has cut out the sides of the guinea pig house (way tooooo big) to make a shelf / shelter, and he's made me a triangular corner shelf as well. All with safe wood, if you see what I mean.

As Hamstercita from A Coruña will tell you, it's very difficult to find decent things in the shops here in Spain.

And in the local pet shop I found a cute little nesting box for small birds, made of woven grass, that I am going to use as a hidey-hole, as well as a couple of half coconut shells.

What do you all think? There will be, of course, a large 12" wheel, tubes, etc as well...

[Pebbles82]

It sounds wonderful Lucky hammy