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Old 04-24-2017, 02:28 AM   #1
BabsTheHamster
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Smile First Time Hamster Owner, would love some advice!

Hi there!

I just bought a hamster two days ago. My boyfriend and I visit this pet store every weekend (where they let you hold and play with the pets!), and every time we've gone in we've seen this one Hamster there for at least 6 months! She's quite memorable, she's huge, probably the biggest hamster I've ever seen. Like not just fat but large in general. Her fur is also an off colored brown, with light brown patches all over her. She's so sweet though! Very friendly and has quite the personality. I was worried that nobody would adopt her, as I've seen every other hamster come and go except for her. I've also always wanted a hamster, and we have a hedgehog at home so were used to small animals. So, I decided to adopt her and bring her home! Although were used to small animals, we've both never owned a hamster before, so were a bit confused on some things.

I purchased my hamster a Habitrail ovo cage like this one at the pet store https://www.amazon.ca/Habitrail-Ovo-...ct_top?ie=UTF8
The woman at the pet store told me that this cage was the most secure, as hamsters are vert great at escaping! She also assured me it would be big enough. But since bringing her home, I feel like the cage is a bit too small for her. I've been thinking of buying another one and attaching it to the one I have now. That way she can travel to both and have more room to explore.

She seems really happy, she has been running quite a bit and seems quite active. She also sleeps on her wheel, she'll be running and then stop, curl up in a ball and fall asleep. She spends most of her time in her wheel, she only goes to the rest of her cage to eat, drink water, or walk around/climb her little structure. She'll also eat in her wheel, she'll store food in her cheeks and then take it out and eats it. She also uses the wheel as her potty, which is convenient for me as it has a catch thing underneath it, so I can easily disassemble it to clean. But I'm not too sure if it's hygienic for her to exercise, poop, sleep, and eat all in the same small space.

She also seems a bit scared. Whenever I open her cage she freezes, and I'm not too sure why she does it, but I have to admit it's the cutest thing ever! She's also a bit jumpy, my boyfriend went to pick her up and she vibrated and made a noise.

I'm also worried about her fur. Her fur is quite thin, and she has patches which are a different color around her face, eyes, ears, and butt. I read that Hamsters can get mites. She has been scratching herself a lot, but her skin isn't red, sore, or bleeding. The patches also don't look like bald spots. Maybe they just look that way because it's a lighter color? She has also been rubbing her face a lot too. I've attached a photo of her to this post.

I would love for someone to answer my questions/concerns, and also provide me with some information on being a new hamster owner!

Thanks!
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Old 04-24-2017, 03:43 AM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: First Time Hamster Owner, would love some advice!

Ovo cages are really not great especially for large syrians. They get all hot and sticky and there is too little room to run around for them.
The good news is that your hamster is a beautiful sable. Sable hamsters have a cream coloured undercoat topped with dark brown / black ticking. If you blow the fur up you will see the cream underneath. Around the eyes because the hair is so short it shows as cream eye rings. Sables tend to start off very dark when young but within a few months they tend to 'brown' and the coat becomes as sort of chestnut colour over the cream which can make them look patchy sometimes.
Hamsters are quite fastidious and they do groom and scratch a lot so I think she is normal. Just keep an eye out for any baldness or redness / soreness. It could be that the cage also lacks air so her fur does not feel so fresh.
I'd suggest upgarding her to something like a Duna Multy, Alaska, Barney or Hamster heaven and you can find lots of reviews and pics of these on the Housing and Cage reviews boards.
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Old 04-24-2017, 04:59 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: First Time Hamster Owner, would love some advice!

Hi & welcome to HC

Your ham really is lovely, I do like sables a lot!

I agree with souffle about the cage, no room, no depth for substrate & I doubt you would get a proper size wheel in there, if she is big she may need a 12" wheel, have a look here for a guide to good wheels.
If you're in the UK have a look at zooplus you will find some of the cages souffle mentioned.
With the proper habitat, suitable size cage & the right kind of enrichment she will be a lot happier & more confident which should make taming & interacting a lot easier for you & her.
What food are you giving her, if her coat isn't in the best condition it may be down to diet.
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Old 04-24-2017, 07:16 AM   #4
Drago
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Default Re: First Time Hamster Owner, would love some advice!

Everyone has given you excellent advice, so not going to repeat things! Welcome to Hamster central, hope to see you around
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Old 04-26-2017, 03:17 PM   #5
dreamtree1234
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Default Re: First Time Hamster Owner, would love some advice!

BabsTheHamster, welcome to Hamster Central and congrats on becoming a new hamster owner. Your hammy is absolutely gorgeous and totally adorable. I look forward to reading more about your sweet furry friend. Like Drago has previously mentioned, everyone's advice is wonderful and thorough, so I will also not be repeating what they have already suggested to you. Have tons of fun with your newest member of the family. Best of luck.
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Old 04-26-2017, 03:23 PM   #6
Rads
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Default Re: First Time Hamster Owner, would love some advice!

Hi Babs, welcome to HC what a lovely looking little thing your hamster is Agreed with what everything else has been said.
Have fun with your little furry friend.
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