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Old 03-09-2019, 10:54 AM   #1
lovegemwink
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Florida
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Smile Intro: New Syrian Hammy after revisiting the old hamster pet experience!

Hello, everyone! I decided I'd be active on a hamster forum to better maintain and learn from others in terms of a happy hammy experience! I previously had two Roborovski dwarf hamsters (Mochi & Mocha) around 4-5 years ago. Because I was aged 15 around then, I did do my research however I was never able to tame them throughout their 2-3 years of life. The associate had told me they were both female, but after a couple months, a litter was born! I remember watching the little pups grow up, and the amount of shock running through me as I discovered those squeaking sounds weren't coming from a broken sink in my bathroom -- but hamster babies! Eventually as they grew older, I gave them to homes I found would give adequate care to the hamster. I decided not to get a hamster for the years following, and that if I did I would choose a Syrian next. Not only are they adorable and I wanted experience with a new breed, but I've read they are more docile and easier to tame as long as there's patience and effort put into it.
When I got my tax refunds back, the thought of a new hamster sounded appealing -- why didn't I think of this before? Around less than a month ago, I had purchased a long-haired white syrian named Yoshi. He was pretty fluffy, and I had purchased him from a pet store. Unfortunately last week, it appears he went into hibernation, and when I attempted to warm him up, he went into shock and passed away. I was confused because the temperature in my room is always warm, also I live in Florida, so our winters here aren't exactly the coolest.
Although I was discouraged and upset my dear little friend I only knew briefly had passed away, I knew that despite all that research, money, and time I invested into making sure my little hammy was happy, perhaps there were things I overlooked or more measures I could've taken to keep the little guy alive.
A week ago, I got another syrian -- a short-haired orange one named Sandy! The pet store associate told me most of their hamsters were predominantly male, but this hamster appeared smaller in length than my previous. Sandy also displays more female characteristics -- such as nipples down her front area (which I thought I was overthinking at first).
Upon bringing Sandy home, I had her housed in a bin cage (I currently don't recall the measurements, but I want to say it was approximately 21 x 18 inch cage bin. She also had an 8.5" wheel, which I know is the minimum size for Syrians, but I could see her back slightly curving and instantly made the run to purchase the necessities for a better cage size & its contents inside. I've kept her in her bin mostly, since new hamsters should have as little interaction as possible, but she just loves being out. Around her second day, she was running towards each side of the cage indicating she wanted to explore. Granted, I did let her, so I placed her on my shower floor with a towel laid on the ground, and she just was obsessed with climbing all over me! I try not to offer my hand too much to her, since I want her familiarity with me to feel gradual & natural, not forced. There would be a couple times she'd approach my hand and let me hold her, but she has really only bitten me twice. I now am restricting too much contact with her (especially since she's new and I don't want her developing wet tail early from being overwhelmed), until she settles a few days very well in her new bigger bin cage. Because of this constant behavior, I started to consider I needed a bigger cage. I currently have her housed in a 39.5 L x 21.5 W x 17.5 H bin cage with a 12" wheel, 3 chewing toys/accessories, 2 hideouts (chewable), and a water bottle, with mesh ventilation at the top of the cage. Should I add some to the sides for better ventilation? I've seen some bin cages without them, and the same amount with them, but I would like to make sure my hamster's environment is absolutely adequate for a healthy life. Any other suggestions on how I can boost my hammy's wellbeing? If there is anything I should consider fixing or adding, I'd love to hear some feedback! I'd also like to make a few friends who also are as much in love with hamsters as I am!

Last edited by lovegemwink; 03-09-2019 at 11:18 AM. Reason: clarifying
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Old 03-09-2019, 11:07 AM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: Intro: New Syrian Hammy after revisiting the old hamster pet experience!

Welcome to the forum. Sorry for your loss of Yoshi. It is sad when you lose them so young. It was not likely to be hibernation and more likely he had some type of illness from the pet store or a genetic fault that caused him to pass young.
Sandy will be a female if you can see nipple lines as you only see these on female hamsters. You need to have her on pregnancy watch for 17days from when you got her if she has been housed with males. I do hope that time passes and she has no pups as it is a strain on a young hamsters body to have babies so young.
She will be fine in the smaller cage for now. In fact we favour taming from a smaller cage with easy access and nothing they can jam themselves in so don't rush to move her. As a baby the wheel size will most likely be perfectly fine for now so again let her keep that. Don't overclean her cage either but start gentle taming and talking to her and offering little treats now I would suggest and go from there as to how she seems.
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Old 03-09-2019, 12:06 PM   #3
lovegemwink
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Thumbs up Re: Intro: New Syrian Hammy after revisiting the old hamster pet experience!

Quote:
Originally Posted by souffle View Post
Welcome to the forum. Sorry for your loss of Yoshi. It is sad when you lose them so young. It was not likely to be hibernation and more likely he had some type of illness from the pet store or a genetic fault that caused him to pass young.
Sandy will be a female if you can see nipple lines as you only see these on female hamsters. You need to have her on pregnancy watch for 17days from when you got her if she has been housed with males. I do hope that time passes and she has no pups as it is a strain on a young hamsters body to have babies so young.
She will be fine in the smaller cage for now. In fact we favour taming from a smaller cage with easy access and nothing they can jam themselves in so don't rush to move her. As a baby the wheel size will most likely be perfectly fine for now so again let her keep that. Don't overclean her cage either but start gentle taming and talking to her and offering little treats now I would suggest and go from there as to how she seems.
Thank you for your kind welcome! I'm relatively new to being active in forums, so I appreciate your advice! She was rather slim when I first got her. However, being said that the associate said they're mostly male, I still do keep in mind pregnancy is potential. If anything, she sometimes chirps? From what I've read, any noise from a hamster is mostly a sign of apprehension, but she mostly does this if she's sleeping or digging. If it has anything to do with the possibility she's pregnant, is she in discomfort? Also, could I later maybe use the smaller bin cage as a future playpen? Like for example, when it's been a good time since I've gotten her and I'm able to let her out and explore. Sorry for all these questions, I'm sorta a hamster newbie all over again since hamster care has changed in the last five years
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Old 03-09-2019, 12:39 PM   #4
souffle
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Default Re: Intro: New Syrian Hammy after revisiting the old hamster pet experience!

Young hamsters are often a lot more chirpy than settled adults. You sometimes hear them in their nest making a baby bird sort of grating creaky door noise but I think they are just naturally that way. When they are tiny babies they always chirp when mum leaves them to go eat. They don't tend to do this when in discomfort - hamsters in pain tend to be quiet and lethargic and with sit hunched up. They don't feel pain when pregnant unless something is very wrong. Youngsters often fill out quickly when they move to single homes as they don't have to compete for food. Be generous with her mix and give some fresh veg in small amounts (thumbnail size) They like brocolli and cauliflower especially we find. I'd keep the smaller cage so that you can use it as a playpen and also when you do a cage clean you can pop her safely in there.
Keep up with the taming and you will most certainly be able to have her out and exploring in safe, hamster proof areas. Ours come out on the bed and enjoy climbing over cushions. They also enjoy stair climbing and can like running in a large playpen or a corridor that has been made safe.
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