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Old 07-01-2019, 06:44 AM   #1
HamsterGranny
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Default Hi everyone!

Hi all, I've called myself HamsterGranny because I'm posting on behalf of my daughter who is the proud new owner of a Syrian hamster called Cinnamon (and she has told me that I'm therefore his grandmother!)

We've had him just over a month. He's super cute and very friendly - happy to be picked up now by both children and me. But I'm a bit concerned we haven't created the right environment for him as he's knawing on the metal bars of his cage and isn't interested in his flying saucer wheel at all.

We were given a cage by a friend, which is the Ferplast Duna Fun Hamster cage (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Du.../dp/B00189OOS6) which I think gives him a fair bit of space, but the wheel in that definitely seemed too small for a Syrian, which is why we got the flying saucer version.

Do I need to try an upright wheel that's bigger? Or do some hamsters never show any interest in wheels?

We get him out for a run in his ball as often as possible.

Any advice on how to make him happy and not chew on his bars would be great!
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Old 07-01-2019, 03:06 PM   #2
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Upright wheels are needed, as they actually provide the proper running posture while flying saucers make hamsters run at an angle that isn't natural. Flying saucers can still be used outside of the cage, but they're just not a good main wheel!

That being said, I would definitely look into a much larger cage as well. The Duna Fun is actually a relatively small cage, and while it may work for some dwarf hamsters if people are lucky it just isn't a good size for a Syrian.

Another bit of advice is ditch balls completely, they don't actually allow for enrichment as they do block out senses for hamsters since their already poor vision is greatly distorted(worst in colored balls, still bad in clear ones though) and their primary sense which is smell is also very distorted since there's practically no air flow in a ball. A much better enrichment idea are playpens or even a clean dry bathtub with a towel on the bottom covering everything and filled with different toys and such, which wouldn't inhibit the senses for a hamster and would actually allow some exploring!
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Old 07-01-2019, 03:28 PM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Hi and welcome!
The website zooplus is very good for cages. My Syrian Henry lives in the Alaska cage which he likes a lot and never chews on the bars. It only cost a bit over £30 and includes free delivery.
You'll find plenty of information here and there are pictures of cages on the Housing section of the forum to get ideas.
A large, upright wheel is essential for a hamster same as a large house without a base to build a big nest in. My hamster used to have a flying saucer when he was smaller but he outgrew it quickly. He also outgrew two wheels and loves his big wheel where he can run comfortably with a straight back.

Your hamster sounds lovely and i'd love to see a photo of him.
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Old 07-01-2019, 03:29 PM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Hello and welcome - looking forward to seeing more of Cinnamon!

Yup - cage is much too small for a Syrian. Have a look on Zooplus - they do good hamster cages, a good size, at reasonable prices, with free shipping. The Alaska, Barney and Alexander are all very popular for Syrian hamsters. I have the Barney cage for our Syrian.

If you can fit a 100cm cage in, that would be best. The 84cm Alaska cage is about the smallest you would want for a Syrian hamster and many people still find they need to upgrade later.

The 100cm Alexander has plenty of scope for enrichment. The Barney is a bit simpler/easier and less expensive - but is quite a bulky cage due to being a bit deeper (54cm as opposed to 50cm) and having the flat roof.

They both come with a really good house/nesting box suitable for a Syrian to build a big cosy nest and bury hoards under their nest (normal behaviours). And both will fit a 28cm diameter wheel (which is a good size for a syrian -so they can run with a straight back comfortably).

I am guessing the flying saucer wheel you have is only a 7" one - that is also far too small for a syrian unfortunately - with a flying saucer it needs to be 12" for them to run properly.

So yes the bar chewing is lack of space and enrichment and unable to exercise properly also. Trying to escape basically!

The cage you have would be good to keep as a spare cage, for when doing a clean out for example. Or you could sell it as it's not a bad cage for a shy dwarf hamster although still on the small side even for a dwarf hamster.

The Alaska cage is on special offer at the moment at £31.99

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small.../hamster_cages

They also sell the 28cm trixie wheel which is a good basic wheel

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small..._wheels/174195

Their basic needs are

1) Enough space in a cage -which is their habitat - especially at night when they're most active.
2) Enough substrate (min 3 to 4" deep but the deeper the better and that also means less cleanouts needed/less often, which reduces stress for the hamster).
3) A house or nesting box big enough to build a large nest in, open underneath and sat on top of substrate - so they can burrow down and bury hoards under the next.
4) A wheel big enough so they can run with a straight back.
5) A shelf or platform ideally - something to sit under and somewhere to go - good to put food bowl or heavier items on.
6) Enrichment - this basically means variety - cardboard tunnels or tubes, hidey places (tissue box would do), attaching things to the bars or roof - eg hanging rat sputnik or grass hammock.
7) Safe set up - so there are no fall risks or items that cause injury (eg open rung ladders or chains or items with nails in). And easy accessibility to food, water, shelf, via sturdy ramp etc.

Syrian hamsters will also use a litter tray if you provide one - and if you put it in the place they have chosen as a toilet (often a corner of the cage). That also helps reduce the need for cleanouts too often as you can just empty the litter tray every few days - they are quite clean little things really.

I use these - they fit well in a corner and are high at the back so no splashing - with Chinchilla bathing sand in - it soaks up the pee.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Corn...ateway&sr=8-11

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Supreme-Pet...gateway&sr=8-3
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Old 07-02-2019, 01:50 AM   #5
HamsterGranny
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Thanks everyone, this is so helpful. I actually ordered a 28cm Trixie Ferris Wheel yesterday, before getting your replies this morning, so all sorted on that front. And we have been giving Cinnamon a run in a dry bath tub with towel and toys pretty regularly (I should have mentioned that!).

But I'll stop using the ball - he's been showing a lot less interest in using it anyway. And I'll get on the case about the cage!

Will post a photo as soon as I've managed to take one that's close-up and in focus!
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Old 07-02-2019, 08:05 AM   #6
Coco61
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Welcome HamsterGranny! I became GrannyHam for the same reason except my daughter is an adult member here. I just became hooked on having a hammy of my own for the first time since childhood.
I endorse everything said here. I have the Barney cage for my boy. Great cage. I also have the largest wheel. They do look enormous at first but give good exercise without any health problems arising from a spine being forced to curve. Or they stop using the wheel.
Serendipity has given you all the basics. Good advice from everyone.
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Old 07-04-2019, 02:59 AM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

She'll enjoy the out of cage time in the bathtub It's also a good opportunity for taming. So she becomes hand tame fairly quickly and doesn't "ping" (ie wriggle and leap 2 feet in the air if you try and hold her!).

A good way to start is just by gently stroking her on the back with one finger, while she is in the bath tub. Just one stroke. And see how she reacts. If she jerks round to see the finger off then wait, and try again a bit later. So maybe do this twice during the first bathtub session. Next session do it again. Eventually she will accept being stroked on the back with the one finger, without jerking round, and then she has accepted your touch.

You could then move onto letting her walk over the palm of your hand while she's in the bath tub.

So hand flat on the bath, palm up, maybe a bit in front of where she is heading, and let her just walk over it. Once she's done that a time or two, you can lift your hand very slightly, when she walks onto it - still flat though, maybe 1cm. And still let her walk off.

Next time lift a little bit higher, but still let her walk off. From there you should be able to let her run between your hands with your hands held in a kind of tunnel (there are youtube videos on how to do this). And she should be tame enough then to pick up and hold and trust you.

Having said that, many hamsters don't like being held for very long, or sitting on you for long, and want to be off exploring, but the main thing is she isn't frightened of you and accepts being picked up.

Always best to avoid picking up from above (like a descending claw!) as they are prey animals, so scooping up with a hand either side of her is better.

She will love the trixie wheel - will it fit in the cage?!
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Old 07-04-2019, 03:33 AM   #8
alpacassei
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Serendipity, the trixie wheel should just about fit if they remove the platforms but keep the wire middle and have low substrate. Not ideal but better than nothing for now

HamsterGranny, as other have mentioned the cage is unfortunately too small for a Syrian and a 100cm cage is a much more suitable size. The Barney, Alexander, Savic Plaza, Ferplast Criceti 100 and Borneo L/XL are all good choices.

To provide enrichment, natural toys/ hide such as grass nests, cork tunnels, bendy bridges, and coconut hides are some of my hamsters favourites and well as a shoe box sized house to nest in. Scattering herb/leaf/flower mixes in areas of the cage also add enrichment and encourage foraging. Rosewood, Woodlands, JR Farm, and Rodipet all make good leafy mixes. Sandbaths and EcoEarth dig boxes are also some of my hams favourites and add good variety to their enclosure.
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Old 07-04-2019, 10:00 AM   #9
HamsterGranny
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Thanks Serendipity. Cinnamon is a he! My daughter named him, not realising that's usually a girl's name...
He's already really happy being picked up and held by all three of us in the family. He's a very relaxed little thing, which is why we chose him as he was like that even in the pet shop.
The wheel should be here tomorrow so we'll make space for it until we get a new cage.
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Old 07-04-2019, 10:02 AM   #10
HamsterGranny
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Default Re: Hi everyone!

Quote:
Originally Posted by HamsterGranny View Post
which is why we chose him as he was like that even in the pet shop.
Not that we picked him up in the pet shop, but he didn't seem to mind a hand going in his cage and was very inquisitive right away
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