Advice For Sunny the Syrian!

[noluckchar]

Hi guys!!

I am new to the forum and was hoping to receive some information. I got my first Syrian hamster (his name is sunny (^_^)) about 3 months ago and I have so far gone through two cages, trying to upgrade as he grew. I was told at the PetSmart that the cages I had got were big enough but after doing some research they most definitely are not!

I am going to purchase a detolf from IKEA for him but I wanted advice on what else to get him. What types of bedding, toys, food, any other tips and things to get! I am open to any advice and look forward to talking with you all.

Thanks in advance,
noluckchar & sunny boy<3

[Dodo]

Hello! Great for you and your hamster you are doing a lot of research, pet stores often give terrible advice (the irony...).

A detolf is a great option, make sure you make a lid (ideally a raised lid but that's a lot of work and DIY savvy... I've got a normal lid on mine). Other great hamster products to consider are a decently sized wheel (11 or 12 inches for a Syrian), a lot of paper bedding, 6 inches depth minimum, a sand bath (either reptile sand without calcium or playsand that you bake), a multichamber hide (if you're in America, check ou Nitegangel products). I give my Syrian fresh food everyday (tiny quantities, from broccoli to cucumber, carrot, eggwhite, lettuce, cabbage etc.) in addition to his mix. I love cork logs and bendy bridges. I watch a lot of Victoria Raechel's videos on cage set ups and hamster care generally. Good luck and have fun!

[Ria P]

Hi and welcome to HC!

You're going to have a very happy hamster living it up in a detolf.

Have a look at the thread "Let's see your cages" on the Forum under Housing to get ideas of what people use in their cages.

Dodo has already mentioned a lot of items that hamsters like so not much to add. All ours love their coconut hides and long bendy Trixie bridges to run across. A free standing platform would be a good idea and remember to support anything heavy like a sandbath.

The detolf is low so if at all possible, i'd go for a raised meshed lid to add a bit of extra height.