Heyo.

thepeanutranch · 03-29-2021, 10:45 AM

Hello! Slowly getting back into owning a hammy after a rough 4 year break.
I've previously had a couple campbell hamsters so thought I'll give a syrian a go this time.
Unfortunately that means the long process of ordering stuff online since I can't really seem to find syrian sized equipment where I live + I'm going for a German inspired/ naturalistic cage style.

And if anyone would be able to answer. I ordered a 16.5x18 cm granit house from rodipet and unfortunately I wasn't really paying attention to the specks since I was thinking I would be getting another dwarf. Would this be an ok size if I made the opening bigger or is it way too small for a syrian?

Ria P · 03-30-2021, 04:51 AM

Hi and welcome to HC!

I think the house you've ordered is way too small for a Syrian. Is it too late to cancel the order?

I've just googled the measurements of the Ferplast guinea pig house our hamsters have which are 26x18.5x13.5cm. They need the space for a nest and hoard and possibly an en suite if they pee inside their house.
Personally, i wouldn't go any smaller than that for a Syrian but that's only my opinion and opinions vary.

sushi_78 · 03-30-2021, 05:23 AM

i think it's too small too, but Rodipet have a very generous returns policy. You can return things free of charge for any reason.

thepeanutranch · 03-30-2021, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Hi and welcome to HC!

I think the house you've ordered is way too small for a Syrian. Is it too late to cancel the order?

I've just googled the measurements of the Ferplast guinea pig house our hamsters have which are 26x18.5x13.5cm. They need the space for a nest and hoard and possibly an en suite if they pee inside their house.
Personally, i wouldn't go any smaller than that for a Syrian but that's only my opinion and opinions vary.

Unfortunately it's already almost here so too late to cancel. Looks I'll be returning it. I'm making a other order from rodipet anyways so I'll get the one meant for syrians this time.

thepeanutranch · 03-30-2021, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_78

i think it's too small too, but Rodipet have a very generous returns policy. You can return things free of charge for any reason.

Yep, definitely too small. You wouldn't happen to have any experience return things to rodipet? Since I ordered a few things and would be returning only the house I'm just wondering how that would work.

sushi_78 · 03-30-2021, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepeanutranch

Yep, definitely too small. You wouldn't happen to have any experience return things to rodipet? Since I ordered a few things and would be returning only the house I'm just wondering how that would work.

Yes, I returned a house last year. With your order there will be a piece of paper with a form to fill out if you want to return anything. You can return individual items from a larger order. There's a website where you generate a postage label. If I remember rightly, the link to the website is on the returns form, or if not you can just contact Rodipet and they can help.

The houses come in their own cardboard boxes so I just returned it in that.

Dodo · 03-30-2021, 08:11 AM

I think if you're ordering from Rodipet and returning your house it is worth buying a multichamber house (including the granite one). They are massive but are also super convenient platforms, and you can buy the corner toilet as well (+ I recommend buying the stilts to encourage burrowing without the risk of collapse). Syrians are very clean and so it's likely yours would use it, making cage cleaning easy... If you're buying Rodipet stuff make sure you coat them in plastikote or another pet safe varnish for longevity!

thepeanutranch · 03-30-2021, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_78

Yes, I returned a house last year. With your order there will be a piece of paper with a form to fill out if you want to return anything. You can return individual items from a larger order. There's a website where you generate a postage label. If I remember rightly, the link to the website is on the returns form, or if not you can just contact Rodipet and they can help.

The houses come in their own cardboard boxes so I just returned it in that.

Thanks for the info

thepeanutranch · 03-30-2021, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodo

I think if you're ordering from Rodipet and returning your house it is worth buying a multichamber house (including the granite one). They are massive but are also super convenient platforms, and you can buy the corner toilet as well (+ I recommend buying the stilts to encourage burrowing without the risk of collapse). Syrians are very clean and so it's likely yours would use it, making cage cleaning easy... If you're buying Rodipet stuff make sure you coat them in plastikote or another pet safe varnish for longevity!

I've had dwarf hamsters before and those little guys sure love to dig so I've learned that stilts are a must for all heavy things. And the house I bought was a multichamber just ended up being too small.

And if you happen to know do syrians mostly pee inside one of their burrows/chambers? I managed to get all my previous hamsters to pee in a hide that was rights next to their house.

Ria P · 03-30-2021, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepeanutranch

And if you happen to know do syrians mostly pee inside one of their burrows/chambers? I managed to get all my previous hamsters to pee in a hide that was rights next to their house.

The hamster will decide where he wants to pee but Syrians are pretty good with using a toilet. I have the Rodipet ceramic toilets and fill them with sand. One of our Syrians keeps his house spotless and will only pee in his corner toilet which is outside and across from his house. The other is a bit of a slob and pees in his en suite toilet opposite his nest inside his house because he won't leave his house during the day.

They choose a pee corner and then place a toilet there and put a bit of peed on substrate in it.