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Old 08-31-2015, 08:12 AM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Elsa update. [New cage!]

Great cage - the Alaska I'm assuming! Just thinking - she probably isn't using the saucer because it's a bit small for a Syrian - they need the 30cm one. And you could put a lot deeper substrate in maybe. Sometimes when they get aggressive it's a kind of cage rage because something isn't right for them so they don't feel right. The Alaska has a good deep base and 4 to 6" minimum depth of substrate is recommended really. And this will also make spot cleaning easier. Also she would be stressed if she doesn't have enough nesting material as well as enough substrate so you could try putting a big mound of torn up white toilet paper in the cage. Good luck at the vets, and yes the eye does look closed up on that first photo, but it's hard to tell from photos.

If she doesn't like the hammock it might be an idea to take it out - the hanging ladder thing above it I find those a bit risky with the chains and rings for toes to get caught in when they jump off. Putting much deeper substrate in will also lessen the fall height from the top of the cage and give her a soft landing if she climbs up there.

It is a pain trying to get a cage set up right, I know, but it's getting there! Just chuck masses of substrate in the bottom and mix it up with what is there already and put masses of nesting toilet paper strips in and I'm sure she'll be happier. Sputniks or grass hammocks make good roof toys too. Charlie has this rat sized sputnik - it's good because it hangs fairly low down and has plenty of space inside. His is filled with substrate at the moment, but he had a circle of hemp matting in it in the winter.

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These are the grass hammocks. It is quite big so could cover a fair bit of roof area giving some shelter underneath, which they like, plus you can make it shorter and hanging lower if you want. The main thing is she can get into the sputnik or hammock from the shelf easily. Charlie just climbs up into his sputnik these days, from the floor.

Natural Grass Hammock for Pets at zooplus

She looks happy enough in her great new cage though! But she will need either a 27 to 29cm wheel or a 30cm flying saucer in there or she won't be getting any exercise and that will affect her behaviour too and could make her a bit stressed and aggressive. Their wheels are really important to them and if she isn't using the small one (maybe because it feels uncomfortable - she'd have to run bent) then she's not getting any cage exercise at all. The current wheel is unfortunately far too small as well so I guess she's not using that either (that would give her back pain). It's annoying they sell these cages with wheels that are only big enough for dwarf hamsters.

Sorry for pointing out the bits that could do with improving! I wasted money on getting hanging toys and things at the start and Charlie started out with one of those little 6" wheels as well because I knew no different. A 28cm Trixie wheel would fit nicely in that back left corner where the little grey house is if you move it slightly towards the front. And you will have a VERY happy ham if you put that in!

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_..._wheels/174195

Last edited by Pebbles82; 08-31-2015 at 08:20 AM.
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