New Rescue Hamster OMG shes HUGE with piccies

DonnaB · 11-17-2007, 08:37 AM

Well, today I collected my recue Syrian, I had only seen a pic of a couple of hamsters but had no idea which one I was getting, so I was pleased to discover she is black/grey, but.... shes HUGE!!!!

My first thought was 'pregnant' but thats not possible as she has come from a good rescue and has been there a while. So I'm assuming shes just errr chubby. She moves ok, a bit of a waddle, but she cant really fit through the entrance to the hidey house that comes with the Gabber Rex, in fact she can only just fit through the arches to the downstairs bit, so I'm guessing she needs to go on a bit of a diet.

Its been years since I had a Hammie and its all a bit new and to be honest a bit scary lol, I was aprehensive lifting her out the carrier, she put her feet up in defense but no aggression, but I'll give her a few days to settle down.

I've taken a few pics, ..... do you think shes overweight, or have I lost all my memory of hammies???

I think we're gonna need a bigger house!

Look at that backside lol!

Thank goodness I bough the biggest cage I could find.

Holly · 11-17-2007, 09:02 AM

Ah she looks lovely - she's a beautiful sable (that's her colour - or what she looks like in the pictures).

She doesn't look abnormally large to me - no Syrian I've ever known has ever been able to fit comfortably into the house that come with the Rex - all of ours make their nest under the shelf (I know some people cut a slightly larger doorway in the shelf to make it easier for their hamsters to get in and out).

One thing she will need is a larger wheel - P@H sell the Savic Jumbo Rolly which is a rat wheel or you could think about a Wodent Wheel (the very height of greatness in a hamster wheel IMO!!).

Am I right in thinking you are from Leicester - where did you get her, she looks very well cared for?

Jane · 11-17-2007, 09:08 AM

Awwww she's lovely. Weighing her would be good, but she doesn't look massively over weight to me.

I agree with Holly, a new wheel will be needed

I strongly recommend a wodent wheel.

**Spuds Mum** · 11-17-2007, 09:11 AM

Oh what a beautiful sable girlie! She looks fine to me, just a healthy hamster! For show hamsters, the ideal is for them to be as large as possible without having excess fat. Girls are usually a lot bigger than boys! To me (not an expert) she looks like she has a good type, being short and cobby.
As Holly said, none of mine use the Gabber house either (or if they do they just use it as a food store or toilet!
So I wouldn't worry about the house, but you may wish to look at the wheel at some stage, as the one that comes with the cage is not really Syrian size! Most people on the forum seem to use either silent spinners, Wodent Wheels or Jumbo Roly rat wheels, which allow the hamster to run without arching its back and rubbing against the spindles!

DonnaB · 11-17-2007, 09:14 AM

Thanks

Yeah I agree, the wheel thats with it, is far too small.

She was described as black, but is a dark grey, though she looks paler with the camera flash. I guess 12 years is a long while to be without a hammie and it'll take be a while to get used to things again.

She is supposedly around 3-4 months but seems to have doubled in size in the last 2-3 weeks from the photo I originally saw, so her age is a bit of a mystery, but shes lovely and I'm looking forward to her settling down and seeing her personality.

Basia · 11-17-2007, 12:52 PM

Aw she is just gorgeous, I love sable hamsters. I agree with everyone else, she just looks like a nice large hamster. I think you have got yourself a lovely hammie there.
I take the roof off the little gabber houses and they use them as toilets. Can definitely recommend wodent wheels, the roly jumbos are fine for size but the wodent wheels are the rolls royce of hamster wheels and so quiet.

DonnaB · 11-17-2007, 12:58 PM

Been looking at wodent wheels... what size is ok for a chubby Syrian, the Junior or Senior?? Thanks

Jane · 11-17-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnaB

Been looking at wodent wheels... what size is ok for a chubby Syrian, the Junior or Senior?? Thanks

I think the junior one, I think it's 8", will be fine

Holly · 11-17-2007, 02:14 PM

Donna, I'm doing a wodent wheel order direct from the US manufacturer at wholesale prices which works out cheaper - usually around 6 quid a wheel. As you live near me I'm sure I could get it to you without postage. You can choose your colour as well!

Only thng is they might take up to two weeks to get here but it's a thought - just let me know before Monday.

DonnaB · 11-17-2007, 02:31 PM

Ooooh really Holly, that would be great.... what colours do they do, I'll definately have one. Thanks!