Hammocks

[Ang2020]

I am prepping for a syrian which will be with me in the next few weeks. I have recently had the Alaska cage delivered and am considering purchasing a hammock. Are these recommended and if so which brand is the best. Amazon has far too many to chose from.
Thanks for any help.

[LunaTheHamster1]

Personally I would not use a material hammock. If your hamster ends up being a chewer it's not safe as they could ingest it and cause them harm, i.e. wrap around something inside them.
I have used a hammock as a tunnel type thing when free roaming as I can keep an eye on them, but my hamsters have only ever tried to chew the label, but once they knew it wasn't food they left it alone.

As an alternative you could hang a grass mat, which I have done before - i have included a link, but please note they are normally only a few pound, so look elsewhere, not sure why that expensive.
These are entirely natural and does not matter if your hamster were to chew it.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0057F...411313&sr=8-24

You could also consider hanging sputniks - again look around for cheaper prices

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Pla...5411457&sr=8-2

Hope this helps.

[Ria P]

The Alaska is a great cage for a Syrian.
The 55cm long Trixie or Pet Ting bendy ladders are also very versatile. I took the plastic shelf and weird (too small for a Syrian) house out then replaced it with a smaller Trixie wooden corner shelf to make more room. Degus shelves are ideal for little platforms to sit under and on top and you can lead a sputnik or bendy bridge to it. I got the inexpensive Ferplast guinea pig house which my Syrian loves and his coconut hut is another of his favourite places to hang out.
You are going to have so much fun setting up this cage. It's so easy to access with its big front and top door and has a deep tray.
I agree with Luna and wouldn't use a fabric hammock either or anything small paws could get tangled up in like open ladders, anything with chains etc.
The grass mats Luna suggests are great. I use them as wall coverings in my bin cages for a natural look

[Pebbles82]

Agree with Luna - better to use the grass hammocks or rat sputniks. Apart from chewing fabric there can be other issues with hammocks and hanging toys such as feet getting caught in eyelets or chains. You can get round these issues. I have only used a particular brand of fleece hammock (very well stitched) with very old hamsters who are past chewing stuff

Anything fabric is risky for chewing. A ball of sisal string can be useful for hanging or tying things to bars - that is safe to chew.

Instead of a hammock I have a rat sized tube tied to the roof - leading to a hanging rat sputnik. They like those because they're round and it's also something to sit under - they like things overhead to sit under. The rat sputniks work best with some bedding or hemp mat inside so they're a bit cosier.

Love your Alaska set up Ria.

This is a pic of the roof tube and sputniks in my cage - which is about the same height as the Alaska.

Attachment 51042

Attachment 51043

[Otaku]

I also recommend the grass mats, not only for the safety aspect but because they are great enrichment for hiding food (like pea flakes and sunflower seeds) between the weaves.

[Ang2020]

Your setups are amazing. Thanks for sharing. I have found out I'm getting my little girl syrian on Monday so I have tomorrow to set up the cage. I ordered a sputnik on your advice.

[LunaTheHamster1]

Originally Posted by Ang2020

Your setups are amazing. Thanks for sharing. I have found out I'm getting my little girl syrian on Monday so I have tomorrow to set up the cage. I ordered a sputnik on your advice.

Brilliant and exciting. Enjoy getting to know your little girl when she arrives.