Sand Bath

[NibblesTheHam]

Do syrians really use sand baths? My syrian doesn't currently have one, do you think it's necessary? If so, how big should it be and how deep should the sand be?

[brieshamsters]

yes they do use them! they don't typically roll in it like dwarfs but they still dig and play in them I think every hamster needs a sand bath, and it should be big enough and deep enough for them to fit when they're digging

[LunaTheHamster1]

It's certainly worth giving it a go. I have had 4 syrians, and only 1 of them didn't use a sandbath. One of mine it was part of her routine, as soon as she woke up she would go have a sort of brush less of a roll around in the sandbath.

As for the size of it, I guess it depends on how much room you have for one. I've used an old 1 litre icecream box before now, just make sure your hamster isn't a chewer (maybe best used outside of the cage). I also used a cardboard box with paper to stop the sand going everywhere, that is about 9 x 7 inches and has an inch or two of sand in it, I also use a 9 inch pie dish, again with about an inch or two of sand in it.

Some people use baking trays, or cat litter boxes and some people cover whole sections of their cages with sand, you can go deeper than an inch or two if you want.

It really is up to you and the setup you have, what works for you. But certainly worth a try. I started with a little sandbath in the play area when free roaming, and as my hamster at the time liked it, I put one in her cage too.

[Izzy_the_Cookie]

does anyone know what type of sand I should use?

[brieshamsters]

I use children's play sand from lowes, it comes in 50 pound bags that you sift then bake to sanitize and its ready to go! I like it because I have three hams so I can get lots of sand for cheap! reptisand is good as well, it's just more expensive for less sand

[NibblesTheHam]

Ok, thanks, I'd heard people saying that syrians hate sand baths and never use them, so I was uncertain. I'll defiantly try putting one in there then!

[Maker]

Here's a photo of my cage for a Syrian - I made this big sandpit after she showed me she Loved her small bowl. It's about 1/5 of the base of the Alaska
4177676B-90CB-4DB8-992B-0BCD97E3A577.jpeg

[Izzy_the_Cookie]

Originally Posted by Maker

Here's a photo of my cage for a Syrian - I made this big sandpit after she showed me she Loved her small bowl. It's about 1/5 of the base of the Alaska
Attachment 51660

how much substrate is in your cage? it doesn't look like there is a lot.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by Izzy_the_Cookie

how much substrate is in your cage? it doesn't look like there is a lot.

She moves it around between 4 and more inches - most of it around her house where she digs and tunnels. There are lower places in the photo where she has bulldozed. The sandpit sides are high, sand about 3 inches deep