Hiya!

[Spuds Mum]

He looks gorgeous. Often they do have less hair behind their ears - so if that is the only place it seems thinner then I dont think you have a problem, but I am sure you will be able to have a good look at him when he has settled down a bit. From what I can see in the pictures he doesn't look particularly thin haired so hopefully he will be ok.
The skirt on a long haired hamster can look a bit 'woolly' but I am sure a good diet and grooming will help. If he hasn't been regularly groomed you may find that on grooming he loses some of his skirt and if it is matted then I am afraid that is somewhat unavoidable I think.
Syrian hamsters don't need/enjoy sand baths like dwarf hamsters or chinchillas. In my experience they don't seem to know what to do with it! I have kept some of my Long haired syrians on chinchilla sand, but they never rolled around in it so I wouldn't worry too much about that - just give him a good diet and as soon as he is comfortable start the grooming

[mrsnuggles]

Excellent - thats put my mind at rest loads, and I'll take all your advice!

Many thanks - I'll post more pics when his lordship comes out of his new castle, which may be a while judging by how little of him I've seen today!

Originally Posted by Spud's Mum

He looks gorgeous. Often they do have less hair behind their ears - so if that is the only place it seems thinner then I dont think you have a problem, but I am sure you will be able to have a good look at him when he has settled down a bit. From what I can see in the pictures he doesn't look particularly thin haired so hopefully he will be ok.
The skirt on a long haired hamster can look a bit 'woolly' but I am sure a good diet and grooming will help. If he hasn't been regularly groomed you may find that on grooming he loses some of his skirt and if it is matted then I am afraid that is somewhat unavoidable I think.
Syrian hamsters don't need/enjoy sand baths like dwarf hamsters or chinchillas. In my experience they don't seem to know what to do with it! I have kept some of my Long haired syrians on chinchilla sand, but they never rolled around in it so I wouldn't worry too much about that - just give him a good diet and as soon as he is comfortable start the grooming

[Spuds Mum]

He's had a hard time - you may find a day or so makes all the difference in the amount of time he spends out!
Here's two photos of my daughter's long haired yellow, Flump just for comparison. He has a huge skirt and is in great condition - but you will be able to see it does look a little woolly at the ends

[mrsnuggles]

Oh my goodness - what a sweetheart!

Here are better pictures - I lifted him out tonight because he was looking like he was going into hibernation in the new house

He's running around in his exercise ball at the moment and I gave him a quick groom after these pics were taken. What do you guys think of his condition?

[Spuds Mum]

Awww he is lovely and he doesn't look in bad condition either. I see what you mean about his skirt - it really is a long one isn't it? I would hope that wihen you start grooming him he will retain most of it - it doesn't look a mass of knots thank goodness! And just think how the little beauty will look after a few weeks of TLC! I think he is a very lucky boy to have found you!

[mrsnuggles]

Aw thanks!
He is coming around if still nervous but I'm hoping to see a huge improvement in him over the next few months. I am so glad to have this forum to refer to for advice!

[souffle]

Aww what a gorgeous boy he is. Wagg is a perfectly good food so I think he would have been getting adequate food. His coat looks fairly normal for a LH male and will just need brushed more. Many people will not keep LH hamsters on shavings but we have never had a problem though we groom them every night with a brush and a tiny fine comb plus toothbrush! Our syrians do actually like the sand bath and we use the potty with chinchilla sand in it, When it is clean they will dig and roll in it then use it as a potty which is not a bed thing as it is easy to clean every couple of days and cuts down on full cage cleans.
I am not certain of his colour but if he is a black which he probably is the skirt will look that greyish colour as it is finer at the end.
He could be a sable if he has cream eye rings and undercoat but I dont really see these.
He is gorgeous and will soon become tame and friendly with you I am sure

[Minicooper]

Hello and Welcome to the Forum mrsnuggles