Nervously Finding My Way Back To Hamsters

cmiller1017 · 12-05-2015, 10:26 PM

Hello!

My name is Cassandra, but I go by Cassie.

I had Syrian hamsters growing up (very uneducated, and my mom allowed our hamsters to continuously breed after incorrectly sexing pups) which started my love for hamsters.

Years later I learned as much as I could about correct hamster care and brought home the best, most spoiled Campbell Dwarf Hamster. She lived longer than the expected life expectancy.

After her I tried to raise a pair of robo hamsters who died within days of bring them home... these two scared me out of trying to raise any more. I swore I was done with hammies.

Having been so in love with my Ellie (the Campbell), and still talking about her years later my husband decided it was time to try again and has brought a Black Teddy Bear home tonight.

I used to know "what was best" for hamsters back in the day, but much has changed, I'm sure, as I lost my Ellie almost 8 years ago. I'm looking for a community to learn and grow with as I raise our newest love.

Thank you for your time!

Wanna Hamster · 12-07-2015, 03:52 PM

Hi and welcome to HC!

Scargirl · 12-07-2015, 04:14 PM

Welcome to HC!

I'm sure we all want the best for our little fluffs!

Pebbles82 · 12-07-2015, 04:46 PM

Hello and welcome! Have a look around the housing threads and stickies - that should help! But basically - big cage and big wheel! Suitable substrate (there are many alternatives to wood shavings these days. And torn up white toilet paper for nesting material (never use fluffy bedding, even if it is marked as 'safe' - it's dangerous). A good hamster mix diet and supplement with a fingernail sized piece of veg each day.

In the US it can be hard to find suitable sized cages. The cheapest one that is a suitable size for a Syrian is about $99. It's this one. Another US member on here has it and it's a great cage and comes with a lovely big rat sized tube (rat sized toys are best for Syrians - many things marked 'hamster' are only big enough for dwarf hamsters, particularly houses with small doors and windows which Syrians/Teddy bear hamsters can get stuck in.

Anyway it's the Marchioro Goran. It has a lovely big front opening door. I've linked Keith's thread below which shows his set up in it for his Syrian.

Marchioro Goran

A lot of US members go for a tank rather than a cage. 40 gallon long tank is a good size. You can buy mesh lids for them I believe as well (which we can't in the Uk and have to make lids!)

There are pros and cons to both. Personally I like a cage - it has good ventilation and adaptable for set up by use the bars to attach things to and hang things from. On the other hand, with a tank you can put much deeper substrate in - eg 25cm deep or more so your hamster can dig tunnels, which is good for them.

You can also get my cage in the US which is the Savic Mickey 2XL. It costs more than the Goran but has 7mm bar spacing so it's quite futureproof in case you ever decided to get a dwarf hamster later. It's a similar size to the Goran - about 2cm less wide but a couple of centimetres deeper I think. I'll add a photo of our set up in it below too. Some of the contents it comes with need taking out as they're only suitable for mice - eg the wire grid shelf (which is bad for hamsters feet), the tiny wheel, and the tubes which are too small for a Syrian hamster (ours got stuck in them). The sputnik it comes with is good - a bit small, but ok. We also have a rat sized one.

Amazon.com : Lixit Animal Care Savic Mickey 2 Mice and Swarf Hamster Cage, X-Large : Birdcages : Pet Supplies

Both these cages easily fit a 27cm senior wodent wheel, which would be the right sized wheel for a Syrian. Unless your hamster is particularly large (eg over 180 grammes fully grown) and then you might need the bigger Wodent Wobust wheel 30cm.

This is Keith's thread - photos of the Goran further down

Mr. Carlisle's Thread

Popular substrates/litter for the floor of the cage in the US are kaytee clean n cozy, Boxo, and there's a new paper one by Oxbow

Amazon.com : Kaytee Clean and Cozy Small Pet Bedding, 1000 Cubic Inch : Small Animal Bedding : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com : Boxo Comfort Small Animal Bedding, 26-Liter : Bird Cage Litter And Bedding : Pet Supplies

http://www.amazon.com/Oxbow-Pure-Com...=Oxbow+bedding

Another tank option that works out cheap if you don't mind a bit of diy to make a lid, and have the space as well - is the Ikea Detolf hack. The glass cabinet costs $60 I think. You put it on its side and don't attach the glass door. It makes a great hamster habitat with room for different levels etc. Some people stand them on two kallax units to provide storage under.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ha...tfCMIQ_AUIBigB

This is our hamster Charlie's Savic Mickey 2XL. I got him a big wood house with a lift off roof, instead of getting a different shelf. The roof acts as a shelf as well

This was his set up a year ago

This is his current set up