(Part 3) Top products from r/hamsters

Love her color makes her look like a teeny Syrian! She’s a dwarf so I don’t think I need to say anything about a wheel just don’t go super tiny. Make sure she has a proper size cage. Big cages are the best make sure its atleast 24” length 12” width and 12” height. Clear bins are good for you too see her I’d recommend! Cut holes in her lit so she can breath and can’t escape, either cut 60+ half an inch holes or cut a big square off the lid (if you have a cat or curious dog do the hole lid) do not use pine or cedar bedding. Any paper bedding is good I recommend carefresh (Cheaper on Amazon) do not use mesh wheels!!! Your ham will get hurt and get bumble feet not good. No bathing in water. It’s not necessary but it’s highly recommend to get sand for your hamster to bathe in, she’ll either roll around in it herself or you can hold her and give her a sand bath. I like most plastic wheels, wouldn’t recommend wooden wheels for a dwarf since my friend has a wooden wheel for her ham and he can’t even move it so she had to pay for a plastic one. Chews are good for her teeth so they don’t grow too long. Clip her nails if you can, if you can’t go to a vet when you notice them getting long. Plastic tubes and empty paper tubes are good boredom breakers. Clean the cage fully once a month with a one part water one part vinegar solution and change the bedding monthly. Lastly a hideout so she can scurry away. I’ll leave some links, good luck!


hamster care video

bin cage tutorial

If she’s not tame here’s a taming vid

hamster dont’s

bedding

chews


sand

hideout

boredom breaker/hideout

wheel

bin for bin cage

mesh top for bin cage

zip ties for bin cage

tube

I'd say long haired do look bigger, but mostly because they're all fluff; not really different in body sizes. My short haired was in a tank with a long haired, his sibling did look exceptionally larger but that was because he's all fluff. Its mostly down to preference really, I prefer short haired because they are slightly lower maintenance. With a long haired you need to help take care of their fur (brushing with an old toothbrush), although hamsters mostly take care of their own hygiene.

As for bins, I've heard plenty of good reviews for the Ikea SAMLA being used as a hamster bin. The one I've heard to be most recommended is the Ikea Detolf glass cabinet, many people convert it into a large tank and its the best price for its size.

Definitely avoid fluffy bedding at all costs, sometimes there are tube toys sold with fluff inside. It is a known killer of small animals, just google search and you will see a ton of results regarding the problems it can cause. I personally use shredded toilet paper, cheap and my ham seems to enjoy it. Hay is good too!

If you're looking at toys, just make sure you check sizes. There are some toys advertised for hamsters, but only really dwarfs/robos can actually fit in. For example, I had this and the holes are tiny, my robos barely fit in it once they got a little older. There was always a risk they would get stuck so I had to remove it.

To start with all you really need is a wheel, something to chew on (I got mine apple sticks), some kind of tube and possibly an extra thing to hide in. You can always check in a pet store while you're out shopping and bring it back new toys, slowly grow its collection. Recently I got my ham a tv and its awesome, sometimes I hide a treat in there. He enjoys sitting in there to rest between runs and food.

You can see what sort of things your pet likes and base your toy shopping around that. My hamster is more of a climber than digging so I got him a suspended bridge with ladders and things hanging from it, I am guaranteed to find him swinging from it each night. Check out the rats section of toys when you're shopping, they tend to have a good range of toys which can be safe for hamsters too.

I brought some "Sasil tying twine" from a DIY store, I use it to tie toilet roll tubes to the bars of his cage and to tie some apple sticks together, its really useful to have so you can make some toys at home. Heres an example of a hammock someone made using sasil.

My Syrian hamster has been very happy in this cage for the entire first year of his life so far. After a few days of exploratory climbing he has not once chewed on his bars or ever acted stressed because he wants out of his home.

30.5 x 8.5 x 18.5 inches:
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Habitat-Multi-Level-Exotics-18-Inch/dp/B00CETSHN2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Excersize:
I recommend purchasing a Wodent Wheel 11inch http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JD8I2Y/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687462&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005Y41UPQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JBB5ENE1BEBPRFYR6JR

and Flying Saucer 12 inches : http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Flying-Saucer-Exercise-4-Inch/dp/B001AT62H0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462212985&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=flying+saucer+hamster+11+inch

Bathing and Natural Nail Trimming:
Also pick up some flat Reptile Rocks for underneath his water bottle so he will trim his nails naturally and a large ceramic bowl (needs to be deep not so much wide) filled with Repti Sand Desert White (No Calcium) http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiSand%C2%AE-Pounds-Desert/dp/B0002DIZKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213181&sr=1-1&keywords=desert+white+repti+sand

My hamster is a fan of these Apple Orchard sticks for teeth filing though his lab blocks are semi hard and also good for dental health trimming.
http://www.amazon.com/SuperPet-Apple-Orchard-Sticks-Pieces/dp/B001CCXMP0/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213890&sr=1-2&keywords=apple+wood+sticks

After you get those things pick up this item as a natural grass burrow for him to sleep in and clean his cage once every week. Plastic burrow are just awful for air circulation, and my hamster never liked them at all when i didnt know any better.

http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Nature-Willow-Grass-Small/dp/B001ATBMCU?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

For food I feed my hamster Higgins Sunburst and Kaytee Forti Diet Lab blocks everyday with fresh fruit and veggies every two days. Remember your hamster stomach is the size of your pinky finger nail so portion small. He loves 3-4 lab blocks a day with a small spoonful of nuts, seeds and fruit from the Higgins. Remember though 3 Sunflower Seeds max a day or they will get fat and unhealthy.

http://www.amazon.com/Higgins-Sunburst-Gourmet-Hamsters-Gerbils/dp/B009GHII5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213536&sr=1-1&keywords=higgins+sunburst

Looks like this but for Hamster not rat and mice:
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Forti-Health-Mouse-5-Pound/dp/B001VJ56Z8/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213507&sr=1-1&keywords=kaytee+forti+hamster

For bedding you want UNSCENTED (it messes with their respiratory system if its scented) this Kaytee Clean and Cozy is what I use. Absorbs liquid good and keeps the smell down if its close to cleaning day.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Clean-Cozy-Small-Bedding/dp/B015MJB8PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462214215&sr=1-2&keywords=kaytee+bedding

and last but not least. Buy TWO water bottles in case one of them jams overnight you DO NOT want your hamster to suffer from dehydration. They do not need much water, but when they need it, they need it fast or will get sick quick. The kaytee water bottles have issues with the spout pointing straight so buyer beware. They often dont align properly into the cage bars. But they do work and dont leak for me. Stick with GLASS water bottles, it just tastes better honestly. 6 ounces if you will change the water daily. 12 ounces if you are not as attentive.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-SSR61982-Animal-Bottle-12-Ounce/dp/B007TUNWM2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1462214981&sr=8-4&keywords=kaytee+water+bottle

It seems like a lot of money at first and it is but this hamster will be your new furry friend and relies on only you to care for it, so give it the best and longest life possible. You will have one happy hamster if you get all that and will never need to upgrade anything when your Syrian grows bigger.

I'm a college student as well and I keep my hammy at my dorms. The thing is, traveling puts hamsters under stress so I try not to bring him home unless I need to (My room mate will take care of him when I'm gone) I use the standard commercial cage I bought when I first got my hamster when I travel.. but that one costs way too much.. I can't be of much help on this topic. Perhaps you could ask /u/sarelcor who recently traveled 800 miles with their hamster :)


EDIT: This is a good article for traveling with a hamster..
If you get a cage that can be expanded using tubes, you could attach this to its home and let it get used to the cage before you travel but I would in no way recommend using it as a main cage

I think the Food & Nutrition posts on Hamster Hideout are excellent resources:

http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/forum/16-food-nutrition/

(The "Pinned" posts at the top.)

As for hamster books, are you planning on getting a dwarf or a Syrian? If you're looking to get a dwarf, you'll want to look for books specifically about dwarf hams -- since most hamster care books kind of focus on Syrian hamsters by default.

But as a general hamster book, I think The Hamster Handbook is pretty good.

The fact that she's a female syrian means she's going to need a LOT of space. I'd get something along the lines of an Ikea detolf or a Christmas tree bin. Like you said this hits the bare minimum of floorspace for syrian hamsters.

as for toys, i'll send some links of toys i got for my syrian! this first one will be great for your girl since she loves burrowing.

---- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LUMU9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AGdEDbPQKTZ2J

----- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MK1BY27/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DHdEDbBDEFDWS

---- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VIYAH4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DJdEDb1GQJEFR

As others have stated, I wouldn't keep that cage for too long and be looking to upgrade so to speak. Keep an eye on weekly sales at target, petsmart, petco. I saw a sell at petco that was $1 for gallon for aquariums and bought a 55 gal for 55 bucks.

Bins, albeit uglier (they don't go with my living room decor), are also cheap and you can get them for fairly cheap after holidays such as Christmas...maybe halloween.

My dwarves love the tubes as well so I bought a lookout tower(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BL44KA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and just took the top off. The dwarves will come up there when they want to be let out, or in the one acceptation of last night, to give birth. >_>

Also I keep an eye on craigslist on tubes. Managed to get about $100 worth of tubes for $10.

Playtime

• Try to refrain from waking up your hamster. If you must wake it up, don't do so by reaching in. Blow softly in the cage and eventually your hamster will wake up.
  
  
• Contrary to popular belief, hamsters ARE NOT nocturnal. They are crepuscular which means they're up and about at dusk and dawn. (mine are a little behind schedule since I stay up late and they're usually up around 10-11pm and again from about 7-9am)
  
  
• Balls are good, but I mostly just chill on my couch with them running around my chest. Treats are also good during playtime.
  
  TOYS
  
  
• Since I run a 55 gal setup split in two, I put lookout towers without the top (above link), silent spinner hamster wheels (thing is super fucking silent), toilet paper and paper towel tubes, chew blocks which they ignore, and little wooden houses.
  
  
• Since yours is a syrian, I would high recommend the larger version of toys where applicable.
  
  OTHER
  
  
• Don't use anything for dogs/cats for hamsters. My wife took in a stray cat and now our apt is flea fucking central and got on the hamsters. If by chance your hamster does get fleas, clean out the cage and all toys very thoroughly and apply flea control (i use spray) that is made specifically for small animals. Spray it on, wait a day, brush hamster with baby brush.
  
  
• avoid hamster wheels with holes. They can break hamster legs.
  
  
• Your hamster will probably pick out the sunflower seeds and corn from their food and leaving the crap that they don't like. Don't refill their food until it's near or completely empty. The food is specially made for a reason and them not eating a certain thing means they're not getting a certain nutrient.
  
  I have a meeting at work now. Reply back if there is anything else. Have had multiple hamsters for about 15 years. (Rocking 3 now with I believe 8 babies if I counted them all correctly)
  
  edit: formatting

some pet stores actually sell marble slabs or granite stones for chinchillas http://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-Chinchilla-Chin-Chiller-Granite/dp/B000A7707O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

but you can sometimes find a extra pieces from construction/home remodel projects and the owner would let go of a few scraps/pieces for free. :)

Prevue-Hendryx-Naturals-Hideaway-Ladder

Wooden-Hamster-House-Exercise-Natural

Animal-Hideout-Hamster-Deluxe-Layers

Kaytee-Woodland-Hamster-House

Niteangel-Wooden-Hamster-Nesting-HabitatGood size for most Syrians

Castle-dollhouseThis will fit in a 40 gallon tank or larger as well as in a detolf (detolf is a tight fit but will work)

Fitlyiee-Hideout

Niteangel-Ceramic-Hideout

Foraging-Activity

Sleep-Play-Cheese

Wooden-Colorful-Accessory

Carrot-Play-Patch

Play-Climb-KitThe holes in this are big enough for a small Syrian

Rosewood-Boredom-Breaker-Corrugated-Tunnel

Boredom-Breaker-Woven-Rollers-Cube/

Rosewood-Animals-Activity

Boredom breaker There is wire in here so make sure to supervise

Scratching-Corrugated-Cardboardremove the outside just to be sure of the colored cardboard and stuff some seeds inside the holes.

usually i consider chinchilla bathing sand the most hammy specific sand

there is also chinchilla bathing dust (see https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chinchilla-Dust-2-5-Lbs/dp/B001OVBCPG) ... that in fact is much much more dusty and not good for hamsters

but really the katee bath sand IF its produced the same way that the Kaytee bathing sand is europe, then its totally fine and safe

I like these clippers for hams

And the description sounds like a possible fungal infection, so you might try terbinafine (Lamisil) Confirm with a vet if possible, but I know that not everyone has the opportunity.

Looks like the wood-on-wood would be nearly impossible to move, no matter how much you oiled it. I would suggest a plastic wheel like this: https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Hamster-Silent-Spinner-Exercise/dp/B000A7DFUU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506482380&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=hamster+wheel&psc=1
Or this: https://www.amazon.com/Ware-Manufacturing-Flying-Saucer-Exercise/dp/B001AT9R2W/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506482413&sr=1-4&keywords=saucer+wheel

The plastic also makes cleaning a breeze if your hammy is like mine and likes to use their wheel as a toilet. /:

I actually moved the tubes so it's easier for him to move around. I have a dwarf hamster so I think the wheel isn't too small for him. When I watch him run on the wheel his back isn't arched at all. These are the tubes i'm using: https://www.amazon.com/Habitrail-62691-OVO-Adventure-Pack/dp/B001B5AZ1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526773108&sr=8-1&keywords=ovo+adventure+pack&dpID=410oSvVTVmL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch I bought them off a guy on facebook for 10 dollars and I really liked them. I think the locking system on them is very safe. My hamster doesn't seem to have trouble with them at all.

I like these seed-stuffed logs

She needs some kind of wheel. You may want to consider a saucer wheel. It is wider and not as tall so may solve your issue with space in the cage.

Amazon