hamster newbie... is this setup ok?

[twig978]

Im new to hamsters so i was just wondering if this setup was good for a syrian hamster.

Cage

hhttp://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444180 7844&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047888&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541072422&itemNo=1&In=Small+Pet&N=2047888&Ne=2 (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444180 7844&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047888&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541072422&itemNo=1&In=Small+Pet&N=2047888&Ne=2)

Or

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 7992&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047888&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541218967&itemNo=5&In=Small+Pet&N=2047888+4294965743&Ne=2

Food & Treats

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444178 0529&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047887&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541316890&itemNo=13&In=Small+Pet&N=2047887+4294965743&Ne=2

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444181 7643&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302035928&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541388366&itemNo=27&Nao=24&In=Small+Pet&N=2047892+4294965743&Ne=2

Bedding

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 4895&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047882&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541426155&itemNo=3&In=Small+Pet&N=2047882&Ne=2

Chew Toy

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444181 5630&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047891&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541485705&itemNo=12&In=Small+Pet&N=2047891+4294965743&Ne=2

Tubes

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444181 5634&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047884&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541527355&itemNo=0&In=Small+Pet&N=2047884+4294965743&Ne=2

HideOut

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444177 8432&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302047884&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1177541623544&itemNo=15&Nao=0&In=Small+Pet&N=2047884+4294965743&Ne=2

Am I missing Something. Do i really need a chew toy? Are both of the cages good? Is there any better food i should buy. Is there anything i should know and yes i know how to take care of them. Thanks Twig....

[ratbrat21]

neither of those cages are big enough for a syrian. Syrians need tanks or bins. They are large hamsters. The food i dunno....i buy food in bulk. But remember to pick out corn cuz its bad for them. Um the treats might be ok but dont give them to your ham alot. Aspen is good bedding so thats good. And rodents love toys. Chew toys are important it helps keep their teeth from getting to long plus gives them mental stimulation from playing with them. Tubes are good too.

[twig978]

Can you please point me to a good cage?

[twig978]

Can you please point me to a good tank cage and how much will this cost for a good size?

[ratbrat21]

well they say 10 gallons are to small but i have my syrians in 10 gallons but if your worried about space i say a 20 gallon long tank...or the cheaper bin cages.

[twig978]

How much for a 10 gallon tank?

[janie36]

I agree that both of those cages are way too small for a Syrian, here's a pic of the set up all our hams have
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/flutejanie36/IMG_2232.jpg
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/flutejanie36/IMG_2231.jpg

Maybe you can see things in their houses you might find useful to put in yours, or at least something similar:)

The only other thing I would question are the treats as you can easily give your ham a much healthier treat, like a couple of pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, natural cornflakes etc
Hope this helps:)

[Punkygirl0101]

Nope, those cages are way too small.

I recomemend bin cages, and use those myself. You can buy a large sized bin storage container, cut most of the lid off, just leaving the rim to connect to the base, and put wire mesh (you can screw it on). and there you go a cage.

That food is bad as well. Store bought food, Harry Hamster is the most recommended, but I prefer my homemade mix with a bit of seeds added to it.

The bedding is good, I use aspen shavings as well.

You should know, Syrian hamsters are solitary and should be kept alone.

[Punkygirl0101]

Here are some pictures of my bin cages, and one of my two wire cages:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/Punkygirl0101/Hamsters/Cages/Picture1836.jpg
Thats an older set up.

Here is Gunther's rabbit cage:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/Punkygirl0101/Hamsters/Cages/Picture044.jpg

The other cages I for some reason don't have a picture of are rat cages, and those are for the three young boys.


Cages labeled as hamster cages, are almost always too small for even a mouse IMO. If you want a wire cages, get one labeled for rats, or even better...rabbits.

[twig978]

What size is that bin Punkygirl0101?

[Punkygirl0101]

The bins I use for hamsters/mice are 106 quarts or larger.

[pinkpink33]

yes bin cages are the way forward! plus you never know how big your syrian will get (mine's 11 weeks old and i cant hold her in 2 hands anymore!). my set up's about the same size as punkygirl's but i have 2 smaller bin cages connected via rotastak tubing (although im concerned if she grows much more she wont fit lol) stacked on top of each other. bin cages are so easy to clean too, and you have easy access to your ham for taming too.
harry hamster is, imo, one of the best store-bought foods, and it doesnt cost much either. a variety of gnaw things are good, as my hamsters all gnaw on different things so have to buy different types!
oh, and make sure the wheel you buy is big enough, depending on the size of the syrian, you need nothing smaller than one 8" in diameter, or he will arch his back and it will hurt and damage his spine. i've had to order a 11" wodent wheel as my 8" is too small! but my ham is BIG.
do you know where you're getting him from? good luck :)

[Sandy Da Cutie]

Would not recommend either of those cages, I used to have the critter trail one, and it was way too small! bin cages are good though and so are aquariums.

[KOKKINIKLOSTI]

And also Crittertrail1 is hell to clean! Once i made a mistake and bought it! This thing is too small even for dwarves! I have wire cages for my girls (people there who posted pics, especially Janie, these are mansions!)! And i would be a bit cautious with Kaytee products! Anyway Kaytee is better than Vitakraft (the only hamster food brand in my town!)! And mind the windth of the tube! Syrians may get stuck in them if they are not the right size!

[PetLuver21257]

Yeah, you should get a bin cage.

The food is okay. The treats however aren't good. Yogurt drops have a lot of fake crap and palm oil, which clogs up the arteries. For treats, you could give your hamster hard dog food/milk bones, cheerios, cottage cheese, etc.

I am not too fond of the hideout either. The plastic igloos I wouldn't think have good ventilation. You should get this:

http://www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/7422.jpg

[CookieDough24]

Try a bin or a 20 gallon tank. 10 gallons are usually too small for syrians. bins are usually not more thank $12 bucks and tanks are not more than $35. Those cages that you posted pixs of are definitely not big enough for a syrian, let alone a dwarf! I think you might be missing a wheel. Make sure you get one that is solid so little feet don't get stuck in the wire mesh.

Good luck with your new pet! :)

[Ky86]

For a syrian, those cages are not big enough. If you are looking into an aquarium, about 20-30 gallons would be what you would need. Cheapest thing would be to make a bin cage with a nice big bin.

Kaytee food isn't so good... try looking for Hazel Hamster.

The drops are loaded with sugar and should only be given as a special treat like once a week if you do decide to get them.

Aspen shaving are good to use. Carefresh is also good. Anything but Pine or Cider.

I'm not so sure about those chews, maybe look for something without that stuff in the middle. Chews are a must, even milkbone dog biscuits are good.

There is a possibility of syrians getting stuck in tubing, so prob best to stay away from when you have a syrian.

And the igloo is good. Go for a medium with a syrian. I have a small for my dwarfs although they barely use it.