Q
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Hello and welcome to the forum!
What species of hamster is Cloud Strife? It would be lovely to see photos of him.
Are you planning to upgrade his aquarium? It's very small for a hamster so he'd be much more comfortable in a bigger one. Hamsters tend to do best in cages/aquariums of 80x50cm or bigger (Syrian hamsters in particular often need bigger). It looks like he's missing a wheel as well. A wheel is very important for a hamster.
It's nice to have you here on the forum. Feel free to ask all the questions you need about caring for Cloud Strife
What species of hamster is Cloud Strife? It would be lovely to see photos of him.
Are you planning to upgrade his aquarium? It's very small for a hamster so he'd be much more comfortable in a bigger one. Hamsters tend to do best in cages/aquariums of 80x50cm or bigger (Syrian hamsters in particular often need bigger). It looks like he's missing a wheel as well. A wheel is very important for a hamster.
It's nice to have you here on the forum. Feel free to ask all the questions you need about caring for Cloud Strife
Q
QiQi
hi, thanks
the aquarium is 25 x 25 x 25cm
im buying a mini wheel for it in couple of days
the mini wheel is 11cm
its a bit of a smaller side but i dont have the space for a bigger one
the aquarium is 25 x 25 x 25cm
im buying a mini wheel for it in couple of days
the mini wheel is 11cm
its a bit of a smaller side but i dont have the space for a bigger one
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Hello Qiqi. That is unfortunately far too tiny a home to keep a hamster in - it's actually smaller than my pet carrier. Also an 11cm wheel is too small for any hamster and could lead to the hamster developing back problems. You really will need to upgrade his enclosure extremely quickly. The easiest and quickest way is to get something like an Ikea Samla 78cm bin and put plenty of bedding in. You can make a proper bin cage later. If you have a look at the home page on here there is quite a bit of information about the welfare needs of a hamster, and suitable cages.
Best Hamster Cage
Everything you need to know about choosing the best hamster cage - such as what size cage do you need, and a list of all suitable, available hamster cages
www.thehamsterforum.com
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Is that a desk you have the small aquarium on? Even if you don't have space on the desk for anything bigger, you could have a larger cage under the desk. Or move other things from the desk to fit a cage on top. (Some of us have also had to do a bit of furniture rearranging to fit a cage in).
Cloud Strife is a really lovely name for a hamster. Is he a dwarf hamster? Even dwarf hamsters need a lot of space. These little furry creatures deserve the best life possible and to be able to fulfill their basic needs of having exercise (in addition to wheel exercise) and digging tunnels and having plenty of variety and enrichment in their cage, which is their home. The best thing you can give him is more space and plenty of depth of substrate to dig in.
Cloud Strife is a really lovely name for a hamster. Is he a dwarf hamster? Even dwarf hamsters need a lot of space. These little furry creatures deserve the best life possible and to be able to fulfill their basic needs of having exercise (in addition to wheel exercise) and digging tunnels and having plenty of variety and enrichment in their cage, which is their home. The best thing you can give him is more space and plenty of depth of substrate to dig in.
M
Member ID2
Hello QiQi,
i don't mean to offend you but i got quite upset by looking at your tiny and bare aquarium that may be big enough for one or two goldfish but definitely not a hamster.
An 11cm wheel is an ornament and of no use to any hamster.
If that is all you can offer your hamster than i would strongly suggest that you find him a home with someone who can give him what he deserves which is a lot more than this.
If you are here to learn about hamsters and what they need then you are in the right place and people will be more than willing to help. Many people including myself have started off with a small cage because we didn't know any better.
i don't mean to offend you but i got quite upset by looking at your tiny and bare aquarium that may be big enough for one or two goldfish but definitely not a hamster.
An 11cm wheel is an ornament and of no use to any hamster.
If that is all you can offer your hamster than i would strongly suggest that you find him a home with someone who can give him what he deserves which is a lot more than this.
If you are here to learn about hamsters and what they need then you are in the right place and people will be more than willing to help. Many people including myself have started off with a small cage because we didn't know any better.
Q
QiQi
Hi , yes it's a bit of a smaller side home but i can't upgrade at the moment
but it's an aquarium so it has no bars meaning he will have an illusion that it is an open home
I let him on my desk to walk sometimes wich is probably equivalent of a full sized soccer stadium for this little guy
He's finnaly awake cutie
but it's an aquarium so it has no bars meaning he will have an illusion that it is an open home
I let him on my desk to walk sometimes wich is probably equivalent of a full sized soccer stadium for this little guy
He's finnaly awake cutie
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Hi Qiqi. He is certainly cute but it really isn't a suitable environment for him. It could lead to stress symptoms or health issues - it's not really fair on him. It's true that aquariums can look very nice but hamsters use their whiskers for scent and to him those will be walls - he needs his environment within his cage. They also need to be able to have the ability to hide and forage (one little house isn't enough for shelter). It would be like a human living in a glass lift with a bed. Hamsters can run up to 10 miles a night and have a very high metabolism. He is a living creature. So unfortunately it really isn't suitable for a permanent enclosure. Please let us know you intend to upgrade him and you'll get plenty of help and tips. A bin cage may not look very glamorous but it is more suitable (and all enclosures need a secure lid). Even if you think he can't get out - other things could get in or fall on him.
Which country are you in and we can help with suggestions. Ikea are in most countries and they sell a detolf which is like a glass tank (it needs the door leaving off and a lid making). That would fit nicely on your desk and is a much more suitable home for a dwarf hamster.
I realise different countries have different welfare requirements, but I am linking the PDSA and Blue Cross pet charity welfare requirements for the Uk (the rest of Europe is similar).
Hamsters can also fall from a height and become injured so if having out of cage time, it's better if it's in a secure playpen at floor level, or part of the room is hamsterproofed for him.
Please see the sections on cages and wheels particularly
www.pdsa.org.uk
www.bluecross.org.uk
This page shows an Ikea detolf set up for hamsters
hubbahubbahamstery.com
Which country are you in and we can help with suggestions. Ikea are in most countries and they sell a detolf which is like a glass tank (it needs the door leaving off and a lid making). That would fit nicely on your desk and is a much more suitable home for a dwarf hamster.
I realise different countries have different welfare requirements, but I am linking the PDSA and Blue Cross pet charity welfare requirements for the Uk (the rest of Europe is similar).
Hamsters can also fall from a height and become injured so if having out of cage time, it's better if it's in a secure playpen at floor level, or part of the room is hamsterproofed for him.
Please see the sections on cages and wheels particularly
Hamsters as pets
Get expert advice from PDSA vets on hamster cages, diet, and health. Learn how to create a stimulating environment, and ensure your hamster lives a long, happy life.
www.pdsa.org.uk
Hamster care
Hamster care | Blue Cross https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/hamster/wellbeing-and-care/hamster-care
www.bluecross.org.uk
This page shows an Ikea detolf set up for hamsters
IKEA Detolf Cages
IKEA Detolf Cages The Detolf is a long narrow glass shelving unit sold at IKEA, which when positioned horizontally with a DIY lid and some minor modifications, makes a large, beautiful and fabulous…
hubbahubbahamstery.com
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Qiqi has been given advice so any further comments shouldn't repeat previous observations.
We would like to help you improve things for Cloud Strife - there are usually solutions. I find the most amazing transformation can occur with a hamster when they suddenly have a lot more substrate and more space - their personality shines through and they appreciate what you give them.
As regards the substrate/litter. You need to be careful using softwood shavings. They are often not kiln dried and can be very harmful to a hamster's respiratory tract as they contain phenols. Most people use paper based bedding these days. Something like Carefresh is widely available.
The hamster also needs to build a cosy nest and the best way to provide for that is put a big pile of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper in the cage (but not inside the house). It will be fascinating for you to see the hamster forage for the strips of paper and pouch them and take them to build a big cosy nest so they feel safe.
It's also very important they are able to have a hoard in their cage. They hoard most of their food and eat directly from their hoard. The hoard will not go off as it's dried food and can be left alone. It can cause the hamster a lot of anxiety of their hoard is taken away or their cage cleaned too much, removing all their familiar scent - this leads to stress which reduces the immune system and can lead to them becoming ill.
The other thing is - the more substrate you add, the less often the cage needs cleaning out and you can just "spot clean" the pee area. ie take out the odd handful of substrate that is pee'd on and replace it with another handful.
A dwarf hamster also needs a sand bath and they will often use their sand bath as a toilet, which will also help keep the cage clean. They really love rolling in a sand bath and it's their way of keeping their fur clean. They really are quite clean little animals though and keep themselves clean and groom a lot.
We would like to help you improve things for Cloud Strife - there are usually solutions. I find the most amazing transformation can occur with a hamster when they suddenly have a lot more substrate and more space - their personality shines through and they appreciate what you give them.
As regards the substrate/litter. You need to be careful using softwood shavings. They are often not kiln dried and can be very harmful to a hamster's respiratory tract as they contain phenols. Most people use paper based bedding these days. Something like Carefresh is widely available.
The hamster also needs to build a cosy nest and the best way to provide for that is put a big pile of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper in the cage (but not inside the house). It will be fascinating for you to see the hamster forage for the strips of paper and pouch them and take them to build a big cosy nest so they feel safe.
It's also very important they are able to have a hoard in their cage. They hoard most of their food and eat directly from their hoard. The hoard will not go off as it's dried food and can be left alone. It can cause the hamster a lot of anxiety of their hoard is taken away or their cage cleaned too much, removing all their familiar scent - this leads to stress which reduces the immune system and can lead to them becoming ill.
The other thing is - the more substrate you add, the less often the cage needs cleaning out and you can just "spot clean" the pee area. ie take out the odd handful of substrate that is pee'd on and replace it with another handful.
A dwarf hamster also needs a sand bath and they will often use their sand bath as a toilet, which will also help keep the cage clean. They really love rolling in a sand bath and it's their way of keeping their fur clean. They really are quite clean little animals though and keep themselves clean and groom a lot.
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Q
QiQi
Ok thanks
I already bought a little cosy bed for him
and also planning to buy this wheel so he can at least have some exercise (wished they had other color than pink though)
He also has a big computer screen in front of him so he can watch that all day long no problem
I already bought a little cosy bed for him
and also planning to buy this wheel so he can at least have some exercise (wished they had other color than pink though)
He also has a big computer screen in front of him so he can watch that all day long no problem
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The cosy bed will be nice for out of cage time, under observation, but it's not safe to use in his cage - fabric can be chewed and cause digestive blockages leading to death (especially the wadding inside the bed). Strips of toilet paper are safer.
I can't tell how big that wheel is but it doesn't look very big. It needs to be at least 6.5" in diameter.
Hamsters are crepuscular - so they sleep most of the day and their most active period is at night, when we are asleep and they need complete darkness at night as well. A hamster would become depressed and lethargic (or even aggressive) if it has nothing to do in it's environment and they definitely need the wheel at night.
Which country are you in? We may be able to suggest places for supplies.
I can't tell how big that wheel is but it doesn't look very big. It needs to be at least 6.5" in diameter.
Hamsters are crepuscular - so they sleep most of the day and their most active period is at night, when we are asleep and they need complete darkness at night as well. A hamster would become depressed and lethargic (or even aggressive) if it has nothing to do in it's environment and they definitely need the wheel at night.
Which country are you in? We may be able to suggest places for supplies.
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This would be a good wheel for your hamster
You will need a larger cage also. The idea is to find the right sized things for the hamster, rather than try to fit things into a small cage - so you really need to start with the cage and I'm sure you have room for something bigger on your desk Even if it means rearranging your room. Bin cages can be inexpensive and you can get used Hamster Heaven cages on ebay.
You will need a larger cage also. The idea is to find the right sized things for the hamster, rather than try to fit things into a small cage - so you really need to start with the cage and I'm sure you have room for something bigger on your desk
Even if it means rearranging your room. Bin cages can be inexpensive and you can get used Hamster Heaven cages on ebay.- Status