Guest viewing is limited

Cage advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thams14
  • Start date Start date
I like to think it was :) Oh, I love watching Zazu going about her business. Sometimes she will sit on my lap and let me stroke her, but other times she just wants to get down on the floor and explore, so I'm not quite sure if she actually likes it. We've been trying to get good photos, but she won't sit still most of the time! I don't know if other hamsters like this, but when I have Zazu in my hand, I make it into a ball shape and she's inside it. She loves (I think!) to pop her head out of a little gap and pop it back in. Makes me laugh :) I never really had an opinion on hamsters prior to getting Zazu, mainly because I didn't know anyone with one, but I'm converted :)
 
It took me by surprise how full of personality hamsters are and they are all so different.

They communicate well once they trust us and we got to know each other.

I think what will surprise you the most is how very attached we can get to these little creatures.
 
Thams14 said:
I like to think it was :) Oh, I love watching Zazu going about her business. Sometimes she will sit on my lap and let me stroke her, but other times she just wants to get down on the floor and explore, so I'm not quite sure if she actually likes it. We've been trying to get good photos, but she won't sit still most of the time! I don't know if other hamsters like this, but when I have Zazu in my hand, I make it into a ball shape and she's inside it. She loves (I think!) to pop her head out of a little gap and pop it back in. Makes me laugh :) I never really had an opinion on hamsters prior to getting Zazu, mainly because I didn't know anyone with one, but I'm converted :)
Click to expand...
That is going very well if you can actually stroke her and hold her. It took two months to get to that stage with our first Syrian. And about the same with our current one (although he is a rescue and was scared of hands at first). She clearly trusts you already. Yes photos can be a blur lol! Even the tamest of hamsters often doesn't like to sit still for too long.
 
Beryl said:
It took me by surprise how full of personality hamsters are and they are all so different.

They communicate well once they trust us and we got to know each other.

I think what will surprise you the most is how very attached we can get to these little creatures.
Click to expand...
Yes, it's clear she has a personality, which as you say, was surprising. I am indeed attached :)
 
Maz said:
That is going very well if you can actually stroke her and hold her. It took two months to get to that stage with our first Syrian. And about the same with our current one (although he is a rescue and was scared of hands at first). She clearly trusts you already. Yes photos can be a blur lol! Even the tamest of hamsters often doesn't like to sit still for too long.
Click to expand...
Yes, she definitely doesn't sit still for long, but I'm lucky I can get to hold and stroke her :) I'm glad she trusts us!
 
I guess the thing now is to find a cage that ticks most boxes and if it’s not as cheerful looking as some - maybe show your 10 year old some of the colourful toys and accessories that hamsters like that can make it fun? The little wood coloured rainbow bridge is always a popular toy they enjoy running over and the hanging rat Sputniks come in all different colours (kind of plastic hanging hammock - fabric ones sold for hamsters aren’t safe). The hamster Sputniks are a bit too small for Syrians. I think when she sees how the hamster uses things that will be fun for her. One of my favourite cage toys (for in and out of the cage) is the rosewood hyacinth tunnel small size. It has holes in and the hamsters like to go in and out of the holes or pop their head out of the holes :). It’s also safe to chew. The small size is about 7cm diameter which is just right for Syrians with full pouches.

Also the coloured bendy stick bridges


hopeshealthytreats.com

Small Hyacinth Tunnel

This natural hyacinth tunnel is a great addition to a natural enclosure! Suitable for Hamsters, Gerbils and Mice Diameter - 9cm wide and 20cm long
hopeshealthytreats.com


She might also like this video about hamster toys for in and out of cage time

 
Last edited:
Apart from the hamster ball which was just used as a hide in the bathtub and to carry the hamster to the bathtub. Our hamster had a rat sized ball but they’re no longer recommended.
 
Maz said:
I guess the thing now is to find a cage that ticks most boxes and if it’s not as cheerful looking as some - maybe show your 10 year old some of the colourful toys and accessories that hamsters like that can make it fun? The little wood coloured rainbow bridge is always a popular toy they enjoy running over and the hanging rat Sputniks come in all different colours (kind of plastic hanging hammock - fabric ones sold for hamsters aren’t safe). The hamster Sputniks are a bit too small for Syrians. I think when she sees how the hamster uses things that will be fun for her. One of my favourite cage toys (for in and out of the cage) is the rosewood hyacinth tunnel small size. It has holes in and the hamsters like to go in and out of the holes or pop their head out of the holes :). It’s also safe to chew. The small size is about 7cm diameter which is just right for Syrians with full pouches.

Also the coloured bendy stick bridges


hopeshealthytreats.com

Small Hyacinth Tunnel

This natural hyacinth tunnel is a great addition to a natural enclosure! Suitable for Hamsters, Gerbils and Mice Diameter - 9cm wide and 20cm long
hopeshealthytreats.com


She might also like this video about hamster toys for in and out of cage time

Click to expand...
Thank you for that :) It's fun looking at all the different options when it comes to toys. My daughter likes to choose things for Zazu, and I think she will love that bridge you suggested. I ordered the litter tray and sand you suggested. It'll be interesting to see how she gets on with that :)
 
Tip to add colour: coloured plastikote in the tubs.
Petsafe, water proof, water based, quick drying and comes in a range of colours that can also be mixed. Your daughter could create pink by mixing red and white for example.
I paint the roofs of wooden houses and shelves as seen in my Hamster Heaven set ups.
Wickes and Hobbycraft stocks it and available online of course.

20220423_152536.jpg
 
My Syrians have the Ferplast sin guinea pig house with the roofs painted and some have stripey roofs. Have done stars before by painting on a coat of yellow plastikote, let it dry, then paint blue around cut out cardboard stars like a stencil.
 
They do pink and purple sputniks too! Not that all girls like pink! I don't :sneaky:
 
Beryl said:
Tip to add colour: coloured plastikote in the tubs.
Petsafe, water proof, water based, quick drying and comes in a range of colours that can also be mixed. Your daughter could create pink by mixing red and white for example.
I paint the roofs of wooden houses and shelves as seen in my Hamster Heaven set ups.
Wickes and Hobbycraft stocks it and available online of course.

View attachment 1076
Click to expand...
Aww. That's a great idea, thanks! My daughter loves crafts :)
 
Thams14 said:
My daughter isn't keen on pink either :)
Click to expand...
I loathe pink but purposely included it because my youngest granddaughter (12) loves it and would have been very disappointed if there wasn't any available 🙂
 
Beryl said:
My Syrians have the Ferplast sin guinea pig house with the roofs painted and some have stripey roofs. Have done stars before by painting on a coat of yellow plastikote, let it dry, then paint blue around cut out cardboard stars like a stencil.
Click to expand...
Sounds awesome! Just as well my daughter is good at crafts because I'm rubbish at it :) I wonder if that would be a good replacement for the pineapple house Zazu currently sleeps in. I've been through a couple of these because she keep chewing through them :)
 
They do like a reasonably large house so they can build a big nest and keep warm and cosy in winter. Ideally if it's open underneath they like to bury hoards under the nest - so it does help them have normal behaviours - and helps keep the hoard dry and the house ventilated - some plastic ones can get condensation inside and need cleaning out more then.

They also seem to like smaller and round type hides as additional hidey places to sit and have a wash for example.

I'm not sure what the pineapple house is, but if she's chewing it, it suggests she might need a different kind of house, as well as something else to chew on :-).

I just thought - not sure if you knew about fluffy bedding pet shops sell - that's quite dangerous stuff if chewed or pouched. If you were sold any, best to bin it asap. Safe nesting material is just torn up strips of plain white toilet paper (it dissolves better if it's chewed or swallowed).
 
The Ferplast guinea pig (hamster size is too small) houses are inexpensive and made from wood. They have a removable roof which is a bonus because i can check inside for damp patches without having to lift the whole house. All my hamsters seem to like them. They need a house that's big enough to make a big nest and some hamsters keep a toileting corner as well.

You could make a shoe box house and see how she gets on with that. Similar size to the Ferplast. Use the lid as the roof and cut out a door and the base. Houses need to be bottomless so the hamster can keep their hoard under their nest which is something most of them do.

I don't know the pineapple house. If a house is too small they can get annoyed and chew it
 
There are quite a few fantastic hamster houses around - some multiroom, from various sites - some are quite expensive though. Rooms with multiple chambers - they sleep in one and use a toilet in another. But a shoebox house is the cheapest option :) It's a good size (and you can still decorate the outside!).
 
Is it this one? If it is and she's chewing it, it's not safe unfortunately. If they chew any fabric or fleece they can ingest it and get a blockage. With nice soft cosy things like that, their instinct is to shred it to make nice nesting material. They don't know the difference between natural things like grass, and fleece. Females particularly like to shred things (giving them cardboard sometimes helps with that!) to make nesting material. Generally.


If it's like this one, they are great for out of cage time, when you can supervise, but even then, watch for chewing or loose threads a foot could get tangled in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
The Hamster Forum

Online statistics

Members online
0
Guests online
54
Total visitors
54
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads
1,893
Messages
90,656
Members
35
Latest member
ponyo
The Hamster Forum is dedicated to hamster care and resources. We hope you'll join our friendly hamster community.
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2025 XenForo Ltd. Disclaimer: This website, The Hamster Forum, (https://www.thehamsterforum.com https://thehamsterforum.com) and the owners, cannot accept liability for any loss incurred by the use of information provided on this site. Information is for guidance and from experience. Veterinary advice should be sought if you're not sure about something or have any concerns. The owners retain full rights over the logo, which may not be reproduced without written permission.
Back
Top