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He's a Chinese dwarf hamster. His cage is 80x40x30 cm. His bedding is 17-18 cm. Thanks for the tips I will change what I canHi there. What species is Cosmo please? A Syrian or a dwarf hamster?Either way, his tank could do to be a bit larger. It''s hard to tell from the photo what size it is. In the US, a 40 gallon breeder tank is usually one of the smallest sizes recommended, which is about 90cm x 45cm (or 3 ft by 18" deep). Although he has the topper as well, that isn't quite the same as floor space for digging and roaming, and the height can introduce some fall risks. However I can see he has quite a large level in there and the main improvement for now would be to add some more bedding and enrichment. If you've only had him 2 to 3 days, maybe wait a few more days before changing anything in the current tank. But adding bedding and other items is usually accepted well as long as you don't move things around or take things away. Adding a bit more bedding would help reduce any fall risks - less far to fall and give him more opportunity for digging etc. Also it would be better to have the coconut hanging over the shelf rather than next to it, in case he jumps out and lands on the ladder, which would be hard. If it's over the shelf he wouldn't have a fall if jumping out of it.
He looks to have lots to do in there
However maybe it isn't that tall and the ladder is well placed so he can't fall onto that. Possibly the only fall risk is the ladder which would be better under the shelf. (ie anything hard under the shelf so it can't be landed on). At night they can actually monkey bar across the roof and drop!
No problemEDIT! Sorry I just realised Cosmo is a Chinese Dwarf hamster, so ignore what I said about height. Chinese hamsters do like to climb and have a bit more height and use their slightly longer tails to help with this.
www.thecorkshed.co.uk
We're actually from the Netherlands and his bedding says it's wood shavings or wood fiber?That's not a bad size. And as Chinese are quite shy he would probably be fine in that for a while until he's more used to you. Changing their cage can be a stressful thing, so would need to be done carefully and at the right time. Are you in the Uk?
Yes although he has a few things to do in there, adding some more enrichment would help. Personally I would replace the ladder with some kind of tunnel - eg a cork log. It makes a nice big tunnel, something to climb over and interesting texture. I've added a link to a place that sells good cork logs. Adding sprays would also help - it not only adds enrichment and somehting to nibble on, but helps give them some "cover" and shelter at ground level so they don't feel too exposed. Various places sell sprays but I've linked Hamsters we Love for that, as I've used some of theirs and they seem good quality ones.
With the cork shed, they show individual cork logs and you can choose the size and shape you want from the picture.
Cork caves and hides are perfect for decoration, hiding and nesting
Cork Caves / Hides. Caves and hides are perfect for decoration, hiding and nesting. The Cork Shed UK. Full Worldwide Delivery on all cork products.www.thecorkshed.co.uk
Flax is usually very popular and also sorghum
Additional substrates also add variety. Softwood shavings aren't usually recommended these days - especially if they are pine. You'd need to check the packet to see if it says pine, and also if it says dust extracted. If you're in the Uk they'll be kiln dried. In the US they usually aren't and those are the most unsafe. If the packet just says "softwood" rather than pine then they could be anything. If they are kiln dried, dust extracted pine, then rather than change them all (which would be stressful for the hamster) you could just add paper bedding on top for now, and then as you gradually spot clean you'll be adding more paper and removing more shavings over timePopular paper based beddings are Kaytee Clean n Cozy and Fitch.
Which hamster mix does he have?
This is his bedding and his food, and yes sadly Russians are banned hereHmm. Does it have a brand on the packet? Chipsi classic wood shavings are one of the better ones as they are part spruce and all german shavings are very well kiln dried. But if it only says "wood shavings" I'd be a bit cautious - if it doesn't say what type of wood.
I can understand why you have a Chinese hamster now - I think russian dwarf hamsters have been banned in the Netherlands now. We have another member from the Netherlands on here![]()


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