Hello!

[Seedling]

Hello everyone!
It’s been 11 years since I’ve owned a hamster, but over the weekend we adopted a beautiful little black 12-week-old Syrian girl called Seedling from the Blue Cross. We love her so much already.
I’m really looking forward to learning, reading and researching alongside everyone here. It’s amazing to see how much hamster care has changed for the better since I last owned one, and I’m excited to give Seedling the very best life possible.
I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions, so thank you in advance for all the advice and knowledge you share!

 

[Vanessa1]

Welcome seedling and welcome to the forum, it's a very friendly group who are always friendly and happy to help with any questions. Looking forward to seeing seedling and following her adventures Ness

 

[Maz]

Hello and welcome That's lovely you have Seedling from the Blue Cross - I have a soft spot for black hamsters I am sure you will love having a hamster again Don't worry too much, hamsters haven't changed! But yes there have been a few changes in care guidelines.

The main changes are cage size and deeper bedding, but even 11 years ago some of us were using 100cm cages as standard The difference was then, that it wasn't seen as necessary but a nice thing to do. The accepted minimum cage size then was 80cm x 50cm and many hamsters were fine with this, but they do benefit from more space and enrichment . I think it's good the recommended minimum is now 100cm as it seems to be the sweet spot where they settle with plenty of space and don't decide to try and chew out or chew bars

I still like barred cages, for the ventilation and access (on the Savic Plazas) but it can be a bit of a fiddle getting more than 6" of bedding in without it spilling out. Some people put cardboard inside the bars or you can get perspex panels to fit, to keep bedding in, but that costs in addition to the cage. I did invest in the perspex panels and they certainly last a long time so I saw it as an investment as I already had three plaza cages!

I'm guessing you already have a cage set up anyway if you've already got the hamster. Feel free to ask any questions and it would be lovely to hear about your previous hamster journey as well

Looking forward to seeing a photo of her when you get chance. If you want any tips about her cage set up, just post a photo - little tweaks can sometimes make it work better for them.

We have a monthly photo competition as well you might enjoy The next one is about to start.

 

[Seedling]

Hello and welcome That's lovely you have Seedling from the Blue Cross - I have a soft spot for black hamsters I am sure you will love having a hamster again Don't worry too much, hamsters haven't changed! But yes there have been a few changes in care guidelines.

The main changes are cage size and deeper bedding, but even 11 years ago some of us were using 100cm cages as standard The difference was then, that it wasn't seen as necessary but a nice thing to do. The accepted minimum cage size then was 80cm x 50cm and many hamsters were fine with this, but they do benefit from more space and enrichment . I think it's good the recommended minimum is now 100cm as it seems to be the sweet spot where they settle with plenty of space and don't decide to try and chew out or chew bars

I still like barred cages, for the ventilation and access (on the Savic Plazas) but it can be a bit of a fiddle getting more than 6" of bedding in without it spilling out. Some people put cardboard inside the bars or you can get perspex panels to fit, to keep bedding in, but that costs in addition to the cage. I did invest in the perspex panels and they certainly last a long time so I saw it as an investment as I already had three plaza cages!

I'm guessing you already have a cage set up anyway if you've already got the hamster. Feel free to ask any questions and it would be lovely to hear about your previous hamster journey as well

Looking forward to seeing a photo of her when you get chance. If you want any tips about her cage set up, just post a photo - little tweaks can sometimes make it work better for them.

We have a monthly photo competition as well you might enjoy The next one is about to start.

Thank you so much for your lovely reply!

Yes, I went with the Bucatstate 2.0 in the end, and I have to say the changes in hamster care have been such a welcome surprise. The larger cage sizes, being able to provide plenty of deep bedding for burrowing, and having much bigger wheels all make so much sense. It’s really nice to see how much more emphasis there is now on allowing them to express their natural behaviours.

I’d never seen a black hamster before, so the moment I saw Seedling at the Blue Cross I completely melted and fell in love. I knew I had to bring her home!

I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions as I get back into hamster keeping, but I’m really looking forward to learning from everyone here

 

[Seedling]

Welcome seedling and welcome to the forum, it's a very friendly group who are always friendly and happy to help with any questions. Looking forward to seeing seedling and following her adventures Ness

Thank you

 

[Seedling]

Thank you so much for your lovely reply!

Yes, I went with the Bucatstate 2.0 in the end, and I have to say the changes in hamster care have been such a welcome surprise. The larger cage sizes, being able to provide plenty of deep bedding for burrowing, and having much bigger wheels all make so much sense. It’s really nice to see how much more emphasis there is now on allowing them to express their natural behaviours.

I’d never seen a black hamster before, so the moment I saw Seedling at the Blue Cross I completely melted and fell in love. I knew I had to bring her home!

I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions as I get back into hamster keeping, but I’m really looking forward to learning from everyone here

View attachment 14006

The bucatstate cage size I have is 100x50x53cm

 

[Socks' Mum]

Thank you so much for your lovely reply!

Yes, I went with the Bucatstate 2.0 in the end, and I have to say the changes in hamster care have been such a welcome surprise. The larger cage sizes, being able to provide plenty of deep bedding for burrowing, and having much bigger wheels all make so much sense. It’s really nice to see how much more emphasis there is now on allowing them to express their natural behaviours.

I’d never seen a black hamster before, so the moment I saw Seedling at the Blue Cross I completely melted and fell in love. I knew I had to bring her home!

I’m sure I’ll have lots of questions as I get back into hamster keeping, but I’m really looking forward to learning from everyone here

View attachment 14006

Gorgeous hammy

 

[Maz]

The bucatstate cage size I have is 100x50x53cm

A very popular choice of enclosure these days! It looks really nice. And yes isn't it great that standards are so much better. She is absolutely gorgeous! I think a few other members will be over the moon as we have a few black and white Hamsters right now @Amy has Nibbles and @Magpie has Mr Maggie