New member question

[charlie228]

Hello, I've just joined here as I'm planning to get a new hamster soon for my son - well for the family really but it will be 'his' pet. We've got the cage and everything ready to go, just need the hamster to go on it. We're decided on a male Syrian but was wondering if anyone had any advice on where best to buy the hamster. We have a pets at home locally who always seem to have stock but not sure whether it's a good idea buying from a big chain or if there are any more reputable suppliers? There aren't really any independent pet stores close by so options seem limited. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Maz]

Hi . Are there any smaller local pet shops near you? Or there are usually plenty of rescues with hamsters needing homes and sometimes they have litters of babies as well - that might depend on what region you’re in. For example it is very hard to find any rescue hamsters in my region the nearest is about 60 miles away.

Those are the other options really. Happy Hamsters has branches in most parts of the country. Rescues do have quite strict restrictions about what to put in cages however . What cage have you got for your future hammy?

Edit - I’m sorry I just saw you already said you’re looking for a male Syrian and there aren’t any independent pet stores nearby - sorry.

 

[Maz]

It’s good you know what species you’re looking for as then you know what size items to get to put in the cage. I think it can be good to get a cage that would be suitable for either a Syrian or dwarf hamster, in case you decide to get a different species in the future. Some are easier than others like that and some can be adapted but lower cages can’t really be made taller.

It’s really good you’re planning everything before getting the hamster though!

I’m sure others will be along later in the day with some tips also .

Some people do get their hamsters from pets at home when there are no other options as it can be hard to find one otherwise. What region are you in? We might be able to suggest something in your area.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Welcome to the forum new hammy owner to be

 

[Maz]

Yes I forgot to say welcome! Some people get the hamster and then find the cage isn't right and end up having to get another cage! This can get expensive and also stress out the hamster with a cage change. So now is the time to check if the cage is going to be good for the hamster, as you probably still have time to change it first without it costing anything Have you seen our cages info? Near the bottom of the article is a link to our list of suitable cages. Although there may be others as well. I have the Savic Plaza cage for my male Syrians - although it does need a little bit of adapting to fit enough bedding in.

Which hamster cage should I get?

Everything you need to know about choosing the best hamster cage

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Socks' Mum]

On the forum we have people with hammies from all the sources, shelters, pet shops and breeders. It's great that you have come here first as P@H often gives good advice but sometimes it depends on which branch you go to. The Savic Plaza is widely available and is recognised by shelters as acceptable for Syrian and dwarf hamsters. It is a nice accessible cage with space for plenty of bedding to tunnel in and nest in.

 

[Maz]

Most of the hamsters in rescues will have come from Pets at Home in the first place They all need good homes wherever they are from

 

[charlie228]

Thanks all for the advice. We currently have a large cage. Not sure on the make but it's over a meter long and 600mm wide so think it'll be ok. I think it could do with being a bit deeper but the plan is to replace it with a repurposed fish tank when I can find one large enough.
I've also found an independent shop not too far away that has Syrians in stock. Very helpful on the phone and they get their stock from local breeders so I think we'll aim to use them.

 

[Maz]

That sounds good If the base of the cage isn't that deep, people just add things inside the bars to keep deeper bedding in Eg grass mats for hamsters which are quite cheap to buy. You can use cardboard, but it depends on the hamster as to whether they decide to chew it off or not! I used cardboard with one hamster, but another hamster just chewed it all off overnight! You can also get perspex cut to fit, which maybe looks a bit nicer but costs money. Are you in the Uk?

This is an example with cardboard. I also considered adding a glass base instead but it was beyond my maths and diy skills to ensure it fitted ok and was escapeproof!

For attaching cardboard or grass mats, you can use cable ties (as I did below), ensuring they are pulled tight so there's no loose loop on the inside for them to get caught in. Or sisal string, which is safer, if chewed, than normal string. Cotton string is dangerous if swallowed.



This is the same cage with perspex. I had the bedding very deep this time because it was for a very old Roborovski hamster and I wanted to make the cage lower and ensure he couldn't climb and fall, so the easiest way was to have 11" deep bedding.

 

[Jain]

Thanks all for the advice. We currently have a large cage. Not sure on the make but it's over a meter long and 600mm wide so think it'll be ok. I think it could do with being a bit deeper but the plan is to replace it with a repurposed fish tank when I can find one large enough.
I've also found an independent shop not too far away that has Syrians in stock. Very helpful on the phone and they get their stock from local breeders so I think we'll aim to use them.

We got Pete directly from a breeder who always handled the babies from a very early age he only took a few days to settle in with us at 8 weeks old and was hand tame.