starting again

[Ralph the hamster]

Hey everyone,

Our 9 year old is processing the loss of Ralph and wants to start again with a new friend. We have the medium Niteangel Vista cage, and we're thinking doing all one level this time instead of deep-medium-flat. I know heavy things should be on platforms with solid leg/stilts, but what about lighter hides? And do we need any tunnel starters? Any starting-over advice would be great.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am so pleased to hear your child is okay after the loss.

Lighter hides made of things such as seagrass, cardboard do not need to be on platforms. I like the idea of doing a one level with deep bedding as it means your new hamster can dig as much as they wish too. Using burrow starters is a great idea for Syrians and dwarf hamster. Things like cork logs, willow tunnels, are an option.

 

[elusive]

I’m glad to hear your 9 year old is coping with the loss of Ralph & wants a new hamster to love.
I do think a level deeper layer is better, I always put wheels on platforms, sand baths too, it’s a good idea to keep the water bowl (if you use one) & any other bowls on a platform too. Just about everything else is fine on the substrate.
Not quite sure what you mean by tunnel starters really but adding tubes, cork tunnels & other things to run through or hideout in on the top of the substate are all good.

 

[Maz]

I think that's a good idea to start again. Hope your 9 year old is doing ok and I think the new hamster and changed set up will be a positve distraction. Choose a hamster that is bright eyed, inquisitive and lively It helps if the hamster is a different colouring as well so it doesn't remind you and your child of the previous one too much and so they can be seen as individuals.

I agree that a one level set up would be good and I'd keep it simple to start with, with maybe 10" of substrate throughout the cage, the multiroom house on stilts. As rainbow says lighter items can sit on top of the substrate. Did you have a platform? That can be a good idea as a it's a place to stand heavier items on and also a shelter for them to sit under and a place to go - climbing on a shelf.

Personally I wouldn't use a burrow starter just yet but maybe add one later when the hamster is settled in and you've had some interaction. I think the hamster would have plenty to explore and enjoy while settling in and may dig a burrow or tunnel anyway, even without a starter so maybe leave it more of an organic choice at first. The hamster is more likely to move into the multiroom house that way and then move from there to maybe tunneling or burrowing under it, but helps if they settle into the multiroom house. I'd also suggest maybe leaving out that lovely apartment hide you have for now. It could make a good playpen toy and could maybe be added to the cage later when the hamster is tamer.

 

[Maz]

As the others mention, cork log tunnels are very popular - they make a nice large tunnel to run through on top of the substrate (they are light) and also add an interesting texture and something to climb over. If you don't have a platform I would get one or make one. One thing that can work really well with a lovely big cage like that, is a platform running the full width along the back. You see some German set ups like that. For some inspiration there, have a look at this video (which frankly is an amazing piece of architecture! I don't think many of us could achieve that and there isn't the need to be that detailed either - but it gives a good example of a platform.

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[Maz]

While there are a lot of trends around these days, cage set up needs to work for the humans as well as the hamster and be workable. And sometimes keeping it simple is a good start and you can add more things later. But always plenty of items on top of the substrate so there isn't too much open space.

 

[Ralph the hamster]

As the others mention, cork log tunnels are very popular - they make a nice large tunnel to run through on top of the substrate (they are light) and also add an interesting texture and something to climb over. If you don't have a platform I would get one or make one. One thing that can work really well with a lovely big cage like that, is a platform running the full width along the back. You see some German set ups like that. For some inspiration there, have a look at this video (which frankly is an amazing piece of architecture! I don't think many of us could achieve that and there isn't the need to be that detailed either - but it gives a good example of a platform.

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Oh I like that. Would you leave out the dig box as well? We have the niteangel one; Ralph never went into it.

 

[Ralph the hamster]

I think that's a good idea to start again. Hope your 9 year old is doing ok and I think the new hamster and changed set up will be a positve distraction. Choose a hamster that is bright eyed, inquisitive and lively It helps if the hamster is a different colouring as well so it doesn't remind you and your child of the previous one too much and so they can be seen as individuals.

I agree that a one level set up would be good and I'd keep it simple to start with, with maybe 10" of substrate throughout the cage, the multiroom house on stilts. As rainbow says lighter items can sit on top of the substrate. Did you have a platform? That can be a good idea as a it's a place to stand heavier items on and also a shelter for them to sit under and a place to go - climbing on a shelf.

Personally I wouldn't use a burrow starter just yet but maybe add one later when the hamster is settled in and you've had some interaction. I think the hamster would have plenty to explore and enjoy while settling in and may dig a burrow or tunnel anyway, even without a starter so maybe leave it more of an organic choice at first. The hamster is more likely to move into the multiroom house that way and then move from there to maybe tunneling or burrowing under it, but helps if they settle into the multiroom house. I'd also suggest maybe leaving out that lovely apartment hide you have for now. It could make a good playpen toy and could maybe be added to the cage later when the hamster is tamer.

Regarding the coloring, G was thinking about a teddy bear / long hair hamster - are those much different temperament wise?

 

[Maz]

Regardless of colour or hair length, hamsters vary in personality - so it's more about individual personalities than colouring or hair length . I can't remember what the dig box looks like - do you have a photo? It would probably be good to use as well - if it's wood one though it might need to be supported underneath. It'll be good to have the cage all set up before getting the hamster, so you don't need to adjust anything while the hamster is settling in. We're always happy to help along the way with suggestions

 

[Maz]

For example - if you have something like the labyrinth house next to or butting up to a platform, it already makes a part step up to the platform and then you can just have a little bridge on top of the house to get up to the shelf.

I think niteangel sell platforms but if you don't mind a tiny bit of diy it is really easy to make one! You just need a plank of pine wood cut to the right size by a diy store and add some thick dowels for legs. They would probably need screwing in from the top to be stable so the only real diy needed is a drill to make a starter hole for the screws, and some long screws. If you had say 10" of substrate, the legs would need to be at least 12" to 14" long so there's a gap under the shelf.

Niteangel make this kind of platform which is only 7" tall so that is designed to be under the substrate so you can put a heavier ceramic item on top for example. I'm not sure you can buy one with 12" legs or taller.

But I think a good sized platform is a very under rated item in a cage - it gives overhead cover so things aren't too exposed - and allows for a wheel or heavy items to go on a shelf and is also a place for a hamster to go and run around on. I always put the bit of daily veg on a shelf away from the house as it encourages them to be out and about in the cage.

I tend to think the basics are

1) Substrate
2) Multiroom house with litter tray inside ideally
3) Platform
4) Floor toys/tunnels like cork logs, and other hidey places - coconut huts are popular or cardboard hides.

This gives plenty of enrichment and acessibiltiy, Anything else is a bonus.

https://www.amazon.com/Niteangel-Hamster-Play-Wooden-Platform/dp/B0936ND769/ref=sr_1_1?crid=131JB01RJ3KKL&keywords=Niteangel%2Bshelf&qid=1684504081&sprefix=niteangel%2Bshelf%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-1&th=1

 

[Maz]

Just to add - if reusing anything, it isn't just about disinfecting, but about removing the previous hamsters scent as that could really bother a new hamster. Washing things obviously removes scent but for some things like plain wood, just popping them in the freezer or outside in the sunshine for a while will remove scent - and partly disinfect. Or just giving them a wipe with damp cloth and letting them dry will help.

With the multiroom house, I would actually wash it inside if it hasn't been painted with wipe clean waterproofing paint - eg a small scrubbing brush dipped in water. It will get damp obviously but it'll dry out again. The easiest thing though would be to paint it with pet safe waterproofing paint - that seals any odours in and also makes it wipe clean. We use plastikote enamel in the Uk but I don't think it's available in the US. I'll need to find out what alternatives there are! At least if you don't use the apartment levels in the cage for now - they won't need scent removal and the scent shoule wear off gradually. They would be fun in a playpen area and could maybe be added to the cage in the future once the hamster has settled in and is tame.

 

[Ralph the hamster]

Just to add - if reusing anything, it isn't just about disinfecting, but about removing the previous hamsters scent as that could really bother a new hamster. Washing things obviously removes scent but for some things like plain wood, just popping them in the freezer or outside in the sunshine for a while will remove scent - and partly disinfect. Or just giving them a wipe with damp cloth and letting them dry will help.

With the multiroom house, I would actually wash it inside if it hasn't been painted with wipe clean waterproofing paint - eg a small scrubbing brush dipped in water. It will get damp obviously but it'll dry out again. The easiest thing though would be to paint it with pet safe waterproofing paint - that seals any odours in and also makes it wipe clean. We use plastikote enamel in the Uk but I don't think it's available in the US. I'll need to find out what alternatives there are! At least if you don't use the apartment levels in the cage for now - they won't need scent removal and the scent shoule wear off gradually. They would be fun in a playpen area and could maybe be added to the cage in the future once the hamster has settled in and is tame.

We've been putting everything wood through the freezer for 12+ hours and then wiping it down with vinegar diluted in water. We're also going to move the cage to a different part of that room (once the shelves are done) so it's less like someone else just moved in to Ralph's space. For the apartment rooms, do you think we should skip because it wasn't an organic start to his burrow? Or because he should use the chamber house more? Just trying to understand.

 

[Maz]

That sounds good. The vinegar smell will disguise things well and wear off fairly quickly.

My thinking with the apartment (which is lovely) is it is confusing to have two house options - I've had that myself. The hamster would almost certainly move into the multiroom house and establish themselves there if there is no other house type thing. And the advantage of that is, the roof lifts off - they're easier to access if need be or to check on them or their toilet. They almost always use the litter tray inside a multiroom house, and then it's easy to just take the roof off and empty the litter tray every few days and the rest of the cage stays clean and dry. I think the hamster would get into a good routine quicker and be out and out a bit more. Having said all that it's better not to take the roof off the house very often at first - at least not for the first week and not while he's in it - or they can get a bit skitty about that.

I think it will make taming easier and if the apartment was in a playpen area while the hamster has out of cage time and taming time, they will become familiar with it and if and when you decide to add it to the cage at some point, it will already smell familiar.

I guess basically I'm thinking it would be easier for taming and interaction initially and for interacting with the hamster. When the hamster is more confident and you've had them a few weeks, they will accept something new beign added and enjoy it and use it as an extra hide, but at least they will already be settled in the multiroom house.

I think the multiroom houses are better as their main house as they encourage normal behaviours - they hoard under their nests and toilet in one compartment and nest in another one and maybe even under it as well).

 

[Ralph the hamster]

That sounds good. The vinegar smell will disguise things well and wear off fairly quickly.

My thinking with the apartment (which is lovely) is it is confusing to have two house options - I've had that myself. The hamster would almost certainly move into the multiroom house and establish themselves there if there is no other house type thing. And the advantage of that is, the roof lifts off - they're easier to access if need be or to check on them or their toilet. They almost always use the litter tray inside a multiroom house, and then it's easy to just take the roof off and empty the litter tray every few days and the rest of the cage stays clean and dry. I think the hamster would get into a good routine quicker and be out and out a bit more. Having said all that it's better not to take the roof off the house very often at first - at least not for the first week and not while he's in it - or they can get a bit skitty about that.

I think it will make taming easier and if the apartment was in a playpen area while the hamster has out of cage time and taming time, they will become familiar with it and if and when you decide to add it to the cage at some point, it will already smell familiar.

I guess basically I'm thinking it would be easier for taming and interaction initially and for interacting with the hamster. When the hamster is more confident and you've had them a few weeks, they will accept something new beign added and enjoy it and use it as an extra hide, but at least they will already be settled in the multiroom house.

I think the multiroom houses are better as their main house as they encourage normal behaviours - they hoard under their nests and toilet in one compartment and nest in another one and maybe even under it as well).

Ok thanks!!

 

[Maz]

It's up to you of course! That's just my thoughts.

 

[Ralph the hamster]

Ok, I got a board to make one long shelf along the back. I have a stand for the wheel and for the dig box, but I can't figure out how to support the multichamber hide so it's above the substrate. Do I use non-toxic glue to put dowels in the corners? Are screws better? I feel like any screw might stick out. Ideas?

 

[elusive]

I’ve always used glue for the dowel legs on houses, not sure if you can get it where you are but I use Ponal, non toxic & very strong.

 

[Maz]

There’s a photo on here somewhere of how I attach dowel legs to houses. I don’t have time to find it right now. But rather than attach them to corners, I glued them up the front and sides of the house - so they have a lot more stability and easier to attach. What that means is you need thin dowels the height you want the house to sit - plus the height of the house itself.

 

[Daisy]

I glued dowels at the corners of my multi-chamber house (which is L-shaped) and also a couple against the inner walls for extra support. I find normal PVA craft glue fine for many wooden things, as long as it's not going to be put under too much strain which a house won't be once it's embedded in bedding. But if you want something a bit stronger, Ponal glue is popular or Gorilla white wood glue is also safe.

 

[Member ID2]

I didn't know that Gorilla white wood glue is safe. That's handy to know, thanks.