Housing a Syrian Hamster
Syrian Hamsters are solitary by nature, and must be housed alone.
Syrian Hamsters make great pets, there are several coat types and colours, including long and short haired varieties (long haired hamsters may need some grooming!)
When choosing a cage for your syrian, it is important to choose the largest cage you can, with maximum floor space. Hamsters are natural ground dwellers and it is important to choose cage length over height. In the wild, a Syrian Hamster may have a large territory, so bear this in mind when choosing your cage. Avoid anything that says 'Starter Cage or 'Starter Kit' as these are too small for anything other than temporary travel cages, for example, transporting your pet to the vet.
Make your own Cage!
Often, the cheapest way of providing a large cage is to make it yourself. This is a great example of converting household furniture into a fantastic cage! and please see this website (In German and English) for amazing home-made natural cages. arguably better than anything available commercially! You could also make your own Bin Cage, a very popular choice! - DIY Hamster cages!
However, if you do want to purchase a cage, these are a few that are suitable for Syrian Hamsters.
Good Cages
Ferplast Duna Fun
Savic Cambridge
Savic Hamster Heaven
Alaska
Gabber Rex
Zoo Zone 1
Zoo Zone 2
Imac Fantasy
Criceti 11 - a medium sized cage.
Criceti 15 - a very big cage!
Ferplast Duna Multy - actually a Guineapig cage!
Savic Peggy
Savic Peggy Metro
Bin cage - DIY Hamster cages!
Here is a list of cages that are not so suitable, and a brief explanation.
Ferplast Olimpia - This cage is divided into two areas, the wire area at the bottom is too small for toys and an 8 inch wheel. The second 'pin ball machine' area is too narrow for many adult syrian hamsters, which can grow upwards of 200g and 15cm in length. The area is poorly ventilated, and you may find that when your pet urinates in this enclosed area, they actually get burns from the ammomia in the urine, showing as painful scalds on the skin that may result in the need for veterinary treatment.
Ferplast Circus Fun - this cage is too small with no room for exercise or toys, and has poor ventilation. This is designed for human amusement, not hamster well being!
Criceti 9 - this cage is too small with no room for exercise or toys.
Habitrail Ovo - this cage is too small with no room for exercise or toys. It can be difficult to clean out.
Rotastak cages - there are several good points about Rotastak, the units are very well made and robust, and you can personalise and design your cage with the add-ons. However, it can be time consuming to clean all the units, and you will need to purchase a lot, especially the Super Triangle Pod and Kidney Pods, to get a decent amount of space. You will also need to ensure that you clip the cage together securely, any weakness and your hamster will find it! One of the main drawbacks is that an 8 inch wheel does not fit, and the Rainbow Runner attachment is only 6.5 inches, too small for many adults syrians so you may find your pet out grows this cage.
Syrian Hamsters make great pets, there are several coat types and colours, including long and short haired varieties (long haired hamsters may need some grooming!)
When choosing a cage for your syrian, it is important to choose the largest cage you can, with maximum floor space. Hamsters are natural ground dwellers and it is important to choose cage length over height. In the wild, a Syrian Hamster may have a large territory, so bear this in mind when choosing your cage. Avoid anything that says 'Starter Cage or 'Starter Kit' as these are too small for anything other than temporary travel cages, for example, transporting your pet to the vet.
Make your own Cage!
Often, the cheapest way of providing a large cage is to make it yourself. This is a great example of converting household furniture into a fantastic cage! and please see this website (In German and English) for amazing home-made natural cages. arguably better than anything available commercially! You could also make your own Bin Cage, a very popular choice! - DIY Hamster cages!
However, if you do want to purchase a cage, these are a few that are suitable for Syrian Hamsters.
Good Cages
Ferplast Duna Fun
Savic Cambridge
Savic Hamster Heaven
Alaska
Gabber Rex
Zoo Zone 1
Zoo Zone 2
Imac Fantasy
Criceti 11 - a medium sized cage.
Criceti 15 - a very big cage!
Ferplast Duna Multy - actually a Guineapig cage!
Savic Peggy
Savic Peggy Metro
Bin cage - DIY Hamster cages!
Here is a list of cages that are not so suitable, and a brief explanation.
Ferplast Olimpia - This cage is divided into two areas, the wire area at the bottom is too small for toys and an 8 inch wheel. The second 'pin ball machine' area is too narrow for many adult syrian hamsters, which can grow upwards of 200g and 15cm in length. The area is poorly ventilated, and you may find that when your pet urinates in this enclosed area, they actually get burns from the ammomia in the urine, showing as painful scalds on the skin that may result in the need for veterinary treatment.
Ferplast Circus Fun - this cage is too small with no room for exercise or toys, and has poor ventilation. This is designed for human amusement, not hamster well being!
Criceti 9 - this cage is too small with no room for exercise or toys.
Habitrail Ovo - this cage is too small with no room for exercise or toys. It can be difficult to clean out.
Rotastak cages - there are several good points about Rotastak, the units are very well made and robust, and you can personalise and design your cage with the add-ons. However, it can be time consuming to clean all the units, and you will need to purchase a lot, especially the Super Triangle Pod and Kidney Pods, to get a decent amount of space. You will also need to ensure that you clip the cage together securely, any weakness and your hamster will find it! One of the main drawbacks is that an 8 inch wheel does not fit, and the Rainbow Runner attachment is only 6.5 inches, too small for many adults syrians so you may find your pet out grows this cage.
Wheels
Most cages come with a 6 Inch wheel in them, and although this may suit a young Syrian Pup, it is no good for an adult. Most Syrian Hamsters require an 8 inch wheel (minimum) to be able to run in comfort without arching their backs, anything smaller can cause back pain and problems for your pet.
Important
Avoid any wheels that are not solid, rungs and mesh can result in missing toes and broken legs if your hamster gets them caught.
Some suitable wheels for a Syrian Hamster include the 20cm Karlie Wonderland Wheel, the Savic Jumbo Roly (8 inch) the Junior and Senior Wodent Wheel and the large Comfort Wheel.
Left: Pepper runs in her Large Jumbo Roly.
Top Tip! If your wheel squeaks, add a little veggie oil to the spindle.
Important
Avoid any wheels that are not solid, rungs and mesh can result in missing toes and broken legs if your hamster gets them caught.
Some suitable wheels for a Syrian Hamster include the 20cm Karlie Wonderland Wheel, the Savic Jumbo Roly (8 inch) the Junior and Senior Wodent Wheel and the large Comfort Wheel.
Left: Pepper runs in her Large Jumbo Roly.
Top Tip! If your wheel squeaks, add a little veggie oil to the spindle.
Sand Baths
Many Syrians will enjoy a sand bath, although some may use it as a potty! You can use old (cleaned) ice cream tubs or even a dog feeding bowl as a bath. You can buy Children's Play Pit Sand very cheaply from most DIY stores, and you can use it straight away, but if you want to be 100% sure that there is no bacteria lurking, then you can pour some sand onto a baking tray, and bake in the oven at 200 degrees for 45 minutes, before allowing it to cool completely, and giving it to your hamster.
Another alternative is to use Chincilla sand, the best brand is Supreme, Chincilla Sand, which pours from a cardboard carton. It must be sand, if you purchase Chincilla dust you can cause respiratory illness in your hamster. Chincillas have a thin layer of skin inside their nose which acts as a filter for dust, hamsters do not have this so any dust breathed in will enter and irritate the lungs
Below centre: Molly enjoys her sand bath
Another alternative is to use Chincilla sand, the best brand is Supreme, Chincilla Sand, which pours from a cardboard carton. It must be sand, if you purchase Chincilla dust you can cause respiratory illness in your hamster. Chincillas have a thin layer of skin inside their nose which acts as a filter for dust, hamsters do not have this so any dust breathed in will enter and irritate the lungs
Below centre: Molly enjoys her sand bath
Toys
There are many toys available to purchase for your pet. It is important to consider how safe they are for your hamster, for example, wicker balls and chews may puncture a hamster's delicate cheek pouch, or a rope toy may not be edible and dangerous if swallowed. Paper and cardboard are safe chews, such as toilet roll tubes (as long as it was plain, unscented toilet paper!) and hamsters enjoy having things to climb on and hide in, so old jars and boxes make great obstacles. It is important to provide something for your pet to gnaw on, so a woodem bridge toy, block or edible chew are good, though many hamsters will chew the bars of the cage!
Beds and bedding
There are many plastic houses, igloos and animal shaped beds available on the market for your hamster, and they are popular hidey-holes for hamsters, however, you may find that bedding gets damp with condensation in a plastic bed, so be aware that you may need to drill extra holes for ventilation!
Many adult hamsters will move their nest somewhere else, and may even move it several times before they decide where they want to sleep, this is natural behaviour, and plastic houses/beds often become pottys or food stores!
It is important to choose a suitable nesting material for your pet, and fluffy bedding, which may look soft and cotton-wool like, should always be avoided. This kind of bedding, unless it it states 'made from natural fibres' should never be used because it is dangerous to your pet. If swallowed, it can tangle around internal organs and block the digestive system, often resulting in fatal injury.
Above: Molly looks out from the nest she made with Tesco Value Toilet Paper!
Instead, choose a paper-based bedding, this is often available in shredded form in many pet shops. Paper-based bedding is soft and designed to dissolve if swallowed.
A popular choice is often plain white toilet roll, Supermarket Value Brands are perfect. It is paper-based, cheap, and easy to use. By tearing off armfuls at a time, your pet will enjoy ripping the paper and building its nest.
To fill the base of the cage, you can use unscented wood flakes that are kiln dried with dust extracted. This is available in most pet shops. An alternative to wood flakes is Carefresh bedding, or paper cat litter.
Many adult hamsters will move their nest somewhere else, and may even move it several times before they decide where they want to sleep, this is natural behaviour, and plastic houses/beds often become pottys or food stores!
It is important to choose a suitable nesting material for your pet, and fluffy bedding, which may look soft and cotton-wool like, should always be avoided. This kind of bedding, unless it it states 'made from natural fibres' should never be used because it is dangerous to your pet. If swallowed, it can tangle around internal organs and block the digestive system, often resulting in fatal injury.
Above: Molly looks out from the nest she made with Tesco Value Toilet Paper!
Instead, choose a paper-based bedding, this is often available in shredded form in many pet shops. Paper-based bedding is soft and designed to dissolve if swallowed.
A popular choice is often plain white toilet roll, Supermarket Value Brands are perfect. It is paper-based, cheap, and easy to use. By tearing off armfuls at a time, your pet will enjoy ripping the paper and building its nest.
To fill the base of the cage, you can use unscented wood flakes that are kiln dried with dust extracted. This is available in most pet shops. An alternative to wood flakes is Carefresh bedding, or paper cat litter.
Exercise Balls
Many Syrian hamsters will enjoy a run in an exercise ball, ensure that your ball is large enough, there are some small balls available which are suitable for dwarf hamsters, a syrian will not fit!
Always supervise your hamster, and keep them safely away from stairs and other pets such as cats and dogs.
Introduce your hamster to the ball slowly, and never leave your hamster alone in the ball for more than 30 minutes. After this time, put your pet back in the cage so that s/he can have a drink, something to eat and potty if s/he needs to. After 10 minutes back in the cage you can place them back into the ball for another 20 - 30 minutes.
Do not force your pet to get into a ball if they do not want to, many simply do not like being in such an enclosed space. If your hamster pushes away or squirms when you offer the ball, take this as a sign that your pet does not like the ball!
Similarly, once in the ball, your pet may become fed up or bored, so watch for this behaviour, your pet will probably park the ball and sit and continuously chew the ball. This can result in broken teeth and/or an escape! so when your pet chews, s/he is trying to tell you that they have had enough!
It is quite easy to train your hamster to run in the ball, when you introduce them to the ball for the first time, restrict them to 10 minutes only. After this, put them back in the cage and reward them with a tasty treat. After a short break, you can repeat this step, gradually building up to 30 minutes in the ball over a few evenings. Your pet will learn that firstly, the ball is a positive thing because they get a reward, and secondly, they learn that they don't have to urinate or soil in the ball, as they know that they will soon be back in their cage and they can hold it. This said, accidents do happen!
Always supervise your hamster, and keep them safely away from stairs and other pets such as cats and dogs.
Introduce your hamster to the ball slowly, and never leave your hamster alone in the ball for more than 30 minutes. After this time, put your pet back in the cage so that s/he can have a drink, something to eat and potty if s/he needs to. After 10 minutes back in the cage you can place them back into the ball for another 20 - 30 minutes.
Do not force your pet to get into a ball if they do not want to, many simply do not like being in such an enclosed space. If your hamster pushes away or squirms when you offer the ball, take this as a sign that your pet does not like the ball!
Similarly, once in the ball, your pet may become fed up or bored, so watch for this behaviour, your pet will probably park the ball and sit and continuously chew the ball. This can result in broken teeth and/or an escape! so when your pet chews, s/he is trying to tell you that they have had enough!
It is quite easy to train your hamster to run in the ball, when you introduce them to the ball for the first time, restrict them to 10 minutes only. After this, put them back in the cage and reward them with a tasty treat. After a short break, you can repeat this step, gradually building up to 30 minutes in the ball over a few evenings. Your pet will learn that firstly, the ball is a positive thing because they get a reward, and secondly, they learn that they don't have to urinate or soil in the ball, as they know that they will soon be back in their cage and they can hold it. This said, accidents do happen!