Syrian Hamster Caresheet

[Natonstan]

I was shocked to see we had no caresheet for Syrian hamsters, so heres my attempt

Picking a Hamster

When you first go to pick your hamster, you should buy one that looks alert and has bright eyes that are not couded over, soft fur and a wet nose, It is a good idea to ask what sex the hamster is when buying too.

Housing

There are many Hamster cages available to buy some huge expensive ones, some smaller affordable ones, buy the biggest you can as hamsters love to explore, some have tubes that the hamsters will enjoy climbing through.

When setting up your cage, you should first but the substrate in the bottom I like to use Sawdust as it is cheap, soft and easy to use, you can they add the soft bedding into the hide of the hamster, then you can add the water and food dishes, filled and the rest of the toys , they will also need a calcium/salt wheel, so make sure they have these clipped to the side of the cage

Handling

When handling you hamster it is best to scoop him up, dont chase it around with your hand as they will feel like they are being attacked and will bite... I found this out for myself.
When handling remember not to squeeze the hamster in any way as this is harmfull and they will bite.

Food/Drink

There are many good hamster food brands out there, each contain nuts,seeds and other bits of vegetables, it is a good idea to have a good supply of this, also you can buy treats which are also ok to offer on odd occasions, a water dish or bottle should also always bw available.

Remember to keep the hamster in a warm place but out of direct sunlight!

I hope i have covered everything, let me know if you have any questions!

[kelsey7692]

I'd just like to add to the feeding

They are also omnivores mean that they can eat both meat and plant material. As well as giving them fresh fruit and vegetables they can also be given meats, such as chicken. Also hamsters will enjoy the occasional boiled egg or scrambled egg (water instead of milk)

Avoid feeding extra nuts as these contain a lot of fat.

Remember not to fill the bowl up everyday. Hamsters are hoarders so if the bowl is being emptied everyday it is likely the food is being hidden somewhere in the cage.

Water bottle is better than a dish as it helps to keep the water cleaner and it is also easier to see how much water is being drank.

Housing

I also find that the best hamster cages as those that are converted fish tanks or vivs. These can be made to how the owner wishes. Toilet tubes, and other cardboard tubbing, is the ideal toy for a hamster. Hay can also be fun for the hamster to explore in (especially if you build the hay up high and hide treats in it.)
I personally do not like wire hamster cages. My most recent hamster lived in one for a month and ended up with slanted teath from chewing the bars frequently.

[saxon]

I've found that using 'tanks' other than those with mesh lids and ventialtion further down the tank as with perfecto's tend to 'sweat' during warmer weather.
Personally I use converted RUB's or wire cages such as the cambridge for my hams.

Also you can use lactose free or soya milk to make your scrmmbled egg with as they are lactose intolerant.
Using hay can result in eye injuries needing surgery..I never use 'long strand' hay for any rodents but have ocassionally used chopped hay.

It is unlikely your hams teeth became 'slanted' due to chewing it is more likely that it had malaclusion already.

[kelsey7692]

Originally Posted by saxon

I've found that using 'tanks' other than those with mesh lids and ventialtion further down the tank as with perfecto's tend to 'sweat' during warmer weather.
Personally I use converted RUB's or wire cages such as the cambridge for my hams.

Also you can use lactose free or soya milk to make your scrmmbled egg with as they are lactose intolerant.
Using hay can result in eye injuries needing surgery..I never use 'long strand' hay for any rodents but have ocassionally used chopped hay.

It is unlikely your hams teeth became 'slanted' due to chewing it is more likely that it had malaclusion already.

I've kept hamsters for 12 years. I stopped using wire cages because I found that hamsters tend to become obsessed with chewing the bars, no matter how much enrichment you put it.

Her slanted teeth WERE because of her cage, as since being moved into her new cage over a year ago they have straightened back up again.

I have also used hay with every hamster I have ever owned, and have never had any problems.

I have been an animal management student for 3 years and I am fully aware of how to look after a hamster.

[saxon]

Originally Posted by kelsey7692

I've kept hamsters for 12 years. I stopped using wire cages because I found that hamsters tend to become obsessed with chewing the bars, no matter how much enrichment you put it.

Her slanted teeth WERE because of her cage, as since being moved into her new cage over a year ago they have straightened back up again.

I have also used hay with every hamster I have ever owned, and have never had any problems.

I have been an animal management student for 3 years and I am fully aware of how to look after a hamster.

My opinions are my own and are my findings due to owning/breeding syrians for 20 years +.
It is upto each and every syrian owner to decide what works for them.
I have found over the last 20 years that hay can in fact cause issues with syrians, particularly longhaireds, it also can cause issues with other rodents unless chopped. I just prefer to be safe rather than sorry so therefore choose to chop hay when I do use it.

Sorry to the OP but this seems to be causing issues with someone who doesn't seem to understand that threads of this nature are for information and advice and that one owner/breeder may well have different experiences than theirs therefore may give slightly differing advice or information.

I shall therefore remove myself from the thread and allow others to give advice and information as some do not think that 20+ years is not experience enough!

You caresheet is a very good initial caresheet and I'm sure it will help many who are intending to take a hamster as a pet.

[kelsey7692]

Originally Posted by saxon

My opinions are my own and are my findings due to owning/breeding syrians for 20 years +.
It is upto each and every syrian owner to decide what works for them.
I have found over the last 20 years that hay can in fact cause issues with syrians, particularly longhaireds, it also can cause issues with other rodents unless chopped. I just prefer to be safe rather than sorry so therefore choose to chop hay when I do use it.

Sorry to the OP but this seems to be causing issues with someone who doesn't seem to understand that threads of this nature are for information and advice and that one owner/breeder may well have different experiences than theirs therefore may give slightly differing advice or information.

I shall therefore remove myself from the thread and allow others to give advice and information as some do not think that 20+ years is not experience enough!

You caresheet is a very good initial caresheet and I'm sure it will help many who are intending to take a hamster as a pet.

I have never had to be 'sorry' as you put it.

All of my hamsters have been extremely well cared for.

[saxon]

Originally Posted by kelsey7692

I have never had to be 'sorry' as you put it.

All of my hamsters have been extremely well cared for.

?????

I'm afraid you will find, if you ask on here and other forums, that my hamsters are very well cared for and often sought after as fantastic friendly pets and often to breed for some beautifully marked show hams as well.

I hold a waiting list for my dominant spots and tortouseshells if you are itnerested?

[kelsey7692]

Originally Posted by saxon

?????

I'm afraid you will find, if you ask on here and other forums, that my hamsters are very well cared for and often sought after as fantastic friendly pets and often to breed for some beautifully marked show hams as well.

I hold a waiting list for my dominant spots and tortouseshells if you are itnerested?

I am very happy with my black eyed cream thank you. Unfortunately she cannot be shown due to a scar on her nose from cage chewing

I would like an apricot winter white, but I lack the space atm

[saxon]

Originally Posted by kelsey7692

I am very happy with my black eyed cream thank you. Unfortunately she cannot be shown due to a scar on her nose from cage chewing

I would like an apricot winter white, but I lack the space atm

I can't 'getaway' with dwarves....I don't know why. I've had a few in rescue but since I had some about 19 years ago when they were only known as 'russian dwarves', no idea what species they were but I would think now probably robos's, they were newly in the country as domestic pets but I've not been tempted to keep them myself since.

We lost the female whilst giving birth and only managed to rear one of her four young using a pippette and watered down evaporated milk as this was all that was available at the time...we called him 'Dipolodocus'.

[kelsey7692]

Originally Posted by saxon

I can't 'getaway' with dwarves....I don't know why. I've had a few in rescue but since I had some about 19 years ago when they were only known as 'russian dwarves', no idea what species they were but I would think now probably robos's, they were newly in the country as domestic pets but I've not been tempted to keep them myself since.

We lost the female whilst giving birth and only managed to rear one of her four young using a pippette and watered down evaporated milk as this was all that was available at the time...we called him 'Dipolodocus'.

The russian dwarfs and robos are different species. The robos are quite a bit small (4-6cm) normally. Russian have the strip down the back (and the winter whites are just the white version of them.)

I had two robos up until about 6 months ago. They seemed to be quite a bit more hardy than the Syrians. I had two sisters, the first one died from a tumour and a few months later the other died. The last one managed to recover from stroke. They tend to be 'look at' pets rather than handling pets. But they don't really bite if they are anoyed like a syrian would. I always think it's silly when pets at home sell them to small children (the robos that is)

I've always wanted to breed by black eyed cream but I have never found a male for her, and now she is too old