Preparing fo rnew syrian hamster???

Question

I really want a syrian hamster. I've asked my parents and they said that i could get one after we come back from our holiday (leaving next wednesday for 4 days) and i can buy a cage while we are on holiday.

For about a week i have done everything i can to prepare, i researched like crazy, researched cages and toys, found and cleared a space in my room for him, made a list of names i like, made a list of things i will need are how much they will cost and i have also done baby sitting to earn more money. is there anything else i can do while i am waiting, like more prep.?????

I want this hammy to have the happiest, healthiest, bestest life ever!!!!!

PS- I am a first time owner of rodents.

Answer 1

K, so if you have done your research, you know that Syrians are solitary animals. Meaning they live alone.

Make sure the cage you are going to keep your hamster(s) in is big enough for them. If you are getting small (dwarf) hamsters and are considering a barred cage, make sure the bars are close enough together that your hamsters can't escape.

I reccommend a bin cage, Crittertrail cages are c**p IMO.

he wrong kind of bedding can make your hamster sick or worse yet, kill him/her. Avoid at all costs Cedar and Pine bedding. Newspaper is also bad because of the possibility of sickness caused by the inks used. See our article on bedding for smart alternatives. BEWARE: Some hamster or small animal "packages" may include a cage, wheel, bedding, etc. Sometimes these packages may include Cedar or Pine bedding, make sure when you purchase your package that you know what kind of bedding is being included and if the salesperson can't tell you, then walk away.

You should place the water bottle low enough so that your smallest hamster can get access to it. You should also make sure the bottle is free of any leaking and run a finger over the spout ball to ensure that it is operating properly

A proper mix purchased from a pet store should do the trick. A mix without added sugar is preferable. You should also have some veggies or fruits available to the new addition. BEWARE: Fruit sugar could be bad for dwarf hamsters perhaps leading to diabetes. If you have dwarfs be careful of the amount and type of fruit you feed them, or better yet, go with veggies.

When choosing your new hamster you should make the following considerations; he/she should be bright, lively, and inquisitive and show no signs of illness. (Check to make sure the bottom is clean and dry and that the eyes and nose aren't running.) Don't only examine the hamster you are considering but the others in the same cage as well as the other animals in the store, do they appear healthy? An unhealthy parrot or iguana is just as much a sign of animal neglect as an unhealthy hamster. Avoid purchasing a hamster that is in with other hamsters that look unhealthy. Although the selected one may look all right, if he/she has been enclosed with an ill animal it could already be exposed and become ill after it gets to its new home. There are many places to get your new hamster anyway!

Most pets are purchased at pet shops. If the clerk refuses to handle the hamsters, be alert, they may be biters and probably won't make good pets. (Biters are normally the result of their environment, improper handling or poor breeding practices.) As the name implies, "Pets" are for sale in pet shops. Most are well bred and do make excellent pets. But, if the ultimate goal is to breed, it is not recommended that animals be purchased at pet shops. The primary reason is that there is no way of knowing his/her heredity.

Many Syrians carry lethal and semi-lethal genes. With the exception of the Roans, it is next to impossible to look at an animal and know what genes it is carrying. Plus, if a pair of Dwarfs is the selection, there is a large chance that those available in one Shop are littermates or closely related. Breeding littermates, or closely related Dwarfs, can result in babies with "bad attitudes" or biters! It is highly recommend that breeding hamsters be purchased from a reputable breeder. If advised that the intention is to breed, most breeders will assist with the selection of animals that are not related and not carrying any "funny" genes.

Answer 2

Another thing. Toys, and a house. For toys, a cardboard tube would be good. Here are other ideas for toys, just place these in it's home:

http://www.petco.com/product/13634/Super...

http://www.petco.com/product/13633/Super...

And a simple cardboard tube:

http://www.petco.com/product/9438/T-Rex-...

Hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!

For a little house:

http://www.petco.com/product/9190/Super-...

Don't forget a ball!:

http://www.petco.com/product/101969/Supe...