Getting back to hamsters?

[Birdsarenotreal]

Hi! I used to be a very active member on hamsterhideout back in 2020/2021. I kept hamsters back then and then last October got a hybrid dwarf who didn’t live very long.. I am now wanting to get back into hamsters so I have some questions.

I have a bin cage around 900 sq inches. I know, not the biggest, however it’s what I’ve got at the moment and I could potentially upgrade in the future if need be, however I’d like to start with the bin I’ve got. Is that still up to standards?

I was also curious about seed mixes… is mazuri with pure bites still acceptable? I am in Canada so it’s the best I’ve got affordably available as far as I know. *EDIT I meant sunburst mixed with mazuri or pure bites*

I’m really hoping to get a male Syrian, however may go for a hybrid dwarf if I find the right one (although I would prefer a larger, more handleable hamster)

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[hamsworth]

I think 900 square inches is decent. It's what I've got. It still feels a little small for Syrians, but I don't know how I'd upgrade from here.

I'm also in Canada. The best pet store food I've been using has been a combination of these:

Sunseed Vita Prima Hamster and Gerbil Food: Petland. (Main food)

Vitakraft Vita Smart Hamster Food: Petsmart. (Main food)

Versele-Laga Crispy Muesli Hamsters & Co: Petland. Petvalu. (Supplementary: my Syrian likes it but doesn't eat everything from it.)

Living World Extrusion Pellets: Petsmart. (Supplementary: I give him a pellet block each week and my Syrian likes it and will stash it.)

I haven't seen Mazuri. I'm not sure.

[rby_ouo]

Hey!

I know this is totally off-topic but while I was reading this I realized that your story is really similar to mine.

I used to have a dwarf hamster and I was really active on a hamster hideout a couple of years ago and I'm just getting back into it!

I've used the sunflower food in the past and it's pretty good, I think the mix will probably work.

I would say your 900 ft bin is ok, but if you do have a chance bigger is always better

[Birdsarenotreal]

Hey!

I know this is totally off-topic but while I was reading this I realized that your story is really similar to mine.

I used to have a dwarf hamster and I was really active on a hamster hideout a couple of years ago and I'm just getting back into it!

I've used the sunflower food in the past and it's pretty good, I think the mix will probably work.

I would say your 900 ft bin is ok, but if you do have a chance bigger is always better

What was your user on there?
I was buddybearhamster, and then equestrianhammy (don’t judge, I was like 14)

I was thinking of doing like 1/3 of the bin with shallower bedding and the rest with deep.
I’ve got some coconut soil, paper pellets, and I’ll pick up some paper bedding before I get the ham.
I’m planning on heading out this weekend with my bf to go look at hamsters and pick up bedding and maybe new food…. I’ll update when I’ve got one.

[rby_ouo]

I think my user used to be the same as the one now,

What type of hamster are you getting?

[Lillias]

Cage size is one part of the equation, but enrichment makes a big difference too. For dwarfs, there's a lot you can do in 900 sq in.

With Syrians, you may run into height issues, depending on which bin you have. Ideally, you don't want the hamster to be able to reach the lid because it increases the opportunity for escape. Also, Syrian wheels are quite tall.

[Birdsarenotreal]

I think my user used to be the same as the one now,

What type of hamster are you getting?

Not 100% decided on it yet.
Maybe a male Syrian
Maybe a dwarf.
I haven’t had a male Syrian since I was like 13- figured it would be nice to have a (possibly) more handleable fella around. My old one was very sweet and would fall asleep in my hands.
My male hybrid dwarf too actually.
My female Syrian and female hybrid dwarf were both not the nicest and were just sassy.

[Birdsarenotreal]

Cage size is one part of the equation, but enrichment makes a big difference too. For dwarfs, there's a lot you can do in 900 sq in.

With Syrians, you may run into height issues, depending on which bin you have. Ideally, you don't want the hamster to be able to reach the lid because it increases the opportunity for escape. Also, Syrian wheels are quite tall.

Enrichment is the main thing I’ve realized, yeah. I can’t fit a whole lot of Syrian sized accessories in the bin but I can make a pretty decent dwarf setup in there.

[Kikya]

Hi! I used to be a very active member on hamsterhideout back in 2020/2021. I kept hamsters back then and then last October got a hybrid dwarf who didn’t live very long.. I am now wanting to get back into hamsters so I have some questions.

I have a bin cage around 900 sq inches. I know, not the biggest, however it’s what I’ve got at the moment and I could potentially upgrade in the future if need be, however I’d like to start with the bin I’ve got. Is that still up to standards?

I was also curious about seed mixes… is mazuri with pure bites still acceptable? I am in Canada so it’s the best I’ve got affordably available as far as I know. *EDIT I meant sunburst mixed with mazuri or pure bites*

I’m really hoping to get a male Syrian, however may go for a hybrid dwarf if I find the right one (although I would prefer a larger, more handleable hamster)

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hi Birds,

I remember your old username on hamster hideout. Unfortunately, still not a lot of options for Canada yet, but fingers crossed, I'll keep looking for you guys.

I have a post for seed mixes here: viewtopic.php?t=1533 it seems most Canadian members have a combination of a commercial mix like Huggins Sunburst/pure bites and adding some variety with seeds they can find.

I don't have a Canadian specific list for cages yet, it seems like for the most part you guys can get some of the similar cages in the US, I should upgrade that section but I'll need some help from the Canadian members, since I don't understanding the shipping piece.

viewtopic.php?t=46
viewtopic.php?t=276

I've successfully housed male Syrians in a large bin cage with free roaming time. So it is possible.