Conditions and care for domestic Syrian hamsters

Many people have various pets, but not every person has living conditions that allow them to keep dogs or cats. In this case, attention shifts to smaller mammals, such as hamsters. They are usually kept in cages. It is undesirable to keep such animals in three-liter jars or in aquariums, since they do not have very good air exchange - the pet simply will not have enough oxygen. This will have a very negative impact on his activity, vital activity and life expectancy.

Keeping a hamster in a cage is convenient and very practical: it is easy to give him food, change water and clean the bottom of droppings. The choice of such products today is quite large, so it is quite easy to get confused in the diversity that reigns on the market. To prevent you from getting into this situation, we decided to rank the best cages for hamsters. In this article, we have collected the most popular models among users, in which pets will feel as comfortable as possible. Here you will also find a number of useful tips that will definitely come in handy when buying a house for your hamster.

How to choose housing for a Syrian?

The cage of a Syrian hamster should be spacious and cozy; an adult animal has a rather large build. In a cramped home there will be too little space for him to frolic and lead an active lifestyle. There are a wide variety of hamster cages available on the market from various manufacturers. In no case should you sacrifice spaciousness for the sake of beauty. There are small cages for sale for hamsters; they are only suitable for temporary housing of the animal or offspring. You should not buy such a home for a Syrian hamster, even despite the convincing persuasion of the seller. If the store does not have suitable sizes, it is worth considering options for birds. They are larger both in height and width. They can also be arranged on several floors, thereby increasing the area of ​​the home. The transition between floors can be in the form of a staircase or a round pipe. It is advisable that the tray of the cage be 6-10 cm, this will be useful for cleanliness around it. You can also use an aquarium as a habitat. You need to choose an aquarium whose width is greater than its height. This will ensure the best ventilation of the interior space.

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Optimal cage

Experts recommend that the dimensions of a cage for a Syrian hamster be at least 50 x 30 cm at the base and 25 cm in height. To make a home several floors, you need to take a higher home. For each floor you need to allocate at least 25 cm. The best option is if the second floor occupies the entire area. This eliminates the possibility of the hamster getting injured if it falls. If there is more than one animal, the best option would be to combine two cells into one habitable space. Organize the transition between dwellings using a pipe, making a straight hole or in the form of a labyrinth. In this case, you can arrange an active zone in one cage, where a wheel, toys and all kinds of obstacles will be placed. The living area will contain a house and feeding troughs with a drinking bowl. The more space your Syrian hamster has, the more natural he will feel and will live with you for 2-3 years. Without enough exercise, your hamster may become obese. This negatively affects the life expectancy of rodents.

How to take care of hamsters

The word “care” means not only feeding the hamsters and keeping them in good conditions. A pet needs real care, which manifests itself in:

• in maintaining cleanliness in the cage;
• protection from stress;
• in taking measures to prevent diseases;
• in regular communication with the animal.

Hygiene

One of the most important components of care is keeping the Syrian hamster clean. Cleaning the cage should be done every 5-7 days. During the procedure, the pet is placed in a carrier or box. The old filler is poured out, the tray and all equipment are washed with hot water. Places of heavy contamination are cleaned with soda solution. Household chemicals cannot be used. Then clean filler is poured in and the rodent is placed in the cage.

The Syrian hamster takes care of its own fur - it regularly washes its paws and tongue. Therefore, it is not recommended to bathe your pet, unless the animal gets dirty in something that cannot be licked off.

In this case, the contaminated areas are washed by hand; the animal is not immersed in water, so as not to frighten it. Under natural conditions, rodents bathe in dust. If there is a free corner in the cage, you can put a small container with clean river sand there. The hamster will take care of his coat there.

Disease Prevention

Syrian hamsters have fairly poor health. They often suffer from the following diseases:

1. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.
2. Obesity. The main reason for weight gain is decreased physical activity.
3. Diabetes. The disease is associated with disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system.
4. Inflammation of the cheek pouch. Damage to the oral mucosa with seed shells or other objects leads to infection of the wound and suppuration.
5. Abscess. This capsule of pus in the form of a lump can form on any part of the body.
6. Injuries - fractures, dislocations, bruises. Syrian hamsters often fall from heights. Sometimes this happens due to the fault of the owner, who lets the rodent wander around the table and does not keep an eye on it.
7. Cold. The hamster is afraid of cold, draft and dampness. With poor care and improper living conditions, he can develop pneumonia or contract a viral infection.

Attention! Some diseases of small rodents are dangerous to humans. Therefore, every time after contact with a hamster and after care procedures, you must wash your hands with soap.

In order to provide timely help to a Syrian hamster, the owner needs to learn to recognize the signs of illness in the pet:

• lethargy, depressed state;
• tousled fur;
• lack of appetite;
• wet fur under the tail or on the neck;
• discharge from the nose and eyes;
• hard breath;
• trembling in the body;
• hair loss;
• scratches on the skin.

If the hamster hardly leaves the house even at night, then something is wrong with him. It is worth taking the Syrian to the veterinarian and following his recommendations.

Communication and domestication

You can start accustoming your pet to your hands 2-3 days after purchase, when the Syrian gets comfortable in the new place. The main thing is not to rush. You cannot immediately pick up a rodent - it may bite out of fear.

First, the owner has to prove that there is no threat emanating from him. You need to approach the cage several times a day and talk to the hamster in a quiet and calm voice. It is advisable to offer him a treat through the bars at this time.

When the pet gets used to the smell of hands, they move on to the next stage - communication through the open door. The owner holds a treat in his hand and waits for the animal to come up and take it. Very little time will pass, and the animal will become bolder: it will climb into the palm of your hand and calmly eat there. Now you can try to gently stroke the Syrian on the back, and then pick it up.

If you regularly pay attention to your hamster, there will be no communication difficulties in the future.

Active games

When caring for a Syrian hamster, it is very important to devote time to active games. Movement will help the animal stay healthy and cheerful. It is recommended to let your pet out of the cage every day and walk it in some spacious container with sides. You can build something like a maze out of a cardboard box - the hamster will certainly enjoy exploring new places.

The main thing is not to leave your pet unattended so that it does not run away.

What to pay attention to

The Syrian hamster needs a cage in which it will feel comfortable without the risk of injury. To do this, you need to secure the ladders and rungs. Make sure that the second floor is firmly fixed and the hamster does not have the opportunity to fall from it and damage its paw. There is a high probability of injury to the paws if the bottom of the cage is lattice.

The distance between the bars of the cage should be such that an adult hamster cannot crawl through it. The optimal distance is 5−20 mm. Stainless steel rods are better than painted ones. Since hamsters often grind their teeth on the bars and paint particles can harm his health. The door to the cage should be securely fixed in the closed position and be wide enough so that you can freely stick your hand into it with the hamster.

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You should always keep the inside clean. Every 3-4 days, clean the Syrian’s home. During this process, in order not to disturb the animal, it can be transplanted into a temporary cage.

You need to place your home in a bright, warm place where the temperature cannot drop below 18-20 degrees. Place the cage away from direct sunlight and heating devices. Although the Syrian hamster is a heat-loving animal, it should not be tired of the heat.

If you treat the animal with all the love and care, the Syrian hamster will certainly reward you with its cheerfulness and playfulness.

How often to clean your home

In order to maintain a healthy, favorable atmosphere inside the cage, it is necessary to regularly clean it. As mentioned above, every day you should spot clean bedding material that is contaminated with rodent excrement, food or plain water. Thorough cleaning of the home is carried out every 2–4 weeks.

Cleaning the cage includes several steps:

• remove the hamster and transfer it to a jar or other container;
• change the bedding to a new and clean one, leaving some of the bedding so that the hamster’s smell does not disappear completely;
• Wash the tray with warm water using baby detergents or special preparations;
• Using a regular sponge soaked in water, wipe the rods. Wipe all accessories with a dry cloth.

Video: cleaning a hamster cage

After cleaning your home, it is very important to return all items to their original places.
Important! It is better not to touch the food reserves hidden by the pet - if they are not found, the dwarf can experience a great shock. You only need to remove spoiled foods that can poison your hamster.

Design Features

Considering the size of this subspecies: body length 13 cm, weight 100-130 g, it needs a large cage. In it he can easily move and feel comfortable.

It is worth understanding that compact cages with a semicircular top (35x20 cm), which are chosen mainly for Djungarians, are definitely not suitable for Syrians. This design should be used for transporting an animal or for temporarily relocating one individual while the main housing is being cleaned.

The most suitable option

The best option for a Syrian hamster would be a parallelepiped-shaped design. Its dimensions are 37x27x36 cm. It is desirable that it consist of two floors. Remember, the more space there is for the rodent to move, the healthier it will be.

It is also worth considering that the rodent’s home needs to be equipped with additional attributes - a toilet, two feeders, a drinking bowl, a wheel and other items for the hamster to spend his active time. All this requires space.

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It would be better if the dimensions of the second floor correspond to the dimensions of the first. You can connect them with a ladder. This way, hamsters can easily move from one room to another without the risk of injury.

Hamsters need a spacious home

Some breeders manage to combine two cages together, others combine them with a terrarium or an aquarium. This combination allows you to make not only a multi-level structure, but also create loopholes between hamster houses.

Syrian hamsters living in a spacious house will feel comfortable. In a large home, it is possible to install various attributes for the hamster’s active lifestyle.

Easy to clean

In general, a wire cage with a plastic tray is easiest to clean. Simply remove the mesh top of the cage, clean the bedding and wipe down the wire part if necessary.

The more complex the cage, the more difficult it will be to clean, which is very important if you are considering a plastic cage with multiple compartments and tubes. These cages can be a real chore to clean.

Aquariums are not that difficult to clean, but they can be heavy and awkward to handle during cleaning.

Useful tips

When buying a cage for such a pet, consider the recommendations below:

1. The large dimensions of the base of the cage are much more important for the Syrian than the number of floors in it.
2. In too small a room, the hamster becomes inactive, which increases the risk of obesity and physical inactivity. Such a rodent will not live long and will hardly reach the age of one and a half years. When kept in a spacious room, a Syrian hamster can live 2-3 years.
3. If you decide to use a multi-level structure, then the optimal distance between floors should be at least 30 cm.
4. The door should be wide enough so that you can easily remove your pet.
5. The bottom must be plastic. The slatted bottom is not suitable for this pet - there is a high risk of injury to the paws. In addition, the plastic bottom is easy to clean.
6. As for weaving the cage, for such a large animal you can use structures with a weaving frequency of 0.5-1 cm. For young animals, it is recommended to use a cage in which the distance between the rods is no more than 0.5 cm.
7. Considering that hamsters constantly chew on bars to wear down their teeth, choose a design with unpainted stainless steel partitions.
8. And the last piece of advice - try to keep the cage clean, do timely cleaning. Keeping it clean will keep your Syrian hamster not only attractive but also healthy.

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Do-it-yourself cage for dzhungarika

If you don’t like the idea of ​​buying a cage, you can make it yourself. It is best to make a cage from a food container.

Tools and materials

To make a home, you need to prepare tools: a marker for marking; cutter for cutting holes; hot-melt gun with hot glue.

The materials you will need are: a food container, a metal mesh - 4 pieces the size equal to the sides of the container and plexiglass.

Step-by-step instruction

Making a cage for dwarf birds with your own hands is not difficult. To do this you need:

• Using a marker, mark lines on all sides of the container and lid along which holes will be cut. The margin around the perimeter on all sides should be about 4–6 cm;
• cut holes in the container along the marked line with a milling cutter;
• glue the metal mesh to three sides and the lid of the container with a heat gun, while fastening the parts is done on the outside of the structure so that the animal does not get hurt on the edges of the mesh;
• Glue the glass to the remaining side with hot glue.

The dungeon cage is ready for use. Its design will allow you to observe the hamster through plexiglass, and the presence of a mesh creates constant access of fresh air inside.

Reference! To avoid the formation of debris around the container, you can place it in a cardboard stand 10-15 cm high.

Cage tray

The cage tray must be deep enough. If you set out to breed hamsters, you should know that babies are very mobile from birth and if the tray is low, the babies will fall out of their homes. Deep trays are good because less debris will fall out during active games.

You can make a second floor in the cage

How to make a second floor in a hamster cage

A two-story cage for a dwarf is not only additional free space, but also an opportunity to equip the cage with various accessories. To install the second floor, you need to meet some requirements:

• the distance between floors should be 20-22 cm, such that the running wheel rotates freely, but should not be more than 30 cm so that the animal does not suffer if it falls;
• make the shelves of the floors from plastic, since food will fall through on the metal grate, and besides, it is inconvenient for the animal to run on them;
• if the bottom of the second floor had to be made from a lattice, then you need to cover the bottom with cardboard, which needs to be changed as it gets dirty.

How often should you clean the cage?

To maintain a healthy atmosphere inside your home, it is necessary to carry out regular cleaning.
Every day you need to do a spot cleaning of bedding that is contaminated with hamster excrement, food or water. A complete cleaning of the home is carried out every 2-3 weeks. To do this, you first need to temporarily transplant the hamster into any convenient container, change the bedding material to clean one, and leave the uncontaminated part so that the animal can hear its smell.

Wash the tray with warm water and baby detergents. Wipe the rods thoroughly with a sponge soaked in water. Wipe all accessories in the cage with a dry cloth. Wash and dry the feeder.

Attention! The food reserves hidden by the hamster do not need to be removed, since not finding them, the animal will suffer a great shock.

Only spoiled food is removed from the cage.

After cleaning the home, all items must be returned to their original places.

Important! Cages for dwarfs must be well ventilated so that the toxic odor of ammonia does not accumulate in them.

A two-story cage is chosen for one or two jungarians

How to choose a cage for a hamster

If you are planning to get a rodent, you should definitely take care of a comfortable home for it. You will need a cage for your hamster to make life interesting even in captivity. It can be filled with many accessories and toys. To choose a good house, you must take into account several parameters, which will be discussed in detail below:

• the size of the bottom and the structure itself;
• distance between rods;
• number of storeys;
• pallet;
• door design;
• ventilation;
• ease of use and cleaning.

Cage size

Hamsters can travel long distances and generally need to move a lot, this is how nature created them. This means that the animal’s home must be spacious. The minimum size should be 30x50 cm. The larger it is, the better, because the animal needs space for psychological comfort. In a cramped cage he will behave unnaturally and may become ill from lack of exercise. When choosing a size, think in advance about how many accessories you plan to place there.

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Distance between rods

This parameter needs to be given special attention. The distance between the bars of the grill should be no more than 1 cm, and if the animal is Djungarian or dwarf, then 0.5 cm maximum. Even a rodent that is bulky in appearance can easily crawl into a thin gap; animals are naturally very flexible and nimble. It is preferable that the rods be horizontal. Then they will become an additional toy for your pet; he will be able to climb them like a ladder. This is good for their fitness.

Number of storeys

This parameter is not important for the animal itself. The more floors, the more interesting it is for the owner to watch his pet. If you choose a design with several levels, keep in mind that the distance between them should be more than 18 cm, but not less than 30 cm. It is better to buy an option in which the height of the partitions can be adjusted independently. Do not give preference to lattice floors, take solid ones. Pieces of food and nesting materials will fall through the gaps, which is very annoying for rodents. In addition, the rodent can get injured on the bars.

Pallet

This element can be static or retractable. The second option is much more convenient for the owner. To clean such a tray, you just need to pull it out without removing the animal. The floor can be solid plastic or latticework made of metal rods. From a hygiene point of view, the second one is preferable; some of the garbage will spill through it. It is important that the rods are frequent, with small intervals. Then the pet will calmly run on them and will not be injured.

Door design

As a rule, the sash opens upward. It must have a reliable latch, because hamsters are very cunning and strong. They will try to get out and because of the weak door they will be able to do this easily. Doors that open downwards or to the side are not the best option. With this door design, the hamster will be able to open it by pressing with his whole body. Size also matters. The owner’s hand with the animal in it should fit freely through the door.

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Ventilation

If the hamster cage is not well ventilated, ammonia will build up in it. This substance is dangerous for rodents and causes them breathing problems. Due to poor ventilation, bacteria can multiply in the home, causing various diseases in animals. In addition, an unpleasant odor will emanate from the house itself. To avoid these troubles, it is better to buy a dwelling made of metal rods, with maximum ventilation from all sides. Glass aquariums and plastic structures are not very well ventilated.

Ease of use and cleaning

You should choose a product that is very easy to clean, because hamsters leave behind a large amount of garbage, which ends up not only in the tray, but also on the walls and accessories. A plastic house or aquarium will have to be cleaned more often than a metal one. You need to choose an option that can be easily disassembled into its main components. Plastic structures are more difficult to clean because they have many hard-to-reach corners and can be broken during disassembly. The best option is a product made of metal gratings.

What can you use to make housing for a Djungarian hamster?

You can make housing for a dzhungarik with your own hands. You just need to choose a non-toxic and durable material. The house can be made from:

• wooden planks or planks;
• coconut shells;
• organic glass;
• plastic;
• thick cardboard

The hamster will feel best in a wooden, cardboard or coconut shell house, but he will constantly sharpen such a house with his teeth. And the second disadvantage of such houses is that pathogenic organisms formed after food residues and urine will accumulate in natural materials.

A wooden house cannot be varnished or painted, as this will cause poisoning to the hamster. A house made of plastic and organic glass can be more durable and safer.

Has your hamster ever lived in a wooden house?

You can make a cage with your own hands

Types of cages for hamsters

There are four main types of houses depending on the material used. Each of them has both positive and negative sides, which affects the final cost. To make the right choice, you need to evaluate all the pros and cons of the product. Below are their brief characteristics:

1. Metal cage for a hamster. The most popular option. Hamsters will have a very interesting time in metal cages with horizontal bars. These are perfect for Syrian rodents who will not be able to escape due to their large size. Metal models, as a rule, are very easy to disassemble, clean, and are durable. The only drawback of a metal cage is noise. If the animal stays awake in such a house at night, the owner is unlikely to be able to sleep.
2. Plastic cage for a hamster. Such cages are often multi-level, equipped with tunnels and other entertainment. They look beautiful and are perfect for small hamsters, for example, Djungarian hamsters. Plastic models are durable, easy to use, and do not emit unnecessary noise. However, they also have a drawback. The plastic construction is easy to break. There are many hard-to-reach areas, which significantly complicates the cleaning process. Sometimes plastic products are overpriced.
3. Aquarium. This product is perfect for keeping some types of hamsters. These aquariums are durable and transparent, made of glass or plexiglass. There must be a well-ventilated lattice lid on top. The minimum volume of an aquarium for a hamster should be 40 liters. The disadvantages of such a home include heavy weight, poor ventilation, difficulty in operation and cleaning. In addition, it is problematic to attach some accessories to them.
4. Modular system. These are cages to which you can attach any elements at your discretion. This option is very good, but also expensive. Sometimes these houses don't look good. However, this is a great solution for people who plan to increase the number of their pets over time.

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Preparing for the arrival of a hamster in the house

For those who decide to get a Syrian hamster, it is important to learn about the characteristics of the rodent and its lifestyle in the wild. This information will help create the right conditions for keeping the animal at home. Future owners of a Syrian hamster will have to choose a pet from many varieties. Therefore, it is advisable to find out in advance what they are and how they differ from each other.

Description of the animal

The Syrian hamster is considered the largest of the domestic species of rodents that belong to the Hamster family. This animal has a strong and well-built physique. The animal grows up to 13.5 cm in length and weighs 110-130 g.

The Syrian hamster has a wide, pointed muzzle and small, thin ears on its head. The forelimbs are equipped with 4 fingers, the hind limbs - 5. At the back there is a tail up to 1.5 cm long.

Lifespan

At home, Syrian hamsters live 2-3 years. Their life expectancy is affected by living conditions, quality of care and nutrition. In the wild, rodents of this species prefer solitude. They do not like the proximity to their relatives. Individuals of different sexes are ready to share territory with their own kind only during the mating period. At other times they live alone.

Lifestyle

Syrian hamsters are nocturnal. When dusk comes, they emerge from their hiding places and go in search of food. The animals carry the provisions they find in their cheek pouches to the hole and store them there. Rodents sleep during the day. This feature should be taken into account by those who want to care for a Syrian hamster at home.

You will have to come to terms with the fact that the animal spends most of its time in the house and begins to be active when everyone goes to bed.

Types of Syrian hamsters

Thanks to the hard work of breeders, many types of Syrian hamsters have appeared. They differ in color and coat length. Classification by length and type of coat:

1. Long-haired - the fur of such animals is 3-4 times longer than that of their short-haired relatives, and therefore requires good care.
2. Rex. A variety of Syrian hamsters with curly, dense hair.
3. Satin. The coat of these rodents has a beautiful glossy shine.

The standard color of the Syrian hamster is golden. But breeders have bred many others:

• brown;
• cream;
• black;
• white;
• light gray;
• sable;
• red, etc.

Pros and cons of content

Caring for and keeping a Syrian hamster at home has both advantages and disadvantages.

pros	Minuses
The small animal does not take up much space. He will need a small cage that can be placed in any room.	The hamster is awake at night and sleeps most of the day. This means that there is not much time to communicate with him. Children will rarely see their pet.
The hamster prefers to live alone; it does not need neighbors, which means that the costs of care and maintenance will be small.	Noise. At night, the animal is constantly busy with something, running in a wheel, rustling with filler. If his cage is placed in the bedroom, the rustling noise will disturb the sleep of the household members.
The animal is easy to accustom to your hands. It is enough to communicate with him every day for 15 minutes so that he gets used to tactile contact.	Short life expectancy. Within 3 years the pet will be gone; its death can greatly upset the child.
The Syrian hamster is funny. It is interesting to watch his life from the outside. This gives a lot of positive emotions.	The Syrian hamster does not have high intelligence and cannot be trained. In addition, the rodent does not feel attachment to its owner at all, but only gets used to his smell and voice.

Syrian hamster cage

This rodent is the largest of its relatives. The cage for a hamster of this breed should be very spacious, at least 50x30 cm and 25 cm in height. If the home is too cramped, the pet may develop diseases such as obesity and physical inactivity. The number of floors for Syrian hamsters does not matter, as well as additional accessories; free space is more important to them. Choose cages for them with a wide but tightly closing door and bars with a distance of 0.5-1 cm. If you are the owner of a Syrian hamster, pay attention to the following models:

• Imac CRICETI 2;
• IPTS Alex;
• Ferplast Criceti 9 Plane.

Cell selection

When choosing a cage, you should pay attention to the material. It must be durable. It is best to choose a high-quality cage with metal bars so that the animal cannot chew them. The distance between the bars should be smaller so that the rodent cannot crawl through the bars or get stuck in them.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the bottom of the cage. Designs with a removable monolithic bottom are best suited.

The cage door must close well. Sometimes you need to install an additional latch if the latch is weak.

Glass or plastic aquariums are not the best option for a rodent. They are not ventilated enough, are harder to clean and are easy to break.

Housing for the Djungarian hamster

These rodents are one of the cutest and most active animals. Although dwarfs are small in size, the cage for them must be very large and spacious, therefore, when existing in nature, they are able to run vast distances. For them, unlike the Syrians, houses with a large number of floors and all kinds of tunnels, labyrinths, and ladders for games are suitable. Your pet will enjoy a lot of entertainment. What you need to know when planning to buy a cage for a Djungarian hamster:

1. The maximum distance between the rods is 5 mm. It is better that they are located horizontally. If there are several pets and they will breed, then the distance should be even less.
2. Place a house in the cage so that the Djungarian hamster has its own cozy shelter. Provide your baby with materials to build a nest.
3. Buy ceramic food bowls that will be difficult for your pet to tip over, and a drinking bowl with a nipple or nipple. Light dishes will constantly tip over, and this will make your home excessively humid.

The range of models offered by modern manufacturers is very wide. The following options are most suitable for Djungarian hamsters:

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What should the tray in the cage be like?

The total area of ​​the pallet should be 1500 square meters. m., with such dimensions, the dimensions of the cage should correspond to 50x30 cm. It should be deep, especially if you want to breed hamsters, so that the kids cannot fall out of it, and also because of the depth there will be less debris. The tray itself should be solid with a cage, since rodents go to the toilet by choosing a convenient angle for themselves, and if the tray is retractable, then the likelihood that the animal will go to the toilet under it is very high. Also, the pull-out tray is bad because it is not very deep and the contents of the cage will be constantly scattered around.

How to set up a hamster cage

The contents of a home are no less important than the size and quality of workmanship. A hamster will need various accessories in its house. You definitely need to set up a house for the animal. You can use a flower pot with a hole in the bottom or another suitable object for this purpose. It is preferable to buy an inexpensive hamster cage with a ready-made house for your pet at a pet store. It is better to choose one with a plastic one, which is convenient to disassemble for cleaning. The remaining accessories will be discussed in detail below.

Drinker and feeder

To feed the hamster you will need two bowls. You will put dry food in one, and wet food in the second. It is best if they are ceramic. Products made from such material are difficult for animals to turn over because they are heavy. A drinking bowl with a nipple or nipple is a must. Make sure that the product you choose does not leak. It is better not to place an open bowl of water, because the hamster will constantly turn it over and cover it with sawdust.

running wheel

A hamster must have this attribute. Wheels come in metal and plastic. The first option is more durable. A hamster can chew on a plastic wheel, but it makes less noise when moving. When choosing an accessory, pay attention to the distance between the rods. If the gaps are too large, the hamster may fall through them and seriously injure his limbs. The best option is a solid plastic wheel. The diameter of the product for a Djungarian or Chinese dwarf hamster should be 20 cm, and for a Syrian hamster – 30 cm.

Toys and goodies

The rodent will need treats and entertainment. Without them, the animal will be too bored. With a lack of mobility, hamsters can develop various diseases, the most common of which is obesity. . Toys and treats cannot be called mandatory, but they will cheer up your pet and he will always have something to do. What you can buy:

1. Teeth sharpener. It's better to spend money on this item because a hamster is a rodent. You can put a mineral stone or special chewing tablets, which are sold in pet stores, in his house. Small branches of fruit trees are also suitable. Having a sharpener reduces the risk of your pet chewing on grill bars or plastic accessories.
2. A container with sand or a closed bath for rodents. While floundering there, your pet cleans its fur. Please note that you cannot bathe an animal in water, so you cannot do without a bathing suit.
3. Delicacy. This is a stick on which various dried fruits, herbs, grains and other goodies are glued. The product is equipped with a mount, so it can be easily hung from the wall or ceiling of the structure. Such an item is necessary not only to please the hamster, but also to ensure access to his body of the necessary vitamins and microelements that he receives while living in his natural environment.
4. Entertainment. To prevent your hamster from getting bored, purchase tunnels, ladders, slides, and pipes for him. They should be comfortable and durable. When choosing tunnels, consider the breed of your hamster. The Syrians will need large-diameter products in which they will definitely not get stuck or suffocate. You can make some entertainment yourself.

Related article: Is it possible to keep a hamster in the same cage with a guinea pig, rat, rabbit or degu?

Litter

This role can be performed by sawdust or soft paper. The first option is preferable. Sawdust absorbs moisture better than paper and other fillers and absorbs odors. However, they make some rodents sneeze. When laying sawdust, observe your pet's reaction. If he begins to behave strangely and has allergic reactions, remove them and put down toilet paper. Do not use newspapers as bedding because they contain lead that is harmful to your pet's health.

It is not recommended to buy litter for cat litter boxes. They are made from different materials, but all are too hard. Cat litter can damage your hamster's paws and introduce an infection into the body. A special filler in the form of small wood shavings, which is sold in pet stores, is best suited. It does not generate dust and is inexpensive. Such shavings are soft; if a hamster accidentally falls on it, it will not be injured. It should be poured in a layer of at least 6 cm.

Features of keeping hamsters at home

You need to create conditions for your pet in which it will feel comfortable.

Microclimate

A rodent can get sick and die if it is kept in unsuitable conditions. Temperature changes can be detrimental for him. In the room where he lives, the thermometer should be within +20...+25 degrees. It is important to maintain a normal level of humidity in the room - 55-70%.

Even with good care, hamsters die early if kept in damp or drafty conditions. Small rodents have very weak immunity. Hypothermia can lead to the development of pneumonia. Overheating also leads to the death of the animal. For this reason, the hamster's cage should not be left in direct sunlight or near heating radiators.

When caring for a Syrian hamster, you should take into account that too bright lighting irritates the animal. In nature, rodents rarely see sunlight, because they leave their burrows only in the dark. For this reason, it is advisable to slightly shade the cage so that there is light twilight inside.

Cage selection and equipment

Pet stores have a large selection of cages for small rodents. These are single-level and multi-story structures with interesting content inside. However, when choosing a home for a pet, it is important to look not so much at the interior, but at whether it will be convenient for the owner to care for the animal.

Experts recommend keeping Syrian hamsters in metal mesh cages. This design is well ventilated, unlike an aquarium. When purchasing, you need to decide on the size of the cage. Since one animal will live in it - Syrians are not social - then a dwelling with sides of 50 x 30 or 50 x 35 cm is suitable.

The presence of a second level will allow you to gain more free space for the hamster.

Other cage requirements:

1. The presence of a removable plastic tray makes maintenance more convenient.
2. The distance between the bars of the grill should not exceed 1 cm.
3. Tightly fitting and securely closing door at the bottom of the structure.

Interior arrangement

It will be easier to cope with caring for a rodent if you properly arrange the cage inside. You need to put the most necessary things there:

1. Sleeping house - the hamster uses it as a hiding place.
2. Feeder. Ideally, there should be two of them - one is filled with grain mixture, the other is used for wet food.
3. Drinking bowl. To prevent the water container from taking up space in the cage and from tipping over, it is better to buy a nipple drinker. It is attached from the outside, and the spout from which the hamster drinks is turned inside.
4. Running wheel. In nature, hamsters travel great distances in search of food, so they never suffer from obesity. Pet rodents also benefit from physical activity.
5. Pipes, ladders. With their help, the animal can move from one floor to another.
6. Toilet. Some hamster owners place a plastic container with sand or litter in the cage. But in most cases it turns out to be useless - the rodent chooses one corner in its home for these purposes. And even if you put a small tray there, the animal will begin to defecate in another place.

Attention! Caring for a rodent also means ensuring its safety. If the cage has a second tier, it is important to ensure that the hamster cannot fall from there. The injury may be fatal.

Filler

Caring for your Syrian hamster will be easier if you choose a good litter. Wood shavings and compressed sawdust are used as bedding. If the animal suffers from allergies, corn or cellulose filler is suitable. The litter should absorb moisture well and mask unpleasant odors.

Advice! When choosing wood filler, you should pay attention to the composition. If it contains softwood sawdust, it can cause allergies.

Caring for a hamster will become much more difficult if you use paper or pieces of fabric as bedding. These materials get wet quickly and do not retain foreign odors. Silica gel cannot be used as a filler. A Syrian hamster may accidentally ingest the pellets, causing an intestinal obstruction.

It is also not recommended to use newspapers - printing ink contains harmful substances.

Feeding

Under natural conditions, rodents eat seeds of various plants, nuts, vegetables and herbs. The diet of a pet should be approximately the same. It is based on a grain mixture. Pet stores sell ready-made food for hamsters. The richer the mixture, the better.

The rodent's diet should include the following components:

• oats;
• buckwheat;
• barley;
• corn;
• wheat;
• sunflower seeds;
• peanut;
• raisin.

Your pet needs not only fiber and protein, but also vitamins. Therefore, you need to include vegetables in the menu: carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers. In summer, the animal is given grass: dandelion leaves, plantain, alfalfa, sedge. In winter, fresh herbs are replaced with herbal pellets.

Attention! Hamsters continue to grow teeth throughout their lives, so their diet should include roughage: branches of fruit trees and shrubs.

To satisfy the animal's need for minerals, a salt lick stone is fixed in the cage. It is also necessary to ensure that the drinking bowl is always filled with clean water.

Anyone who is going to care for a hamster must remember what not to feed it. List of prohibited products:

• cabbage;
• citrus;
• sweets;
• cheese;
• potato;
• Red beetroot;
• sausage, frankfurters;
• snacks;
• milk;
• bread.

Breeding

Before you start breeding Syrian hamsters, you need to weigh everything. The owner of the pair must think in advance where to place the offspring. If he fails to find a new home for the small rodents, caring for them will fall on his shoulders.

Attention! Syrian hamsters are very fertile. There are 10-16 cubs in a female's litter.

Sexual maturity in these animals occurs early - at 1.5 months. Experts do not recommend crossing a female with a male at this age. The right time for the first pregnancy is 4-6 months. Individuals of different sexes are kept separately, otherwise they will fight for territory.

The female is placed with the male during estrus, which occurs every 4-5 days. After a short acquaintance, the Syrians mate. The couple is then separated.

Pregnancy in Syrian hamsters lasts 18 days. During this period, the female needs good care. She is placed in a spacious cage, because after giving birth she will have to share a home with her cubs for a month. The hamster is kept in a quiet, well-ventilated room.

Caring for small hamsters is not required; the female copes with all responsibilities herself. The main thing is not to disturb her, do not touch the cubs with your hands and provide the mother with adequate nutrition. In addition to grain, she needs vegetables, herbs, low-fat cottage cheese, and boiled poultry fillet. In just a month, the hamsters will become adults. Then they are separated from their mother and distributed to new owners.

Which cage to buy for rodents

Manufacturers of pet products offer a wide range of housing for rodents, so you won’t have any problems with the choice. The price depends on the size, material of manufacture, number of floors, and the presence of additional accessories. many products are sold at good discounts. You can buy the product or order a hamster cage in the online store with delivery to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities. Please see the table below for approximate prices for houses:

Sources:

https://homjakam.ru/zhile/kletka-dlya-sirijskogo-homyaka https://slonvkvartire.ru/homyaki/kletka-dlya-sirijskogo.html https://sovets24.ru/1230-kletka-dlya-homyaka. html