Set up my Syrian hamsters cage with me!! #hamster #cutepets #pets #cagesetup #cage #setup #cute #aw, by Milkshake the Hamster on YouTube. 1 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose a cage with at least 100 x 50 cm of unbroken floor space and deep sides. Syrians are large, active hamsters, so a glass tank or a big bin cage works better than most wire cages.
Pick a quiet spot away from direct sunlight, drafts and loud rooms. Set the cage on a sturdy table or stand so the top sits around waist height.
Pour in 15 to 20 cm of paper-based bedding across the whole base. Press some of it down so tunnels hold their shape when your hamster digs.
Put the wheel at one end of the cage. Use a solid-sided wheel with a diameter of 28 cm or more so a Syrian can run without curving its spine.
Set a shallow dish of hamster-safe sand in a corner as a sand bath. Keep it away from the food and water so the sand stays dry and clean.
Add two or three hides, including a multi-chamber house, then place a heavy ceramic food bowl and a water bottle or bowl.
Scatter food and a few chew toys through the bedding instead of piling everything in the bowl. Foraging keeps your hamster busy and active.
Let the bedding settle, then move the hamster in using a scoop or a small hide. Leave it alone for a few days to settle before you start handling.
Tips and common mistakes
Measure the floor space before you buy, since many cages sold for hamsters are far too small for a Syrian.
Never use cedar or pine shavings; paper bedding or aspen holds tunnels and is safer for their breathing.
Sit the wheel and sand bath on flat bedding rather than on top of a hide so nothing tips over.
Skip exercise balls and use a large cage with a big wheel instead for safer exercise.
Questions
What size cage does a Syrian hamster need?
Aim for at least 100 x 50 cm of unbroken floor space, measured across the base. Bigger is always better, and deep bedding matters as much as width.
How deep should the bedding be?
Use 15 to 20 cm of paper-based bedding so your hamster can build tunnels. Pack some of it down and leave the rest loose.
Can I use a wire cage for a Syrian hamster?
Yes, if the base is deep enough to hold bedding and the bars are spaced 1 cm or less. Syrians can squeeze through wider gaps and may escape.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
