Hamster Suggestions...

[LuvGold00]

I am planning on going to adopt my new hamster tomorrow afternoon!! Can't wait! I miss having hamsters, I use to have them when I was younger!

His name is Prince Valiant, they named him, and I think I'll keep it. It's kinda cute! I'll post some pictures of him when he gets home, but here is a shot of him at the shelter:
http://www.petfinder.org/fotos/NH63/NH63.3728998-1-x.jpg

Does anyone have any suggestions for treats and/or toys I should get for him to make him feel more at home? I have his cage all set, a picture is attached! I am going to the pet store to stock up on supplies, anyone suggest a type of food?
Advice would be great!!!! :D

[Cookiebaker]

Congratulations on your new addition! Prince Valiant is adorable!!!

Looking forward to more pictures! ;) :D

[Vermontcat]

So you decided to get the hamster, that's great.:)
Here is a link to Petsmart for some ideas of what to get for Prince.
Hamster supplies (http://www.petsmart.com/global/browse_category.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=25343743 02026354&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1105804303375)
I would recommend the exercise ball, my gerbils love to run in them and you can use it when you clean his cage.
I can't wait to see some photos.:)

[manda_moo87]

Aww! He's adorable! Be sure to post some pictures of him once he's settled in! :D

[DejaVu]

Congrats on the new hamster.
Remember these few simple things:
Pine and Cedar are toxic, as is newspaper (the ink)
Wire wheels are dangerous
and Fluffy bedding is dangerous.
I personally prefer storage bins as cages, or aquariums.
The cage you have seems too small for a full grown syrian hamster. I wouldn't even use that cage for a small bird.
He is a very cute golden banded I must say though.

Here is what I use as cages, along with a ton of other people: The Fabulous Storage Bin! They are cheap, lightweight, asy to clean, and easy to modify.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/DejaVuKC1/Hamsters/bin1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/DejaVuKC1/Hamsters/bin2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/DejaVuKC1/Hamsters/bin3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/DejaVuKC1/Hamsters/bin4.jpg
^^ Note: There is no wheel in Toby's bin for now because he pees in it. I am trying to break him of that habit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/DejaVuKC1/Hamsters/bin5.jpg

[tikeyas_mom]

first of all i have to say that it is awesome that you are adopting a hammie from the shelter!!!! good job!!! you will make a great hammie owner!!! :D..

secondly i would like to congrat ya!!! getting a new pet is very exciting!!!


i would suggest carefresh bedding, or aspen bedding... even yesterdays news, although it isnt too comfy...
always give your hammy extra unsented toilet paper for a nesting material.

I have to say that your cage is very cute, but a little small for an adult syrian hamster..... it would be good for a dwarf hamster or a mouse....

i would suggest a 10Gallon tank with a mesh lid for a syrian... they cant chew the bars and keep you up that way and theya re very easy to clean :)..

i love your hammies name it is so cute!!! :D
for a treat give your hammie brown weat bread soaked in milk, only as a treat. this is also very good for pregnant or nursing mother hammies. :)

have fun with your new hammie and post lotsa pics!!!

[LuvGold00]

Originally posted by DejaVu
[B]Congrats on the new hamster.
Remember these few simple things:
Pine and Cedar are toxic, as is newspaper (the ink)
Wire wheels are dangerous
and Fluffy bedding is dangerous.
I personally prefer storage bins as cages, or aquariums.
The cage you have seems too small for a full grown syrian hamster. I wouldn't even use that cage for a small bird.
He is a very cute golden banded I must say though.

Here is what I use as cages, along with a ton of other people: The Fabulous Storage Bin! They are cheap, lightweight, asy to clean, and easy to modify.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/DejaVuKC1/Hamsters/bin1.jpg

What do you use to cover the storage bin? I think thats a great idea.

I've had my cage forever! I just dug it out of the basement today, all my hamsters lived in it, I never thought it was too small... But that was years ago! I like the storage bin idea!

[DejaVu]

To cover the lid, as you can see, I cut out a square. I went to a hardware place and got some wire mesh.. which is very cheap by the way, and I taped it on with a heavy duty tape. A lot of people use washers or screws or whatever, but tape was easiest for me. On the entire cage, you'll probably spend about $20 for the cage, and supplies. Here is a link with great information on bins as cages:

Bins as Cages (http://www.geocities.com/calhamassoc/FeatureBin.html)

[LuvGold00]

Thank you, that site is very helpful! Guess I will be heading to Wal-Mart to get a bin! Very creative idea....!

[DejaVu]

Well I'm glad I was able to help. Good Luck!

[luckies4me]

Not all newspaper is toxic. ;) I use newspaper shredded as bedding for my rats. Our paper is printed with vegetable ink, so it is very safe. =)

He is a very cute hamster. Congrats! :D I use storage bins to keep my hedgehogs in. They are wonderfully easy to clean!

[Logan]

Congratulations on your new baby! My only advice (based on a couple of unfortunate incidents - one resulting in the loss of one of our hamsters).........keep the dogs away from the hamster. I trusted that ours were safe in glass aquariums in our kitchen. When we were gone, the dogs (Goldens) heard the hamsters and ended up tipping over the aquarium. The lid fell off......the hamster fell out.....you know the rest. The petsitter found one of the Goldens carrying the hamster around in her mouth the next morning. :( Not a scratch on her, but she was probably frightened to death. :(