hamsternostalgia

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Answer for @bostonharbor

I'm SO sorry this is so late!!! I've had a ton going on and haven't checked tumblr in ages!!

To start, it'll depend on whether its a 20 LONG (30x12x12) or a 20 TALL (24x12x16), and the personality of your girl in particular! I'll do my best to answer for both though!

First off, the personality and enrichment preferences of your girl. Look for her favorite 2-3 activities.

If digging/burrowing is a favorite, the 20 TALL will better accommodate her. Prioritizing deeper bedding will be more enriching than offering 3-4 hides she doesn't use and just take up space. Consider using a bendy bridge or a chunk of cardboard to block off 1/2 the tank, and fill up one side all the way to the top of the barrier. You may need to invest in snake locks (little metal clips) to prevent escape since she'll definitely be able to access the top of it, and those mesh lids are so easy for them to remove.

If chewing and nesting is her favorite activity, either may accommodate her well. prioritize bedding depth similarly to above, but leave extra space to add in chunks of random things for her to nest with. These can be non-oily paper bags from fast food places, hays (my hamsters generally prefer alfalfa or orchard grass, and alfalfa doesn't affect most people's allergies), small strips of paper towel/toilet paper/newspaper made with nontoxic ink. For more chewing oriented girls, toilet paper and paper towel tubes, sisal rope (i buy it made for cat tree restoration, and cut it into strips 5-10 inches long, and then tie it up in a bunch of knots), as well as store bought toys can be really helpful here. One of my girls currently is a chewer, and she's really enjoying destroying a timothy hay nest made for finches!

If running and exploring are her favorite things, a 20 long will probably work best for her. You can fit a 10 inch wheel on one end, which will easily accommodate most syrians under 150g. In this case I'd block off only 1/3 for deeper bedding, and use the rest to give her structures to explore and climb through. She'll probably appreciate having her food, treats, and nesting material scattered through these enrichment items, so she gets to forage for them. She'll probably also appreciate out of cage time in a safe space such as an empty bathtub, hallway, playpen, or even just on a bed. You can have a little basket of toys, hides, and something like a large saucer wheel set aside for these out of cage times, and swap out her houses and toys weekly to keep things interesting for her!

Please let me know if there's anything else I can answer!!

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They don’t know what’s going on but they’re here to help (same) 🔮✨

Catch this print on patreon this month!

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I am allowed to be cringe here

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is it normal for a new hamster (an adult syrian hamster that i got 2 days ago) to have one diarrhea poop while all the others before and since have been normal? i’m hoping it’s just the stress of a new home and settling in as well as a new diet?

Thank you for asking this!

If his poops returned to normal after the wet poop (especially with a stresser like going to a new home!), then it was most likely a stress poop! If you offer fresh foods like greens/veggies/fruits, this may be the first time he's ever had fresh things. It'll take a bit for his body to adjust to high moisture foods, so you may also see a wet poo here and there. Be sure to greatly limit fresh stuff the first few times you offer it!

If you see repeated diarrhea, a wet bottom, hunched posture, and/or refusal to eat, then try to get him into see a vet!

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another silly for your timeline!

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ni hamster care or supply photo today, just these sillies from a 90's care book

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