>< HAMSTERS ><

Old Thread Chubby Hamsters V7

^^ HAMSTERS ^^



A hamster is a rodent belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. There are 5 types of hamsters, mainly the Syrian, Winter white dwarf, Russian campbell dwarf, Chinese hamsters and Roborovski hamsters.

SPECIES:

Syrians (Mesocricetus auratus)
They are the best known species in the pet industry. Syrians are also known as Golden Hamsters. Syrians are known as fancy hamsters of all the hamster species since they come in many colour varieties and also coat varieties... some can have long fur and some short fur, which we normally call Long Hairs and Short Hairs... also there is a fur type known as Rex.

The most important rule about Syrians is that they are SOLITARY... never house 2 together. If breeding, there is a way where you must put the female into the male's cage only when the female is on heat. It is very risky and dangerous to house 2 syrians together at any time since they are very well known to fight till death. So if you treasure the life of your hamster, never put 2 syrians together.

Syrians are large and comfortable to hold. They do make suitable pets for children but under adult supervision.

Campbell's Hamster (Phodopus campbelli)
Campbells are probably the most popular of all dwarf hamsters since they come in many colour varieties that makes them attractive. The look similar to Winter White hamsters but they are actually different subspecies. So never mixbreed them.

Campbells are dwarfs... well, small hamsters. Please do not be fooled by petshops telling you mini hamsters and giving you a weird price. Anyway, they come in different colour and patterns but to breed, one must understand that hamsters that have any white spots or markings must never be bred together coz it can produce eyeless or teethless hamsters that die later... so if you were to breed, please read up.

These dwarfs may not be suitable for young children due to some dwarfs are bitey... and because of their small size, it would be harder for children to handle. Campbells are not aggressive biters, it is just that sometimes they will bite when you make them angry or startle them from their sleep.

Winter White Hamster (Phodopus sungorus)
WW are hamsters that can change their coat colour when we minimise their daylight. Their coats will change from their normal colours to a white coat but with their dorsal stripe and side arches visible. WW come in 3 colours, which are Agouti, Sapphire and Pearl. The Pearl do not change their coat colour at all, they remain in their white coat colour for life.

WW are different from Campbells, their eyes are bigger, fur is thicker, body is more bullet shape and their ears are less conspicious. It is easy to see the difference if a Campbell and WW were side by side.

WWs are nicer to handle for they have better temperments than Campbells. WW rarely change into their winter coats in captivity, so do not force your hamster to starve and stay in a cold room... this depends on the hamster whether it wants to change or not.

Roborovski Hamster (Phodopus roborovskii)
Robos are the smallest species of hamster. Adult Robos are only 2 inches in lenght. Unlike the other dwarfs, Robos do not have a dorsal stripe and they have slightly longer legs. Easy to identify from the size and also its sandy colour and white belly.

Yes, the smallest and also the fastest, this species is very well known for being very fast and active. So they are not very handle friendly since they are likely to jump or run off your palm. Many are really attracted by the facial markings, they appear to have "eyebrows".

Robos enjoy sand baths and a wheel. Due to their small size, one would need to purchase a glass/plastic tank to house them or purchase cages with small bars like the Habitrail Mini...

Chinese Hamster (Cricetulus griseus)
The Chinese hamster is known for their mousy looks. Yes, they were discovered in China long ago. Many people would say Chinese hamsters are hard to breed in captivity and are difficult to raise. Fighting problems occur so it is best to house them seperately. The Chinese hamster is also referred to as a "mouse-like" hamster because of its short nose, thin body, stocky legs and longer tail.

They do make great pets if they are bred by a proper breeder and have been handled often when young.


VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

- Most hamsters do very well alone. Roborovski hamsters can be kept in small groups and best if single sexed but Syrians, Campbells, Winter Whites and Chinese hamsters are best kept on their own. They are always happier that way.

- Never breed hamsters if you do not have the space. Hamsters can reproduce every 20 days or so.

- Hamster fights are never fun to watch.

- Always remember to have food and water available. Never give too much fresh foods.

- The bigger the cage or tank, the more comfortable for the hamster.

- Syrians need wheels that are about 8 inches in diameter.

- NEVER keep different species in 1 cage or tank together... BIG big trouble there, may have some injuries, deaths... and possibility of mixbreeding Campbells with WW... bad idea.

- Hamsters do not have human emotion, they do not feel Love or have emotional feelings like humans. So there really is no reason to breed them unless you have a purpose as a true hamster breeder.

- Hamsters can get sick easily if given too much fresh foods like fruits and vegetables.



Anything to add in the 1st page, just PM me.

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Added on February 26, 2007, 1:56 amPictures of the different hamster species with some example of a few colour varieties.



Thank you to Reanne and |sorcerer| for their chinese hamsters and roborovski pictures.

One way to hold a hamster if it bites or to look at it's genital area clearly. Never do this for long since it is a bit uncomfortable for the hamster. Only for a short period.


______________________________________________________________________________

Useful links (credit to Acey)

• Hamsterific: http://www.hamsterific.com/hamsters.html
• My Free Hamster: http://www.myfreehamster.com
• Future Pets: http://futurepet.com/cgi-bin/search.exe?BP=1&RCAT=600.
• Hamster Hideout: http://www.hamsterhideout.com/
• Wodent Wheels: http://www.transoniq.com/
• Kare's Hamster Info: http://www.karelma.com/english/animals/hamsters.html
• Pet Education: www.peteducation.com

The Hamster Name Generator (thanks to Gazard7)

(credit to suicidalxbliss)


Lowyat.net Siggy (free to use, a big thank you to Hao ):

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Added on February 26, 2007, 9:25 pmA Basic Guide

* Hamsters are very active creatures so they do need their excercise. Naturally energetic, hamster love to run so it is best to provide a good solid wheel for them. Makre sure it is a solid wheel and not those mesh wheels since those gaps can cause injuries. Syrians should have 8 inch diameter wheels while dwarfs can have smaller ones.

* Hamsters are nocturnal, meaning they are mostly active at night. During the day, they would need some peace and quiet to sleep so it is highly recommended to place the cage or tank away from direct sunlight and provide them with a hide such as a clay flower pot or aroma burner or any solid looking hamster houses available at petshops.

* Hamsters need a layer of quality bedding in their tanks. You can always get the wood shaving variety but you would need to change the bedding often. Recommended brands would be Chipsi Classic, Chipsi Super, Delikate and Kaytee. Avoid using other brands for pine and cedar wood can cause breathing problems later in life due to the phenol oils produced by the wood. One can also use corncob bedding, wood pellets like Woody Pet or Careline wood cat litter or recycled paper bedding/litter like CareFresh or Breeder's Select/Celect.

* Hamsters love to nibble on hay and also build nest in their hide box for comfort. So providing a bit of hay is good. Any hay is suitable, as long it is fresh looking(greenish). Avoid stale hay(brownish).

* Hamsters should have a good amount of food in their food bowls. You do not need to worry about hamsters not finishing their food for they will hoard away old food to eat later. Make sure fresh foods are cleaned out of the cage or tank after 24 hours.
- Good source of fiber would be broccoli, spinach, sawi(choy sum), kangkung and water cress. Do feed fresh foods in moderation since too much can cause wet tail sickness and indigestion. A small piece of vegie or fruit is enough for 1 day.
- Sweet potato and normal potato can be given but only give cooked potatos.
- Sweet fruits and carrots can be given in small quantities every few days.
- Hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, cooked chicken and cooked fish can be fed.

* Have a good quality bottle for water at hand. Cheap bottles tend to leak.

* Wash the hamster cage or tank once in a week. Just wash with some mild soapy water. Clean cages and tanks prevents the risk of getting infections.

* Hamsters do not need to bath with water and soap like humans. Hamsters can clean themselves very well and they enjoy having sand baths (Chincilla or hamster sandbath) more than getting wet. A wet hamster can fall sick easily.

* Handle your hamster daily. Build a relationship with your hamster. You can hold them, talk to them and pat them. These little gestures will keep your hamster tame and friendly and of course, happy.

* Never wake up sleeping hamsters since they can startle easily and give a nasty bite to protect themselves. This is an instinct reaction so do not blame a hamster for being aggressive... they bite when there is a reason to bite.

* Always wash your hands after handling hamsters for they are still from the rodent family. Keep your self healthy for your hamster

More info later

More info later

More info later

More info later

YAY NEW THREADDD VERSION!

bedtime. will be dropping by pet shack tomorrow i hope! nighhht hammie lovers.

This post has been edited by neshie: May 30 2008, 11:47 PM

congrats V8

first post in v8

Welcome to V8!!!

JackJack say "Hi!" to everyone here in V8.


SamSam :"I also wanna say hello to everyone.."


Kiko : "Eee...??? My turn to say hi ar?? Hello..."

you all spam until i canot reply.. so bad...

hahha congrate V8

Feedback for Uncle Taro's Nutri-Smoothie:
1.Nezumitaro - 2 Syrians - both like.
2.Blurjoey/ Sangels - 3 Syrians - all like.
3. erwhey - 2 Syrian - just a few licks.
4. ss88 - 2 Syrian - like; 1 syrian - ok; 2 robo, run away ( -tba-), 5 pups - like
5. juvenile86 - 1 RC and 3WWs - all like.
6. harukotsuchiya - 4 ww - like
7. IcedNyior - ww - like
8. -Nos- RC - like
9. Jamien - Syrian (new intro to fresh) - like
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

This post has been edited by nezumitaro: May 31 2008, 11:46 AM

Congratualtions V8!!

woots v8 xD grats

lets get the congrats done. if everyone congrating it will be another spam for first few pages.

well, do post pics of hamster or anyone having show class hamsters around? those good enough for shows? i think u know wat i mean. i dunno how to explain. those high end hamster or nice breed. where can we find those? planning to get 1. just 1. =.=

nezu latest feedback from me since i got 4ww now.. all of them like the mango and apple

Friend, no show hamsters in Malaysia. Even have also not for sale, just for show. Malaysia hardly can get people who willing to pay RMxxx for a hamster. Have to provide best quality food and all, not so easy ler. If can find it here, I already get it already lor. Singapore do have show quality hamsters. But you can't bring it back due to tight security of Immigration of Singapore.

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Added on May 31, 2008, 1:16 amHahaha.... Foo, you should tell those people who keep spamming and yet don't think themselves spamming here.

This post has been edited by sangels: May 31 2008, 01:16 AM

yeah... actually, i dont mind paying rm100++ to get a really really good and beautiful show hamster. it depends on quality. i believe that quality stuff are not cheap and if want something good in quality, dont be cheapskate. its normal la ppl want cheap things. =.= me too.
but i rarely can see any show hamsters here. maybe can ask pet shack to import in some show quality hamsters. hahahaha... =.= i believe some ppl will buy it too. =.=

Somehow I doubt so. People will maybe buy 1 or even 2. But it isn't good for sales. I mean, why buy a hamster for RM xxx if you can get the same thing ten times cheaper who gives you the same love and companionship? The only difference is "it's branded".

Besides, sakit hati lar to buy it for RM xxx and end up have to part with it only after 3 years....

Hmm... hamsters do not live long. It take times to get into the country. Not much people will buy and they need to pay all sort of fees for the procedure to bring in the hamsters. How if end up no people buying or the hamster didn't do well due to stress during transportation? Pet Shack will rugi la. You can get Syrians from Pet Shack as their Syrians are nice, healthy, tame and chubby. My JackJack is from them.

wah version 8 already...congrats2...
long time i dont post here..just jln2 and tgk2 only heheh

hmmm... well, different ppl have different thinking rite? =.=
brand and quality. it comes together. why bother buying a nike shoe, where u can just wear bata shoes? haha... =.=

its all bout quality. i dont mind investing something with quality if i really like it. and i do think hamster if i really wanna get 1, i would go for the best. if cant get show quality one, nezu hammy is another great option. =.=

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Added on May 31, 2008, 1:31 amtrue... i believe they are nice healthy too. but somehow i just "gatal" wanna try to find show hamsters. hehe... i know its hard or near impossible for time being. i will wait till the day comes where there are really nice show hamsters in malaysia.

This post has been edited by JonYeap: May 31 2008, 01:31 AM

After kena bite till bleed yesterday,my mind pops out to having a syrian now..lulz.

Still trauma with my WW,damn scary ler her nowadays...

The side effect of having dwarf hamsters...

But I do agree with you that syrians are really a nice change when you kept dwarves for a while. much more friendly and tame. But my syrian, Roche, also bit me till bled yesterday. Quite serious some more. my thumb still bears the mark of her teeth.

But it's really not her fault. my finger smelt like the treat she liked so much. So having syrians doesn't mean you won't get bitten. Just not very likely as long as your hands are clean.

I'll be taking Roche's picture next week. I just got her so I don't wanna trauma her. And she's so totally adorable, cute and lovable. She now climbs the bars of her cage to get on my hand. Then she just walks around, climbing up and down.

In fact I like syrians so much now that I decided to get another one after I buy a cage for it. Hehe... A male, light colored and hopefully, red eyes. Still looking for it. Actually I really like the light colored one in Nezu's pict in the last version. She so bad, poison us with hamsters we can't have. Hehe... Nezu, next time post the upcoming picts of your new batch hammies ya.

ur WW is not a pure breed rite? its winter pudding rite? from previous thread. well, if its mix breed with roboski, then it could be a little bitey. =.=

syrian rarely bites, correct me if i am wrong. i love syrian coz its as big as my palm. its nice to hold and its really adorable.

I thought mixed with RC? Robos are bitey in the sense that they are cautious. Just for testing. Robo bites don't usually draw blood.

Love syrians! So agree with you. I kena poison until permanent damage dy.

But how do you keep a syrian from walking and running off your palm?

opps... sorry i think it was RC. my bad. well, its a mix breed. =.=

yeah, syrians are cool. i use to have a football team of syrians. but that was when i was in primary. parents gave them away. now i am big enough, i wanna get one for myself.

well, diff hammy got diff characteristic. u cant force them to stay with u if they dont want to. =.= same goes to many pets. every one has their own personality. maybe can try playing with them often, let them know ur scent and trust u?

pancing with food

wah.. so fast V8 congratulation

agree!! pancing with alooooooooot of food.
just fed my two hammies spinach. my ww dun like spinach
It's so cute when syrians take all the food and stuff it in their cheek pouches.

Syrians do bite actually. For me, it's depend how tame is your syrian. Everything with teeth do bite.

Syrians with good size only can be as big as your palm. Which means from baby you need to pump them with good and nutrition food and all then only they can be that big, or else Syrians can be small also, but still bigger size compare with dwarf hamsters la...

yeah, i know it bites. like the saying, anything with teeth bites. haha...

how u gonna tame them? its up to ur own. but they are not as bitey as robo or rc. =.= but oh well, all hamsters are cool

but if it's probably 6months plus still can pump to make it big?

any1 hav thread for me to look at all types of syrians?? i wanna do some research bout it before i plan anything..

search at google, got plenty of em. petwebsite.com is a good start i suppose..

thx.. i saw a panda syrian on youtube.. izzit possible to get in malaysia???

more than 2 mths canot already


ok will post pic when got new pups.. hopefully mid of june lah

aww..
yay more poisonous pics!

I would be giving my report on Uncle Taro's Nutri Smoothie Carrot and Papaya flavor.

Let me start by saying that Roche, my syrian, most probably didn't grow up eating vegetables and I notice this because she only likes very very sweet vegetables like carrots and corn, and not leafy greens. So I'm still getting her used to taking veges.

I started by letting her smell the food container and she seems all excited. Then she climbed out of the cage and took a few licks of the smoothie and ran back in. Climbed out again, took a few licks, and ran back in.

I put the bowl in her cage. She ran on the wheel, then came and lick the smoothie. Then ran on the wheel, then lick smoothie. By morning the bowl was virtually clean. One and the half tablespoon!

The cute thing was, she stashed some of the Prestige dry food in her pouch and empty it in the smoothie, and then take it out and eat it. Reminds me of dipping fruits in chocolate.

So for a hamster who's still getting used to veges, she's seems to like the smoothie. Successful food introduction!

omg how adorable!!
nezu must be really happy after reading this.

Yaa I think she would. It's considered really good because Roche prefers dry food like habitrail. So I introduced her to both Prestige and smoothie yesterday. She doesn't seem to like the prune like things that come with the prestige packet though.

I'm introducing her to some mealies tonight.

wah. the prune things those big big lumps wan is it? i don't really see what's inside.
my mealies also gonna finish soon dy.

THATS A REAL REWARD for me!! YES!!! but check if ur hammi got wet poo ok. if poo is n ice.. KAKAKKAKAK can go celebrate already!! what u mean the prune like thing? thanks for ur feed back!!!

yes u got me!!

This post has been edited by nezumitaro: May 31 2008, 11:44 AM

muahahahaha. i must really force my daddy to bring me to pet shack today.

my friend wants to take back my syrian.

so fast 3 pages le

So far her poo is ok lar. The normal ones. The prune thing is from the prestige hamster nature fruits and herbs. Like a dried frruit.

Congratulations on your great concept!

@neshie: why your friend want back the syrian? Say cannot la. give already where can take back. The syrian is already yours.

this thread moves really fast. I actually missed the time when v6 became v7 and now v8 already. LOL!

@neshie, then get your own syrian lor. ur going to petshack rite? buy one from there. I was soooo tempted the other day but then Im getting nezu's so didn't buy.

err..shouldnt the smoothie reviews be in the smoothie thread?

yes its dry fruit. they dont like? mine eat also..

yes i also put there. but cos u all are here chit chat.. so i need to ask for feed back from here.. there no one go

Actually I saw one in Pet shack with Red eyes that I quite like and is still thinking about. It really caught my attention. But it doesn't fulfill the requirements for the male I want. But still feel very tempted. I'll be getting one from Nezu also.

I just went to pet shack just now..the syrian is really quite fat

I tried putting my hands in to let the syrian climb, but I was damn afraid that they might bite me.

arghhh... i now so poisoned in getting a syrian. hahaha... =.=

Syrians hardly bite, as long as your hand doesn't smell like food. If your hand does smell like food I suggest you keep your hands to yourself. Their bite is really damaging.

Ah~ I'm still thinking about the cute fatty hammie I saw yesterday...

hmmm... if only i am not in sitiawan perak, instead near subang. i would go right away to get a syrian from pet shack. haha

erm, tons of experience being bitten by my hamsters...trauma still haunts me until now

haha, even the owner convinced me that they don;t bite, I am still quite scared

just wanna ask, is it near kampar?? erm.. there have any vets around??

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Added on May 31, 2008, 3:16 pmwell, if they just bite bite a bit then is ok le

This post has been edited by anderyna: May 31 2008, 03:16 PM

sitiawan is near lumut, im not sure if there is any vet but im sure theres a lot of pet shop

hmmm... well, i am from sitiawan perak, yeah near lumut, near kampar too. but i am studying in mmu melaka. well, i think i going to go pet shop hunting now. haha... wanna see if any healthy syrian. =.=

What kind of hamsters are yours? I have a very good impression of syrians since they don't bite unless given a good reason to, like extremely annoyed or is hungry and smell food on your hand. But I guess this applies well only if the syrian is hand tamed by the breeder before you buy it.

I also had many years experience of keeping robos. They don't bite to draw blood. Just to test around. I call it nipping. othertimes, I feel like they're testing how far they are allowed to misbehave. Cheeky lil things, robos.

But I'm afraid of RC. The 2 RC I had kept from my friend temporarily, charged at my hand whenever I open the cage latch and try to chew up my hand. Scary...

WWs depends I guess. A lil in between robos and RC.

Syrian's the best.

I am bad at recognizing one, I always thought mine is RC...then some of my friends said it's robo.

until I told the shack owner my robo bites, she said robos never bite :S

I am kinda blur with the breeds, but now I know a syrian when I see one

Actually robos only have one color, which is brown with slightly dark undercoat and white eyebrows and belly. The only exception is a white faced robo who has, well, a white face.

Do you see my display pict? That's my robo, Yuu. If your hamster looks like the one in my display pict, then it's confirmed a robo.

Does your hand smell like food? That's why it bites? It's a real taboo to let your hand smell like food when u handle hammies. It's like having the message "eat me" written all over your hands.

@John: I may be going up to Kampar to study in January next year. You choose the syrian I buy and bring for you, then u pay me back lar. Hehe...

I trie lots of method previously, putting in used clothes...washing hands, sniffing before touching etc etc

she still loves to cling on my hands with her fangs..scary

I'm better off petting my friend's syrian, his syrian is really really tame.

lol.. charge him commission too

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Added on May 31, 2008, 3:38 pmoh, then those RCs are not tamed ones.. tamed RCs never bite, trust me

This post has been edited by jayniel: May 31 2008, 03:38 PM

oh oh.. cos after finishing my diploma here, thinking of moving to kampar to stay

hahaha... kampar to my hometown is more than an hour. =.=
and i am studying in mmu melaka. kaka...

i think most probably i will just travel to subang jaya to get one from nezu if she has, or pet shack. for now, i will just get the setup ready. =.= hehe... i dont mind spending 100++ on a good quality hamster. show hamsters if that is. =.=

since u're so eager bout getting a show hamster, why not go to sg to get it?

This post has been edited by jayniel: May 31 2008, 03:44 PM

no passport

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Added on May 31, 2008, 3:49 pmif i tell mum i gonna get a passport just to go SG and buy a few hundred ringgit hamster, she is so gonna kill me. T_T
and its hard to bring pets in from there, need permit?

This post has been edited by JonYeap: May 31 2008, 03:49 PM

aiya.. same situation here..
i also wanted to get some hamsters from sg, cos no need to sit airplane, then maybe can ''smuggle'' hehe..

if anyone smuggle in successfully, i wanna get it, hahahaha

they have security check lol

really ar? never been out of the country b4, so i dunno anything

:offtopic: Eh? Me too. Where are you studying now and where willl u be studyiing after you move?

I will sure charge commision! Hehe....

I thought RCs are notorious biters? Really scary, my friend's RCs. Only help her to board her hamster for a week, got multiple wounds in that short time... Really scared of them.

anybody coming to melaka?

offtopic: i am studying in tarc in kl
dont want study anymore le, no money liao le, later ikat perut

actually wanna continue in TOA de. but lazy liao. hehe
i move there to work

oh yes they are.. i've had terrible experience with RCs before.. those that are bitey really bites.. that's why everybody's mindset is that RCs are all bitey.. but those that are tamed are really tame.. u'll never know that they're RCs if u're blindfolded while handling them.. i was surprised too at how tame they can be..

lolz u so desperate ar?

i also never out of country b4, my cousin told me that. SG is kinda strict

ok guys... i going out now. to hunt for syrian. =.=

bye.. good luck in finding 1 u like

good luck in finding rare colors

WOW jus sumtime didnt log in forum..
hamster thread so fast V8 ady,...
congrat....keep it on

5 day old..
here the baby pics...
left 4 baby only... but all very healthy

hey gals n guys.. this Sunday Pet Shack close at 3pm ah!! so anyone going to pick up nutri-Smoothie please be early.. if not u hv to wait next tues.

wat use wif nutri-Smoothie??

hi, i'm new to this forum...

nezumitaro, i wish i could let my bella try the smoothie... perhaps one day you will ship your products to sarawak? hehe.

bella so cute

wow V8 congrats!!!! *clap *clap*

yeah, she's lucky she's cute... especially when i come home late and i'm so tired and i still have to clean her cage first because she "forgot" to pee in her potty.

LOL.

oh oh you everyday clean cage ???

i just went to a few petshop. one petshop the syrian really cute and looks very healthy. below 1 month. fat and chubby. haha... i think got cream banded and a few light greyish color banded with white. i cant really identify the exact color. haha... i will just choose one tomorrow or day after. now problem is getting the right cage. =.= some cage are nearly rm100. hahahah

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Added on May 31, 2008, 6:20 pmand the syrian is just rm8. =.=

This post has been edited by JonYeap: May 31 2008, 06:20 PM

i clean her cage every other day. bella's a hygiene freak. she's potty-trained, but if she finds her potty a little too smelly for her liking (usually after a day or so), she'll pee elsewhere. then i have to wash the whole cage so that she wouldn't have to walk around in her own pee.

get tank

just go for the biggest, simplest cage you can find. those branded cages are usually too small for syrians. i made a mistake of buying a cage with tunnels running over and outside the cage. looks great in the shop.

then when the hamster starts peeing and pooing in the tunnel, the cleaning nightmare starts. haha.

Wow nice loh, young and fatty!! Yep think getting big tank and customize urself would cost less than rm100. Besides, you get to choose the accessories lol

This post has been edited by Katrinah: May 31 2008, 06:30 PM

btw, i have a question for hammie owners out there... do any of you find female or male hamsters more aggresive?

imho, my female was more aggressive than males.