2 replies to this topic

[Sweetie2020]

Hi so I am planning on getting a Syrian for the first time when I have everything I need and then I will find a diy cage or possibly make one myself depending on when It happens but I wanted to know the difference between Syrians and Dwarfs. I have had Sweetie who was a Robo hybrid I think and now Willow who I think is a Russian Dwarf/Winter white but I am not 100% sure. Obviously I know Female Hamsters are super picky when it comes to size and need something over probably like 1,200 square inches or more and also Females go into heat every 4 days and it will smell a bit musty and then of course they need bigger hideouts and a 12 inch wheel but my questions are:

How big are they when they are fully grown in terms of grams?
Where can I get appropriate sized hides?
What 12 inch wheel is the best wheel for them? (I would prefer a little bit of a noisy wheel it helps me sleep and it doesn't bother me)
What is the best food? I am currently giving Willow Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend and sometimes some freeze dried chicken dog treats
Also what size sand bath or do I not need a sand bath? I have a triangle one now. I heard some Syrians like sand baths but others don't it is more of a dwarf thing I think.
And last but not least is their anything anyone who has had syrians or knows a lot about them can tell me about them? I am hoping more than one person will answer but I am not going to read anything most likely until two days from now because that is when I check Hamster Hideout.

[lil BIG dwarf]

Syrians range a ton from 100-200 g, sometimes below for not was well bred ones, or above for well bred ones
Etsy, some pet stores, and DIY’s are great
I’ve heard exotic nutritions wheels can have some sound. Noisier ones are petsmart strand (they recently rebranded so this could have changed). Personally I opted for a completely silent wheel and just play white noise
Higgins sunburst with freeze dried chicken (make sure to mix for protein- a full bag Higgins to a 2.3 oz bag of purebites is good for an adult ham, but you’ll need more for one under 6 months). Other good foods are Robins gourmet from Etsy (my Syrian has both foods and loved robins!)
Some Syrians dislike sand baths but it’s still best to provide one. The rule of thumb is that your ham should be able to get in, roll around, and not be super squished (like, they should be able to walk a bit?). This definitely varies on the hamster, though. I’d say use what you have and if your hamster loves sand get. A bigger one

[Sweetie2020]

Syrians range a ton from 100-200 g, sometimes below for not was well bred ones, or above for well bred ones
Etsy, some pet stores, and DIY’s are great
I’ve heard exotic nutritions wheels can have some sound. Noisier ones are petsmart strand (they recently rebranded so this could have changed). Personally I opted for a completely silent wheel and just play white noise
Higgins sunburst with freeze dried chicken (make sure to mix for protein- a full bag Higgins to a 2.3 oz bag of purebites is good for an adult ham, but you’ll need more for one under 6 months). Other good foods are Robins gourmet from Etsy (my Syrian has both foods and loved robins!)
Some Syrians dislike sand baths but it’s still best to provide one. The rule of thumb is that your ham should be able to get in, roll around, and not be super squished (like, they should be able to walk a bit?). This definitely varies on the hamster, though. I’d say use what you have and if your hamster loves sand get. A bigger one

Thank you!