R
RainbowBrite
It is so lovely to hear how well she is settling in. She sounds so confident. If you have a look at the cage section on here it may give you some more ideas.
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
She looks gorgeous! Glad the taming and settling in is coming along. I would add some more subsrate however. If you have a good thick layer of 5 to 6" she can dig and mess about with it. And bury her hoards. They often like to pile it up against a house to keep warm. The other thing is it means you don't need to clean the cage out too often - you can just "spot clean". ie take out the odd handful where she's pee'd and replace it with another handful. And pick out poops if there are a lot of them (if there are just a few, leave them for a while). It's only their pee that is smelly. They actually eat their poops sometimes (which is normal - they have two stomachs and can redigest nutrients from their poops!). So it's only if they start taking over you want to spot clean them out.
Pet shops sometimes tell you to clean everything out weekly but this is not good! It removes all their familiar scent and stresses them out. With enough substrate, a litter tray, and spot cleaning you can go a very long time without doing a substrate change (and even then it's best to keep a bit of the old clean substrate back and spread it on top of the new). Part of settling into a cage is they scent mark everything (rub themselves against things to leave scent from their scent glands). This is partly to claim it as their territory so they feel secure, and partly to find things! And find their way around. They really don't see well at all and rely on scent a lot.
With hamsters an "as and when" cleaning routine is better than "everything in one go". So maybe the wheel one week, anything else a different week again. They are quite clean little things really - except for their pee.
Did the cage come with a litter tray? If not that can make life a lot easier! Syrians will almost always use a litter tray - then they're toilet trained! They usually choose a corner of the cage as a toilet and you put the litter tray there. With Chinchilla sand in it. And a tiny bit of their pee'd on substrate on top the first time (so they know it's still their toilet corner). If you put the litter tray anywhere else - she won't use it! They're contrary like that.
I use these plastic corner litter trays (they fit well in a corner and are high backed so pee stays in the litter tray). They're the right dimensions for a Syrian.
Pet shops sometimes tell you to clean everything out weekly but this is not good! It removes all their familiar scent and stresses them out. With enough substrate, a litter tray, and spot cleaning you can go a very long time without doing a substrate change (and even then it's best to keep a bit of the old clean substrate back and spread it on top of the new). Part of settling into a cage is they scent mark everything (rub themselves against things to leave scent from their scent glands). This is partly to claim it as their territory so they feel secure, and partly to find things! And find their way around. They really don't see well at all and rely on scent a lot.
With hamsters an "as and when" cleaning routine is better than "everything in one go". So maybe the wheel one week, anything else a different week again. They are quite clean little things really - except for their pee.
Did the cage come with a litter tray? If not that can make life a lot easier! Syrians will almost always use a litter tray - then they're toilet trained! They usually choose a corner of the cage as a toilet and you put the litter tray there. With Chinchilla sand in it. And a tiny bit of their pee'd on substrate on top the first time (so they know it's still their toilet corner). If you put the litter tray anywhere else - she won't use it! They're contrary like that.
I use these plastic corner litter trays (they fit well in a corner and are high backed so pee stays in the litter tray). They're the right dimensions for a Syrian.
M
Madison
Thankyou I really appreciate it, I didn’t think about a litter tray! I am still trying to find her a new cage hers is making me abit sad! Although she seems happy enough in there, she has made the strange noise again in her sleep, it’s very odd! Does it for about 30 seconds, I don’t think it’s respiratory as she is totally fine when she’s up and running around like a mad woman, very weird! I have never known a hamster make as much noise as her, I wish I could catch them on video for you guys!
I have found a wooden cage on Amazon I think I may invest in,
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
I'm sure she'll be fine in there while you're looking - the main thing is to just make it cosy with plenty of substrate 
I can see she already has plenty of nesting material. The other thing about that is as well, when you come to upgrade her it means you have more substrate to transfer over. Because when changing cages, it's important to move everything across without cleaning anything. Which sounds bizarre but it's only for a couple of weeks and it makes a massive difference between the hamster being completely stressed out and taking a long time to settle (which can set back taming) or settling happily in 2 or 3 days.
'
It's a big expensive purchase, a cage so maybe think carefully about what would suit you, fit well and be suitable for a Syrian. They can be difficult decisions. There are some good wood ones but if she turns out to be a chewer that would mean some diy to stop her escaping (which can be a real bind).
Have you seen the list of recommended cages on here? I'll link it. There are quite a lot on there and with their Pros and Cons. Personally I think the Savic Plaza is good for most Syrians and it's good for handling. But I usually get a different shelf (not essential). But you might want to think about something larger possibly.
I've used the Savic Plaza for most of our Syrians. Anything bigger than that would need to be a tank style cage as barred cages for hamsters only go up to 100cm. As the post says though, there are other things to think about too - like whether it's top access or front access. To be honest if she is not bar chewing in your current cage then I think she would be fine with a Savic Plaza! It's a lovely big cage but not huge. If you prefer the tank style ones, get one that has a good big top door that's easy to open. Some of them are very expensive though. The Pawhut ones - you might need some sandpaper and waterproofing paint! Which puts me off.
Noises when she's asleep could be dreaming. She's only just settling in. I think a few more inches of substrate in there will help so she can feel cosy at night. Also it can get cold at night at the moment and they really don't like the cold. So the more cosy substrate she has, the better so she can burrow down.
Just to add - that may sound expensive on substrate, putting a lot more in, but actually it isn't - it works out cheaper in the long run because you just spot clean and/or use the litter tray and the substrate can stay clean for 2 to 3 months (with about 6"). Better for the hamster and works out cheaper too!
www.thehamsterforum.com
I can see she already has plenty of nesting material. The other thing about that is as well, when you come to upgrade her it means you have more substrate to transfer over. Because when changing cages, it's important to move everything across without cleaning anything. Which sounds bizarre but it's only for a couple of weeks and it makes a massive difference between the hamster being completely stressed out and taking a long time to settle (which can set back taming) or settling happily in 2 or 3 days.'
It's a big expensive purchase, a cage so maybe think carefully about what would suit you, fit well and be suitable for a Syrian. They can be difficult decisions. There are some good wood ones but if she turns out to be a chewer that would mean some diy to stop her escaping (which can be a real bind).
Have you seen the list of recommended cages on here? I'll link it. There are quite a lot on there and with their Pros and Cons. Personally I think the Savic Plaza is good for most Syrians and it's good for handling. But I usually get a different shelf (not essential). But you might want to think about something larger possibly.
I've used the Savic Plaza for most of our Syrians. Anything bigger than that would need to be a tank style cage as barred cages for hamsters only go up to 100cm. As the post says though, there are other things to think about too - like whether it's top access or front access. To be honest if she is not bar chewing in your current cage then I think she would be fine with a Savic Plaza! It's a lovely big cage but not huge. If you prefer the tank style ones, get one that has a good big top door that's easy to open. Some of them are very expensive though. The Pawhut ones - you might need some sandpaper and waterproofing paint! Which puts me off.
Noises when she's asleep could be dreaming. She's only just settling in. I think a few more inches of substrate in there will help so she can feel cosy at night. Also it can get cold at night at the moment and they really don't like the cold. So the more cosy substrate she has, the better so she can burrow down.
Just to add - that may sound expensive on substrate, putting a lot more in, but actually it isn't - it works out cheaper in the long run because you just spot clean and/or use the litter tray and the substrate can stay clean for 2 to 3 months (with about 6"). Better for the hamster and works out cheaper too!
Hamster Cages 2026
Here is a list of suitable cages available for hamsters in 2026. Whether you prefer tank style or barred cages, front access or top access, there is, thankfully, plenty of choice in the Uk and Europe. Choice in the US is mainly tanks and tank style or diy. Both tank style and barred cages...
www.thehamsterforum.com
Last edited:
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
Actually, it might be because she's sleeping in the tube as well - she won't be burrowing down in the substrate. Is it possible to remove the tube if the cage came with hole covers? Then she'd use the substrate more and build a proper nest. It's such a shame that these plastic tubes look such fun for them but confuse their natural behaviours (which are to build a big cosy nest and bury hoards under it).
M
Madison
Hello, I have ordered her a new cage with no tubes, it’s a foot bigger than her cage at the min and half a foot wider!, I have also ordered her hides, chews, and a hammock from shein, she will have 5 hides now, she has her own loo roll to rip up when the cage comes, she has a seesaw too, all very exciting! I couldn’t upload every pic, it’s all very exciting, I am yet to get her a new wheel, I’ll put her old bedding in her new cage when I get it and her old hides and chocolate orange box(she loves it) -
Attachments
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
She'll enjoy those. The fluffy hanging bed though I wouldn't put inside the cage. Hamsters can chew fabric and get serious digestive blockages (or the threads can get wrapped round their legs and cut off the circulation). It would be love for an out of cage time hide. Which cage is it? It sounds like possibly the Grosvenor cage? But they give them different names on Wayfair.
For a wheel you can't go wrong with this trixie one. It's also about the cheapest one. Our Syrian has one in his playpen and loves it.
For a wheel you can't go wrong with this trixie one. It's also about the cheapest one. Our Syrian has one in his playpen and loves it.
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
The coconut looks fun. With wood items - check them carefully - it's surprising how many badly made or dangerous items are sold for hamsters - anything that looks an issue or is very splintery - just send it back!
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
Do check the wood houses for size when they arrive as well. Sometimes they just photoshop a picture of a syrian into a tiny house only big enough for a dwarf hamster! The entrances need to be at least 5 or 6 cm wide or diameter so a Syrian doesn't get stuck. Hope they are ok! I am speaking after having wasted a lot of money on unsuitable hamster items!
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
If you can possibly manage it, it will really help her if she could have a play in the new cage the day before moving in. I've always found this works well so they settle much quicker, because they've already scent marked it.
The way to do that is put some new substrate in the new cage and a couple of the new toys and perhaps one favourite thing from her current cage and let her just explore it for a while. Then put her back in her old cage overnight (plus the old toy!).
Next day you'll need somewhere to put her while you do the changeover. I sometimes used to put ours in a pet carrier with a blanket over it until it was all done. The idea being that you get everything set up in the new cage first off, so you don't need to add or adjust things again for at least a couple of weeks. Because she'll need that week or two settling in period again.
So you can then leave the new substrate in the new cage and move all the old substrate across from the old cage on top of the new and just press it down a bit if there's too much. The old items in a similar location to where they were before. And the wheel in a similar location.
Food bowl is good on a shelf where it won't get full of substrate. Put some nesting material in and any new items. Then pop her in. It might take her 24 hours to decide where to build a nest.
Another reason it's important to try and do the transition carefully like this is because if she finds it stressful she might bar chew. You can take away that stress by keeping everything smelling familiar and not having to tweak anything in the new cage for a couple of weeks while she's settling in.
The way to do that is put some new substrate in the new cage and a couple of the new toys and perhaps one favourite thing from her current cage and let her just explore it for a while. Then put her back in her old cage overnight (plus the old toy!).
Next day you'll need somewhere to put her while you do the changeover. I sometimes used to put ours in a pet carrier with a blanket over it until it was all done. The idea being that you get everything set up in the new cage first off, so you don't need to add or adjust things again for at least a couple of weeks. Because she'll need that week or two settling in period again.
So you can then leave the new substrate in the new cage and move all the old substrate across from the old cage on top of the new and just press it down a bit if there's too much. The old items in a similar location to where they were before. And the wheel in a similar location.
Food bowl is good on a shelf where it won't get full of substrate. Put some nesting material in and any new items. Then pop her in. It might take her 24 hours to decide where to build a nest.
Another reason it's important to try and do the transition carefully like this is because if she finds it stressful she might bar chew. You can take away that stress by keeping everything smelling familiar and not having to tweak anything in the new cage for a couple of weeks while she's settling in.
M
Madison
hello! Thankyou so much I really appreciate all your help with her. She is VERY fast, at first I thought she was scared but as times gone on I think she just lives her life at 100 mph, I checked all the house sizes luckily and they should all be perfect! I love the coconut too - - there are two fluffy ones that are for her playpen only - it’s a great idea to make it a play cage for the first day, I feel mean depriving her of her tubes but I know it will benefit her in the long run, I’m sure she will get over it! Would rather have her abit sad than stuck! - keylan cage by Archie and Oscar is the name of the cage, it looks like it could be great, the shelf inside is wood too which I liked, all her new stuff will come in stages so I’ll introduce things slowly, shein take a long time to deliver! - I’ve seen a few people with ceramic wax burners in theirs as homes - I have LOTS of those, I have a hamster sized hedgehog one she could have (I’ll clean it obvs) - I have seen they love clutter - clutter she shall have! (And lots of digging room). The only downfall with the cage is the opening is at the top, I am not mad about it as I am lifting her out with the pets at home box at the min, decided I’ll do this forever as it seems safer and much harder to jump out of than my hand!
R
RainbowBrite
Hi Madison. I just had a look at the cage you have ordered and it will be a bit tricky to fit a 12 inch wheel in it. I would hate you to waste your money. Did you check out the cages in the link by the way?
Do not worry about not using the tubes as you can always get a tunnel for her if she misses the tubes.
Do not worry about not using the tubes as you can always get a tunnel for her if she misses the tubes.
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
Candleburners make great hides - just check the entrance is at least 6cm diameter! Cardboard tubes work well as floor toys or even tied to the cage bars. Kitchen roll inner tubes are good if they're slit down one side (so they expand) as some hamsters can get too big for them and get stuck. Of all the favourite toys, our first hamster loved his kitchen roll tube the best!
The cage is the same as the Grosvenor cage from Little Pet Warehouse (and on Amazon). For some strange reason Wayfair always give things different names. Rainbow is correct that it won't fit a 12" wheel due to the lower height. I think the 28cm trixie wheel I linked will fit.
It is a good price for a cage - I think most people would go slightly larger. But something like the hamster heaven costs a lot more, as does the Savic Plaza (almost twice as much). I have the Savic Plaza for our Syrians although I did have one that preferred the 80 x 50 Hamster Heaven size. To be honest the Hamster Heaven is almost the same price as the Savic Plaza so not really worth it when you could get a Plaza - it does cost more though.
If your hamster is getting daily out of cage time, the cage should be fine but it might be tricky to fit everything in.
The cage is the same as the Grosvenor cage from Little Pet Warehouse (and on Amazon). For some strange reason Wayfair always give things different names. Rainbow is correct that it won't fit a 12" wheel due to the lower height. I think the 28cm trixie wheel I linked will fit.
It is a good price for a cage - I think most people would go slightly larger. But something like the hamster heaven costs a lot more, as does the Savic Plaza (almost twice as much). I have the Savic Plaza for our Syrians although I did have one that preferred the 80 x 50 Hamster Heaven size. To be honest the Hamster Heaven is almost the same price as the Savic Plaza so not really worth it when you could get a Plaza - it does cost more though.
If your hamster is getting daily out of cage time, the cage should be fine but it might be tricky to fit everything in.
Last edited:
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
With the Hamster Heaven it has the front opening door and you can then attach all sorts to the roof and make roof runs with larger cardboard tubes leading to a shelf for example. You're right it's tricky with it being top opening as you can't attach anything to the roof then really. Getting her out wouldn't be an issue though - they usually just walk into a tube and you can lift her out that way.
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
Yes they can be very fast! Especially before they're hand tame - they tend to sit still a bit more when they're hand tame or saunter round a bit more slowly - time and patience! Bathtub taming can help when she's ready for that.
M
Member ID2
The cage is the same as the Grosvenor which is a good cage for a dwarf hamster or a very elderly, inactive Syrian but not one i would recommend for an active, female Syrian.
With a Syrian its better to think big as in guinea pig or rat size for a house, tunnels etc as most items sold for hamsters are only big enough for dwarf hamsters.
An 11in wheel which a Syrian needs also takes up quite a bit of space.
I'd cut out a piece of cardboard in the dimensions of the cage and place things on it to get an idea of the floor space available.
A cage always looks deceivingly big when empty.
I'm not trying to talk you out of this cage if you are happy with it but i know from experience how annoying it is running out of space while setting up a cage and thinking i wished i had gone a bit bigger.
With a Syrian its better to think big as in guinea pig or rat size for a house, tunnels etc as most items sold for hamsters are only big enough for dwarf hamsters.
An 11in wheel which a Syrian needs also takes up quite a bit of space.
I'd cut out a piece of cardboard in the dimensions of the cage and place things on it to get an idea of the floor space available.
A cage always looks deceivingly big when empty.
I'm not trying to talk you out of this cage if you are happy with it but i know from experience how annoying it is running out of space while setting up a cage and thinking i wished i had gone a bit bigger.
- Messages
- 23,375
- Reaction score
- 27,695
- Points
- 1,373
They do make the same cage in a bigger size - longer and deeper. It does cost twice as much though 
. It is a slightly better height but not way tall like the Plaza. It's a good height. To be honest this would be better - if it's affordable. Lots of space to fit everything in and for her to be active in.
www.littlepetwarehouse.co.uk
. It is a slightly better height but not way tall like the Plaza. It's a good height. To be honest this would be better - if it's affordable. Lots of space to fit everything in and for her to be active in.
Grosvenor XL Hamster & Rat Cage 100x54x39cm - Grey
Spacious 100x54x39cm hamster & rat cage with secure 1cm bar spacing. Includes wooden shelf, ladder & bowl. Collapsible design for easy storage.
www.littlepetwarehouse.co.uk
R
RainbowBrite
Beryl makes a very good point. I had no idea how much hamsters need and it can be so difficult to fit all their things in. It is a very good idea to use a piece of cardboard with the same dimensions to see if everything will fit inside the cage. Also, you may like to buy sand. A lot of hamsters like to toilet in sand. If she toilets in the sand it will be much easier for you to just change rather then looking for the wee spots. 
M
Member ID2
I thought the Grosvenor XL has a front door as well or am i thinking of a different cage?Grosvenor XL Hamster & Rat Cage 100x54x39cm - Grey
Spacious 100x54x39cm hamster & rat cage with secure 1cm bar spacing. Includes wooden shelf, ladder & bowl. Collapsible design for easy storage.