Meet Maisy

[Shambles]

Hi everyone, this is Maisy. She’s a 10 week old Syrian that has been with us since Saturday. She’s in a plastic tank style enclosure with bars at the top. She’s not showed any signs of chewing plastic just yet but should I be worried that this could be a possibility? At the moment I just read out loud next to her cage quietly in the evenings and she comes and runs in her wheel mostly, with a little exploring in between whilst I read. I’ve popped in some toilet roll that has my scent on it. I’m going to try scatter feeding from tonight. She has a tunnel and some sprays coming today I’ve become aware since getting this enclosure that I need to save for a deeper one as this one isn’t deep enough. I was unaware before buying as it does meet minimum floor space.

 

[Maz]

Hello and welcome She's absolutely gorgeous I wouldn't rush to upgrade her enclosure but let her have time to settle and adjust. It looks like the PAH Ferplast Maxi Duna version? As you say it's the right floor space. It is a little low for a Syrian. There are pros and cons with that. The restricted height means it's hard to have deeper bedding or a platform. Although it's possible to have a deeper end of bedding and a platform at the other end. The pros are that there are no fall risks to worry about and it gives her chance to get used to you and adjust to the space and her new environment.

Her set up looks lovely and you do have a platform I wouldn't change anything for at least a month as it will stress her while she's settling in. In a couple of weeks you could maybe add a bit more bedding at one end, even if it part buries the house.

 

[Shambles]

Thank you, yes this is what I have. I’ve managed to get bedding quite deep. Deeper in some places than others, she does make little tunnels underneath but once settled I will add more. The house could be buried by bedding as it is deep enough but I only pushed it in some of the way.
Do you think I need to be worried about her chewing through the plastic where I can’t see or am I worrying over nothing? My main concern is just that she is safe and happy. I’d rather not upgrade unless I need to due to her being unhappy/risk of chewing through.

 

[Maz]

Whereabouts is she chewing at the plastic? I have seen hamsters chew their way out of these. Is there a bottle hole? That's often where they start. That can be blocked up with a screw in wood chew (pets at home sell carrot shaped ones).

Female syrians are known for being super active and energetic and even a bit maverick at times - particularly when on heat (every four days), so it may be she will start needing some out of cage time in the next week or so - to burn off some of that energy and have a change of scene

 

[Shambles]

She hasn’t chewed yet as far as I know. I’m just scared incase she might. There is no bottle hole, only the inside ridge inside the tray (inserted a pic) that she could probably start with if she wanted too. She’s shown no sign of wanting out. Maybe I’m over thinking - a talent of mine.

 

[Maz]

Oh I wouldn't worry about it if she hasn't tried Just see how she goes.

 

[Shambles]

Thank you. Hopefully if she did I would notice way before she got out like having a newborn all over again !

 

[Maz]

It is a bit like that - I had so many worries and anxieties with our first hamster!

 

[Socks Mum]

Lovely photos!