OK to start with smaller cage for new baby hamster?

[Newhamster]

We are getting a baby Syrian hamster before Christmas and over the Christmas period we have guests staying for 2 weeks, which means we don’t have space for a large cage set up (100x50x 50cm tank) until they leave. Would it be ok to house the baby hamster in a smaller cage (50x25cm tank with cage above) for the first 2 weeks, and then move it into the bigger tank, or would that be very stressful? I was thinking we could put the smaller cage inside the big one so it could gradually explore it and hopefully minimise stress? Any advice gratefully received as we are novice hamster owners.

 

[Maz]

50 x 25cm is really really small unfortunately and it would be stressful for the hamster. Are you in the US? You could start the hamster in a smaller cage, and then upgrade after a few months, but the smaller cage would really need to be about this size - would that fit? If it's a female syrian, they need a LOT of space - this might work ok for a male syrian. This is approx 80cm x 50cm. Or maybe it would be better to wait until after Christmas and put the hamster straight into the 100cm tank? If that's possible. Maybe the hamster has to leave a breeder by a certain date?

Even with a tank topper, 50cm x 25cm wouldn't be big enough to put a hamster in - they need floor space rather than height. They also need a couple of weeks to adjust to a new cage, scent mark it and feel at home, so another cage change a couple of weeks later would cause a lot of stress and baby hamsters can be prone to wet tail if they get too stressed early on.

A Syrian hamster also needs an 11" or 12" wheel so a cage needs to be large enough to fit that and plenty of enrichment.

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Could you fit an 80cm x 50cm cage in? Or think about having the 100cm tank in a different room and then moving it to where you want it after Christmas?

So either it's smaller cage for at least 3 weeks to a month (but not too small) and then upgrade, or something like the Zanzibar for a bit longer and then consider upgrading (but you might find the hamster is fine in that cage).