Reddit mentions: The best small animal feeding & watering supplies

Hello, she is such a cute girl! You really need to try to get her off the "good stuff"' and onto healthy pellets/hay/greens diet with occasional treat. If you look at the summary I linked it outlines what a good diet would be and this is a good high level summary: https://www.binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/2/PID/940/Default.aspx I think you might have already looked though the summary hence you question, so a couple suggestions that might help:

1. Try to get fresher and better hay and pellets than what you buy packaged at the store. oxbow is good, but sometimes doesn't smell and taste as enticing to bunny as something fresher might. Couple suggestions below:
   this sampler box of hay - it smells wonderful to bunnies https://shop.smallpetselect.com/products/sampler-box. Later you can get a couple boxes of hay she likes the most and mix it up for her to have a blend - again variety works best and they more of it. This site also has great pellets and hay and chew tows that most bunnies will like as again it is quite fresh.
   
   This sources is also good for great fresh hay and pellets: https://www.farmerdavepetsupply.com/
   
   Especially their hay chips make for great treats and encourage more hay consumption - https://www.amazon.com/FarmerDavePetSupply-Pounds-Premium-Timothy-Chips/dp/B00ZXZCRIA/ref=lp_12025098011_1_8?srs=12025098011&ie=UTF8&qid=1539104889&sr=8-8, in fact it would be ok to offer these as a great supplement to hay.. they are just hay but made into crunchy chips, some bunnies just like it more. I also use as treats. I think she might like it, worth the money for sure to try.
   
   Whatever hay you offer bunnies like fresh, sometimes putting a fresh layer into his feeder or even taking out of his feeder and mixing up with the fresh hay in the box and replacing into his feeder will make him want to eat it more. Oh and be sure to have hay right next to her litter box as bunnies love to poop and much and she will eat more of it, but have a smaller rack also in another place. I like this feeder in particular - really awesome and will last forever!
   https://www.etsy.com/listing/176171801/rabbit-hay-feeder?ref=shop_home_feat_1 or you can DIY one to try it like in this picture https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/9mli4c/adopted_this_little_guy_thor_from_our_local/ as long as you secure the box. This smaller one works for another space https://www.amazon.com/Mkono-Feeder-Wasted-Manger-Chinchilla/dp/B072C5LTY5/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539135867&sr=8-3&keywords=hay+rack
   
   Same with pellets (but unlike hay in limited quantities of only 1/4 cup per day per 6 lb bunny) , the fresher better quality they are the more enticing the smell and taste will be (they do cost more but not so much more that it really is unfavorable... cheaper than vet bills anyways). When you switch her pellets do so slowly by mixing old and new and changing the proportions in favor of new.. If she entirely refuses even good fresh healthy pellets try to encourage her with a treats, mix in a few tiny pieces of homemade treats like tiny apple cubes, banana, maybe some cilantro, parsley, mint leaves sprinkled and mixed in such that she has to try to eat a pellet to get a treat, hopefully she will like the taste she gets and try some more. Also try handfeeding to trick her, have a pellet and a tiny piece of fruit in one hand, let her sniff and become excited then feed the pellet and follow immediately by treat, then feed another pellet or two if you can or a hay cube... with time she will hopefully come to like it more and she will associate the healthy food with getting a treat after, so eating pellets will become a good thing and she may start doing it more without the extra encouragement of treats so much.
   
   
2. Also try to offer toys to make it more interesting for her -
   You can stuff hay and a few pellets of both kind for now into a paper towel or toilet paper roll and let her forage for them
   
   https://www.reddit.com/r/Rabbits/comments/9j3lod/a_couple_people_requested_this_i_wish_i_was_able/
   
   

• You can use a treat ball to feed pellets and see if she is more interested
  
  https://www.amazon.com/WHEEKY-Guinea-Pets-Adjustable-Opening/dp/B01BHCFRUM/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1539105014&sr=1-4&keywords=small+animal+treat+ball
  
  The food sites I liked above also have good chew toys made of hay, try the fidget stick from small pet select or even just braid the hay your have yourself and offer like that.
  
  Oh this video does a great job showing healthy treats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wqC_dV2xNE
  
  Get her a heavier ceramic food bowl so she cannot throw it, or a treat ball as I said to feed pellets... it is strange that she would bite... is she spayed? If she does bite, make a loud squealing noise like a bunny crying to indicate that it hurts and you don't like it... don't punish her or yell or lock her up as she will just get sacred and stop trusting you.
  
  I really hope some of this might help you and you beautiful girl! A healthy diet is essential to her long term health... as is spaying is she in not yet.

I get all my fleece from JoAnn stores. They often have fleece at 50% off per yard, so you can buy it in bulk and use it as needed. Any large fabric store will have lots of fleece in stock (I just prefer JoAnn because that's the best one I have in the area I live in). I'm sure you know this already, but just in case, please don't use cedar or pine chips as bedding for your rats; it's harmful to them. You can use fleece or aspen chip bedding (but freeze the aspen for 48 hours prior to use to make sure it's free of parasites).

I buy many rat toys on Amazon, and make some myself. If you're buying any kind of wooden rat toy, do be aware that many of them are made from soft woods like pine and cedar, which are super bad for rat respiratory systems. Hardwood toys are usually safe—just make sure it's not a combination wood that also has pine or cedar in it along with the hardwood. I personally do not buy wood toys on amazon, because the products often don't list what kind of wood they're made of. The only wood product I buy on Amazon is bags of untreated apple branch chewing sticks. I'll link you to some rat-safe toys and accessories I buy on amazon below! :)

Kaytee Lava Ledge
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00176F466/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

15" Chin Spin - Small Animal Exercise Wheel - Handmade in USA (Expensive, but it's the very best and safest wheel for rats.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ6SDBQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bright Starts Lots of Links Accessory Toy (Great for hanging things up in the cage.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ABZGU2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

Small Animal Activity Toy Cotton Rope Net For Rat and Ferret Pet Bed for Parrot and Hamster Parrot
https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Activity-Cotton-Ferret-Hamster/dp/B0777NWKT9/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1519011945&sr=1-2&keywords=rat+rope+net

Kaytee Igloo Hideout, Large
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068K132/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

ACCO Binder Clips, Medium, 2 Boxes, 12/Box (A7072050) (If using fleece as the bedding/liner in your cage, this helps to secure fleece to the Critter Nation pans.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TQ8FDB8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap - Baby Unscented, 32oz. (I don't use any scented products with my rats since rat respiratory systems are so fragile, so this is the non-scented liquid soap I use to wash my hands and their non-fabric toys.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DAI76TC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pawliss Teeth Grinding Lava Block for Hamster Chinchilla Rabbit
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HGHA6VW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Aspen/Booda Corporation BBX56134 Byrdy Cable Cross Bird Toy, Medium
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WRHTG6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

200g(7oz) Apple Sticks Pet Snacks Chew Toys for Guinea Pigs Chinchilla Squirrel Rabbits Hamster(About 50-70 Sticks) by MAIYUAN (The only wood product I buy on Amazon.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WLL641Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Fun Tunnels Play Tube for Small Pets (Medium.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LUMU9M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ware Manufacturing Plastic Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Small Pet Pan- Colors May Vary (Regular size, not jumbo.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SLICDA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

JW Comfy Perch for Birds (Large, 36".)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002AR754/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Critter Space Pod 2 Large (You can hand these on the ceiling of the Critter Nation. My boys LOVE these!)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002X2NBNQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lixit Lbg-16 Glass Small Animal Bottle 16 Oz (16oz is always best for rats because of the bigger water spout. I've found that smaller bottles are a struggle for my boys to get water out of, so I only use the small ones for rat carriers/transporter cages. Tip: filtered water is best for rats, so if you can, get a Britta water filter.)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002WYCFK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Yummy Time Tiny Small Stoneware Pet/Dog Bowl
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAUMYDC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I buy Harlan Teklad (Envigo) food blocks for my rats, which is one of the top two for rats (the other is Oxbow Regal Rat). Harland Teklad is hard to find though, so I buy mine through this animal rescue:
http://weecompanions.org/healthy-food

If you get these blocks, freeze them to extend their shelf life, and take them out from the freezer as needed to fill your ratties' bowls. Harlan Teklad is great because they have several formulas for rats based on their age, which is super helpful for their health. Young rats up to 8 months usually eat Harlan Teklad 2016 (16% protein), and after 8 months they eat Harlan Teklad 2014 (14% protein).

Also, I don't have a link for this, but the best laundry detergents to use to wash your rats' cloth toys or bedding with is one that's non-scented and is sensitive on skins.

Um, if I think of anything else, I'll add it. But for now, it's already a ton. :P Enjoy!

(And feel free to message me if you have any questions!)

Cardboard boxes with shredded paper, pieces of cardboard, paper towel rolls, and some hay stuffed inside with a tunnel attached is by far my buns' favorite toys. They love going in and ripping everything apart and finding hay/treats to eat. Bunnies love cardboard boxes in general. They'll rip them apart and move them around, chew on 'em, make hidey holes, climb on them. I'll even cut out some holes on the side of the boxes and stuff cardboard tubes frayed at the ends/stuffed with hay for them to have fun with.

Tunnels rank at number 2 favorite toy. Their favorite is the crinkley cat tunnels which have holes throughout them they can dart out. They like the crinkle noise too.

They love manipulating objects, hard plastic slinkies (not metal ones!) are fun for them ... and to watch, haha. Hard plastic baby rattles, baby keys, etc. Just no gel/soft plastic as it would be easy for them to bite and ingest.
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Toys_and_Games This has an awesome list of toys and also places to buy bun toys. I've bought cottontail cottages, activity tables, rosewood activity trees, etc--buns love them all! But they are expensive for sure. The activity tables last forever but it would definitely be cheaper to build one !

Oh, also--I would recommend games like the Teach N Treat for mental stimulation as well: http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Living-World-Teach-Treat/dp/B004HYW9B8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474030&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+n+treat

There are tons of dog and cat games like that too that buns will love: http://www.amazon.ca/Trixie-4594-Products-Solitaire-White/dp/B0057G1WT0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I346NPTH7GATHZ

Also they love moving around these treat balls when you stuff em with pellets: http://www.amazon.com/Smarter-Toys-Treat-Inches-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474058&sr=8-2&keywords=treat+ball

They love games that have anything to do with eating/end result being eating. :P

http://www.amazon.ca/Kitty-Mansions-Memphis-Tree-Beige/dp/B0043Z0EUE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=IHU58PNBHRME6 CAT TREES! Build your own if you want! Make sure if you buy one to cover any non-safe bun material.

I also got them one of these: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0038B2EKM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00005C5H4/ref=oh_details_o02_s05_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Stack cups! Put treats between them and watch them knock them over and nom the treats. :)

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00000IZQP/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i05?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They also like knocking these off.

http://www.amazon.ca/Super-Pet-Tropical-Fiddle-Stick/dp/B000HHO26E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I1Y9U0EEWOMV8N These things!

http://www.amazon.ca/Ware-711-Roller-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001CQFDJY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I3D5TZDNHU5HM8 This makes eating hay a bit more fun for them. :)

My boys love rolling around and destroying these: http://www.amazon.ca/Peters-Woven-Grass-Play-Ball/dp/B0009YJ3OG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I2VYO2771IW0LJ

Bunnies really enjoy long-term projects, which is why they like the dig boxes I described in the first paragraph so much. They dig and rearrange the boxes foreeever until I make a new one for them.

Awww. He's a cutie! And that playpen is AWESOME.

Usually I see advice to give them about a week to settle in. For an older hamster, it might take a bit longer.

I also got my dwarf as an older guy - and he did the same frantic running around thing! At first I thought he was excited, but like you I soon realized he was actually terrified.

I ended up doing something similar to what you have, where he could go in and out of his cage on his own terms. It still took about a week for him to feel confident doing that. And another week or two before he felt confident enough to roam around the room (once it was hamster proofed, of course).

What I found to be absolutely key was lighting -- he simply refused to emerge if the lights were on (which made monitoring him tricky). He'd tolerate very dim light, like the light from my laptop screen, but that's about it. It was about a month before he'd come out and play around his cage when the lights were on.

However to this day he refuses to get on his wheel if any lights are on. So if I accidentally fall asleep with a lamp on, he will go all night without running on his wheel.

(If this turns out to be the case with yours, I read somewhere that red light doesn't bother them. I now have some red LED Christmas lights hanging above his play area, and he seems to tolerate those just fine.)

Also keep in mind that hamsters are essentially blind - they navigate by smell, sound, and touch. Mine is totally comfortable with me now (although he'll probably never be hand-tamed), but he still doesn't respond to my voice. He knows me by my smell -- so if he's in his nest and I'm trying to get him to come out, I'll gently blow in the entrance. So maybe try doing something like that to help him get used to your scent.

__

Regarding his cage/play pen --

Hamsters are like any other pet in that they each have their own distinct little personalities and quirks. For example, mine hates those igloo things and hates wicker (but other dwarves seem totally content with theirs!) So he might not like the hideout you've given him, and is finding it difficult to relax.

I'd try placing more hideouts in his play pen to see what he likes. You don't have to go out and spend a bunch of money. For example, we finally figured out that mine loves his hideouts to be dark and low -- so like one of those smaller kleenex boxes cut down with a little hole for an entrance. One of his favorite nests was when we cut a hole in a clean cardboard sandwich box from Arby's! Then he likes to stuff the entrance with bedding, to the point where you wonder how he manages to get in or out. He likes this one a lot, but won't really go in the top half.

You'll also eventually want to replace that wheel. This one is pretty popular - I have it and mine loves it. I've seen others on here recommend it as well. This one is also popular. Giving him a good wheel is pretty essential. It's how they exercise and run off all their excess energy, which is key to managing stress. (To check if he's using his wheel, place a seed or something on top of it. If it's still there in the morning, you'll know he's not using it.)

You can also give him stuff to make his play area more interesting, which might entice him out a bit more. Again, it doesn't mean you have to go spend a bunch of money. The tubes from empty paper towel or toilet rolls make perfectly fine tunnels. Things for him to climb over or through or under. If you have some extra boxes lying around, you can make him a cardboard maze. More/deeper bedding to dig through. Things like that. Lots of it he'll probably ignore, but eventually you'll start to get a sense of what he likes and doesn't like.

"Hide" seeds or treats around for him to find. Hide seeds in his bedding, or maybe put bit of broccoli or apple in one of the tubes. Mine likes when I put seeds in the back of an empty cereal box. Find out what treats he likes. Mine is a pretty picky eater as it turns out, but lately he's been crazy about snow peas and likes to pull them out of their shell. So at night I'll open them half way up and place them around so he can hunt them down and tug them out.

Another piece of advice I don't see given very often is to try to have two water bottles. I know someone who's hamster's water bottle broke or got jammed or something and they didn't realize it. The hamster ended up being ok, but they had no idea he had been unable to drink and felt pretty terrible about it. I use ones like this since I don't have cage bars to hang one on.

You need at least the size of a 10-gallon talk PER RAT -- and you need at least two unless you plan on playing with this thing 24/7. If you need help affording something bigger, check with your local rattie rescue.

Don't invest in toys -- they're expensive and unless you've seen them playing with them already (i.e. you've seen them running in a wheel at the store), you're likely wasting the money. They need something durable for a house, yes, but they don't need durable playthings.

Rats love (and can have) damned near anything for toys and bedding, from old Chinese food cartons (remove the metal first!), discarded clothes (My boys love old boxer shorts!), and chicken bones. If you have items near the end of their usable lifespan anyway, the rats will find a way to get that last bit of life out of it. If you're really mindful, you can wash their "rat laundry" and make those discarded clothes last for months.

(note, you still need something like Aspen bedding as a cage litter even with things like shirts and boxers -- but rats like lining their sleeping spots with extra padding.)

Cagegear I recommend buying: ^(Disclaimer: Amazon referral links provided)

• eCotrition Snak Shack products provide fun variety for rats as well as a failsafe if you forget to feed them enough. I usually get the activity logs but poo becomes a problem if they last too long -- the huts might work better.
  
• Lixit Glass Water Bottles are durable as all get out. Thirsty rats will do ANYTHING to try and get water out of an empty water bottle -- including chewing through plastic bottles! You should pay attention to the water levels, obviously, but these don't leak and won't be destroyed if you do forget for a day.
  
• Safety Pins as fasteners for makeshift hammocks made from those discarded clothes (just make sure the pointy end is on the OUTSIDE of the cage and check it regularly to make sure it hasn't been popped open)
  
• Kaytee Pet Igloo, because Igloo. (But really, they're easy to clean -- I throw mine in the shower along with the rest of the cage when I need to clean them -- and it's easy to find a rattie when you're looking to make sure everyone's happy and healthy, since they're translucent.)
  
  Hammocks are awesome, tunnels are awesome, and "perch points" for Ratties to hang out up at the top of the cage are awesome. Just change up the layout every now and then to keep their brains fresh.

Hm, I usually see those used for transferring animals, I haven't seen an example of someone using it as a home. I have a small one I used when I got my babies, but just to carry in the car. I can't find the dimensions for the largest one - the tarantula stuff is triggering for me sorry lol There's some info on housing here, it makes a good point about the keeper plastic lid however: http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/housing.cfm


I know the top has a hole for a water bottle like this ( http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Corporation-SLX0850-Aquarium-5-Ounce/dp/B0006B6804/ref=sr_1_11?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1373342103&sr=1-11 ) to go through. (Vertical nozzle, as opposed to a usual diagonal one.) Or you could probably drill one for a different type of

I'd say start with one wheel, and grab another if you need to. Out of my 3 only 2 use it, and it's honestly much more amusing to me to see them try and go opposite directions >_> haha

I grab fleece when I'm at the art store, like Michael's or AC Moore. I just get the small squares and cut them up, the solid colors are only like 50 cents a square? Or less? But yeah any fleece/polar fleece is fine. If you have a dollar store, they sometimes have scarves made of fleece and its a decent amount to play with! I got one last winter. Just had to cut the edging with the cotton thread and ran it once through the wash. :) Any fleece from anywhere works. I pulled apart some old PJ's that I never wore anymore myself.

My Syrian hamster has been very happy in this cage for the entire first year of his life so far. After a few days of exploratory climbing he has not once chewed on his bars or ever acted stressed because he wants out of his home.

30.5 x 8.5 x 18.5 inches:
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Habitat-Multi-Level-Exotics-18-Inch/dp/B00CETSHN2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Excersize:
I recommend purchasing a Wodent Wheel 11inch http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JD8I2Y/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687462&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005Y41UPQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1JBB5ENE1BEBPRFYR6JR

and Flying Saucer 12 inches : http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Flying-Saucer-Exercise-4-Inch/dp/B001AT62H0/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462212985&sr=1-1-fkmr1&keywords=flying+saucer+hamster+11+inch

Bathing and Natural Nail Trimming:
Also pick up some flat Reptile Rocks for underneath his water bottle so he will trim his nails naturally and a large ceramic bowl (needs to be deep not so much wide) filled with Repti Sand Desert White (No Calcium) http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiSand%C2%AE-Pounds-Desert/dp/B0002DIZKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213181&sr=1-1&keywords=desert+white+repti+sand

My hamster is a fan of these Apple Orchard sticks for teeth filing though his lab blocks are semi hard and also good for dental health trimming.
http://www.amazon.com/SuperPet-Apple-Orchard-Sticks-Pieces/dp/B001CCXMP0/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213890&sr=1-2&keywords=apple+wood+sticks

After you get those things pick up this item as a natural grass burrow for him to sleep in and clean his cage once every week. Plastic burrow are just awful for air circulation, and my hamster never liked them at all when i didnt know any better.

http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Nature-Willow-Grass-Small/dp/B001ATBMCU?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00

For food I feed my hamster Higgins Sunburst and Kaytee Forti Diet Lab blocks everyday with fresh fruit and veggies every two days. Remember your hamster stomach is the size of your pinky finger nail so portion small. He loves 3-4 lab blocks a day with a small spoonful of nuts, seeds and fruit from the Higgins. Remember though 3 Sunflower Seeds max a day or they will get fat and unhealthy.

http://www.amazon.com/Higgins-Sunburst-Gourmet-Hamsters-Gerbils/dp/B009GHII5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213536&sr=1-1&keywords=higgins+sunburst

Looks like this but for Hamster not rat and mice:
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Forti-Health-Mouse-5-Pound/dp/B001VJ56Z8/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1462213507&sr=1-1&keywords=kaytee+forti+hamster

For bedding you want UNSCENTED (it messes with their respiratory system if its scented) this Kaytee Clean and Cozy is what I use. Absorbs liquid good and keeps the smell down if its close to cleaning day.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Clean-Cozy-Small-Bedding/dp/B015MJB8PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1462214215&sr=1-2&keywords=kaytee+bedding

and last but not least. Buy TWO water bottles in case one of them jams overnight you DO NOT want your hamster to suffer from dehydration. They do not need much water, but when they need it, they need it fast or will get sick quick. The kaytee water bottles have issues with the spout pointing straight so buyer beware. They often dont align properly into the cage bars. But they do work and dont leak for me. Stick with GLASS water bottles, it just tastes better honestly. 6 ounces if you will change the water daily. 12 ounces if you are not as attentive.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-SSR61982-Animal-Bottle-12-Ounce/dp/B007TUNWM2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1462214981&sr=8-4&keywords=kaytee+water+bottle

It seems like a lot of money at first and it is but this hamster will be your new furry friend and relies on only you to care for it, so give it the best and longest life possible. You will have one happy hamster if you get all that and will never need to upgrade anything when your Syrian grows bigger.

Yes, as pups, they really need someone with them all day or most of the day.

You should add a doggy bed for them. Make sure the kennel isn't too big. A medium size kennel would be ideal. (separate kennels too) If they have a lot of room to walk around in the kennel, they will potty in there. It'll take a couple weeks for them to get use to their kennel and a solid 3 months before potty training starts to really make progress. You will have accidents in the house, it just a given. Just have to take them out consistently, that's the only way to not have accidents. Taking them to the same spot every time to potty is also a recommendation.

I advise not crating them over night in the kennel as there still getting acclimated to their new home & young. Having them eat in their kennel is best, it will become a "safe space" or "bedroom" . They will be more willing to just sleep there when you're home with the kennel door open and even more so when you leave at a later time.
At 13 weeks, they can only hold their little bladder for 1 hour. Rule for pups is they can hold their bladder for how ever many months they are old. So 2 months old, two hours.

They really need to be taken out every 30 min. You should also purchase this for their water dispensing:
https://www.amazon.com/Drip-Water-bottle-free-proof/dp/B06XF3SBZQ/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1519239693&sr=8-15&keywords=rabbit+water+bottle+no+drip

You don't want to have an open water source as they will have to potty more frequently. Control their water, you'll be able to gauge how often they will need to potty.
Edit: be ready to not get much sleep for the 1st month LOL

PM me if you need anymore help. Happy to assist :)

In addition to the air filter, stop using hay as litter. No need to have that much loose hay about. I'm really allergic to hay as well, but I have had zero issues since I stopped using the hay as litter. I have a hay feeder that I only have to refill about once or twice a week so Sail gets his fill, and I cover my mouth and nose with a bandana and wear gloves when I refill it. I haven't had any reactions since I started giving Sailor hay that way, and he's pretty happy with the arrangement. He loves pulling the hay out of the feeder and sometimes even hopping in! (I don't use the lid, and he's still a teeny little thing).

Don't give up, and please please please please please please don't euthanize. There's absolutely no reason for that at all. Someone out there will be willing to take him off your hands if you can't resolve this problem. If you can afford euthanasia, you can afford to drive him to someone else who would be willing to take care of him that's outside of your immediate area. I'm sorry that you're in this situation, but putting him down is definitely not the answer.

OMG hammys are AMAZING. I've had a few through the years. My favorite little guy was black and white, kind of looked like an inverted panda. I named him Kody.

As for addatives you may need - Ball with stand So you dont kick him around the house on accident, if you're busy. Food dish. For water, so the lil feller doesnt get it all messy. And for random factoid: If you get a dwarf hammy, they don't get very big. So any sized pin will work okay. But if you get like, a teddy bear hammy, they will grow to the size of their world. Some can get big, others stay small because of their habitat. I would think about getting a bigger pin, and possibly one you can add tubing to. Kody had three pins, and tubing that hooked to each one. He still was fairly small, honestly. But this ones nice.

Hammy names?! For dwarf, pick one of the 7 dwarf names. :P If you get a normal hammy, well, I dunno. I just go with what I like at the time. I've had hammies named Kody, Sammy, slim and jj.

It's the paws/ they have REALLLLLYYYY cute lil paws!!

You can surprise me, if theres anything even on the list. If not, no biggie. Pretty much hammies are adorbs and I'm glad youre getting one. Their tonnnnssss of fun!

I shall call him fluffy!

Choco nose bottles have worked the best for me, I haven’t tried the lixit but I got two of the smaller ones for my girls and they work great, I did have to replace one of them when the seal started to break down, but it lasted for about two years.

Got mine on Amazon.

Choco Nose H128 Patented No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle. Best Water Bottle for Small Pet/ Bunny/ Ferret/ Hamster/ Critter. BPA Free. 11.2 Oz. Nozzle Diameter: 10mm (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SY1X0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hP3cBbM2DGPCX

Here's what I use for our Syrian's water bottle.

As for taming, I definitely recommend watching ErinsAnimals. I'm taming our new hamster at the moment and she's just about getting the hang of it after nearly a month - it took three weeks for her to get over her aversion to hands! Take her into a confined space (like a pen or bathtub) where she can get more used to your scent and your movements and just chat to her whenever you're with her. Top tip for handling: After washing your hands, rub them in her bedding/sawdust/etc so she recognises it as a safe smell.

But as you say, patience is key. Be consistent with taming her every day and be mindful of her mood. A 5 minute session is still as beneficial as a 15 minute session!

Good luck :)

Here's some links to products I mentioned and products my pigs like:

Small Pet Select Timothy Hay Pet Food, 10-Pound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ID70IEU/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_tr8Eub1AJRAQ7

Ware Hand Woven Willow Twig Tunnel Small Pet Hideout, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002H3BLCY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_-s8Eub0ETWT7J

Kaytee Forti Diet Pro Health Food for Guinea Pig, 5-Pound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VB503Y/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Av8Eub1ERBJYN

eCOTRITION Snak Shak Treat Stuffer for Guinea Pig/Rabbit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WAGVO2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_jw8Eub001T4KZ

Kaytee Chew-Proof Water Bottle, 26-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHQ70S/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_eA8Eub1MCZ8ZJ (I fill it almost completely and mine never leaks, but some reviews mention it leaking).

Kaytee Super Sleeper Cuddle-E-Cup, Colors Vary https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ASBRM/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_qY8Eub0PE7E4Y best to get two of things like this, pigs will fight over it if there's only one.

I would recommend a hanging bottle. Many fuzzbutts are already trained on them before you get them from the pet store/breeder, but if not they learn pretty quick. Here is the bottle I bought:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002Z15ZW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


It's nice and big, glass (which makes it durable), but it is a tad pricey. Well worth the money, though. If you're on a tighter budget, you can get a cheap one for just $10 or so, but I would highly recommend paying a bit more for quality.

Obviously a hanging bottle will completely eliminate the water digging, but my problem is that my little guy likes to dig food! Does anyone have any advice on stopping that behavior? I may have to make a thread about it to get some advice. I tried scruffing him, but he likes the attention!

Petco is having a dollar/gallon sale! Aquariums are great for hamsters. A 40 gallon would give plenty of room for fun! Come visit us at /r/hamstercare there are a few hamster experts over there who will have tons of advice!

EDIT:

I don't think the new cage meets the minimum square footage, I'd definitely go with an aquarium. The minimum size for a hamster is the size of a 20G long. A 40 gallon would be perfect!

Edit: Have you tried a flying saucer or even a wooden wheel? The metal wheels tend to have small holes in them and that can be dangerous for hamster feet. (make sure the wheel is at least 8.5 inches in diameter, 12 is better for most syrian hams)

I don't think most hamsters will drink from a bowl of water. What kind of bottles have you tried?

Do you have plenty of toys and other things for the ham to chew on? Have you tried cardboard tubes? Mine go nuts for some cardboard! Normally when a ham is bar chewing it's a sign of boredom, have you tried having some time in a playpen?

If you do get an aquarium you can attatch it to the glass on the inside using velcro tape. (I use the glass bottles with a flat back) http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chew-Proof-Water-Bottle-26-Ounce/dp/B000HHQ70S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420755980&sr=8-1&keywords=glass+hamster+bottle

i personally have these for daphne but i dont think shes ever tried to tip her bowls. something like this might be harder for her to get her little snoot under to flip

i also found these and im squealing with how cute they are. i think i need them lol

Maybe something like those rabbit gravity feeder troughs but it can stand on its own with an overhang to keep the trough part dry.

I dream about a feeder that can fit 50 lbs of feed into it LOL

I have multiple of these: Choco Nose H128 Water Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SY1X0/

They don't drip or leak. They are easy to put anywhere in our cage. They are easy to clean. And they are VERY quiet, which is good because the fuzzles cage is in my girls' room.

Ret-conned's cardboard box idea is extremely effective and popular, but it's understood that not everyone likes the aesthetics of a cardboard box in their bunny's cage. I've seen very simple wooden boxes created (looking somewhat like a mail sorter) and I've also seen people use a litter pan with wooden bolts pushes through the bottom, and they weave the hay around it. They say the bunny doesn't get hurt on the bolts but I've never tried it when I had rabbits so I wouldn't know.

It's honestly not expensive to buy one, and for the cost of materials (unless you go the cardboard route) it would probably actually cost you more than buying a wire one. Amazon has a nice one for under $5 here

Odin won't tip his water bowl, or even lean on it, but he'll sometimes tip his food bowl. We tried getting these, but the place we ordered from on Amazon couldn't get that we didn't need the big ones, but the small ones, so we gave up and ended up going with these that we got from PetSmart. They're pretty stable and hold enough food and water for Odin.

Haha yeah, I've got two African Greys who do this... Our solution was to replace the water dish entirely with a glass lixit bottle. It can take them a bit to get used to it, so don't just switch them cold turkey. Have both for a week or two, and make sure you show them how to use it (flick the metal bead so they can see the water come out). It's kinda pricy, but definitely worth it. Here's a link to what I'm talking about.


Lixit Pet Glass Water Bottle, 32-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002Z15ZW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zgdnDbTZ88XFT

> Oasis bell

I will look into those..... :)

The shape though... with the little tip looking thing on the top... I really laughed when I opened the first image lol >.>

Edit: It^looks^like^a^dildo^imsorry

http://www.amazon.com/OASIS-Habitat-Bottle-8-Ounce-Tinted/dp/B0002DINHM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000HHQ70S/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1458612004&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=kaytee+glass+water+bottle&dpPl=1&dpID=41C57E2eN-L&ref=plSrch


This is what I use. Panda ended up chewing the plastic ones and I didn't notice until she had no water and her cage was sopping wet. Only thing with the glass one is that it might rust a little, so get 2 or 3. I've had one for well over 7 months before it started looking like it was rusting. There are different holders depending on which cage set up you have. There's one for tanks and one for wire cages that you can find on Amazon. Hope that helps!

I have 3 of these and love em. No leaks and easy to clean.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHQ70S/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_rCuPBbTP5GCRT

Choco Nose H128 Patented No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle. Best Water Bottle for Small Pet/Bunny/Ferret/Hamster/Critter. BPA Free. 11.2 Oz. Nozzle Diameter: 10mm (Blue) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SY1X0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_EitCDbZYG8RAA

I use two of these for my girls, has never leaked in two years!

I have had bottles die over the years, mostly bad ball-bearings, but never to the degree that you have, and I just under a dozen in use right now.

As a breeder for over a decade here is what I use. The mice are bred in 10 gallon tanks with screen lids and I use the small cheap bottles that have hangers that they sell at Walmart for ~$4 (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Happy-Home-Pet-Products-Water-Bottle-For-Small-Animals-Hamsters-Rodents/22210864) for the mice, 2 per tank. These fail here and there, but most ball-bearings last for years without issue. I agree that flooded cages suck big time! For my pet rats, use the same but bigger bottles with the wire clip (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Happy-Home-Pet-Products-Water-Bottle-For-Small-Animals-Ferrets-Gerbils-Guinea-Pigs-Rabbits/22210861) for the wire cages, and the small to large bottles with metal bottle guards on my rats in a tank. Again, rarely a drip or flood issue even as a cheaper brand, and same results with Pet'smart or Petco brand bottles.

As for chewing, Petco sells the metal guards the cheapest (http://www.petco.com/product/105628/Petco-Chew-Guard-And-Bottle-Holder.aspx). I have had the mice climb to the top of the tanks and chew on the hangers, not the bottles, but this is reduced if you make sure to keep the bottles to the top of the tank as well as a 'weight' over the bottles and to prevent escapes. Never had a rat chew a bottle. I also provide my rodents with wood chews and paper things to shred to discourage bored chewing, both species have and will chew on any plastic including igloo hides and food dishes. This is why most plastic cages suck for rodents, they eventually chew through them or on them. I gave up on food dishes with mice as they pee in them like crazy and enjoy scavenging for food instead. Rats love to cover their food dish in anything they can but they don't soil it much so they keep theirs, neater for them.

I haven't ordered anything special but I looked a little for you. For completely chew-proof, there is the parrot proof ones that cost a fortune (http://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Glass-Water-Bottle-32-Ounce/dp/B0002Z15ZW) or this cheaper wire cage model (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+10382+22733&pcatid=22733) and this one (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+10382+17098&pcatid=17098). I can't find any tank ones at the moment that are completely chew-proof glass/metal or that can swear beyond the normal that they will 'never' leak. There might be the option of putting a glass and metal bottle in the metal guard for tanks, not cheap but would be chew proof.

Good luck and have a good trip.

I've had this Choco Nose bottle for several weeks and am very pleased with the quality. No leaks. Has a mounting clip that attaches to the cage and is easy to remove and reattach. I like that it's clear so I can easily see the water level.

This is one of the smaller ones Choco Nose makes, but they have larger ones if you want more than 12 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00S1SY1X0/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have several of these and like them a lot! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SY1X0/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?psc=1

Yeah mine love their big dog bowl but they're in the cage for 8+ hours while we are at work during the week so I keep a bottle in there. I found one that doesn't leak super pet. But, the top is REALLY hard to open and close.

from amazon !! i should warn you in case you might run into a similar issue — my piggies are really picky and like to select the hay they eat and like to use the rest as bedding/to burrow in (theyre boars if that matters). when they got this feeder, they were eating less hay and it worried me so i had to take it off the side of the cage and lay it down inside the cage. granted i didnt wait that long and should have let them get used to it but i didnt want them to feel like they didnt have access to hay. im only warning you bc it is 40$ which is a bit much, esp if you cant use it the way it was intended.

Bottle stands are a good choice. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-World-Green-Water-Bottle/dp/B00EQFP20S

> Anything but this: https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chew-Proof-Water-Bottle-26-Ounce/dp/B000HHQ70S
>
>
>
> Seriously, never buy that bottle.

I have that exact water bottle and it works very well, it doesn't leak at all. I actually clicked this thread to recommend that bottle.. meanwhile, the cheap plastic bottle that came with my cage would leak everywhere.

edit- I actually don't have that exact one, the one I have is a different brand, but it looks exactly the same. Mine is Critter ware that I got at the pet store.

https://www.amazon.com/Choco-Nose-H128-Patented-Critter/dp/B00S1SY1X0/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1520573785&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=hamster+water+bottle&psc=1 this is the water bottle I use with this cage! It's a bit small and can be somewhat tricky screwing in but you get used to attaching it! Also doesn't leak!!

Get one of these--the water bottle is in the outside of the cage and the nozzle goes through the bars, which is secured by a plastic screw.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S1SY1X0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_cWWuDbVYPMM8J

When I googled "untippable dog water bowl" I got several suggestions you could try (or maybe already have). a) the classic wide metal dish with outward sloping sides, edges flush to the floor. b) a raised stand that holds the dish in a recessed well c) really heavy stoneware bowls. d) bowls with hardware to mount to the wall or floor.

You could also use a water bottle instead of a dish: https://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Glass-Water-Bottle-32-Ounce/dp/B0002Z15ZW

[Glass bottle?] (https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chew-Proof-Water-Bottle-26-Ounce/dp/B000HHQ70S)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00S1SY1X0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519396961&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=choco+nose&psc=1

X-pen: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083ZWZ2K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cage: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0098L1Z9C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Litter boxes: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QFPB5C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Baby mat: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NSPSN3/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hay feeder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072C5LTY5/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Kiwi cushion: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MPWWWDW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Kiwi bowl (non-tippable): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M1L597Q/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fleece blankets: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C1P3Z1B/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wooden toys: https://www.farmerdavepetsupply.com/organic-apple-chew-toy-combination-pack

Might need one of these

ps://www.amazon.com/Lixit-Econo-Hamster-Water-Bottle/dp/B0002Z15Y8

EDIT; found a smaller url

The hay doesn't have to literally be in the litter box. I use a setup similar with paper and pine pellet bedding with a hay manger hanging into the litter box. Give that a try!

​

Hay Manger i have

I use a glass bottle. If the noise is coming from them picking it up and wiggling it, the weight of the class may help. My plastic bottle fell on the floor once while filling and broke. The glass has fallen and not broken, and you can set it down if needed. Here's a link:

https://smile.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chew-Proof-Water-Bottle-26-Ounce/dp/B000HHQ70S/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi_g2609328962?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0&ie=UTF8

Anything but this: https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Chew-Proof-Water-Bottle-26-Ounce/dp/B000HHQ70S

Seriously, never buy that bottle.

I just use the cheapest plastic bottles available in any pet store and rarely have problems with leaks. If one does leak, I just replace it.

The thing with the bowl under the bottle is that you're basically accepting that the bottle will always leak. For $5 you can put a stop to the problem entirely!

I use two bottles and a shallow ceramic bowl. The thing with just a bowl is that even if it's bolted down, the rabbits will sit in it or fill it with cardboard or find some way to waste all the water, so I like to have a bottle as a backup. And then another bottle as a backup. Because I'm crazy I guess.