Help me choose a new cage for my Syrian hamster. What size is best?

The size is not so important. It is important not to move the toys, housing, etc around too much, ie put them back exactly where they were after cleaning out the cage, so your hamster can find his way around, knows where to hide quickly and does not get stressed. Make sure you do not startle him when trying to pick him up. You may want to make the same noise before picking him up. He will learn quickly then, that this is you and not be scared.

Do not use an aquarium tank. A suitably sized (and secure) wire cage with a solid bottom is recommended. HabiTrail and Kaytee have excellent choices for cages. Buy the largest cage you can afford and fit in the chosen space. You can use recycled paper bedding such as CareFresh or Yesterday's News. Aspen shavings or pellets are also acceptable. Do not use pine or cedar shavings as these can be irritating. A commercial diet from Kaytee or VitaKraft can be fed from a ceramic bowl. A ceramic bowl prevents gnawing and tipping. A non chewable water bottle can be hung to provide fresh water daily. Other necessary items include chew toys and an exercise wheel. Find a veterinarian experienced in treating pocket pets and have your new addition examined to confirm good health. Feed, water and exercise daily. Clean the cage weekly. These little guys require very little care and can provide lots of entertainment. Congrats and enjoy!

That cage set up is so cute! At a minimum, the cage should be 24 inches by 12 inches, and 12 inches high. As long as the CritterTrails cage meets that requirement, you don't need to change it. Plus, Princess has two cages to run between. I hope this helps!

In most instances a cage is recommended over an aquarium for small mammals because there can be inadequate ventilation with glass aquariums and ammonia from the urine can build up within the cage and cause respiratory problems. A wire cage with small bar spacing is often recommended with a thick layer of paper bedding (such as Carefresh bedding) and plenty of areas to climb and hide.

The Syrian, or Teddy Bear, hamster would be the best choice for first pet. Allow the hamster to settle in for a few days then gradually acclimate him/her to being pet or handled. Always use praise and rewards after each session.

If the cage is cleaned frequently the ventilation may be adequate however I would be very nervous that the hamster would escape from these open areas. They can be very agile climbers and are escape artists. I would recommend a commercially available cage instead to ensure that your hamster does not escape! Also, even if you place a mesh over the area, if the hamster can get to the corner/edge of the plastic they can easily chew the plastic and escape that way!

I believe a larger wheel makes more sense. If Nala barely fits the 7 inch ball, how should she fit into a smaller wheel? If the wheel is too small she may not want to use it as she would have to bend her body in an unnatural way in order to run in it. The bigger the wheel the better.