How do I prepare the cage for a new Syrian hamster?

First you're gonna need a really big cage, because Syrian hamsters are way bigger than other breeds and they need space! Put down a nice thick layer of bedding or wood shavings (avoid cedar and pine since they're toxic), a bottle waterer so the water stays fresh, a food bowl, and some hiding spots like little wooden houses. Then get a big exercise wheel - I mean a real one, not those tiny ones that mess up their spine - and some toys for him to chew on because his teeth never stop growing. Add some tubes and stuff for him to explore, that really makes a difference for the little guy's wellbeing!

A large cage is the bare minimum, but what a lot of people forget is to set everything up before bringing the animal home - let it sit for 24 hours so the room's scents can settle, and only then introduce the hamster. A practical tip that makes a difference: put the bedding in one specific corner and the food in another, far from the sand bath area, because Syrian hamsters are pretty clean and don't like doing their business near where they eat - that cuts down on smell a lot afterward.

Syrian hamsters eat a lot and make quite a mess, so put a fixed food bowl and water bottle in opposite corners so he doesn't get bedding all over the place - that saves you cleaning later. Oh, and a tip that's a lifesaver: put some shredded paper (like newspaper) under the bedding, it absorbs urine better and the cage won't smell as bad between cleanings.