Strong Brew Hamstery

Home
Canada
Burlington, ON
Strong Brew Hamstery

Strong Brew is a hamstery devoted to producing quality hamsters in health, size and temperament. As such, we pick our hamsters carefully.

We are located in the GTA, however our hamsters are all over Ontario and some of the USA. Strong Brew Hamstery aims to produce healthy, well-tempered hamsters. Hamsters with good health, composition, and personality are chosen to be bred. Hamsters that do not meet our strict standard are kept here as pets or are sold as pets only, and should not be bred. We sometimes use new blood to increase the

quality of our pups and may not have a full lineage on some litters. Strong Brew Hamstery’s overarching goal is to produce healthy, well-tempered hamsters in an assortment of colours that adhere to NHC and CHA standards. We follow the IHANA and OHC Codes of Ethics set forth, and will be showing this year. One half of the SBH team is the President of the Ontario Hamster Club, and is working on becoming a certified judge. We have relationships with other breeders all over the world. Strong Brew Hamstery hamsters are first and foremost beloved pets and are treated with respect, love, kindness and as friends. Any pup bred in this hamstery is welcome back should their owner not be able to care for the pup. Adoptees are encouraged to stay in contact with Strong Brew Hamstery through our email, page, or website. We are happy to answer any questions about our hamsters, and aid owners to the best of our ability. For more information on adopting head to our website: strongbrew.ca/adoption

11/16/2024

is growing into a very nice young lady!

I managed to finish all my cleanouts and hopefully end of next week I can make their enclosures fancy again. It was a lot of work but it's done!

Our friends came to visit us while they're in Toronto for the Taylor Swift concert. It looks like they had a great time and we very much enjoyed their company! The hams got many cuddles and so did Pebble.

I'm hoping to get back into the normal swing of things soon, get back to emails and applications and then begin my breeding. I intentionally waited so we wouldn't have pups for Christmas. Like many breeders, I don't like having hamsters as gifts, though I luckily have many patient wait listers who have been intentionally waiting for their own pup for a while.

Either way, hopefully Whisk will be a momma soon, and then Flik and Splat. Both latter girls have a few grams to lose in the next little bit, Flik has already dropped about 20g and Splat about 10g. Neither are big on wheeling but ARE big on snacking, so reducing their seed mix and focusing on veggie heavy treats helps a lot. It's always interesting since I feed all my hams the same for the most part, some just like snacks. Even between Whisk and Splat who are sisters, Whisk is a lot leaner than her sister.

Anyways. I do apologise for being quiet and slow. I think that's just our new normal around here. Thanks all for being patient and understanding with us.

11/12/2024

The cleaning of bins continues. aka Splat got a Cleanout yesterday and was less than impressed but 🤷‍♀️😂. Today Magic is in the midst of a Cleanout and Whisk is up later.

I mentioned Lunchie had bug friends. They're booklice, tiny little white/brown insects that looooove damp paper and dust, aka Lunchie's gross p*e swamps. They're harmless to hamsters, just annoying. These bugs live naturally in our homes, but get a little out of whack in moisture high areas.

We've had them several times, but I'm hoping this time fully eradicates them as I'm being far more diligent than every before. Everyone is getting cleaned out. All wood and harder to wash items (wheels) are being frozen, thawed and then frozen once more. Bins are being fully washed down. This means it is taking a bit longer than usual. Oh, and lots of vacuuming.

Everyone has pretty boring bins until I can confirm the buggers (literally) have moved on. After that I'm hoping to add more bedding, back in their wooden items, and more enrichment for everyone.

Harmless for hams, hassle for humans lol. But, they don't hurt the hammies (unlike tropical rodent mites which are parasites - we had them years ago due to a hamster from a crappy breeder bringing them in but my quarantine abilities helped immensely!) so while I might be a little annoyed, it isn't the end of the world.

Just a bit of extra work and some grumpy hams while I sort this out. But everyone's patience is greatly appreciated in the meantime since I've been prioritizing this over emails and applications.

11/11/2024

Just popping in as we have been extra busy these last few days. We have friends visiting us later this week and I'm trying to get the hamster bins all cleaned and tidied. Hoping to get all my Ducks in the same pond soon.

We will be breeding hopefully soon, Flik is still a bit of a chonk but I may breed Whisk sooner than later and wait for Flik and Splat. Hubie is healing up super well. Lechonk went to her new home. Booker is 100%. Our returnee is back but has a new home lined up.

Lunchbox is lunching and driving me nuts. Scissors is awesome and perfect. Everyone else is just doing their hamster thing! included.

11/05/2024

Today has been... A day. 's surgery was moved to today so Pebble and I drove into Toronto to drop him off. As I turned onto the road to our vet, my car dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree 🫠.

I messaged Hamdad in a panic, looked up the lights meanings (which honestly did diddly squat) and opted to take Hubie in to drop off.

Hamdad suggested if the car was driveable to drive home so that's what I did. Nothing seemed wonky to me, and being stuck in Toronto with a 10mo old sounded like hell. So I hoped for the best.

Got home fine, thankfully. Was able to find a mechanic who could see my car today (the other said he couldn't until the 21st so that was great). Dropped car off, got a drive from them home (very much appreciated). Then I asked if my mum could come hang out with Pebz and lend me her car so I could pickup Hubert, who was out of surgery and doing well.

Hubie got picked up and I heard what's up with the car. Easy, they think, fix, but I also need a new part for something else. All in all, the car is going to be more expensive than Hubert, which I don't know is good or bad. But at least they're relatively on par. Either way, expensive day.

Car should be back here tomorrow. With all the chaos I missed getting coffee so my head is pounding. Hoping tomorrow is less exciting so I can get some emails replied to. I'm really sorry for taking so long. Between illness and life, it's hard to find the time to carve out but I'll do it!

Mostly I am just glad that Hubie is okay and my car is getting fixed. We are a one car household and it's anxiety inducing to not have a vehicle with this small human.

11/03/2024

Not my regular content, but Hamdad and I are still sick and I wanted to update everyone but had like -3 spoons.

So yeah, we are sick. Pebz is sick too but is basically at 100% minus a runny, stuffy nose. Hamdad and I are dying on the other hand.

Anyways, ham stuff:

- emails and apps I will get to asap. I'm so sorry for the delay, like I mentioned we've been sick and so just essentials are getting done 🫠

- Booker is 100% now and off meds. So proud of him!

- Hubert saw Dr. Munn on Friday. He has a cyst type thing on his side. He'll have it surgically removed next Thursday.

- Lechonk has a new home. Rhythm is staying here for the time being but I might rehome her later.

- No immediate breeding plans but looking to breeding Flik, Splat and Whisk soon.

- I've been cleaning bins where I can as Lunchbox decided he needed to have some book lice friends. Harmless, but annoying. They like damp paper which he makes a lot of with his p*e wheel. So I'm cleaning out everyone while I'm at it. Photos of the hams enjoying their cleanouts in my stories in a moment.

- We have one of our pups returning today. It didn't work out with his new family so he's coming back here for a bit. He may have a new home but if not I'll be looking for one for him.

I think that's kinda it? I'm zonked and ready for a nap now. The time change has been super rude now with a baby. Hoping over the next week she adjusts to the new timing. Not sure why we keep doing this because it is very inconvenient.

10/31/2024

Have a very happy and safe Hamoween today!

I'm sick again and this time baby is also sick so I apologise for sparse updates and messages. Hopefully we are both feeling better in the morning. For now, we have one very snotty little baby 🥺.

10/29/2024

is feeling so much better! He is totally right side up and you'd never know he had an ear infection at all. He is SUCH a good patient too. What a good good boy. I am so proud of him.

I am on the mend now and Hamdad is feeling maybe a bit better. Pebble seemed to not get sick which was nice for her at least!

I've been working on emails and applications slowly. I want to update the website too. I've also been cleaning out enclosures. Flik and Booker got cleaned out (hence how we found out Booker wasn't feeling well), and Lunchie and Hubert got cleaned out yesterday and today. I'm planning to clean out everyone, so I still have Scissors, Rhythm, Ribbon, Splat, Whisk, Magic and Eowyn to go. Lechonk is being retired and heads home this weekend. We will also have another hamster returning to SBH shortly.

Lots to do, as always. I missed doing harvest photos this year but hopefully next.

10/25/2024

I appear to be sick, so updates and emails are on hold until I'm better. Booker is continuing to improve really well and everyone otherwise seems to be pretty okay. For now have a very silly and hopefully in a couple days I'll be able to catch up on everything.

10/22/2024

is an A+ patient! Look at him lapping up his meds so well. By Sunday evening he was already looking a lot less sideways. Yesterday he got some more hides and toys, moved into this one, and was even climbing on some! He's still a bit tilty but definitely vastly improved. So proud of this little fluff!

I apologise for the slow update and slow emails. Pebble is going through some sort of teething, separation anxiety fun time so things have been... Extra exciting around here. Hoping they settle down soon!

10/20/2024

My hamster appears to be sideways 🥲. Poor seems to have an inner ear infection which I discovered when I brought his bin down to clean it. He's feeling a little stressed out by this which is totally fair.

We haven't seen this since sweet Mabel who belonged to but luckily we know just what to do. Booker is on antibiotics and anti inflammatories now so hopefully that helps him feel better soon!

With an inner ear infection like this, it's important to have the hamster continue antibiotics for a fairly long course since the head tilt, while it gets better, often stays permanently. He will spend the next while downstairs in a modified bin for better observation, and extra snackos since I don't think he will have the easiest time hydrating.

Hoping Mr. Booker is feeling better soon 🥺💗 he's such a good and fluffy boy!

10/17/2024

I apologise, we've had a really hectic (but awesome) few days. Pebble had her first Canadian Thanksgiving which she loved. We visited a lot of family. Then it was Hamdad's birthday. Today he is back to work after 6wks of parental leave so I'm solo once more. In the last 6wks Pebz has gained a LOT of mobility which kinda shakes things up a bit more than expected, so it's been a challenging morning.

I am a bit behind on emails but I promise I'm working on them asap. Lechonk is still hoping to find her perfect family, and I'm still trying to debate if Rhythm will be retired and rehomed. I have lots of bins needing a good cleanout which I'm hoping to get to over the next few weeks.

All the pups have gone to their new homes, our next litters will likely be with Flik and Splat in a few months. I'd like a bit of a break from litters just because it is a bit much but it won't be too long.

For now here are my two keepers from the last two litters, and . I snapped this photo during Eowyn's Pedigree shots. Now the girls live separately but it is kinda nice to see them together for the short time they can be buddies.

10/12/2024

Little Miss is such a sweet little muffin! She's grown up into such a lovely little hamster.

It's turkey weekend and also baby hamsters go home! Are you having a turkey dinner? 🦃

10/11/2024

I've been slow to post this because this one is extra hard, but miss is looking for a retirement family! Lechonk is not only a fantastic ham, but she is the culmination of all my hard work - she is an extreme dilute golden tortoiseshell recessive dappled short hair.

Lechonk was born September 5th 2023 making her just over 13mo old. But, she is still full of zip and zeal and has a love of snacks. One of the things that makes saying goodbye to her so tough for me is how much Lechonk loves Pebble, and the feeling is mutual. She is very gentle with any supervised interaction they have. If I could, I'd keep her here forever, but alas, I can't.

Chonk likes snacks, wheeling, burrowing and attention. She's one of the first to come out if I'm upstairs in the hamster room. She can get sassy, especially if you smell like food, but generally she's very good.

All our standard adoption requirements are necessary for retirees, but with Lechonk it would be a bonus for her if her home perhaps included a small human. Her care and handling should 100% go to an adult caregiver who is interested in having a hamster as THEIR pet, but I think she'd love to have a small human to watch and receive snacks from. Generally hamsters aren't always fantastic pets for children, but I do get the sense she would enjoy, at the very least, treat offerings from them. Not at all required, but given her interest in Pebble, it might be nice.

Please send me a DM or message if you're interested!

10/10/2024

A little behind, but we celebrated Pebble's 9 Monthaversary a few weeks ago! It was a busy day because she is now a very busy baby.

Dr. Mr. Esq was perfect as always. I love that we have these memories of them together!

Pebz is crawling, sitting herself up and pulling herself to stand. She has begun moving laterally while standing. All hope is lost 🤭.

Her love for hamsters and dogs in particular is the cutest. She is the happiest little critter who just likes to people watch and be involved.

While our life is a million times busier, it's so joyfilled! Watching Hamdad and Pebble is so cute. He puts her in the baby carrier and they walk to get the mail together daily. Today we took her apple picking and she had her best time.

Glad to have you in our life Pebz!

10/09/2024

Colour me shocked, our appeal worked and the video was restored. My point on actual problematic content not being removed still stands, but I will rescind my grump this morning.

So here is anyways. Because she has the most kissable tummy.

10/05/2024

Don't call me cute, I'm a menace to society! Little Miss and her siblingcousins have been loving launching from their box to the mesh to climb up to the human. They want all the loves and they want it now!!! 🤭

10/04/2024

Just a little for you! Such a sweetie ham.

We are home and gearing up for our adoptions this weekend. I apologise for being behind on emails and applications but I'm hoping to catch up tomorrow. It's been a pretty busy few days so I haven't had much time to sit down for them.

Today I drove out to pickup 75lbs of Mazuri, and Pebble is getting her first covid shot today. Tomorrow her swimming lessons start up again which is mega exciting! She loves to swim.

We had a good but very busy trip. All of us are glad to be home. I'll for sure have everything set and ready to rumble by Sunday, but I appreciate everyone being so patient with us.

10/03/2024

Dear Susan, this one's for you!

The amount of concern trolls we get on our posts about baby hamsters playing is honestly... Concerning 🤭. Especially when I write an entire caption explaining baby hamster development and play but they refuse to read it.

So, just for you Susan, my vicious 2.5wk old babies brutally battling to the death. This. Is. SPARTHAM!

Baby fight club starts tomorrow. We'll be taking bets on the winning ham. Only winners here get kale.

(Also notice how baby Mischief has tons of opportunity to run away from this vicious attack but chooses not to and instead instigates the play - I mean fight - himself? Almost like this play is reciprocated?)

Address

Burlington, ON

Website

http://www.strongbrew.ca/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Strong Brew Hamstery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Strong Brew Hamstery:

Videos

#Booker is an A+ patient! Look at him lapping up his meds so well. By Sunday evening he was already looking a lot less sideways. Yesterday he got some more hides and toys, moved into this one, and was even climbing on some! He's still a bit tilty but definitely vastly improved. So proud of this little fluff! I apologise for the slow update and slow emails. Pebble is going through some sort of teething, separation anxiety fun time so things have been... Extra exciting around here. Hoping they settle down soon!

My hamster appears to be sideways 🥲. Poor #Booker seems to have an inner ear infection which I discovered when I brought his bin down to clean it. He's feeling a little stressed out by this which is totally fair. We haven't seen this since sweet Mabel who belonged to @victoriaraechel but luckily we know just what to do. Booker is on antibiotics and anti inflammatories now so hopefully that helps him feel better soon! With an inner ear infection like this, it's important to have the hamster continue antibiotics for a fairly long course since the head tilt, while it gets better, often stays permanently. He will spend the next while downstairs in a modified bin for better observation, and extra snackos since I don't think he will have the easiest time hydrating. Hoping Mr. Booker is feeling better soon 🥺💗 he's such a good and fluffy boy!

Don't call me cute, I'm a menace to society! Little Miss #Eowyn and her siblingcousins have been loving launching from their box to the mesh to climb up to the human. They want all the loves and they want it now!!! 🤭

Dear Susan, this one's for you! The amount of concern trolls we get on our posts about baby hamsters playing is honestly... Concerning 🤭. Especially when I write an entire caption explaining baby hamster development and play but they refuse to read it. So, just for you Susan, my vicious 2.5wk old babies brutally battling to the death. This. Is. SPARTHAM! Baby fight club starts tomorrow. We'll be taking bets on the winning ham. Only winners here get kale. (Also notice how baby Mischief has tons of opportunity to run away from this vicious attack but chooses not to and instead instigates the play - I mean fight - himself? Almost like this play is reciprocated?)

When you have 11 brothers and sisters and just want to take a nap but no one let's you get a minute to yourself 🥴. I love the little photobombing #FellowshipOfThePups. Just as a heads up, Hamdad, Pebble and I are going away from Monday to Wednesday. We have someone coming to check on our bubbies but otherwise we will be on the road. I'll catch up on all our emails and what not when we are back!

Some snuggly bugglies with the #LittleMispups! They tried broccoli last night. It was more of a hit with some than others 🤭

Just a cute little video of momma #Rhythm and the #FellowshipOfThePups! They're so cute. I have lots to get done over the next few weeks to get them ready to go home. Hoping to take photos to begin selection today. Then I'll work through my emails and sort out the last two adopters. Then we have to sew up 7000000 snuggle sacks, make take-home packages (and probably make a run to get more food for them!) and so on and so forth. It's a lot of work but so worth it to see happy adopters meeting their new bubs!

Guess who got all the photos of the #LittleMispups? This dude 🙋‍♀️ I can't wait to introduce them to you. In the meantime have a little sleepy snacky Scissorlette enjoying some seeds.

The hand elevator awaits! I told Hamdad I needed the bubbies on the main level so I could love them easier. Pebble is also loving them when she's awake. Her love for the hamsters makes me happy! #Edna and her #Olympups girls are such floofy, smooshie balls of love. #Ribbon is the ham all the way up my arm, then #Torch and #Medal at the bottom. They've all gotten a lot of human exposure which is great. It has been challenging to spend as much time with the babies as I want with my own baby - so this is awesome! It's a great compromise and I know this litter will be the friendliest one yet.

#Ribbon is the floofiest floof that ever floofed! Things have been a little more hectic lately as Pebble has unlocked her next achievement - purposeful movement! This means we are in a flurry of baby proofing. The hamsters will be getting their own gate to keep their room safe juuuust in case. Send help. And coffee. And maybe a bottle of vino 😂.

I have been a bit slow to share content of the #Olympups! Here they were just over 2wks having a rustle tustle. They're almost 4wks now and will be ready to split into same sex groups. As a reminder, though solitary as adults, baby Syrian pups aren't born fully functioning and ready to live independent lives. They don't wean until 4wks and then live with same sex siblings until 6wks. Just like puppies and kittens, they play fight! It's fun and teaches them bite inhibition. Also notice the noises and the play being reciprocated? Those are signs this is just a fun tactile experience!

Miss #Flik is growing into such a lovely young ham! I didn't want a long hair pup from this litter but she stood out to me from the beginning. Most of the pups will be heading home this weekend. Looking forward to them meeting all their new humans!