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Pebbles82 · 10-10-2019, 06:18 AM

I agree you are taking the advice well

It is just members get quite alarmed when hearing about syrians being in contact with each other and breeding.

The main problem with the Omlet is its size and lack of floor area on one level. The floor area is only 48cm by 37 cm maximum and although there is another level it is not that easily accessible and doesn't really count towards the floor area. The other thing is the size of the wheel. Unfortunately most pet cages are sold with a wheel that is too small for a Syrian. They need one that is big enough that they can run with a completely straight back. Most people get an 11" diameter wheel. Anything smaller than 8" diameter is far too small and can give them back problems in old age. They may even stop using it if it starts to hurt their back.

It would be difficult to fit an 11" wheel in there even at ground level. They did improve the top level by adding plastic to the level but there are still open grid areas to walk on and those are very bad for hamsters feet - they can get a condition called Bumblefoot which is extremely painful and can lead to extensive ongoing vet treatment.

Even if your hamster can manage the vertical tube now, an older hamster won't be able to do this. The escapeproof bit is the bin at the bottom - hamsters can get down behind it, push it out and escape that way. Although it seems easy to clean it isn't actually recommended to clean out their substrate regularly! It is better to use a litter tray and then just spot clean occasionally so it doesn't remove all their familiar scent. They can get very stressed by regular clean outs. With a litter tray and spot cleaning you can go a long time without needing to change the substrate and even then I only change half of it so it still smells familiar. And clean different things at different times so something always smells familiar. They are quite clean little things really - it's only their pee that smells and if they use a litter tray (which most syrians will if you put it in the right place) then you just empty that every few days and the cage stays clean and dry

As Shannon said, it is well marketed and looks very nice. Unfortunately there is no legislation in this country regarding hamster cages and absolutely anything can be called a hamster cage! It is a lovely design with humans in mind rather than hamsters!

The generally accepted minimum floor space size on one level is 80cm by 50cm. In a cage that is not too tall (fall risks). So more single level floor area, less height basically.

The Alexander, Barney, and Alaska on zooplus are all ideal.

The key is "enrichment" so the more space, the more enrichment you can add. Enrichment includes plenty of substrate, space to roam, hidey places, toys, tunnels etc, a wheel big enough, and some variety.

So many people get sold unsuitable cages - I had the same thing and had to change cage quite quickly. It is a shame there isn't legislation as people end up wasting money.

However, if you have a cage that is too small or unsuitable, it can still be very useful as a play cage (for when doing a clean out), or just for storage of hamster things.

I also really liked the look of tank style cages but I went back to barred cages - I just couldn't get on with the "wall" between me and the hamster, and the lack of a front access door.

There is much better ventilation with a barred cage and you can interact better with the hamster with a front door. So although the marrakesch looks lovely it is still top access. It is also very expensive! I have had two Syrians in the Barney cage and they were very happy and loved it - loads of space to dig, room for a large house/nesting box (they need a good sized house to build a nest). It is quite a bulky cage though. Many people get the Alaska cage which is a good size and not expensive - about £33.

You'd have a very happy hamster with more floor space.

Personally I'd forget furniture and get an Alaska cage - it should sit nicely on top of the Omlet and you can use the omlet for storage

It has a nice big front door as well. Still needs an 11" wheel and a house though (the little white cat house is too small for a syrian and the holes are too small so they could get stuck but it's easily removed). It's only £31.99 at the moment.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small...r_cages/284288

On this page, the suitable cages for a syrian are - The Hamster Heaven, Alexander, Alaska, Barney, Eco Habitat and Marrakesh. Although I think the Hamster Heaven is not the best choice as it's hard to fit an 11" wheel in and all the tubes and penthouse need removing or you get abnormal behaviours like nesting in tubes.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small.../hamster_cages

This is the maxi duna multy - also a lovely looking cage and suitable for a syrian. It would also sit on top of the Omlet - you can have a bit of overhang at the sides and it's fine.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...9E360VW8B8707W

The trouble with small and cute is - it's too small for a hamster to live in all the time. If the Omlet cage was twice the size (two joined together doesn't count as it doesn't give the continuous floor area) then it might be ok if it had a ramp as well and a solid floor.

This is our Syrian's current cage - it's the 100cm Savic Plaza, so the base/floor area is 100cm x 50cm approx. They do need a lot of exercise at night. I made a roof run as well to add more things to do so he can climb from his house roof, into a sputnik, then through a tunnel to another sputnik and out onto the shelf at the other side. On the shelf he has a hideout where he goes to sit for a wash, and his second food dish for veggies. He has two houses - one that's large and dark inside and has a litter tray inside, which he uses, a coconut hut, and he likes sitting under the shelf sometimes too. But lots of space and variety, So it is a habitat really that they can roam around in at night. Just an example. Have a look at the "Lets see your cages" thread and you'll see lots of ideas

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10-10-2019, 06:18 AM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Cohabiting Syrians I agree you are taking the advice well It is just members get quite alarmed when hearing about syrians being in contact with each other and breeding. The main problem with the Omlet is its size and lack of floor area on one level. The floor area is only 48cm by 37 cm maximum and although there is another level it is not that easily accessible and doesn't really count towards the floor area. The other thing is the size of the wheel. Unfortunately most pet cages are sold with a wheel that is too small for a Syrian. They need one that is big enough that they can run with a completely straight back. Most people get an 11" diameter wheel. Anything smaller than 8" diameter is far too small and can give them back problems in old age. They may even stop using it if it starts to hurt their back. It would be difficult to fit an 11" wheel in there even at ground level. They did improve the top level by adding plastic to the level but there are still open grid areas to walk on and those are very bad for hamsters feet - they can get a condition called Bumblefoot which is extremely painful and can lead to extensive ongoing vet treatment. Even if your hamster can manage the vertical tube now, an older hamster won't be able to do this. The escapeproof bit is the bin at the bottom - hamsters can get down behind it, push it out and escape that way. Although it seems easy to clean it isn't actually recommended to clean out their substrate regularly! It is better to use a litter tray and then just spot clean occasionally so it doesn't remove all their familiar scent. They can get very stressed by regular clean outs. With a litter tray and spot cleaning you can go a long time without needing to change the substrate and even then I only change half of it so it still smells familiar. And clean different things at different times so something always smells familiar. They are quite clean little things really - it's only their pee that smells and if they use a litter tray (which most syrians will if you put it in the right place) then you just empty that every few days and the cage stays clean and dry As Shannon said, it is well marketed and looks very nice. Unfortunately there is no legislation in this country regarding hamster cages and absolutely anything can be called a hamster cage! It is a lovely design with humans in mind rather than hamsters! The generally accepted minimum floor space size on one level is 80cm by 50cm. In a cage that is not too tall (fall risks). So more single level floor area, less height basically. The Alexander, Barney, and Alaska on zooplus are all ideal. The key is "enrichment" so the more space, the more enrichment you can add. Enrichment includes plenty of substrate, space to roam, hidey places, toys, tunnels etc, a wheel big enough, and some variety. So many people get sold unsuitable cages - I had the same thing and had to change cage quite quickly. It is a shame there isn't legislation as people end up wasting money. However, if you have a cage that is too small or unsuitable, it can still be very useful as a play cage (for when doing a clean out), or just for storage of hamster things. I also really liked the look of tank style cages but I went back to barred cages - I just couldn't get on with the "wall" between me and the hamster, and the lack of a front access door. There is much better ventilation with a barred cage and you can interact better with the hamster with a front door. So although the marrakesch looks lovely it is still top access. It is also very expensive! I have had two Syrians in the Barney cage and they were very happy and loved it - loads of space to dig, room for a large house/nesting box (they need a good sized house to build a nest). It is quite a bulky cage though. Many people get the Alaska cage which is a good size and not expensive - about £33. You'd have a very happy hamster with more floor space. Personally I'd forget furniture and get an Alaska cage - it should sit nicely on top of the Omlet and you can use the omlet for storage It has a nice big front door as well. Still needs an 11" wheel and a house though (the little white cat house is too small for a syrian and the holes are too small so they could get stuck but it's easily removed). It's only £31.99 at the moment. https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small...r_cages/284288 On this page, the suitable cages for a syrian are - The Hamster Heaven, Alexander, Alaska, Barney, Eco Habitat and Marrakesh. Although I think the Hamster Heaven is not the best choice as it's hard to fit an 11" wheel in and all the tubes and penthouse need removing or you get abnormal behaviours like nesting in tubes. https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small.../hamster_cages This is the maxi duna multy - also a lovely looking cage and suitable for a syrian. It would also sit on top of the Omlet - you can have a bit of overhang at the sides and it's fine. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...9E360VW8B8707W The trouble with small and cute is - it's too small for a hamster to live in all the time. If the Omlet cage was twice the size (two joined together doesn't count as it doesn't give the continuous floor area) then it might be ok if it had a ramp as well and a solid floor. This is our Syrian's current cage - it's the 100cm Savic Plaza, so the base/floor area is 100cm x 50cm approx. They do need a lot of exercise at night. I made a roof run as well to add more things to do so he can climb from his house roof, into a sputnik, then through a tunnel to another sputnik and out onto the shelf at the other side. On the shelf he has a hideout where he goes to sit for a wash, and his second food dish for veggies. He has two houses - one that's large and dark inside and has a litter tray inside, which he uses, a coconut hut, and he likes sitting under the shelf sometimes too. But lots of space and variety, So it is a habitat really that they can roam around in at night. Just an example. Have a look at the "Lets see your cages" thread and you'll see lots of ideas Attachment 49152 Attachment 49153 Attachment 49154 Last edited by Pebbles82; 11-27-2022 at 06:48 PM.