Suitable for a Syrian?

[Jessalina]

I am thinking about getting a Syrian hamster at some point in the not too distant future and have been looking at potential cages.

Would a Fop Duffy be suitable? It's 56cm x 31cm x 27cm high. I imagine the wheel may be too small but I could easily replace that.
Here is a pic:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/jess_the_herb/duffyhamster.jpg

Another cage I've been considering is the Critter 1, which is 70cm x 42cm x 35cm
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/jess_the_herb/critter1.jpg
What do you think?

[Widowmaker]

Hiya :)

I'd personally avoid the Critter 1 as it's way too easy for a hamster to get its feet caught up in the wire, unless you could put a covering down.

Think length rather than height as hamsters have poor eyesight and it's easy for them to fall off high levels. People tend to recommend Gabber cages as they're more like tanks (less bars to chew!!). I only have dwarf hamsters so mine would be a bit small. I don't have a pic of mine but here's one I got on the internet.... it appears to have a Syrian in it but it's a bit small for a Syrian.

http://www.savic.be/fotos/Rody%20hamster.jpg

OK, having looked at the sizing, it's almost exactly the same size as the Duffy you mentioned.

They do a Guinea Pig one which looks a lovely size for a hamster :) Clicky here (http://www.bitsforpets.com/product_info.php?cPath=47_48_299&products_id=485)

[Holly]

Size-wise, they are both ok but I'd go with Widowmaker and say avoid the Critter cage as that wire floor and wire level really isn't suitable for a hamster.

Have you considered a Gabber Rex (70cm x 45 cm):

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_4890.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_4871.jpg

These are two of mine and you will find, as Widowmaker says, that the Rex is one of the most popular cages with people in the know on this, and other, forums.

Another cage I love, having just got one, is the Savic Cambridge - it's a lot bigger than it looks (62cm x 36cm plus two levels). it's amazingly good quality and our new hammy, Rolo, seems really happy in his.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o209/Holly_Day/IMG_5300.jpg

Hope this helps - it's lovely to see someone doing some research before their first hamster arrives - wish I'd done that :roll:

[Jessalina]

Thanks for the replies :)
Sounds like the Duffy is a bit too small then. I like the Rody Cavia, but I wonder if the bar spacing at the top might be too big if it's made for guinea pigs?
Where could I get a Gabber Rex online? Think I will have a nosy in Pets at Home soon as well to see if they have anything similar.
I'm still considering the Critter as the wire base and the shelf is removable (I know because I keep my rats in a Critter 3) so I wouldn't have to worry about little hammy feet :)
Feel free to throw any other suggestions my way :D

EDIT: Just noticed a two page thread on where to get a Gabber Rex in the UK so ignore that part of my post :oops:

[Jane]

If she Rody Cavia's bar spacing is too big you can always cover it with mesh ;)

My syrian, Charlie, lives in a zoozone two which is 100cm x 50cm ;) The bar spacing on the lid is about 2cm so I used cable ties to attach mesh and he loves it :D

[Jessalina]

If she Rody Cavia's bar spacing is too big you can always cover it with mesh ;)

Didn't think of that :oops: Mind you I'm pretty clueless about even the simplest DIY so I'll see if I can get a tank with small bar spacing. If not I will have to brave B&Q :shock: :lol:

Taking the dog to the vet tomorrow which is at the back of Pets at Home so I will have a look in there too. Ooh the excitement :P The sad thing is there was no sarcasm intended there.

[Holly]

Taking the dog to the vet tomorrow which is at the back of Pets at Home so I will have a look in there too. Ooh the excitement :P The sad thing is there was no sarcasm intended there.

Don't worry - we all know where you are coming from - no one will think you are even slightly odd here :wink:

[Jessalina]

Taking the dog to the vet tomorrow which is at the back of Pets at Home so I will have a look in there too. Ooh the excitement :P The sad thing is there was no sarcasm intended there.

Don't worry - we all know where you are coming from - no one will think you are even slightly odd here :wink:

:lol: Glad to hear it :P

I think I have narrowed it down to two possibilities now, but that could easily change :roll: So far I'm looking at either the Gabber Rex or a Savic Ruffy, which is a tad bigger at 80cm x 50cm. Unsure whether it would be best to go for a barred cage or a plastic tank type one... :?

[babyboos]

You should get the Savic Cambridge in Pets at Home, they don't sell Gabber anymore nor my all time favourite the Ferplast Rainbow.

[Jessalina]

I saw the Cambridge in Pets at Home the other day and it's probably my third choice, but I can get the Gabber or the Ruffy online easily enough and I like the extra floor space they both offer. Still making my mind up though, who'd have thought it'd be so difficult deciding what hamster cage to get? :lol:

[Holly]

. Unsure whether it would be best to go for a barred cage or a plastic tank type one... :?

They both have their pros and cons - as long as you are choosing a decent sized one (which you are) they are both good choices.

I really like the Cambridge because Rolo seems to love climbing (safely) in it - and I don't get that with most of my other hamsters as most of them are in Gabbers.

On the other hand I really like Gabbers because there's very little or no bar biting - Rolo hasn't done that yet but I'm waiting......... :?

[Basia]

I like both too. The gabber rex is really easy to clean out but I also really like the 2 cambridge cages I have and the hamsters really love them. My hamsters hang upside down from the grills on the gabber rex and it does make me cringe when they fall to the floor, especially the 15 day pregnant one!
I think it comes down to which one you prefer really, the hamster should be happy in either.