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View Full Version : Crittertrail Habitats Review


HoppyHammy
07-18-2014, 08:16 AM
AHHHHHHHHH! ;) So, You're interested in Crittertrail Habitats...

Well, here's an overview. THEY'RE AWESOME!
Keep reading, and I'll tell you why. :)

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Reason 1: Cage too Small?
I <3 Crittertrail because if you think the cage is too small, you don't have to completely buy a new cage, you can just add on to it! You're hamster will thank you after climbing the tubes as far as they can go!
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Reason 2: Availability
Crittertrail cages are in pretty much ANY Petstore, And Amazon, Ozbo
(I Recommend Ozbo!!), Ebay, Craigslist, an pretty much anywhere. Even Walmart ;)
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Reason 3: Price
Crittertrail cages are usually really cheap and affordable. The hamsters love them! (Syrians Too!)
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Reason 4: Variety
I love crittertrail habitats because you can go looking through HUNDREDS to find one that's right for you!
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Reason 5: Play Time!
I crittertrail cages, you can connect wheels, water bottles, tubes, and more Easy Peezy. It's so much easier than having to buy a wheel with a bottom on it!
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Reason 6: Appearance
Crittertrail habitats look probably the best of all hamster cages. They are big, Bright, and Beautiful! They are never dull, and usually brighten up a room just because it looks like a rainbow! \\:D/

This is just from my experience, no studying or anything! (Just looking behind my desk chair at my Crittertrail* Hamster cage(s)!

Esmy
07-18-2014, 08:24 AM
Crittertrails are not considered adequate habitats for hamsters, as a hamster needs 360 sq in minimum of floor space in a single setup. Connecting Crittertrails does not count. I suggest you read our Wiki here and housing forum on alternative housing. There are some good ideas.

DrKMcK
07-18-2014, 08:35 AM
I use Crittertrails as a part of my hamster setups. That piece is usually the easiest way for me to get my hammy in and out of its home. A whole setup is shown below. (Ted E. Bear has the 2 tanks, Nutmeg has the one tank and one crittertrail) What people must consider when using Crittertrails is the size of the hamster. Really large hammys will not do well in Crittertrail tubes. My Ted E. Bear is a very small Syrian and has no problem running back and forth from the Crittertrail to his 2 big tanks. Nutmeg, however, is much larger than Ted E. She refuses to use her Crittertrail at all. So her setup is going to be changed over to just two tanks, no center Crittertrail. My main issue with the Crittertrail setups, especially the extensive ones, is the fact that hammy will often sleep in the tubes or store food in them. Moisture collects in the tubes and can make the food moldy. The ventilation in tubes is not so great, and the tubes are a pain to clean, as the hammy will pee and poop in them. I am aware that lots of people like them and enjoy setting up all kinds of pathways for their hams. I prefer not to work quite so hard. :-)

Esmy
07-18-2014, 08:39 AM
You have a spacious tank for Ted E. too though. Quite spoiled! I wouldn't want to clean all the tubes either. I don't think it's bad as an add-on, but not good as a complete setup. There's no room for an adequate wheel for Syrians in them either. I think the Ovo habitrail loft has a large wheel but it's still small by itself.

kyrilliondaemon
07-18-2014, 10:33 AM
From experience we've found that modular systems seem less popular than having all the space in one big area but I don't deny they seem to work well for some people and their hams. That said... It is important to give them a single area with a decent bit of floorspace (and space for a big enough wheel for syrians) and I'm not sure any crittertrail would allow for that

Hekomi
07-18-2014, 12:29 PM
I've had a few and hated every one. The hams chew on them and can escape or break out, they're a pain to clean, and they simply don't provide much room. As a travel cage, it's good, but Coffee came to us in a Crittertrail and not only did it smell awful from never being cleaned properly, it was a pain to use and I could never get decent pictures of him in it. I would never use it for more than a travel cage, and I'm sure you'll find most members agree. I don't like modular set ups - why spend the $100+ on multiple pods and tubes when I can get a tank for half or less which provides enough room, easy cleaning, and visibility?

I'm pretty biased, but I've had hams in these types of cages and I would never recommend them.

iCupcake7911
07-18-2014, 07:41 PM
I used to have a critter trail, I soon threw it away.. waste of $30 in my opinion, I only kept the tubes! My hamster escaped from it twice when I had it, (Note* everything was secured as much as it could be, she gnawed through it) The one with in built wheels are absolutely horrible. It is a pain to clean them, if a hamster does it waste in their it will keep you up all night, and sometimes a hamster will make a nest in there and can be quite hazardous / annoying.. this is from my experience of course. ;_; It was terrible in my opinion, but I did keep the tubes c: