The Langham Tall (two floors)

[hamstermomma]

Hi all,

I'm looking at buying a new cage for a syrian hamster (soon to be new fur mum after the passing of my last hamster 4 years ago) and wanted some advice.

I've been looking at the Langham Tall two floors cages (https://www.littlepetwarehouse.co.uk/products/the-langham-tall-rat-and-hamster-cage-with-two-floors-grey.html?revpage=7%20#product-reviews) as i do like cages with multiple floors. I'm thinking of making a full length shelf to form a top floor and a half shelf (something similar to the Alexander) to form the middle section.

I'd love to buy an Alexander as it's pretty much the same cost, has more depth and is practically the same height as the Langham but i don't have space for a 100cm base, the max space i have is 85cm. I wanted to get opinions on what i plan on doing with the Langham shelving or if anyone has any recommendations for another cage that would meet my 85cm length limit?

Thanks :)

[Ria P]

Here's my opinion:

i wouldn't buy the tall Langham because it doesn't have enough floor space for a Syrian.

The Alaska from Zooplus which has more floor space and still enough height to add plenty of enrichment is a much better option. My height loving Syrian lives in one.

[LunaTheHamster1]

Hi Hamster Momma, yes the floorspace is a little bit too short for a syrian and the smallest I would ever go for a syrian is the alaska but It looks like the Alaksa is out of stock on zooplus as it is not on their website at the moment.

The only other barred cage i can think of that is around the 80cm is the mamble cage. If i remember rightly it only has small door openings though.

[Pebbles82]

When you say the max space you have is 85cm - do you mean the table it is to stand on (or similar). Most 100cm cage bases have a much smaller footprint than 100cm so will sit on a smaller surface.

I like the Savic Plaza cage - about the same price as the Alexander but has a big front opening door. Which is good for interaction and taming. Although it does need some extras buying as the shelf is too big for the cage and it doesn’t come with the houses and good shelves like the Alexander.

Pets at home sell it. The actual footprint of the base is about 89cm but it’s also fine to have some overhang either side.

Basically you would be better with a 100 Cm cage or the Alaska for a Syrian- but the Langham tall is not a bad size floorspace wise- it would need a full level to be safe - to avoid fall risks. The Alexander or Savic Plaza would be much better options however.

There is also the Hamster heaven or hamster sky. Which are 80 x 50. If set up carefully it can be fine. But it works best with all
The plastic stuff, tubes and penthouse removed and starting from scratch with a decent sized house and wheel and a different kind of shelf. A lot of people start a Syrian off in that cage and then see if they need upgrading later. I have a Syrian in that size cage at the moment and it was working fine except he has grown very large! And so I will be upgrading him to the plaza so I can fit bigger items in.

I would go for the Alexander or Plaza but if you absolutely can’t fit a 100 Cm cage in then I think there are better options than the langham tall. A hamster heaven as mentioned above and see how the hamster goes (if it’s a small Syrian it may be fine).

Another option might be this cage - it is slightly under 100cm at 98cm and the footprint would be smaller. It is already two tier so no need to maje a full level. Ships from Germany (like Zooplus cages!).

https://www.amazon.de/PETGARD-Mäuse-Hamsterkäfig-CARLOS/dp/B005MXNSOA/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=carlos+kafig&qid=1598808457&sprefix=carlos+ka&sr=8-6

Otherwise it would be the Alaska or Hamster heaven. There is no actual legal minimum size for a Syrian cage - the Rspca used to recommend 75 x 45 or 80 x 50 as a minimum (at various times). Most people reckon that is an absolute minimum for floorspace - they like most things at substrate level as they’re ground dwellers and it helps them have normal habits. But they also vary IH personality. Some are more lazy and others more maverick and needing a lot of space. Some are more shy and ok with 80 x 50.

[Pebbles82]

This is the Savic plaza. The Alexander has better contents and you just need a wheel and toys. But the access is difficult with just two small doors at the front and the top door being blocked by shelves from seeing right down. Especially for a shy Syrian. The plaza front door is much better.

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/savic-plaza-hamster-and-rat-cage

[Engel]

I did temporarily keep ghost in there. If you do get it please make sure there's plenty of things to catch them if they fall. Using tunnels as shelves and ramps helped to fill up spaces. However I'd strongly advise against it. Ghost is now in the Alaska and loves it. It's much cheaper and more hamster friendly.