Ferplast Mini Duna - Review

[suga]

Hi HamstersAreHardcore - the reason the post was oringally made was to alert members that a hamster that chews, can get out of these cages. If you re-read the post that was originally made on my behalf you can see that I had a hamster that was determined to chew everything that was plastic. She ignored anything made of wood or cardboard and was desparate for an adventure. She did escape from the cage (my only escapee to date) and she got out of the house and made it up the road. I didn't realise initially that she had got out as she didn't always come out every night before i went to bed. I eventually found out that she had been found by a neighbour, taken to a vet, given care over night but had not survived.

The point was that the plastic cages like this aren't 100% escape proof, if you have a determined hamster. Personally I know don't use this type of cage. Infact I only use wire cages and if the hamster chews I spend a lot of money and effort to try and keep them entertained and detered from chewing the bars. The plastic top that pophammy and souffle use as an extra layer to stop chewing is a great solution as you can cover up all gaps and edges.

My cambridge cage that I now use has zip ties on the top door in the roof of the cage. I have attached a peice of timber to the side door that sits on the outside of the cage and is zipped up when I am not downstairs and I go through these ties like they are going out of fashion. I don't want to lose another hamster for obvious reasons.

This is just my opinion on these cages as I have said there are precautions that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of escape. Please be aware that originally I had no real preference about these cages. If the hamster in question hadn't been a chewer and a completely messy creature she would have spent her days in a wire cage - i put her in one of these out of necessity.

[linford27]

I have recently been looking after a friends dwarf, who I kept in a mini Duna. In my opinion, it is too small even for a dwarf, as it lacks space for a lot of toys or activities. It is far too small for any Syrian, and I wouldn't reccomend you keep your dwarf in it either. The wheel it comes with is USELESS, it doesn't even spin. The bowl is better off used as a sand bath, and the bottle is a nice size but eventually loses its suction. The lid tends to pop off, and the ladder and shelf are quite flimsy. The house it comes with is ok, but too small for fully grown syrians. It comes apart easily, which makes for easy cleaning. But, really, I wouldn't reccomend it for any hamster. If you are into this kind of cage, I'd reccomend a Zoozone, or possibly a Large Duna Fun.

Sorry for the short review, just thought I'd share my 2 cents!

[dancer]

I've got an elderly, poorly, single robo in a mini duna at the moment, and it's just right for her. She has her wheel, sandbath, nest, tub and play cube thingy. The level isn't in there, because she was falling off of it, but she is very settled in there.

In some instances I think it is fine, but for a pair it would be way too small

[LawaRawr]

I have to disagree, i have a robo and a chinese who love their Mini Dunas. I have tried 3 different cages with my chinese and she is most comfortable in the duna, with the other cages she freaked out with the space and wouldn't settle down even after almost a week of being in the larger cage. As for my robo i have also tried him in a Imac fantasy with extension and he didn't like it at all, since putting him in a duna he is so much more comfortable and loves the space available to him. He has also let me tame him since being in the duna.
As for the wheel place a little bit of oil on it and it spins perfectly and they are silent too when placed on a wheel stand. Ive had no problems with the lids and ive owned mine for 2 years, once popped in correctly they should be fine. they need alot of pressure to get them to stay in correctly though. I love the houses that come with the cages they are great size for dwarfs but i agree they are way too small for syrians.
As for the bowls my hammies love to sit in their dishes whilst they eat so the bowls are a perfect size for them to place their little bums in there whilst they eat

I Have to say that it all does depend on the hamster, personally i think the cages are small but my hamsters love them. If they are happy then i am happy

[linford27]

Maybe Mini Duna's are suited to elderly or nervous hams?? When I say not suitable, I meant for the majority of hams that like a lot of space/toys, so in general I wouldn't reccomend it for the majority of hams, I guess then there is always the exception.

[Susie]

I like the mini D as a hospital cage, i've yet to have a space hating hamster. But yes, they should always be given the opportunity of a bigger cage before being put in a duna

[crazygal330]

I have my robo in a gabber rex. I once put the mini duna together and set it all up. I didn't end up putting him in it though as it just felt too small. I have used the mini duna for an elderly mouse once. They are handy to have about as hospital cages/elderly cages but for an active adult I would not be happy keeping anything in it.

[XxHamsterzxX]

A mini duna is big enough for any hamster.

[Scampi16]

Originally Posted by XxHamsterzxX

A mini duna is big enough for any hamster.

i would disagree with this, I had one for my syrian (bought it day I got him, very little choice0 - I had to upgrade him only a few weeks later as he outgrew it (in fact he had outgrew it before he went in it) no room for a good sized wheel.

[linford27]

Originally Posted by XxHamsterzxX

A mini duna is big enough for any hamster.

I think it depends on the ham, but deffo too small for a syrian!