Rotastak v cages with bars

[Dragon64]

Hi,I am new to this site and on my 5 th Hamster a syrian called Barry ,after about a 10 year gap from my last one. I just wanted to know everyone's opinion if you think rotastak cages are better than bared cages? Barry the Hamster is currently in a lazy bones 3 tier cage which he seems quite happy in as he runs around and has lots to occupy himself.However I also have a rotastak cage from my son's Girlfriend which is the astro set (think its called) love to know what you all think.

[JLPrairie]

Neither cages are suitable. The problem with rotastak cages is that they're too small. Floor space is the amount of space that a hamster has to run around in with ducking or climbing. That means that cages connected with tubes doesn't add floor space, and modular cages would only be large enough if at least one compartment were larger than 450 sq. inches.
From what I can find about the Lazy bones 3 tier is that it is also too small. If you have the metal kind (Lazy Bones Chinchilla Cage - 3 Tier) the problem is that it is both too small, and the mesh levels (which don't add any more space) can cause a horrible condition to hamsters called bumblefoot. The base of the cage is too low too allow enough bedding.
As for the plastic cage, it isn't large enough and nor are the wheels large enough. The levels don't add any space, either.

The good news is that there are lots of good cage available. Do you prefer storebought cages, or can you use a drill, hammer, etc (basic stuff)?

[Pebbles82]

Could you post a picture of the Lazy Bones cage? It might be able to be adapted. Definitely not anything Rotostak! I started out with a 3 tier one of those and ended up binning it after 3 weeks. Horrible. Not just too small, terrible ventilation, and our hamster got wedged in the vertical tubes. They just aren't suitable for hamsters to live in.

Zooplus sell good Hamster cages - the Alaska, Barney and Alexander are favourites, suitable and reasonably priced.

Hamster Cages | great selection at zooplus

There are tank style cages available that are suitable - but if your hammy is currently happy in a cage then a cage is probably best - and the ventilation is good in a cage, plus you can interact with the hamster easier.

[InkyPen]

The core things that hamsters need in a cage as bare basics are
- enough unbroken floor space - shelves don't count, and the recommendation from Wood Green Animal Charity (amongst others) is 80x50cm floorspace at a minimum woodgreen.org.uk/pet_advice/557_hamster_accommodation
- solid floors - barred floors can cause bumblefoot which can be fatal
- ventilation - something that Rotastaks fall down on - there just isn't any real airflow
- enough good quality bedding to dig in - at least 3-4 inches. Fitch, Aubiose and Megazorb are all widely favoured.
- a large enough wheel - 20cm for a dwarf, 28cm+ for a Syrian. The main thing with this is that they don't have to bend their back or neck to run, as that can cause painful spinal problems. The need to fit in a large enough wheel renders a surprising number of cages unsuitable.
- somewhere to hide
- something to gnaw (whimzee chews, which are marketed for dogs but hamster safe, are a favourite)

The Zooplus cages that Serendipity linked to (Alaska / Barney / Alexander) are all great. I have the Alaska for my dwarf, and the Alexander for my Syrian, and wouldn't hesitate to buy them again. Other suitable cages include the Savic Hamster Heaven Metro, Grosvenor, Zoozone 2 (with mesh on top, as otherwise the bar spacing is too wide), Duna Maxi Multy and Mamble 80/100.