Best cages for Chinese Dwarf Hamsters? - Page 2

**Roxie** · 07-31-2011, 08:42 AM

Sorry to hijack, but would the Bingo need meshing for a Chinese or is it fine as is? I quite like the look of it for Shiloh.

KatiePillow · 07-31-2011, 08:43 AM

I was going to go for the detolf for one of my dwarves, my only suggestion if you go for an aquarium style tank is that some chinese hamsters (mine included) feel a bit over exposed. I'd tape some decorative paper round part of the sides to help them feel less exposed.

racinghamster · 07-31-2011, 09:06 AM

As an easy to find cage (new and second hand) I would say the Zoozone 1 would be a decent cage. The lid needs meshing though but if this was done (and presuming there was`nt any toys/accessories in the cage where she could reach the barred section) the Zoozone 1 would be fine.

I have a Gabber Rex, but the downside with this cage is the sliding grill. I removed mine as it was rusted to extinction sadly (hav`nt had the time or the energy to sand it all down and coat it yet!) but the Zoozone 1 lid lifts up, as do many of these newer tank style cages which really helps with access.

I`m not overly keen on the shape of the Bingo, but I`m just a fusspot when it comes to cage design!

SnickersTheFirst · 07-31-2011, 09:30 AM

I think the Detolf is a bit big for a Chinese really, I like smaller cages for them e.g Mini Duna/Imac Bingo as they tend to feel scared in open spaces.

I measured the bar spacing of the Bingo and it seems to be 0.8mm, measuring from the inside edge of one bar to the inside edge of the other.

KatiePillow · 07-31-2011, 12:58 PM

I think that a chinese would be fine in a large spaced cage as long as there were enough hidey holes - I wish I could give sesame more space. But she doesn't enjoy being with me, so maybe she needs more stimulation

racinghamster · 08-01-2011, 01:25 AM

I agree with KP. Chinese (albeit shy little creatures normally) do appreciate space if the cage is accessorized well. Deep substrate is a must also as they love digging and constructing molehills!

Cage size should be based around a chinese hamsters willingness to be active and not based on the fact that they are timid or shy. This is just part of their make-up, but they still need enough space to be able to stimulate their natural behaviour. I do appreciate that the smaller cages are needed in the early stages of a chinese settling in and I used a Savic Rody with prinny for a good month of her arriving here, but you soon discover their true characters and it`s not long before you realise that they do appreciate more leg room.

This is why the Gabber Rex, Zoozone 1 and similar are ideal, because they are not large cages. They might look large, but believe me, they are not once filled with logs, eggboxes, cork tunnels, loo roll tubes and a wheel!

Bekki2308 · 12-13-2011, 05:50 AM

Would a Savic Mickey Max be suitable for a chinese, it is marketed as a dwarf cage and I have one that may be spare (if I decide to keep my syrian in a bin rather than two wire cages connected)

racinghamster · 12-13-2011, 06:03 AM

Probably...but I feel using a Zoozone 1, Gabber Rex or equivellant size is better. The Savic Mickey Max is that little bit bigger than their smaller Mickey cage right enough. That`s too small for anything to live in! I would also cover the barred shelves in these cages with cardboard and cable tie it down as a solid surface is preferrable. The bar spacing should be okay as it`s narrower than most cages.

alisont · 12-14-2011, 01:22 PM

Dudley lives in a Rydon Mill cage - I could not get a mini Duna when I needed to get one quickly for him as he was found on a bench so spent his first 2 nights in a big curver box until I got to the pet shop and grabbed a cage.

Dudley likes this cage but if I was getting a new cage I'd go for one a bit bigger so I could get more toys in the extra space.

I do have a zoozone in the garage I use to use as a car travel cage for my ill guinea, keeping that for a syrian but had not thought of it for a Chinese hammy, good idea that