Syrian Hamster Cage Sizes? - Page 2

Pebbles82 · 05-07-2019, 01:36 PM

Yes that is what I said and sent the link to the research papers! This is always an emotive topic though. There was a thread on it a year or so ago and some people felt the German research wasn’t reliable enough. I think some is just common sense! Bar chewing is very common in small cages and much less common in large ones. Most hamsters are happy with something decent sized like a hamster heaven. Syrians mainly as you say M&M.

mangoandmimi · 05-07-2019, 01:48 PM

Yes some people having read them still don’t think they’re representative of all hamsters. Which I can sort of understand as some hams seem to do ok in smaller cages - well maybe the odd hamster or a breeder hamster that has been bred for good temperament, but it is a very small percentage. Even in a hamster heaven, the number of bar chewing Syrians in those! Easy to forget bar chewing is very dangerous too.

Shannonmcn · 05-08-2019, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangoandmimi

Yes some people having read them still don’t think they’re representative of all hamsters. Which I can sort of understand as some hams seem to do ok in smaller cages - well maybe the odd hamster or a breeder hamster that has been bred for good temperament, but it is a very small percentage. Even in a hamster heaven, the number of bar chewing Syrians in those! Easy to forget bar chewing is very dangerous too.

Some people can smoke a pack a day, or live on chips and chicken nuggets till the age of 90. People used to think it was normal and fine to hit children. People rejecting science with "well it's always been that way and it's fine" will never fail to infuriate me.

I agree that it does just sound like common sense too which makes the willful ignorance even stranger.

mangoandmimi · 05-08-2019, 02:45 AM

Lol! Yes I agree. In all honesty I do think it’s a bit silly to have to resort to referencing hamster studies to get the point across, you’d think experiences on forums etc over the years would be more valuable info! I guess lots of people also assume shy or nervous hamsters need a smaller space but that is often not the case either - a hamster who is nervous of people or wasn’t properly tame in the first place, & who might only be active late at night/when no one is around is not the same as a hamster who needs a smaller cage but it’s often interpreted that way.

alpacassei · 05-08-2019, 03:25 AM

I agree with the German 100x50cm minimum for Syrians. Even though a male Syrian might not bar chew or show other stress behaviours in an 80x50cm cage, once you’ve added all their toys and hides theres almost no space for the hamster!

With Russian dwarfs my minimum is 70x40cm to provide a suitable enriching environment. Some of my more agoraphobic Russians started off in smaller cages while I worked on boosting confidence (generally a mini duna fun as the platforms add space for enrichment without increasing overall space) but all of them have been successfully upgraded to 70x40cm or bigger cages.

I understand what the RSPCA are saying about enrichment however enrichment and cage size go hand-in-hand. Yes you can have a large cage that does not provide enrichment but you absolutely cannot have a suitable enriching environment without providing a large enough cage.

Pebbles82 · 05-08-2019, 04:22 AM

Agree with that last paragraph entirely, and new pet owners do need guidance as to what to look for in a cage.

Shannonmcn · 05-08-2019, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpacassei

I agree with the German 100x50cm minimum for Syrians. Even though a male Syrian might not bar chew or show other stress behaviours in an 80x50cm cage, once you’ve added all their toys and hides theres almost no space for the hamster!

With Russian dwarfs my minimum is 70x40cm to provide a suitable enriching environment. Some of my more agoraphobic Russians started off in smaller cages while I worked on boosting confidence (generally a mini duna fun as the platforms add space for enrichment without increasing overall space) but all of them have been successfully upgraded to 70x40cm or bigger cages.

I understand what the RSPCA are saying about enrichment however enrichment and cage size go hand-in-hand. Yes you can have a large cage that does not provide enrichment but you absolutely cannot have a suitable enriching environment without providing a large enough cage.

I think once we start debating our personal minimums or individual needs we are above and beyond the point of understanding that the RSPCA should be trying to get people to. If you look at the vast number of cages on the market that are nowhere near what would be suitable for any hamster (the majority of cages sold) splitting hairs between 75x40 or 80x50 isn't going to register.

Any minimum backed up by either science or experience would cut out 80% of cages on the market and that's why there is no minimum. Until you get over that rather large obstacle (capitalism I guess) we're just bailing water from a sinking boat. One thing a goddamn Ovo might be useful for actually.

alpacassei · 05-08-2019, 07:13 AM

If the Ovo doesn’t fall apart first lol

I am glad though that Pet at Home have introduced their own brand 70x40cm cage in stores (it’s manufactured by Ferplast as well so its good quality) and that they have a large range of 80x50cm+ cages both online and in some of their larger stores. They still have a way to go but its good progress compared what they were selling just a few years ago and especially compared what I’ve seen in a lot of other pet shops recently.

Pebbles82 · 05-08-2019, 09:12 AM

Yes they have a good choice. The Savic Hamster Plaza as well. Just wish they wouldn't keep selling the little ones and particularly the Rosewood Pico!

Shannonmcn · 05-08-2019, 02:08 PM

That is very true. And the bigger cages are at a decent sort of price point too. £60 for a metro looks pretty good when you see the Pico beside it for £45.

I was definitely in a Mood when I wrote up my previous post. Things have come a long way in the last few years.