Considering purchasing a playpen

leejarratt · 01-02-2009, 10:42 AM

Hello,

I am wondering whether I should purchase a playpen for Noodle but I would like some opinions etc if you have a playpen for your furry friends.

Is it worth it?
Do hamsters actually enjoy it or is it a novelty/gimmick?
What toys do you recommend I purchase for sole use on the playpen?
Any specific makes you recommend (if there is any)?
Suitable for Dwarf hamsters?
And anything else you may add..

It would be great to have your thoughts on playpens,

Lee

Hanlou · 01-02-2009, 12:14 PM

The main problem with playpens is that they're often too low and the hamster can just climb over them with no problems whatsoever! :P

The one that Pets At Home sell, for example, is far too low for a Syrian hamster and the bars are probably too far apart for a dwarf hamster to be safely enclosed.

The best playpens are home-made ones really - they can be made out of hardboard - which you can buy really cheaply from DIY stores such as Wickes or B&Q. Screw hinges on 4 pieces of hardboard and you have a playpen which can also fold up.

Or you can use the hardboard to make a 'safe zone' within a bedroom etc. or to keep hamsters away from danger areas such as computer wires.

A hamster-safe zone is also fine for free ranging - such as a bathroom, hallway but obviously if you share your home with a few people that may not be practical.

mollldoll · 01-03-2009, 07:01 AM

I have one & have found it of some use for my gerbils & dwarf hamsters, but for syrians and robos its useless - I had a robo jam her head in the bars of the playpen they sell at P@H & all my syrians have just climbed out.

For any hamsters you cant leave them in there without watching cause they can get out.

TheArctopus · 01-03-2009, 08:04 AM

I have the one from p@h but ive only used it once, my syrians didnt climb out but i was keeping an eye on them anyway. I only bought it for taming really, not to leave them out in.

id suggest you buy a large bin (as big as you have room for) put some toys in it etc and pop them in there for playtime, they wont climb out of the bin if its sufficiently high sided and as you are not leaving them in there for overly long periods or when you are not around you to keep an eye on them you can leave the lid off, hence you needent modify the bin at all for provide ventilation. Its the ultimate lazy playpen, no modification, and no having to pick up toys and put them away etc, you just shove the bin out of the way when your not using it. Will take up a lot of space though, thats the only real downside. This will be suitable for a dwarf also!

Yes the hammys do enjoy it and its not a gimmick, not all hammys are the same but most will enjoy the change of scene for a little.

And toys, just pop in some tubes or something, a see saw, some puzzle playground creations, anything you like really, maybe some little hideouts they can hide in if they feel the need or are uncomfortable etc. I provide mine with some tunnel sections, a see saw and a sputnik hidout and some toilet roll tubes all in a bin with some shavings on the bottom.

haziebabie · 01-04-2009, 04:31 AM

I have a plastic tub for playtime. I have various climbing and hiding holes in there and often hide there treats in there. They all have a quick turn after their ball runs.

ref84 · 01-04-2009, 10:16 AM

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IndigoElectron · 04-05-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheArctopus

I have the one from p@h but ive only used it once, my syrians didnt climb out but i was keeping an eye on them anyway. I only bought it for taming really, not to leave them out in.

id suggest you buy a large bin (as big as you have room for) put some toys in it etc and pop them in there for playtime, they wont climb out of the bin if its sufficiently high sided and as you are not leaving them in there for overly long periods or when you are not around you to keep an eye on them you can leave the lid off, hence you needent modify the bin at all for provide ventilation. Its the ultimate lazy playpen, no modification, and no having to pick up toys and put them away etc, you just shove the bin out of the way when your not using it. Will take up a lot of space though, thats the only real downside. This will be suitable for a dwarf also!

Yes the hammys do enjoy it and its not a gimmick, not all hammys are the same but most will enjoy the change of scene for a little.

And toys, just pop in some tubes or something, a see saw, some puzzle playground creations, anything you like really, maybe some little hideouts they can hide in if they feel the need or are uncomfortable etc. I provide mine with some tunnel sections, a see saw and a sputnik hidout and some toilet roll tubes all in a bin with some shavings on the bottom.

Just seen this and I like the idea of a bin - but what type of bin? Surely it would have to be huge?