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Old 01-29-2021, 04:17 PM   #1
CavyGal
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Default Cage too big?

I don’t have a hamster yet. I’m considering bringing a Syrian into our little family. I have a “ferret” cage which (when only using the bottom level) is 30”L x 21”W x 19”T (76cm L x 53cm W x 48cm T).

I can use hardware cloth to cover the large wire spacing. Also, I was thinking of using a cement bin to replace the bottom pan so there’s substrate to dig in.

Is this way too big? Are there other problems with this idea?
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Old 01-29-2021, 07:36 PM   #2
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Cage too big?

Hello and welcome,

The accepted minimum for a syrian is 80 x 50cm. Which cage is it, a furret tower?

With the bar spacing and height, you may be better to get a new or second hand cage.

Can you tell us what cage it is so we have a better idea how you may be able to adapt it safely?
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Old 01-29-2021, 11:47 PM   #3
julian_eko
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Default Re: Cage too big?

I don't think that's too big.

That size is quite normal. You actually can arrange the cage as you want to. There's really no limitation of it.

Your idea of modification the ex-furret cage sounds good to me. Also maybe sounds good for your hamsters-soon-to-be
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Old 01-30-2021, 04:43 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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I was thinking of the furet tower as well . I think it is supposed to be 80 x 50 (depends where you measure from and the bottom half usually has a plastic base that holds about 6” substrate max which is fine. My concern would be the height. Ideally you would have a lower wider cage for a Syrian. If it’s for a dwarf hamster then you’d need to make a full level to reduce the height and fall risks. And even for a Syrian it would need setting up very carefully to avoid fall risks. Eg shelves and ensuring there is nothing hard at floor level that can be landed on so hard or sharp items are under a shelf. Or I also have a rat tube tied to the roof leading between shelves and a hanging rat Sputnik next to a shelf so harder floor toys can go underneath those.

I believe meshing on the inside is recommended (so they don’t get trapped between the bars and mesh if they squeeze through the bars).

There is a good choice of better cages in the Uk - but there is a bit of a supply and availability issue at the moment due to the pandemic. Last time I looked at Zooplus they had no hamster cages in stock at all! Normally the Alaska cage is a good budget choice at about £32 (which could well work out cheaper than buying shelves and mesh).

Amazon and pets at home have the hamster heaven and pets at home sells the Savic plaza. Neither are that cheap. And the Savic plaza is also about 48cm tall and needs setting up carefully. The hamster heaven has the same floor area but is lower.

If you’re good at diy then meshing could be the way to go with the Ferplast cage but I wouldn’t fancy it! You need to make sure there are no sharp edges on the mesh as well.

You can also check out gumtree and eBay for a second hand hamster heaven but it works best without the plastic stuff except the one solid shelf (ie without the penthouse and tubes and just one shelf). Otherwise they block up the tubes and pee in them). So if you find a used one, make sure it comes with the tube hole blockers.

Is it this cage? If so the bar spacing is ok as it’s 1cm. But it’s far too tall and would need a full level making. Hansters climb but aren’t good at getting down again and just drop and are easily injured. Whilst it is close to 80 x 50 you would probably find the floor area not quite big enough for a Syrian - once you have a Syrian sized wheel, house and toys/tunnels etc in there. Syrians do best with rat sized toys.

Ferplast comfortable ferret and mice cage FURAT, two-storey structure with accessories included, reinforced corner, Red, 78 x 48 x h 70 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

Another option is a diy cage. The Linmon cage is popular (instructions on YouTube) using IKEA pieces from a linmon table.

Last edited by souffle; 02-01-2021 at 09:58 AM.
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Old 01-30-2021, 08:26 PM   #5
CavyGal
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Default Re: Cage too big?

Thanks everyone 👋

I’m in North America and it’s a Feisty Ferret cage. I was intending on setting it up similar to a rat cage (fall barriers), but I can see how in general it may not work out so great. Thought I’d ask! I’ll look into some better and safer options / diy’s.
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Old 01-31-2021, 04:32 AM   #6
Pebbles82
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It can be hard getting hold of cages right now. Not sure if it’s the same in the US - but there is a very good, reasonably priced cage that is good for Syrians called the Preview cage. It was priced at $60. It’s basically the same cage as the Alaska cage in Uk and Europe. Sold by Amazon. Right sized floor space, correct bar spacing , not too tall and comes with a shelf plus has a front opening door (good for interaction and taming with shy hamsters).


It’s this one - but says currently unavailable (same problem in the Uk - nothing available!)

Amazon.com

I just looked up the feisty ferret cage. It would need meshing. But it does have a full level half way up. This full level floor though is mesh so that would need covering in something solid - eg cardboard or hemp mat. Ideally hemp mat so it has some cushioning if the hamster drops from the roof. Then you would need something hanging - in the top part of the cage - over the access entrance from the full level to the bottom part of the cage (so the hamster couldn't fall from the very top, through the access part, through to the bottom). They can monkey bar across the roof at night and then just drop.

On the bottom part of the cage you could put cardboard inside up to about 6" high so you can have a good depth of substrate in it.

It's a nice cage and it is doable - but the meshing would be the tricky bit so it was safe from sharp corners etc and meshed on the inside. 1cm Square mesh is the usual, attached with cable ties. The cut ends of mesh would either need folding over (difficulty) or sanding so the cut edges are smooth.

Is it the same as this one?

PREVUE PET PRODUCTS Feisty Ferret Home, Black Hammertone - Chewy.com

Other alternatives are a 40 gallon breeder tank, detolf or bin cage.

Last edited by souffle; 02-01-2021 at 09:58 AM.
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Old 02-01-2021, 10:38 AM   #7
choulesy
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Default Re: Cage too big?

This cage is not too big at all. Depending on where you are the minimum cage size can vary but most hamster owners have agreed that the minimum is 80x50cm or 620 square inches.
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