Smaller Cage?

[kelza]

So I am considering a smaller cage for my daughter's hybrid dwarf, and am hoping for some feedback from the community. Please read the entire reason below to understand why before commenting.

Zippy is a rescue we got back in October. The first cage she was kept in was a small 12 x 12 wire cage that I use for taming newbies, or can also use as a recovery cage if the need ever arises. She was very happy and social in this and scurried around, chatting at us and exploring whenever she was awake. About 5 weeks after she came home I moved her to a 20 long aquarium as I could tell she was older and was concerned about drafts in the wire cage. Also, the smaller cage was just a temp set up for her.

Since moving her to the aquarium we have noticed she is far less social and is only using about 1/3rd of the space. She seems very nervous to have such a large area to roam in. I have blocked the tank in half and she has seems happier with the smaller amount of room. I have switched her to the other side and she was fine as long as the "wall" was in place. Anytime I have tried to reintroduce her to whole tank, she stressed out again.

The tank is in a quieter part of the house, but she always comes out to greet anyone she hears so I think she might do better in a more active area. She is either very old or possibly recovered poorly from an old injury as she hobbles more then walks. She still manages good long runs on her wheel though, lol. She is also up and down throughout the day rather then up through the night like our other hammies.

Please understand that putting Zippy in a smaller cage goes against my instincts. But that being said, from what I've witness in her behavior and with her not being as mobile I am thinking this might be the best option to keep her happy and stress free.

Please share you thoughts, or possible experiences below. Thank you!

[cypher]

While I think most of us tend to be of the give them as much space as we can mind we also have to respect the needs of each individual ham so if she seems happier in a smaller space then I see no reason why she shouldn't have just that, if she's an older or previously injured ham who may have been used to living in a smaller space or doesn't find it so easy to get around a large space could be intimidating for her.
I always think if we observe them closely they'll let us know what they need which if far more important than any "rules" or recommendations concerning cage size.

[RubyDG]

I agree with what Cypher has said. Trust your instincts. While I think we all ascribe to the 'bigger is better' rule when it comes to cages I have seen a few posts where people have said that after trying everthing their hamster was simply happier in a smaller cage for various reasons. We all agree that hamsters each have their own little personalities and have all had different life experiences to shape them so I feel it's completely within reason that a small minority of hamsters would prefer a smaller enclosed space, just like people. I do think people should always first try alternatives like multiple hideouts etc but you've clearly tried everthing at this point. You know her better than anyone, if you feel that a smaller cage will make her happier then do it

[velma]

I agree with the others but I'm biased my robo Hector lives in a "too small" tank. He was a rescue but I don't think he was that old. Like you, I had a smaller tank for taming & after 5 weeks upgraded him to a more appropriate sized tank. After 3 weeks I swapped him back. He started as friendly and curious & coming out to see me but when I put him in the larger tank he stopped being like that. I thought he was settling as he seemed okay for A couple of day but after that he stopped coming out to say hello & would just stick his nose out of his hidey to see what was going on. When I gave up and put him in his original home he reverted back to his friendly curious nature. Personally for Hector, I have to give him fairly frequent set-up changes or he gets bored & I clean him more often as his cage is smaller but he's fine with that. It all comes down to knowing your individual hamster & what is best for them & I think sometimes after a life in a small cage they get "agoraphobic" and can't adjust to a bigger cage and as long as it fits an appropriate sized wheel then it's fine

[Pebbles82]

A 20 gallon long isn't that big I think? I know our hamster doesn't like 'open space'. Just wondering if you added maybe floor tubes like cork or those hyacinth ones - to the cage of the floor and maybe something like a grass mat hanging from the lid like a hammock (ie 'cover') he might explore it more.

This kind of thing


eCOTRiTiON™ SNAK SHAK™ Edible Small Animal Activity Log | Food | PetSmart

Oxbow Timothy Club Small Animal Timothy Tunnel | Toys & Habitat Accessories | PetSmart

Oxbow Timothy Club Small Animal Timothy Bungalow | Toys & Habitat Accessories | PetSmart

This hung as a hammock covering part of the grid roof

Marshall Small Animal Woven Grass Mat | Toys & Habitat Accessories | PetSmart

These are popular too and you can make it into different shapes

Super Pet

Usually they like to be under things and like long dark tubes! Shelves to feel safe under and lots of hidey places. A shelf or platform at the far end might be good too. When I'm trying to tempt our hamster to a part of the cage I scatter food there or hide treats in things then he seems to have more confidence after that.

This aquarium log thing looks good too (not cheap though) - something to hide in and climb on. Aquarium toys are ok if they're resin

http://www.amazon.com/Terrapin-Turtl...words=platform

http://www.amazon.com/NiteangeL%C2%A...ywords=hamster

This under a shelf would be tempting

http://www.amazon.com/Coconut-Cabana...VM0ABPXE6QVPF7

Basically if you fill a lot of the floor space with hides and tunnels and hang something over, it will effectively reduce the size of the tank and give her more enrichment. Some examples below

Jenibelle made a good shelf for her tank (scroll down page)

Bernie (Aka: Bubbe) came 1 year and 4 months early!

And Cypher has loads of hidey places in her dwarf set ups (again scroll down to bottom of page)

Meet Whisper

Deep substrate also encourages them to dig tunnels, especially if you have a toilet roll tube sticking out to start them off digging a tunnel.

[xbuttons94]

I think everyone has been spot in. Normally bigger is better but your ham might be a little shy. I've worked with shy hams in Animal Care and we offered them more hiding spaces in their cages rather than give them a smaller cage. But you know your ham more than we do and I'm sure you will make a good decision x

[Pebbles82]

I'm not disagreeing with the smaller idea - but depends how it's set up sometimes. A few changes can really bring out the normal behaviours in a hamster, and with more space, you have more to fill with enrichment and she might start coming out of her shell a bit more They are generally very energetic and active and she maybe just needs some encouragement to find that again. Different textures and places to explore and feel safe in as well.

[Thumper]

I have to say I'm inclined to agree with Serendipity. I find 20 inch already ron the short side to be honest as it is already less than recommended so I would not put her smaller. It also sounds like she's had a lot of change recently and that might add up to her being less secure about exploring.

Do you have a photo of your current set up of the full tank as well? Perhaps taking a look at it, we could contribute some beter ideas.

[kelza]

I just wanted to clarify that Zippy is currently in the minimum recommended 360 right now. A 20 gallon long tank is 30in x 12in (76.5cm x 30.5cm). I keep 2.5 to 3 inches of substrate (or more) in all my hamsters cages and Zippy does dig little "potholes" everywhere, lol. Unfortunately she either cannot or will not climb on anything. I do have an edible log which I have left treats on for her to find and they have stayed there for a couple days before I moved them down to her reach. We did have a shelf/platform in the early days but she never used it no matter how gentle the incline was, so those and hanging toys are out since she would not be able to get up to them.

In her current set up she has 3 hide outs, the edible log, 2 toilet paper tubes, plastic tube, wheel, food bowl and rocks to climb on under her water bottle. The toilet paper rolls seem to be her favorite toys as she goes through about 4 of these a week. She also uses her wheel all the time. She actually is the most active, curious and friendly of our dwarf hammies.

Thank you all for your comments and input, both sides was good to hear. At this point I think we will discuss this as a family and decide what we feel will made Zippy the happiest.

[Pebbles82]

Ok - sorry I didn't mean to suggest she didn't have any toys I guess it's finding a balance between encouraging her to use the space and fitting around her current lifestyle if she is older. We don't have gallon tanks in the Uk - I didn't realise a 20 gallon could be that long! It does sound about the right size for a dwarf hamster at 75cm x 30cm ish. I'm sure you'll know what would work for her best Some people put 6" to 8" of substrate in tanks but maybe she is past her tunneling days. I didn't mean a shelf and hammock for climbing up to really, just to give a kind of 'overhead cover' so she might feel safer in the open space. Maybe that's why tubes are popular as they feel undercover while going along them.

I know our hamster won't venture much further than his food, water and wheel unless something is there to tempt him! So I put his veg in a different place to his food bowl to encourage him to use more of the cage and venture out of his (lazy!) comfort zone - he goes where the food is lol.

I guess one idea might be leave the tank blocked in half with the partition, as you have and have a tube of some kind going through the partition to the other side with some things to tempt her on the other side. Generally they don't like cage changes, so keeping her in the same tank might be a good idea, even if partitioned off.

Whatever you decide to do Zippy sounds to be much loved and I'm sure she knows it