What do you think the minimum cage size should be? - Page 4

Ceretrea · 05-23-2016, 06:27 AM

I agree it shouldn't be based on what rescues use although the RSPCA itself uses horribly small cages which was my point.

I agree it should be based on what is humane. The trouble being 'humane' isn't a black and white term. It is a difficult topic, and very emotive I totally agree. I started with 160cm long of floorspace for a group of five mice, an alexander for a syrian so I know where you are coming from. As the years have gone by and I've seen so many different personalities and needs, my opinions changed. As it started working better for my own hamsters, my opinions changed quicker. But that doesn't mean an 80cm cage is bad, as said already there are some hamsters that can't get enough space. So their owners shouldn't use an absolute minimum for that hamster, and you are right that is down to education.

Pebbles82 · 05-23-2016, 07:08 AM

Thanks Ceretrea

I guess the RSPCA could get round the issue by having "grades" of housing. A recommended minimum size for long term housing for pet owners, could be one, with an acknowledgement that there are circumstances when a smaller cage may be necessary for health or age reasons, but no smaller than xyz. An absolute minimum for rescues or pet shops, as temporary housing, could be another grade or level, but with the proviso that bigger would be better.

The ASPCA just say "no smaller than" a 10 gallon tank, which most people feel is too small for a long term cage.

Fluffagrams · 05-23-2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Ok - I find this a difficult topic personally. I "grew up on" the RSPCA guideline of 70 x 40 which was published for some time.

I have to admit that I too find it to be a quite a difficult and slightly emotive topic. I became fixed on the idea that bigger was always going to be better and six to eight months ago, I wouldn't have kept my hamsters in anything much smaller than a Duna Multy either but James had other ideas.

Since moving James I've been told by complete strangers that his cage is too small and seen comments about those keeping hamsters in small cages being closed minded to what is right for hamsters. People judge you as an owner on the kind of cage you provide and at times, know nothing about the circumstances behind it. It's not easy to have to go against the ideal when so many people say that it's the right thing to do but in the end it was James I had to please.

Pebbles82 · 05-23-2016, 07:45 AM

You are doing what is right for James

An "ideal" would be helpful information for the general public and prospective pet owners. You can just say to those people that James had particular needs and this was best for him. It's another reason maybe why an absolute minimum and an ideal could be a good idea.

But it can be upsetting also to see a Syrian in a tiny cage with a tiny wheel and virtually no bedding.

Pebbles82 · 05-23-2016, 07:57 AM

This is going off topic slightly, but I sometimes think the kind of house/shelter for nesting can make a difference to hammies as well, especially shy ones. Labyrinth houses like the Trixie Leif one can provide a lot of shelter and darkness and privacy, and at 35cm by 25cm it would need a certain sized cage to actually fit in without filling it.

Fluffagrams · 05-23-2016, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It's another reason maybe why an absolute minimum and an ideal could be a good idea.

I agree and I feel that new pet owners should be given actual examples of what cages those might be as it's not always easy to visualise based on just measurements unless you get the tape measure out. I know you couldn't cover every cage on the market but in a lot of cases I see people asking which cages are suitable for a particular species rather than thinking in terms of size in actual figures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

This is going off topic slightly, but I sometimes think the kind of house/shelter for nesting can make a difference to hammies as well, especially shy ones.

I agree with this point as well and found that James has done better with the entrance to his house being that little bit more private and under cover. Adding a bendy bridge worked for him but there are other options that are available on the market that provide this.

Pebbles82 · 05-23-2016, 08:20 AM

Examples of cages is a good idea I think too, and photos. The RSPCA Collins booklet was revised and altered a year ago, taking out the dimensions and some of the optimistic suggestions on large diy cages. It did have a sample photo of a cage as a suggestion but it was cage I have never seen before and couldn't find anywhere lol!

I know nothing about Chinese hams either - or dwarf hamsters - cageing for Syrians is a bit simpler. They need big stuff!

I do think the NHC minimum is too small though - if it's for any hamster. I don't know what research was used, but it would be hard to fit a house and 8" wheel even into a 40cm by 25cm cage and have any floor space left. It's a quarter of the size of a hamster heaven basically.