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Old 07-23-2016, 09:21 AM   #1
HamsterCrazy1
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Default Best cage?

Hi! I am wondering what the best cage for a hamster would be. From my understanding, CritterTrails and the like are hard to clean and not big enough for them. So, my other three options are: Aquarium, bin cage, or a wire cage. I know that the cage kind of depends on the kind of hamster you get, but looking for pros/cons of each of them. I'm pretty sure I am either going to get a Syrian or a Dwarf Winter White. Thanks in advance for any advice, input, or tips!
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Old 07-23-2016, 02:18 PM   #2
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Best cage?

Unless you can get a huge aquarium(100 cm x 50 cm for a dwarf or 100 cm x 100 cm for a Syrian)it wouldn't be the best idea.Even then,it would be extremely bulky and hard to move which could make even simple cleaning difficult!That's not including the poor access which can make taming hard,and the difficulties that come with tanks which make even simply setting up a cage near impossible.

Bin cages are nice,if you can get a 100 x 50 one for a dwarf.Syrian sized bins really aren't available,and wire cages are about the same
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Old 07-23-2016, 02:48 PM   #3
Renlikescake
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Default Re: Best cage?

Quote:
Originally Posted by HamsterCrazy1 View Post
Hi! I am wondering what the best cage for a hamster would be. From my understanding, CritterTrails and the like are hard to clean and not big enough for them. So, my other three options are: Aquarium, bin cage, or a wire cage. I know that the cage kind of depends on the kind of hamster you get, but looking for pros/cons of each of them. I'm pretty sure I am either going to get a Syrian or a Dwarf Winter White. Thanks in advance for any advice, input, or tips!
The smallest you can go is 360 square inches. I personally would never go smaller than 415.
Bin cages are cheap and very easy to make and I highly recommend them.
The alexander cage is very good too.
Personally I think 100X100 is very daunting for anyone to think of.
My future Syrian will be living in a 100X51 Zoozone 2 once I get them which is plenty.
80X50 is a very good minimum size for a Syrian.
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Old 07-23-2016, 02:56 PM   #4
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Default Re: Best cage?

The current US minimum is not 360.It was changed to 450 in terms of forums,and even that was acknowledged as small and not actually a good size and that you should always go above that.

Furthermore,the UK minimum is around 600 or so square inches,which honestly is more appropriate for a dwarf hamster than a Syrian.

Yes,100 x 100 is daunting,but it doesn't have to be exactly those dimensions!Some cages are actually longer and more narrow and go to 1 square meter,which is very good.For Syrians the big issue with a lot of cages is that they are narrow and a bit short and especially with barred cages they just don't allow for proper burrowing so they are certainly not entirely suitable and therefore shouldn't be considered for Syrians.

Bigger cages are cheaper in the end by the way,especially those which allow for deep substrate.This is simple science actually!More surface area and less substrate getting thrown away,which leads to less waste and as a result less money being spent on substrate.

Another thing big cages give that is very good is the ability to have large enriching toys that wouldn't be suitable for small cages,which means that boredom and bar chewing would be less likely.Some may argue that this is somehow not an issue with aquariums,but there is still the issue of sealant being chewed which is equally concerning and yet again a potential sign of boredom.

Last edited by AmityvilleHams; 07-23-2016 at 03:06 PM.
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Old 07-23-2016, 03:38 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Best cage?

Hi Hamster Crazy. Are you in the US? In the Uk there is a very good choice of suitably sized, reasonably priced cages at zooplus (the Barney, Hamster Heaven, Alexander and Barney). Glass tanks are extortionately expensive in the Uk. Perspex tank style cages like the Zoozone and Duna Multy are popular too. If you're in the US there are very few suitable sized cages and they are expensive. Most people get something like a 40 gallon breeder tank (Petsmart has regular $ per gallon sales which makes them more affordable) or bin cages or other diy options. The detolf is popular in all countries (an Ikea glass cabinet tipped on its side with the door left off) and is a cheap solution at about £40 - if you have the wall space for one. Crittertrails and the like aren't seen as good hamster housing. They are ok as add-ons to a main cage that is at least 80cm by 50cm continuous floor area but that would make it expensive. For a Syrian I would go with a cage or 40 gallon breeder tank or detolf. For a dwarf - the same really! But a cage would need narrow bar spacing and not excessive height due to fall risks. Bin cages are also a good option for a dwarf.

If you let us know which country you're in, can post cage suggestions
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Old 07-23-2016, 03:44 PM   #6
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Default Re: Best cage?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Hi Hamster Crazy. Are you in the US? In the Uk there is a very good choice of suitably sized, reasonably priced cages at zooplus (the Barney, Hamster Heaven, Alexander and Barney). Glass tanks are extortionately expensive in the Uk. Perspex tank style cages like the Zoozone and Duna Multy are popular too. If you're in the US there are very few suitable sized cages and they are expensive. Most people get something like a 40 gallon breeder tank (Petsmart has regular $ per gallon sales which makes them more affordable) or bin cages or other diy options. The detolf is popular in all countries (an Ikea glass cabinet tipped on its side with the door left off) and is a cheap solution at about £40 - if you have the wall space for one. Crittertrails and the like aren't seen as good hamster housing. They are ok as add-ons to a main cage that is at least 80cm by 50cm continuous floor area but that would make it expensive. For a Syrian I would go with a cage or 40 gallon breeder tank or detolf. For a dwarf - the same really! But a cage would need narrow bar spacing and not excessive height due to fall risks. Bin cages are also a good option for a dwarf.

If you let us know which country you're in, can post cage suggestions
Petco not Petsmart!And they do 55 gallon tanks for that sale which would be a better size actually Double Detolf's are an option too and would make a relatively cheap square meter cage as well,with a topper style lid of course to allow for deep substrate and make it easier to have extra enrichment and water bottles and things like that.
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Old 07-23-2016, 04:29 PM   #7
HamsterCrazy1
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Default Re: Best cage?

I'm in the US. I'm not sure I could afford an aquarium (I could if I wanted to, but would rather get a cheaper cage and spend the money spoiling my new hammy) so I think I am going to end up doing a bin cage or possibly a wire cage. A question I do have on the bin cages- how do you attach the wire in the sides for ventilation? And do you put the wire on the inside of the tote or the outside? And does the tote have to be clear? Thanks!
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Old 07-23-2016, 04:30 PM   #8
HamsterCrazy1
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Default Re: Best cage?

360cm?? Because I looked at totes and most of them were half that size. I think I am going to do 2 totes but even 360cm for a dwarf hamster??
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Old 07-23-2016, 04:43 PM   #9
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Default Re: Best cage?

360 square inches not cm.360 square cm would be far too small for any creature,even a mouse!All hamsters need space,regardless of species.Syrians and dwarf hamsters are equally active and both require just as much space though you can get away with a half square meter for a dwarf hamster.

Even then 360 square inches is too small and has been noted as improper on reputable forums so don't bother with that size.
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Old 07-23-2016, 04:50 PM   #10
HamsterCrazy1
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Default Re: Best cage?

Alright.. so.. a two 60 quart bins would be too small for a Syrian?
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