Cage too Small?

linlithgow320 · 08-24-2016, 04:05 PM

I just got my first Syrian called Rosy i only got her a couple of days ago,

i am having concerns about her cage size as i have seen videos explaining the minimum in the uk is 15 inches by 30 inches my cage is 14 inches by 18 inches and has a small wheel which Rosy will probably grow out of so im not sure if i should just buy a bigger wheel although it would make the cage even smaller, or just get a bigger cage or get a bin cage,

I am also wondering how long i should wait to put her in a new cage as i dont want to stress her out she is a baby after all.

Thanks

.

BluerayDarkes · 08-25-2016, 08:46 AM

In my opinion the minimum for a cage is 80cm x 50cm but the bigger the better. A rat sized wheel that is about 18inches is also good for your hamster, most hamster wheels are too small and make them curve their back which will make back problems later on in life.

Bin cages are a great, cheap way of getting a bigger cage, they are also really easy to make. Another option is the Detolf from IKEA that is 100cm long providing ample space, but if you lack space for something that big then bin cage it is.

If you've only just gotten her leave her to settle in for about two weeks, then move her to the new cage. Keep some of the old substrate for the new cage, so everything will smell familiar and it will keep the stress down.

AmityvilleHams · 08-25-2016, 08:52 AM

Four Lack units instead of the Detolf!Honestly,they could be better because they're just as easy to make once you get past the doors or lids situation and then you just have to mesh the sides and line the bottom with nonadhesive contact paper,plus you do have to make cardboard substrate borders(or similar).It's really not anything fancy or difficult though,you could make it regardless of how skilled you are at DIY

CMB · 08-25-2016, 10:52 AM

Have a look at the cages thread. There are examples on shop brought cages and diy cages. The detolf is about 163cm long by 40cm (it's meant to be a shelving unit from IKEA).

Zoo plus has the Alaska cage, Barney cage and the Alexander cage, which are good cages for a Syrian. Wooden shelves/houses would need painting with water based plastikote to help prevent staining etc from pee or water.

A 11" wheel should be ok for a Syrian hamster. The hamster needs to run without arching it's back.

When getting a new cage check a large wheel will fit.

You could let your hamster play in the new cage a little before moving in permanently.

When moving in permanently put substrate in the cage and top it up with the old substrate from the old cage as it will smell familiar to the hamster and lessen the stress of the change.

Pebbles82 · 08-25-2016, 04:13 PM

Hi. As the others say, leave her in current cage for a couple of weeks now to settle in. It'll probably take that long to get another one and get it all set up how you want anyway. Letting her play in it a day or two before moving her over is a good idea. You can even put the old cage base inside the new cage as the new cage will be bigger (ie old cage base still with substrate, house, nest etc in) and she can explore out from there. But it might be easier just to move all the old substrate across and spread it out on top of new substrate - so it smells familiar. And try and save her nest and move that across too. Avoid the temptation to want to clean things and don't clean anything when you move her over, apart from spot cleaning the wee area.

I have the Barney cage for our Syrian - it's good value. Less than £50 and comes with a good sized house for a Syrian and a shelf and ladder. It also comes with a basic wheel which is 8" and would do for starters, but ideally they need an 11" to 12" wheel.

There's also the Alaska cage on Zooplus. Depends whether you prefer bar cages, diy, bin cages etc. And how big you want to go.

Barney Pet Cage | Great deals at zooplus!

Alaska Hamster Cage | Free P&P on orders £29+ at zooplus!