Harrisons Westminster

Geewhiz · 09-19-2016, 04:42 AM

With a bit of a rearrangement, I have another shelf I can put a cage on top of, rather than limiting to stackable cages.
I've been struggling to find a classic style cage that's of a really good size- I've decided that I'll be putting Goose in the mini Duna that I already have. Zero would benefit from a bigger cage I think, she's much more energetic than Goose. The Harrison Westminster cage (has funny roof shapes...) seems like it would work well, if I had clips on the doors to make it more secure. My concern is floor space and bar spacing, plus the rigidity of the bars? Whether she'd be able to bend the bars a little bit to get through.

cypher · 09-19-2016, 04:53 AM

I have to be honest & say I think that cage looks totally unsuitable for a hamster, they do better with a larger single floor space, the levels in that cage look quite small & probably not big enough to do much at all on any way.
I couldn't see bar spacing when I did a quick google but it does look as though it may be a bit big for a robo.
Are you short on space for a cage with a larger base?
If you can get a cage with one single level then you can create a much better & more suitable environment for your ham to live in & do hamster things rather than just climbing up tubes which might be too steep & slippery for little furry feet.

Mollie · 09-19-2016, 04:59 AM

Tbh I don't like that cage at all. It doesn't look hamster-friendly at all and it also looks horrible to clean and furnish from a people-point-of-view!

Far better to go for a long, lower cage as mentioned.

What space do you have available and what is your budget? Maybe we can then advise you - I have quite an extensive cage knowledge lol so perhaps we can suggest something better?

Geewhiz · 09-19-2016, 05:01 AM

Space is a bit of a problem. I have a shelf with enough space for a fairly small cage in it, or potentially a larger cage with levels on top, or I could get something like a zoo zone/Duna multy (the really long style) if they were narrow enough to fit on a longer bookcase.

AmityvilleHams · 09-19-2016, 05:07 AM

Could you get barred cages and stack them instead?That would work a lot better with multiple hamsters,as you wouldn't be taking up anywhere near as much space with stacked wire cages compared to several Duna or tank style cages.

Geewhiz · 09-19-2016, 05:14 AM

Definitely a possibility, amityvillehams. Either that or possibly connecting two bin cages for Zero. In that case I'd put the Duna on top of the shelf, and the two bins on the shelves below, with maybe tubes connecting them?

Pebbles82 · 09-19-2016, 05:21 AM

Something like this would be a better option for that amount of floorspace and levels (it has full levels)

Fun Area Leon Small Pet Home | Great Deals at zooplus

To be honest though, if it's for a Robo, something wider and lower would be better so they don't feel so exposed. Depends on the personality of the Robo maybe

Duna multy's would probably overhang too much on top of a bookcase I think.

How about - selling the bookcase, getting two 4 x 4 kallax shelf units and a detolf

Maybe a bit expensive as you probably wouldn't get much for the bookshelf. I did something like that to make more space for our cage - got rid of a piece of furniture and bought a cheap bookcase to put loads of stuff on, which made more floor area.

Two of these adds £40 to the £40 cost of the detolf but for that you get - a detolf and shelving. Two of these smaller ones with a gap in the middle means less overhang at the end for the detolf than one of the longer kallax units.

KALLAX Shelving unit White 77x77 cm - IKEA

Or a bin cage? If you have somewhere to put it that is.

Mollie · 09-19-2016, 05:34 AM

Stacking barred cages may be a better option. There is a range on Amazon de - Borneo cages - they come in 3 sizes and all have narrow bars suitable for smaller hamsters including Roborovskis.

https://www.amazon.de/M%C3%A4use-und.../dp/B00H4Z3NCG

- As they have large front doors they can easily be stacked. Or if you had a larger Duna you could stack a smaller one on top - you would just have to be prepared to move the top one to access the smaller one.

It's difficult when space is limited - I have a dedicated pet room but it's much smaller in our flat here than the one I had in our previous house and it takes some getting used to!

cypher · 09-19-2016, 05:50 AM

The Borneo cages are really nice (I have one, not in use right now though) the only problem is they are very tall so with something like a robo you would have to be very creative with your set up to avoid possible bar climbing & falls, they do much better in something lower so they can dig & burrow & maybe climb on smaller toys but not up bars which they will do given the chance.

I can see the problem with the space you have Geewhiz but if you could make it work with something like a duna multy I think it would be a lot better for your ham.

Mollie · 09-19-2016, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

The Borneo cages are really nice (I have one, not in use right now though) the only problem is they are very tall so with something like a robo you would have to be very creative with your set up to avoid possible bar climbing & falls, they do much better in something lower so they can dig & burrow & maybe climb on smaller toys but not up bars which they will do given the chance.

I can see the problem with the space you have Geewhiz but if you could make it work with something like a duna multy I think it would be a lot better for your ham.

I agree. Something like the Savic Mickey XL would be better but they are a lot more expensive unfortunately. I use rabbit cage shelves (with holes melted in them and cable ties / garden wire holding them to the bars) which fit the Borneo cages perfectly and go right across from front-to-back.

. Doing this has worked really well for my Syrian hamster xx

Duna Multys in the medium size are really good value and if you're prepared to move them to access the one underneath they could be a better option.