Could this work?

[hamsterlover10109]

Hi!
I was wondering because my friend suggested this...could I just use a normal cage that is smaller than standards (for example my 10 gallon fish tank HOWEVER that cage would only be used while i am in school and at night but as long as i am home i could put the little guy in a play pen for many hours...could that work?

[AmityvilleHams]

No,it wouldn't work.The hamster would still be living in a cage most of its life,so the cage should at least be reasonably large and provide enrichment because of that No playpen is a compensation for an undersized cage,especially when a small cage can be related to many behavior problems and other issues

[Fluffagrams]

The suitability of a smaller cage will depend on the hamster's personality and some hamsters are more than happy to live in smaller cages than the 'ideal' and may be reasonably happy in a larger playpen for a certain period of time, however I wouldn't be wanting to leave a hamster in a playpen for several hours.

I can see your friend's logic, however I think the important thing is to get the most appropriate cage size for the hamster so that they will always have this available rather than depending on time spent in a playpen.

What cage do you have at the moment and what species is your hamster?

[Amber_x]

I don't think it would as the hamster would be in the small cage at night when they are the most active. A playpen is nice but I agree that it doesn't really make up for a small cage.

[hamsterlover10109]

a 10 gallon aquarium (i havent gotten the little guy yet but i will soon)

[AmityvilleHams]

That would be a bit small for most hamsters.What species are you going to get?It might just barely work for a robo or Chinese,but nothing bigger.

[hamsterlover10109]

I was either going to do a winter white dwarf or a syrian but if it is too small i will just do the dwarf hamster

[AmityvilleHams]

You would need a bigger enclosure for either one Exo Terra do a good sized terrarium with front opening doors that could work well for a winter white,or you could get a 40 gallon aquarium during the Petco dollar per gallon sale if you're in the US.There are some other good sized enclosures though,but it isn't too easy to find them.

Little Pet Warehouse is a good place to start finding really nice cages,as they do international shipping last I checked but carry a good amount of UK cages.For a Syrian you could mesh a large rabbit cage like the 100 cm x 100 cm one from there,but if you'd rather get a dwarf hamster instead you could definitely find a cage with no necessary modification other than adding shelves of course!

[CMB]

if you are getting a Syrian hamster you need a cage big enough to fit in a large house, 12 inch wheel approximately and toys (rat toys are a better size for Syrian).

If you are getting a dwarf hamster and want a barred cage you need narrower bar spacing.

I don't know anyone here who has a cage 100cm by 100cm. So don't worry if you can't have a cage that big.

What country are you in.? It will help people give cage suggestions.

[chesca_27]

A Chinese or Robo might be happier in a smaller cage, as they are more nervous than other species. 10 gallons would be far too small for a Syrian and a lot of Russians do enjoy a good sized cage too.

A bin cage might be a good option?

A playpen cannot be used as a replacement for a big cage as hamsters are most active at night. My dwarf is even quite active in the day(but then he's a little weird hamster).