DIY cages. Advice, tips and pics of yours please.

[alipali1]

So I've finally been able to ditch the horrible cheap/tiny plastics pets at home cages mine had for the start.
We bought a 4ft fish tank second hand, not quite as wide as we wanted but for our first go, it's better than what we had.
My other half managed to make the little middle contraption to make cleaning easier, the wood just slots out but it's heavy enough that the hamster can't get to each other.
The stuff we are struggling with is making it look "pretty" how have people attached stuff to their cages.
We are looking the start to try adding different substrates and some pebbles and rocks etc, as well as making another level each just to give them a bit more space/make it a little more fun.
So far for water bottles we've used Velcro but it just doesn't look pleasing.

[cypher]

I think your hams could do with a lot more substrate in there, I generally try to go for at least 15cm, the tank will look a lot less empty straight away if you add that in, you can either buy or make free standing shelves to add a little height & variety which would make it more fun & interesting for your hams as well as more pleasing to look at.

Have you seen the lets see your cages thread? If you have a good browse through that you should find some ideas for setting things up.

[alipali1]

Originally Posted by cypher

I think your hams could do with a lot more substrate in there, I generally try to go for at least 15cm, the tank will look a lot less empty straight away if you add that in, you can either buy or make free standing shelves to add a little height & variety which would make it more fun & interesting for your hams as well as more pleasing to look at.

Have you seen the lets see your cages thread? If you have a good browse through that you should find some ideas for setting things up.

Thank you! I've added way more today and are currently waiting on orders to build up the place a bit more, we are going to build a small little level for each hammy, will this be beneficial?
I've tried to add and move bits about trying new things.
I looked at the post, there was so much inspiration for me on there so thank you muchly.
I also saw that the fuzzy bedding isn't right so I've ripped up toilet roll for now, had no idea, haven't had a hamster in at least 10 years and was so scared as soon as I read that. What others can I buy?

[alipali1]

Still got way more to add, but slowly getting somewhere.

[InkyPen]

Levels can provide a nice bit of interest, and many hamsters enjoy climbing them. If you want something DIY, you could try something like this



This is also turning into quite a good thread with people listing the toys their hammies like most Top 5 buys?

[alipali1]

Originally Posted by InkyPen

Levels can provide a nice bit of interest, and many hamsters enjoy climbing them. If you want something DIY, you could try something like this



This is also turning into quite a good thread with people listing the toys their hammies like most Top 5 buys?

Oh wow, thank you so much, they are amazing. We already bought all the wood and fixings to make the levels but I really like those, so could do both and switch it around from time to time!

I will have a look now!

I currently have a fair few bendy bridges on the way to create different areas with different substrates and thinking of making a sand bath, do these need to be any particular size to get the best use?
I also have some reptile logs for them to climb on coming.

I saw something called nibble grass online too, it says suitable for hamsters but it would seem these pet websites can't be trusted at all, is this okay?

I'm thinking about getting some hammock of some kind in the future too.



Also i'm having some trouble with water bottles, I keep buying them and they just aren't working well, like he is struggling to get water but putting a bowl in I'm worried that he won't use it as he's not used to it, he just climbs in it and get soaked. I've bought a few and they just aren't working, is there a particular brand that's known best for?

[alipali1]

Oh and another thing, I want to use some rocks as I hear they are good for their claws, what sort are best and how best is it to sterilise them?

[cypher]

Glad you found out about the fluffly bedding, shredded toilet tissue really is all they need & they love it!
You can use almost anything for a sandbath, a ceramic bowl is good or a glass jar on it's side, I use these (also available from Amazon) for a couple of my hams & they work really well.
It just needs to be something big enough for them to roll around in & deep enough to dig, it can't really be too deep.
Nibble grass is fine for them.
Hammocks do need to be closely supervised to begin with in case they get chewed, if they don't chew then they make a good addition to the cage, you need to make sure access is easy & they can't fall from them though.
I've always used the classic water bottles with no problem, always give them a good shake upside down before putting them in to get the water flowing & don't fill them completely.
For water bowls you want something really small & not too deep, something like a glass tea light holder is good.
Rocks really don't do much for claws tbh, the sand bath will help & terracotta is good so a small flower pot laid on it's side for them to dig around in (hide food in there) can be useful. Even rough wooden surfaces like bendy bridges will also help a little.

[alipali1]

Perfect! Yeah they aren't fussed so far with the toilet roll bedding, I was hoping they didn't get the hump from the change. (One of my hammies isn't so happy when changes happen)

I've seen lots of different sawdust alternatives from that thread you told me about, what are they? I don;'t want to get the wrong thing, I prefer the darker colourings.

Mines haven't been chewers so far so might be lucky there then!

Oh awesome, I'm going to get on that this weekend then, I have plenty of little jars/pots I could use.

I'll give it a good shake and hope this helps, he's got both for now just in case.

Oh really okay then, thank you.

Sorry for all the questions, it's all changed so much I keep worrying I'll buy the wrong stuff!

[cypher]

Fitch is the best substrate, it's just recycled food grade paper looks & feels a bit like carefresh except it's white (or off white) & much softer, virtually dust free & hams love it.
The 10kg bag is what most people go for as it's a more practical size to store than the 20kg but still economical.
I mix mine with Hugro hemp for a bit of variety & holding burrows a bit better.