Wire cage v moulded plastic cage

[jopop]

Hi all,
I am trying to find the right cage to buy for a Syrian and am not sure if a wire cage (Like the Hamster Heaven) or a Plastic Cage (Like the Duna Multy) is best.

I like the fact that the plastic cages are easy to clean, tidier etc but how are they ventilation wise? I am also not keen to encourage bar chewing.

The most important thing is I get the right one for the hamster.

What kind of cage do you prefer and why?

[AmityvilleHams]

Bar chewing can be an issue,but it isn't the only problem nor is a barred cage the only type to cause issues.

Have you considered a DIY cage?They're much better for Syrians as the species does tend to need considerably more room than a premade cage can offer,and if you start with something at a smallish size you do need to be prepared for direct expansion if your hamster is showing stereotypic behaviors which don't get corrected between enrichment and cage setup.It doesn't have to be expensive or difficult,you could just use a bin setup and gradually expand which would be perfectly fine and more species appropriate as it could allow for a burrowing section with much deeper substrate than any premade cage will allow!

Bin cages will get you the same ease of cleaning and should stay tidy as long as you've set them up well They can have more ventilation than a plastic cage which is very good,but not quite as much as a fully barred cage which can become problematic.

[cypher]

Each have their pros & cons tbh so it is a personal choice as much as anything.
Not all hams are bar chewers by any means, many live happily in barred cages with a good set up & never chew bars.
Personally I prefer barred cages both for ventilation & for interaction I also find it a lot easier to set up a good environment with lots of enrichment for them, I do keep Chinese & Russian hams, not syrians, but the same applies really.

[jopop]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Bar chewing can be an issue,but it isn't the only problem nor is a barred cage the only type to cause issues.

Have you considered a DIY cage?They're much better for Syrians as the species does tend to need considerably more room than a premade cage can offer,and if you start with something at a smallish size you do need to be prepared for direct expansion if your hamster is showing stereotypic behaviors which don't get corrected between enrichment and cage setup.It doesn't have to be expensive or difficult,you could just use a bin setup and gradually expand which would be perfectly fine and more species appropriate as it could allow for a burrowing section with much deeper substrate than any premade cage will allow!

Bin cages will get you the same ease of cleaning and should stay tidy as long as you've set them up well They can have more ventilation than a plastic cage which is very good,but not quite as much as a fully barred cage which can become problematic.

I didn't think of that option, thank you

[Hamsterita]

Hi,

I think that you answered yourself Wired cages have better ventilation. Bin cages are tidier. There's no such a thing as the perfect cage. All have their pros and cons. It's a matter of personal preference really.

What's important it's its size (hamster heaven has a good size), the set up and the enrichment.

I like cages with front doors. Usually hamsters don't like things coming from above, and for those that are specially skittish it could be a problem. I have a tank, and I'm going to get another glass cage soon, but as I said before, I think that it's up to you!

[souffle]

We very much prefer the Duna Multy type cages. Ventilation is fine in these and the Multy Bar spacing is small enough so that you do not need to mesh the bars as you would need to do with a Zoozone 2.
Some don't bar chew in a barred cage however if they do start then it is very tricky to stop them. It can be rather addictive and nothing to do with boredom or anything else. They just like doing it but it can damage the nose and teeth if they do it too much. Everyone has different opinions on cage and wheel size and there is no rule that suits everyone. Choosing the best available for your own hamsters needs that gives you a content and healthy hamster is the most important thing I would say.

[jopop]

Originally Posted by souffle

We very much prefer the Duna Multy type cages. Ventilation is fine in these and the Multy Bar spacing is small enough so that you do not need to mesh the bars as you would need to do with a Zoozone 2.
Some don't bar chew in a barred cage however if they do start then it is very tricky to stop them. It can be rather addictive and nothing to do with boredom or anything else. They just like doing it but it can damage the nose and teeth if they do it too much. Everyone has different opinions on cage and wheel size and there is no rule that suits everyone. Choosing the best available for your own hamsters needs that gives you a content and healthy hamster is the most important thing I would say.

Thanks.
I'll go for this one. I am ordering a few bits this week an just wanted to make sure I choose the right one.

[CMB]

Have a look at the zoo plus website. They have some nice cages for good price. If you also look at the show us your cages thread you can see/compare cages and setups.

[flowerfairy]

I got the maxi duna multy from amazon for around fifty quid. It is a good size for a syrian. I generally prefer barred cages so that they can sniff the air and I can talk to them and even feed them (my female Kashi loves to be fed through the bars).

I have two of my syrians in the barney cage from zooplus and one in the borneo xl from amazon de. (german amazon).

I also have two cute little roborovski hamsters, one in the alaska (zooplus) and one in the grosvenor large rat and hamster cage.

I use the duna maxi for elderly hamsters who need everything on one level. It is wonderfully easy to access with its fully opening roof and I like the colour.

Good luck with your choice.