Advice for a robo cage? :)

LazyHarpSeal · 09-18-2017, 04:52 AM

Hi everyone

I recently acquired a Ferplast Casita 100 small pet cage but the bar spacing is far too wide for any species of hamster. I have a roborovski named Tilly (who is actually a male but that's a whole other story!) and I would love to use this large cage to make a more exciting habitat for him. I was wondering if anyone had any advice or tips for how I could adapt the cage so that Tilly could use it without escaping? I was thinking possibly mesh?

CMB · 09-18-2017, 11:55 AM

Covering the sides with mesh with small holes will work. Be careful to try to remove/file down any sharp bits of wire, so Tilly and you don't get scratched.

Pebbles82 · 09-18-2017, 12:30 PM

One thought I had for a cage is to make it into a sort of tank. By sticking perspex around the inside bars and just leave the roof bars (which would need meshing). That would work out a bit expensive though and it would probably be cheaper just to get a new cage.

I think I wouldn't use that cage for a Robo personally, even if meshed. They can get a leg caught. I know some people do keep robos in barred cages, but I think a tank style is more suitable. You could get a 100cm Zoozone 2 for less than £50 and just the lid needs meshing. The Ferplast Casita would be amazing for a Syrian.

If you do decide to mesh it I believe it is best to mesh the inside of the cage - or the hamster can get out through the bars and get trapped between the bars and the mesh. It would be quite a job, I think.

Pebbles82 · 09-18-2017, 12:33 PM

Zoozone 2

https://www.jollyes.co.uk/zoo-zone-l...l-habitat.html

The Ferplast Maxi duna multy is the same size and has smaller bar spacing so wouldn't need meshing, but it costs more. This price doesn't include postage, so with postage it's more like £95

Cage Maxi Duna Multy

I just checked out the Casita 100 and the sides aren't too high so it might be feasible to stick perspex round the inside of the bars (using aquarium sealant). There are places online where you can buy perspex or acrylic cut to size if you give them the measurements. It could well cost as much as the Zoozone 2 though.

Edit - it would still need meshing for a Syrian as well as the bar spacing is about 2cm I think.

It might be better to sell it and put the money towards something else for a Robo.

AmityvilleHams · 09-18-2017, 05:48 PM

Aquarium sealant won't work with any acrylic materials like perspex.It won't stick together properly and eventually will fall apart.You'd have to either source a liquid weld for acrylic(essentially bonds the material together on a molecular level so it will not come apart),or find a way to drill small holes to keep things attached with zip ties.

If you do choose to mesh the cage do not use vinyl coated mesh as that isn't safe.I don't think the design would work nicely for meshing though,particularly in the top as it is rounded(the sides of the raised top area would probably be hardest of all,making it not quite as straightforward as meshing a more flat cage).

LazyHarpSeal · 09-28-2017, 01:09 PM

Thank you everyone for the advice

I have sent the casita cage back it was actually an accidental purchase for a netherland dwarf rabbit I have recently adopted but it was waaaay too small (he is settling into a good large home now with plenty of room).

I'd rather not risk any injuries with the mesh as Tilly has actually recently injured his foot. He has been to the vets and she told me it is just bruising. His behaviour hasn't changed but I'm still a little worried. I think it has to be by being a little too enthusiastic on his flying saucer wheel as there is nowhere in his current cage where his foot can get trapped.

I am going to purchase the Maxi Duna Multy for him by using the money I get back for the Casita

Thank you again for the advice and sorry for taking a little time to reply!

flowerfairy · 09-29-2017, 02:07 AM

Excellent choice. It is a really lovely cage. Have fun setting it up!

Pebbles82 · 09-29-2017, 02:12 AM

Depending on his personality and the kind of set up you want, the standard duna multy and kerry terrarium from zooplus are good for dwarf hammies as well

. If he's very active and not shy of a lot of space, then the maxi duna multy would be good and has plenty of space for lots of toys and larger items. The standard duna multy is also a good size if he is not mega active or a bit shy, but you can't fit as much in.

https://www.portonaquapet.co.uk/shop...a-Multy-M36261

The Kerry Terrarium is slightly larger than the standard duna multy and slightly taller than the maxi duna multy, so good if you want deep bedding. It's heavier to move around though.

Hamster Cages: great selection at zooplus: Small Pet Terrarium Kerry

The maxi duna multy also has good height for deeper bedding and if you're wanting a size upgrade is a good option. Those are about the only tank style options I know about under £100 unless you wanted to make a bin cage. This Really Useful box is one of the largest and a good size. It's 81cm by 62cm by 43cm tall. So it has good depth of floorspace and also good height for deeper bedding. You'd still need to use mesh but it wouldn't be over bars.

Really Useful 145 Litre Clear Stacking Storage Box with Locking Lids