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Old 11-21-2017, 01:22 PM   #1
RoboLover77
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Default Robo Hamster Cage Height?

Hello, I recently got myself a robo hamster and I love him to pieces... but his cage sucks. He barely has room for his toys, water bottle, food dish, wheel, and hides. He’s very cramped. Or at least it looks that way. I was digging and found a long under the bed storage tote. It’s 39(1/2)”x20(1/4)”x7” or 100cm x 51cm x 18cm. Basically, I think it’s around 7 inches tall. I can lock the lid down on the side where his taller toys/objects are like his wheel, house, log, etc but the other end needs to be open for air. Is it too short? Would covering it with cardboard or something help or is it just not worth the risk? The sides are plastic since it’s a plastic tote which means they’re slick and he’s not the most athletic when it comes to climbing anyway, but that doesn’t mean anything when it comes to a hamster! I don’t want him to ever escape since we have dogs. I don’t think they’d hurt him but it’s seriously not worth the risk. Okay, thanks for any advice you have! - Allie
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Old 11-21-2017, 01:35 PM   #2
CMB
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Default Re: Robo Hamster Cage Height?

It could be ok. Are you able to cut a hole in the lid and attach mesh to cover the hole? Or have someone do it for you.

Have a look at YouTube for a tutorial on making a Bin cage/ bin cage lid.

You may find your robo is a bit overwhelmed with all the space, but adding tubes, hides to help fill the space may help.
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Old 11-21-2017, 10:18 PM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Robo Hamster Cage Height?

That's not very tall & I do think it's important to have a proper lid on all cages, you just can't know what might happen without one.
Ideally you want at least 15cm of substrate which leaves only a very tiny space between the substrate & top of a cage that size so you might be better finding a different bin that's a fair bit deeper, robos do love to dig & tunnel so the substrate is important so a little less floor space but deeper substrate would be more suitable I think.
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Old 11-22-2017, 04:35 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Robo Hamster Cage Height?

I think it's too low. There are lots of good options for a suitable cage that don't have to cost too much. If you want to make another bin cage, there's the Samla Bin from Ikea - which also comes with a lid. An ideal bin is the Really Useful box 145 litre. It's more expensive at about £40 but is a really good size - not too big, not too small, and apparently the RUB bins are much easier to cut without cracking or breaking.

There is also the Duna Multy from Ferplast which is about £33. No diy and the bar spacing is small enough. I only know one place you can get it. The base comes in various colours but you don't get the choice I think - if you don't like the colour you can put stickers on it It has a nice clear perspex top half so you can see your pet easily.

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

I've also just got a robo and was trying to decide on cages. I wanted to go for a 100cm tank style and fill it with lots of substrate and loads of toys. Space didn't permit though as we already have a 100cm cage for our Syrian. I nearly got the duna multy, but opted for the Kerry Terrarium from Zooplus, which is a glass tank. It's about the same size as the duna multy but you can fit a bit more in because the corners are square. It's also slightly taller so you can fit more bedding in if required. But either would be fine. Delivery is free from Zooplus

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

There is also the 100cm version of the duna multy - the maxi duna multy, which is lovely. About the same height as the Kerry Terrarium but a longer version of the duna multy. It's quite expensive though - Porton have it on a Black Friday sale for £65 - but when I checked the postage it comes to about £85 with postage and it's normal price on Amazon is £80 to £90.

I would think you can't go wrong with a standard duna multy at £35 ish. No diy.

DIY cages are another option if you don't mind a bit of diy. The detolf is a popular option. If you have the space. It's an Ikea glass cabinet tipped on it's side and the door left off. You need to make two lids for it out of wood and mesh. A lot of people stand them on Ikea Kallax units. If you have some of those it might be a good option. If not, then buying the kallax units bumps the price up - although you do gain a lot of storage! It takes a lot of filling and you would need plenty of enrichment - a platform, lots of toys and hides (home made ones or cardboard boxes are fine) so it isn't too open and exposed inside, and lots of substrate.

DETOLF Glass-door cabinet Black-brown 43x163 cm - IKEA

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=de...w=1525&bih=678

I think a platform or level is really important in a cage for a hamster. It is something for them to sit under and feel safe, and they also seem to like climbing onto a platform and having somewhere to sit.

For that reason I found the kerry terrarium easier to set up than the duna multy, but you could still find or make a platform that would fit in the duna multy.

When you move your hammy over, move all the existing substrate as well, and don't be tempted to clean the cage first. It helps them settle in if everything smells familiar because a cage move is very stressful - but doesn't have to be - it can be a good thing.

You will probably need more substrate than you have now, in a new cage, so add new substrate then put all the old substrate on top. Move over any houses, toys or wheels without cleaning them, and try and put them in a similar position/layout to how they were before. Adding new things is ok too.

To stop robos feeling scared they need lots of hidey places to dart around in so plenty of overhead cover by way of a platform, tubes and tunnels and things like egg boxes with a hole cut in, or other hides. I like the large cork logs - they make a big tunnel to run through or sit under, are an interesting texture, they're light so don't sink on them if they tunnel under it, and are also something to climb over. I use one as a ramp up to a platform.

This is our Robos Kerry set up - just to give an idea - you could do something similar in the Duna Multyor a bin cage. The Kerry comes with two wood houses - I used one of them, but our robo ignores it lol, and nests under the shelf.

I would be tempted to go with either a duna multy, the 145 litre RUB bin or a Kerry Terrarium. Unless you really want a detolf

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Last edited by Pebbles82; 11-27-2022 at 06:36 PM.
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Old 11-22-2017, 10:19 AM   #5
RoboLover77
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Smile Re: Robo Hamster Cage Height?

Thank you for the comment! I love that first cage you linked. I switched Quid into the case I asked about and he spent the entire night running the length of it, and exploring. He’s very... clumsy. I don’t think he can escape and I locked down the lid on one end, taping cardboard on the open end so that he can’t escape. I wanted to lock down both ends and tape mesh for breathing but his water bottle won’t allow that. I suppose I could cut a hole through the mesh for the water bottle.... mm ideals, ideals, lol. Thanks again for the response!
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it’s, hamster, he’s, tote, plastic, worth, risk, wheel, robo, cage, don’t, cardboard, advice, covering, end, open, air, short, sides, allie, escape, climbing, doesn’t, athletic, dogs

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