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Old 12-30-2017, 08:18 PM   #1
YaBoi
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Default Hamster upgrade?

Hey guys!my Syrian Named Scooter is my first hamster!he is currently living in a rat cage because it was the biggest cage pet Co had because they only had commercial cages🤦*♀️😤😭 anyways....he has a two story cage and stuff but with everything in it it feels cluttered and small I’ve been thinking about taking the shelf out to make it less cluttered feeling but I don’t want to downsize the space he has should I take the shelf out or leave it?*new cage is not an option just so u guys know just wanted some opinions*

*i can’t get the picture but if u wanna take a look it’s the kaytee rat cage and it’s one story with one half shelf of u google it and go to images it either the first or one of the first results
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Old 12-31-2017, 03:55 AM   #2
Merle
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

Do you have the measurments of the cage? Because the continuous floor space is most important and you can't count the shelfs as extra space.
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Old 12-31-2017, 05:10 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

Is it this cage?
If it is then it is a very small cage for a syrian so will be very cluttered with a good size wheel, house etc, if you really can't upgrade to a larger more suitable cage then I would remove the shelf, it should be easier to arrange things better without the shelf in.
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Old 12-31-2017, 12:12 PM   #4
YaBoi
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Default

Thanks I think I might try taking the shelf out

Here are the dimensions: 12.5" x 24.5" x 14.5"

I'm hesitant to take out the shelf because he uses the shelf so often is it because he doesn't have enough room on the first floor???

Last edited by Fluffagrams; 12-31-2017 at 04:48 PM. Reason: Consecutive posts
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Old 12-31-2017, 10:47 PM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

If he uses the shelf a lot then just leave it, you don't really have many options in a small cage for arranging things but if he likes it the way it is then leave it, if he doesn't seem bored or unhappy & it's just that you think it looks cramped I wouldn't disturb him then.
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Old 01-01-2018, 04:34 AM   #6
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

Hi welcome to HC,
As a thought why not look at making a bin cage using a large plastic storage container which would give your hammy a whole lot more room and is easy to customise. Here in the U.K. these storage containers can be had for less than £10.
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Old 01-02-2018, 02:39 AM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

I would go with leaving the shelf (it's somewhere to go and there is still floorspace under the shelf). But the ladder is quite large and looks to be taking up a lot of the space. Having said that, any kind of access to the shelf will take up space and that is the main problem - that there isn't enough floorspace to fit everything in. So a cage upgrade would be the best option. Floorspace wise you really want a minimum of about 30 inches by 20 inches.

For now I would leave it as it is and let him settle in - depending on how long he has been in the cage? Too many changes too soon can cause a lot of stress for them and that is harmful too.

They need at least 2 weeks to settle into a cage, and with no clean outs during that time - although you can spot clean a little bit (ie take out a handful of whiffy smelling substrate and replace it with a new handful) if he doesn't use a litter tray. Using a litter tray avoids that - you can use any kind of dish in the corner he pees in with chinchilla bathing sand in it,then you just empty the sand, wash the dish and add new sand and can leave everything else undisturbed.

It is a shame though because it looks like your cage wasn't cheap at about $49 wasn't it? There are only a couple of good sized cages in the US and one costs double that amount - but it's the right size for a Syrian.

If you've only just bought the cage, it might be worth contacting Petco and saying you want to return it for a refund because it's not big enough for a Syrian. They might or might not agree. If they agree then it gives you something to put towards a better cage. And you'd need to get a new cage sorted before returning the current one.

Alternatively, a cheap option would be a bin cage, if you don't mind a bit of diy. Or a 40 gallon breeder tank (Petco have $ per gallon sales regularly so it would only cost $40 then although you'd need a lid making or buying then). And keep the current cage as a play cage for when you do a clean out (ie somewhere to put your hamster).

He does need a bigger cage really though - it is very small for a Syrian - even a bit small as a temporary holiday cage - although it does have a nice big front door,which is good for interaction and taming.

How does he seem in the cage?

If he's been in it more than two weeks and you want to make the best use of the space meanwhile, then having a wheel fixed to the bars, near the top of the cage, would maximise the floorspace a bit as the wheel would sit above the substrate (you'd need at least an 8" wheel and ideally 11" or 12"). They need a wheel big enough that they can run with a straight back. The problems that can happen are your hamster doesn't use the wheel if it's too small and uncomfortable and with no exercise and a small cage he will get stressed and/or bar chew.

So I'd start with maybe getting an 11" wodent wheel and hanging it from the top of the cage (cable ties stop the stand moving about). That will take up half the length of the cage but it's not a very deep wheel so fairly compact. At the opposite end to the shelf. You could also take the ladder out,have the shelf a bit lower, and get a cork log which goes part way under the shelf, so it doesn't stick out too much, which would be more of a space saving ramp up to the shelf. Alternatively,take the shelf out and get a large flat roofed house (a shoebox would do - cut the base out,a hole for a door, and keep the lid as a lift off roof). And use a bendy bridge tunnel over the door which would make it dark inside and also make a ramp to the house roof so the house roof becomes a level.

Even so you don't have a lot of room for enrichment. As a guideline, the generally accepted minimum cage size in the US is 450 square inches continuous floorspace. Yours is about 306 square inches. 12.5" deep is particularly narrow for a Syrian.

Anyway to maximise space for now - and add enrichment - I would go with the flat roofed shoe box house with a bendy bridge over the door, a wodent wheel attached to the top bars, as much substrate as you can fit in the cage base, which looks reasonably deep, and a smaller corner shelf above the house to add an additional place to go and sit on/under. Food bowl and a toy or two can go on the house roof. Lots of substrate will let him dig and burrow and bury hoards under his nest. And give him lots of out of cage time.
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Old 01-02-2018, 02:44 AM   #8
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

Cagewise - this is an excellent size for a Syrian - not too big or too small. It's just right. It's the larger of the two - the Marchioro Goran 82.

https://www.petmountain.com/product/...-rat-cage.html

Or a 40 gallon breeder tank. Or a detolf (Ikea glass cabinet tipped on its side to make a tank and a lid needs making out of wood and mesh). Detolf costs $60.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ha...w=1366&bih=607

Or a large plastic storage bin to make into a bin cage. It's not always easy to find big enough ones.

The Marchioro Goran is the most space saving of those options and also a lot lighter than a glass tank.
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Old 01-03-2018, 06:29 AM   #9
YaBoi
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

I live in the u.s and I took the original ramp out for a small bridge wooden stick one I think what’s taking up some of the space is his wheel because it’s the angler flat one because that’s the one he had in his cage at the store and the guy there said he uses his wheel the most out of all the hamsters anyways he has been using his shelf a lot (quick add I’ve had him for almost a year) but he mainly uses his shelf now to cage bite in the front corner and I gave him everything he needs and he still does it and he won’t stop so I was wonder if I could take out the shelf completely to stop it because he can’t bite if he can’t get there (another add he didn’t bite his first couple months but now it’s a nightly problem)
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Old 01-03-2018, 06:32 AM   #10
YaBoi
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Default Re: Hamster upgrade?

Also****i can’t get a bigger cage guys I just need help working with the options I have
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