Undecide between these types of beddings only, help welcome! - Page 2

Pebbles82 · 03-12-2018, 11:26 AM

You can just use a big mound of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper for nesting - put a heap in the cage - they like to pouch and take it to their house to build the nest with.

We have a robo as well and I know finding the right cage is difficult. I went for a tank style but am wishing I had a cage now as I can't get on with top only access (especially as our robo is very nervy and not tame).

I wouldn't go for 1cm bar spacing with a Robo. You could use something likethe Barney (if it's not too big for you) but I think it would need a full levelor a lot of extra shelves as it's quite tall (that has 7mm bar spacing).

My choice for a Robo would be:

Smallest size:

Duna Multy - perspex tank - bar spacing on top is 7mm ish and fine. Personally I think it doesn't offer a lot of scope for enrichment and something a bit bigger would be better, but some may depend on the personality of the robo. They are very active generally.

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

Maxi Duna multy - the bigger version - I think this is better and you can fill it up with toys, tunnels and have a digging end. But it's quite expensive. Postage is on top on this site so makes it a similar price to Amazon price (Amazon sell it too).

https://www.portonaquapet.co.uk/shop...a-Multy-M58956

Kerry Terrarium from Zooplus. I got this for our Robo - it is marginally bigger than the standard duna multy (first cage linked) and taller so you can put deeper bedding in. This was my compromise cage space-wise as already have a 100cm cage for our Syrian. It's ok but I'd prefer a cage with a door at the front for easier access and taming.

The grid doors on top of the duna tanks are probably better.

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

If you prefer a cage to tank style I think this one is just right (I've used it before for a Syrian) and am thinking of moving our Robo to it. But it is also expensive.

It's the same cage as the Hamster Heaven - identical dimensions - but only has 7mm bar spacing so suitable for mice and smaller hamsters. The metal grid shelf needs to come out - not suitable for hamsters' feet. I used a flat roofed house instead of a shelf in it. It has the low height of the Hamster heaven too and a good sized base for substrate, plus a big front opening door. It is expensive, but cheaper than the maxi duna multy and a good size - not too big, not too small.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Micke...ic+mickey+2+xl

Depending on your budget, and how much space you can make for a cage, a Detolf is also an option

Ikea glass cabinet tipped on it's side with the door left off- a bit of diy involved in making a lid out of wood and mesh but there are plenty of tutorials for that. It costs £50. Some people stand them on top of Kallax units for storage underneath or a couple of £5 Lack tables.

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

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ha...w=1252&bih=553

Pebbles82 · 03-12-2018, 11:27 AM

The advantage of the Maxi Duna Multy (the bigger one) and the SAvic Mickey 2XL is that they are also both suitable for a Syrian, or any species of hamster, in future, as is the detolf. I had a Syrian in the Savic Mickey 2XL but did think he needed upgrading to a bigger cage in the end - but he was quite a large Syrian.

Pigsland · 03-13-2018, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Have you got a house for nesting rather than just a pile of substrate on one side?
If you don't have a decent sizes house you can use a cardboard box with no base & just a small door cut out laid on a deep layer of substrate with lots of toilet paper.

There is a built in partition with top accessible via a small ramp (not steep) however now that I have read I can use toilette paper I will put some tonight, I did not want to do it with wood-shaving as it does not look pleasant.

I will get the new bedding by week's end

cypher · 03-13-2018, 07:08 AM

I can't quite picture that! Is it on the substrate with no base? Houses or areas designated for nesting should always be on the substrate with no base.

Pigsland · 03-13-2018, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

I can't quite picture that! Is it on the substrate with no base? Houses or areas designated for nesting should always be on the substrate with no base.

Yep obviously a substrate is present throughout the cage, however it is one of those "pet shop cage" (despite is of a good size as temporary accommodation) and therefore has a partition / platform, under the platform there is the "house" with a window and its door, it is all built in.

I am considering one of the cages listed above plus a few others I have found looking around, even the one with slightly higher bars pacing which I can cover with a metal net with thinner spacing.

I am just excluding multiple levels cages as reading around Robo are not suitable for such habitat, I will probably get a large plain one and add adhoc platform diy.

cypher · 03-13-2018, 07:41 AM

Meshing bars safely (for both your ham & you!) is trickier than it might sound so I would go for a cage with narrower spacing if you can.
I prefer a blank slate type of cage myself too & generally bin most of the stuff that comes with them, if you want that kind of thing with narrow bars you can't go far wrong with the Savic Mickey, it's a nice size, neither too big or too small & not too tall, just has a metal shelf which needs to be removed anyway as metal shelves aren't safe for hams, but then you can add whatever you like, a nice deep base for substrate & plenty of space for toys, house, wheel & a shelf if you want to make or buy one.

Pigsland · 03-13-2018, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Meshing bars safely (for both your ham & you!) is trickier than it might sound so I would go for a cage with narrower spacing if you can.
I prefer a blank slate type of cage myself too & generally bin most of the stuff that comes with them, if you want that kind of thing with narrow bars you can't go far wrong with the Savic Mickey, it's a nice size, neither too big or too small & not too tall, just has a metal shelf which needs to be removed anyway as metal shelves aren't safe for hams, but then you can add whatever you like, a nice deep base for substrate & plenty of space for toys, house, wheel & a shelf if you want to make or buy one.

Thanks, will decide with my girlfriend over the next two days

Shame that zooplus has a £19 limit purchase, I like the Hemp they have however not going to happen...

Found this on Amazon is this as good as the other hemp from
Hugro? HempBed is the brand...

cypher · 03-13-2018, 09:40 AM

I've not seen that brand before but one of the reviews does say it's quite sharp so it may not be so good.

Pigsland · 03-13-2018, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

I've not seen that brand before but one of the reviews does say it's quite sharp so it may not be so good.

I am giving at a go, one review isn't really enough...look at TripAdvisor, mostly are professional complainers

It will arrive tomorrow maybe I will write a quick review and post it in a separate thread here on the forum for the future!

Fitch seems great however I assume that with pee it becomes quite messy so I will try this first then fitch, probably I will make an area with a mix of this and carefresh (as I can buy it in a brick and mortar shop) for a burrowing area, depending on the cage I will work something out

Thanks again for the advice!

cypher · 03-13-2018, 11:56 AM

I hope the hemp is ok, check it out carefully before using though, over the years I've learnt to take all negative reviews seriously & many good ones with a pinch of salt to be honest & tend to think if there's a doubt don't!
Fitch isn't messy at all, it's very absorbent & easy to remove anything peed on, I think with a robo your biggest problem will be finding the pee

most of it will probably be on the wheel or in the sand!