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Old 05-16-2018, 09:16 AM   #1
nessar
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Default What cage for a Robo?

We’ve recently got 2 baby female Robos and just had to split them last night as they were squabbling. One is in a bin cage now but I want to buy a proper cage for her and I’m hoping you can advise what ones/sizes are best for Robos.

My boyfriend wants to get a mini Duna but I’m not sure that’s big enough? But then I’ve also read too large cages can make them skittish. I want them to be tame.

I do have 2 spare Savic Hamster Heavens but I think the bar spacing is too wide? They are tiny hamsters.
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Old 05-16-2018, 09:24 AM   #2
hellobg
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Default Re: What cage for a Robo?

Let's see, the cages appropriate for Roborovskis Dwarf Hamsters are any cages that are at least 7 mm bar spacing, cages such as ... The Barney Hamster Cage, Savic Mickey XL, Alexander Hamster Cage, Skyline Cages pretty much, the Ferplast Mini Duna seems small I suggest getting the Ferplast Duna Multy if your boyfriend still wants a mini-duna style cage.

There is also the Skyline Kerry if you're interested in Terrarium cages. I don't think it's true that large cages make them skittish.
Anyways, there's also the Ferplast Kios which has 7mm bar spacing I think, since it was made for mouse and dwarf hamsters.

EDIT: Here are the links for the cages.
Barney Pet Cage | Great deals at zooplus! (Barney)
Hamster Cages: great selection at zooplus: Small Pet Terrarium Kerry (Kerry)
Alexander Small Pet Cage | Available at zooplus! (Alexander)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Micke...ic+mickey+2+xl
(Savic Mickey 2 XL)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Du...ast+duna+multy
(Duna Multy)

If you're also interested in this seemingly generic cage but has 7mm bar spacing.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mouse-Hamst...ter+cage&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Ki.../dp/B00F5ZYQNW (Ferplast Kios)

Last edited by hellobg; 05-16-2018 at 09:30 AM.
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Old 05-16-2018, 11:03 PM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: What cage for a Robo?

The mini duna is too small for most hams I think, if you want a tank style cage then the duna multy is a much better option.
The savic mickey is almost exactly the same cage as the hamster heaven but with narrower bar spacing & without all the tubes & penthouse that you don't want anyway so it does make a good robo cage.
A lot of other barred cages tend to be to tall even if they do have narrow bar spacing so the Mickey is probably about the best barred option.
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Old 05-17-2018, 07:51 AM   #4
Fluffagrams
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Default Re: What cage for a Robo?

I know this goes against the current trends for 'bigger always being best' but my Robo lives in a Mini Duna and is perfectly happy living in one. Before I got him, I asked the opinions of a couple of experienced Roborovski Breeder/Exhibitors and that was the cage that most seemed to suggest to me.

If you're happy to have a pet to watch and are less concerned about being able to handle them then, yes, you could go for a bigger cage with lots of toys and a good depth of bedding but I got the impression from speaking to these breeders that Robos generally feel calmer and are more accepting of handling if they are given a slightly smaller space.
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Old 05-18-2018, 04:56 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: What cage for a Robo?

A standard duna multy might be a good buy just in case a mini duna turns out not to be big enough and your hamster wants more space. It's not expensice and not a bad size. A cage the size of the hamster heaven is good too. If they are tiny then the bar spacing could be an issue on the hamster heaven. You could always mesh one but meshing is no mean feat!

I have the Savic Mickey 2XL for our robo (same as the hamster heaven but 7mm bar spacing) but it's expensive. (About £80).

You can always fill up a larger cage with lots of hides and digging areas. It's a good idea to have a platform or shelf as well. They often end up nesting under a shelf.

What is your other cage? Personally I like 100cm cages and fill them up with things - but you may not have space for that if you have another cage aready (the Barney was mentioned above and it has 7mm bar spacing - but it's also quite tall so could be fiddly to set up.

This is the standard duna multy - 71cm x 46 cm

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

There is also a maxi duna multy (which I nearly got but have my Savic Mickey 2XL already) but that is also expensive

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

I actually moved our robo from a Kerry Terrarium (similar size to the standard duna multy) to the SAvic Mickey 2XL because I felt it would be easier with taming/interaction.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Micke...vic+Mickey+2XL

Another option is to start them in a smaller cage for taming and then upgrade but that means getting another cage!

I have also seen the Alexander cage (7mm bar spacing) set up for dwarf hamsters - it is also tall like the Barney (a bit taller) but because it comes with three shelves it's easy to make another full level by using the ladder as a joining strip across the middle and filling the hole with another piece of wood or stiff card and just leaving enough space for a small ramp up the side (with something over that ramp so they can't fall down it).

Alexander Small Pet Cage | Available at zooplus!

I would go with what you have space for and depending on the kind of set ups you like. Natural set ups with larger items like cork logs need more space and it's a lot of enrichment for a hamster, but they can be happy with something less large providing there's enough for them to enjoy in it.

Personally I love the Savic Mickey 2XL so if it's not too expensive for the budget I think it's a good buy. Not too big, not too small and has a big front opening door and 7mm bar spacing. It is also quite a low cage (like the hamster heaven) so not the risk of falls. If I had the space I'd get an Alexander cage for our robo and make a full level.

They can be quite difficult to handle and tame and get out of the cage though! The large door on the savic mickey can make it easier (but you have to be on hand to lift the door up quickly if they come towards the front so they can't make a run for it). Likewise the duna multy's have a good sized door on top.

It could also be an option to get a mini duna if you want them to be tame, as Fluffagrams mentioned, possibly as a starter cage and see how it goes. For Syrians I always think it's best to go as large as you can. I know less about dwarf hamsters and opinion varies on the size they need. For robos some people say they are very active and need a lot of space.

Our Robo isn't tame and I regret putting him in a glass tank as that made taming hard (top entrance and quite tall plus no interaction through bars really). I see more of him in the Savic Mickey 2XL and he is happy with the space. A smaller cage like the mini duna for taming could be an option but you might want to upgrade later.

Last edited by Pebbles82; 05-18-2018 at 05:09 AM.
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Old 05-20-2018, 11:55 AM   #6
nessar
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Default Re: What cage for a Robo?

Thank you everyone for your advice I had a shuffle around and moved one of my Syrians into the Hamster Heaven and tried out one of the robos in his cage - a Duna Maxi 100cm. But even though I filled it with a deep layer of carefresh, lots of toys and hiding spots, she seems to just run from item to item like she's scared to stay out in the open,and isn't using either one of her wheels anymore.

So I have ordered a Duna Multy and I hope that will be a better size for her. If she likes it I can get another for her sister too
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Old 05-20-2018, 03:54 PM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: What cage for a Robo?

Sounds like you're organised! Not sure how long she's been in the maxi duna but it can take a couple of weeks for them to settle in. Either way the Duna multy would be fine too.
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Old 05-20-2018, 04:04 PM   #8
hellobg
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Default Re: What cage for a Robo?

Quote:
Originally Posted by nessar View Post
Thank you everyone for your advice I had a shuffle around and moved one of my Syrians into the Hamster Heaven and tried out one of the robos in his cage - a Duna Maxi 100cm. But even though I filled it with a deep layer of carefresh, lots of toys and hiding spots, she seems to just run from item to item like she's scared to stay out in the open,and isn't using either one of her wheels anymore.

So I have ordered a Duna Multy and I hope that will be a better size for her. If she likes it I can get another for her sister too
If they do try gnawing on the water bottle hole, make sure to add a bolt and nut to prevent that from being gnawed.
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