States Ferplast Favola

lakemama · 01-12-2019, 02:32 PM

Very hard to find a good, affordable cage in the States I’ve found. Just bought and adore my Favola and it was only $57 shipping included! Great quality 2 level design with over 500 square inches...plenty of space for my dwarf hamster. Just thought I’d share. Found mine on Amazon but Chewy.com also carries it for $57. Oh and all accessories are included.

mangoandmimi · 01-14-2019, 07:21 AM

Do you mean this cage? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Fa.../dp/B005ZAJS6C

If so it isn't 500 square inches, especially if you consider the internal floor area instead of the external. With the dimensions listed it looks around 300 square inches. Just to clarify, floor area is measured as one single level - not the base and shelf added together. I think the US minimum is 450 square inches which it doesn't meet, but I personally think 600 square inches is a better recommended minimum.

alpacassei · 01-14-2019, 08:50 AM

Unfortunately the Favola is far too small for any hamster. It’s dimensions are only 335 square inches (60 x 36cm) which is far below the US minimum of 450 square inches (around 70 x 40cm), and even further below the UK mimum of 620 square inches (80 x 50cm).

The wheel is also far too small for anything but the smallest robo. Most robos need a 6.5 inch wheel and Russian dwarfs (hybrids, winter whites, Campbell’s) need between a 6.5 and 8 inch wheel depending on size.

Cotton · 01-14-2019, 11:09 AM

There is very useful information at this website.

I am interested in knowing the source of the recommended space dimensions for the cage and a source that states it can't be split over two levels. I agree with many of the posts at this site, berating the very small cages. Those should never be sold to house any small animals. However, if the original poster is referring to the cage in the link, that is definitely a suitable home for a dwarf hamster.

I own that Ferplast cage, 3 smaller cages and a large 4' x 3' rabbit cage. What cage does my dwarf hamster prefer? The smallest cage. It bothers ME so I have the little cage open in the rabbit cage. (The bottom tray of the rabbit cage is high so she can't escape.) Little Zoey goes back and forth between the two once in a while, but spends almost all her time in the little cage.

I am genuinely interested in a credible source, regarding the cage dimensions and not having them split over two levels.

Thank you,
Cotton

alpacassei · 01-14-2019, 11:58 AM

I’ll have look for the studies later, though I believe most of them are in German so it might take me a little while to find them.

Dwarf hamsters don’t usually like lots of open space so if the larger cage isnt set up correctly (lots of hides, tunnels, deep substrate) she won’t feel safe as a prey animal.

mangoandmimi · 01-14-2019, 12:04 PM

This is really old and was a study on Syrians and different sized caging - but it's in English at least, and the same ideas do apply. It's a good place to start.
http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3891...9167f0f78e.pdf

I don't know about sources on floor area and levels, there may well be but I think we just have to think about it logically - hamsters are ground dwellers not climbing animals, their territory will consist of the ground only. Generally when shelves are added in a cage it isn't to increase the amount of space, I did read somewhere that if the levels are large (ie 80x50cm+) then it can count. But not the little ones you use to place food and water on, those are for shelter underneath and a bit of extra enrichment if anything.

It's a similar situation with joined cages not counting as extra floor space. Would we consider a large open plan room as roomy as corridors and small rooms, even if technically the floor area covered was identical? I highly doubt it, and remember it would affect hamsters even more, since they spend a lot of their time running long distances. I think it's important to remember that a wheel is just an extra for that, instead of being the only place they can exercise.

That isn't to say shelves or similar don't add anything whatsoever to the cage, but really they do count as enrichment instead of extra space.
I do disagree that that size cage is ok for dwarfs, in all the dwarfs I've had only one (she was an oddball) would have been content with that sized cage I think. But there will always be oddballs and housing standards shouldn't be limited because of them, obviously we need to make our own judgement on whether or not the caging is suitable for the individual too. But the majority do prefer larger spaces. The minimum cage size in the German hamster community is 100x50cm whether it's for a little robo or a Syrian, and none of the dwarfs over there seem to have issues with that sized caging.

I do think once you have kept hamsters in cages over that size and see how well they do & how happy they are, it makes you wonder why you didn't upgrade sooner. I've noticed a big difference in almost all of my hamsters behaviour wise, who have been upgraded from a small cage to something more suitable. Even some of the shy ones came out of their shells entirely which was really unexpected, you'd think they'd prefer smaller spaces but that isn't always true.

Pebbles82 · 01-18-2019, 06:53 AM

The Ferplast Favola is small - mainly the issue is the depth of only 35cm. It's a shame because it's a lovely design with the clear plastic base and lower cages mean less fall risks.

Some dwarf hamsters are happier in smaller cages I believe - providing you can give enough enrichment in it and they have plenty of out of cage time. I have only had Syrians and a Roborovski - our Roborovski is in an 80cm by 50cm cage and loves it and has a lot of enrichment. Some Russian dwarf owners find a smaller cage works well - depending on the hamster.

The size guidelines originally came from the RSPCA in the Uk - and they were a minimum floorspace area of 70cm x 40cm for a dwarf hamster and 80cm by 50cm for a Syrian hamster, Those minimum recommended sizes have been adopted by most animal charities in the Uk and most owners find they are about right. Personally I think 100 x 50 is better for a Syrian hamster.

The RSPCA no longer gives minimum recommended sizes but just says - as much floor area as possible - after allowing space for houses, wheels, toys etc and that hamsters need a lot of space, especially at night (when they are at their most active).

The Germans have a welfare minimum size of 100cm by 50cm and a recommended minimum size of 1 metre square.

Hamsters do vary in their personality - some are more shy and less active and some are so active that no cage is big enough. However they do need a lot of exercise and can develop arthritis or weak back leg muscles if they can't move around enough or get enough exercise. A wheel isn't enough. So if they are in a smaller cage, it can be good as a starter cage, or they need plenty of out of cage time.

They do like to be cosy as well. For example I have a large house (the size of some small cages!) inside a 100cm by 50cm cage. Our hamster loves his house and spends a lot of time in it but he also enjoys the space in the rest of the cage and has places to go and things to do at night when he's active.

The "not including levels" bit speaks for itself when minimum sizes talk about "floor area" - it is the floor area that is most important as hamsters are basically ground dwellers - even if they do climb. They tend to only climb for two reasons 1) to escape 2) to reach something that isn't at floor level!

A level is good though and adds room for additional items on the shelf for enrichment and gives them overhead cover - they like to dive under a shelf or sit under it. Too much open space over their heads can mean they hide away a bit.

In the Us I don't think there is a welfare minimum other than at least a 10 gallon tank recommended - which is far too small. Hamster forums in the US set a minimum size of so many square inches - it used to be 360 and now 450 I think. But the key focus is on enrichment these days (that is what the RSPCA focuses on now) - plenty of substrate, variety, tunnels, places to go things to do - a shelf to sit on, lots of hidey places, different textures, that kind of thing.

The argument I usually make is that you can't have good enrichment without a cage being at least a certain size and I think the 70 x 40 and 80 x 50 minimums are about right. With exceptions. Sick or older hamsters may need a hospital cage, or a particularly nervous hamster may need a smaller cage. But the danger there is that can lead to people telling themselves that a small cage is alright.

I think of the cage as their habitat and the house/nesting box as their home.

The other thing is when talking about "floor space" - that means continuous floor space. Two smaller cages joined together don't count as one continuous floorspace. It is ok to add another cage but one of them needs to be at least 80 x 50cm. And then you'd find the smaller one probably wouldn't be used.

The reason for that is - the cage is their habitat and they have different areas for doing different things - you wouldn't want to go next door every time you needed the toilet!

Pebbles82 · 01-18-2019, 07:02 AM

I have seen the Favola and the Kios attached together with tubes - the Kios is a good size for a dwarf hamster. It is very hard to find now though.

There is a good sized perspex cage for a dwarf hamster available in the US from Abbaseed. It's about the same size as the Ferplast Duna Multy in the Uk and the Zoozone 1 (but with narrower bar spacing). If you like the tank style. The hay rack would need removing.

This top one - Fop Tamburino - has a nice long built in house as well - plenty of room for nesting and doubles up as a shelf.

HAMSTER CAGES

For a Syrian Hamster this one is quite new and a good size.

https://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Pet-Pr...e+hamster+cage

Good sized hamster cages are few and far between in the US which is why a lot of people use a 40 gallon breeder tank which is about 90cm by 50cm.

The Favola could be a nice starter cage for a dwarf hammy but I would look to upgrading to a larger bin cage or the Tamburino - and it can be very useful to have a smaller cage as a play cage for when you need to clean the main cage or if they are ever injured or unwell.

As a reference on size, my pet carrier is about half the length of the Ferplast Favola and almost as deep. It's a guinea pig one but it's just the right size for a hamster and can fit a little house in it and lots of substrate.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Al...rplast+Aladino

The extra level in the Favola does help, despite it's small size, as it is a full level - but floorspace wise it is just not very deep (ie wide) to allow much activity. If it was a few inches deeper (wider) it would be much better.

It does have a decent sized base for enough substrate so they can dig a bit, if the base is quite full. But just like Rotostak they have these amazing designs that are just too small!

I kidded myself that a 3 tier rotostak with a larger unit at the bottom, added up to about 80cm x 50cm when we first got our hamster - but ended up upgrading him to an 80 x 50 cage within 3 weeks. He got cage agression, it stank (terrible ventilation), he looked depressed, he got stuck in a tube and chewed at the few tiny bars that were available to chew, desperate to get out.

It took him 10 days to adjust to his new bigger cage during which time he really did go a bit cold turkey - but then he was as happy as larry and loving the space and you could almost see him smile.

Cotton · 01-20-2019, 11:05 AM

Thank you very much, everyone, for your detailed responses about cage dimensions and levels. Also, the added links and sources are helpful. I really appreciate everyone's time in providing all this information. Thank you very much. You're great!

Pebbles82 · 01-22-2019, 06:39 AM

I just checked on the Ferplast website to see if the dimensions were correct in the Amazon link. It says 60 x 36.5 - it's not too bad. It is on the small side for a dwarf hamster but if a smaller cage is preferred the dimensions aren't terrible. 36.5cm is still narrow (but not as narrow as the 35cm Amazon quotes) and approx the same depth as a detolf. Obviously not as long and it does allow for activity. Bigger than a mini duna at least. It's just a shame it's not 40 to 45cm deep then it would be a good small cage.

Generally though it would be considered a bit too small for a dwarf hamster and totally unsuitable for a Syrian hamster.

Had to laugh at the description though! Presumably translated from Italian - a cage with a "high bottom" lol.

https://www.ferplast.com/gb/favola.html