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Old 06-14-2019, 05:25 AM   #1
Mother_of_Hammies
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Default Is this cage safe?

Looking for a new hamster cage and was looking for a wooden one as plastic ones can easily break and my hams tend to slide about on it. I was looking at the cage below for my 2 dwarfs, it’s made out of pine. Is it safe? Pine is not used for ham bedding but this is a specifically designed small animal cage so wasn’t sure if their urine would effect it.

Small animal hutch, guinea pig hutch CHINO made of wood, 100x55x55 cm, hamster cage, rodent cage, rodents house https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077PWZD..._R.4aDb9HQ201P

Please comment and let me know, No comments about DIY cages please! Thank you!!

Last edited by Mother_of_Hammies; 06-14-2019 at 05:45 AM.
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Old 06-14-2019, 05:46 AM   #2
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

It being made of pine isn't unsafe. The phenols which cause problems in pine shavings are a problem because of the huge surface area of shavings compared to a plank. Solid pine is not the same.

I would worry about several things here tho;

- The levels are pretty high at the back and could be a fall risk
- The door which rotates out, I don't know how secure that looks and if it will allow for deep enough bedding. These cages are usually for g-pigs or hedgehogs I think and neither of them burrow
- Wood is chewable and while it might be a much bigger problem if you had syrians there is still a potential for them to damage the cage sufficiently that they escape
- I am not a keeper of pairs so maybe wait for someone who is to back me up on this but I have read that levels are not recommended as they can encourage pairs to develop their own little territories and lead to fighting over them
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Old 06-14-2019, 07:01 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

Personally I wouldn't get this for a pair of dwarf hamsters. If it is for a pair you would need to use it without levels anyway - the set up for a pair needs to be careful to avoid fighting breaking out and serious injuries or worse! Levels encourage territorial behaviour. There have been issues with chewing with this cage but also I think there are better options Although it is a great size.

I am not sure how they slide about in a plastic cage - would that be on plastic shelves?

If it is for a pair of dwarf hamsters then you'd be looking at something around 90 to 100cm cage ideally. To be able to easily fit two of everything in (or even 3 of everything) which is what is needed to avoid them falling out, while not having it such a large area that that could also lead to territorial behaviours.

Also bear in mind that very often, pairs do end up needing separating at some point due to fighting breaking out, often when they get a bit older and their hormones kick in - even with a careful set up. And then you need two cages.

How long have they been living together? I am guessing not long and the first cage you got isn't working out. Aside from fighting there can be dominance behaviour and bullying - one may end up much bigger than the other and taking all the food. So watch out for that.

I'm guessing you're in the Uk from the link. With a plastic based cage they shouldn't slip around if there is plenty of substrate (at least 4" but 5 to 6 or more is better so they can dig tunnels etc). And no levels.

Height can be an issue due to fall risks as well with dwarf hamsters. Personally I would suggest the maxi duna multy would be a good option - although it isn't cheap. It's a tank style 100cm cage.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Ma...gateway&sr=8-1

If they did fall out you would need another cage. What is your current cage? It might be able to be easily adapted for a single dwarf if they needed separating, if it isn't too small, and at least would be an emergency cage.

Another option is a bin cage - but to find a bin big enough doesn't make it that cheap an option and you'd need to do a bit of diy. It would be cheaper than a maxi duna multy though!

The only bin big enough I know of suitable for a pair is the largest RUB bin

Go Shopping - Really Useful Boxes - 145 litre Really Useful Box

It's also good plastic and supposed to be easy to cut without cracking. Here are some examples of bin cages. It means cutting panels out of the box - probably with a heated stanley knife. Fixing mesh over the panels with cable ties (something to poke holes for the cable ties eg soldering iron or an adapted something similar).

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ha...w=1366&bih=604

I think they would be happier in a maxi duna or a bin cage as the wood one is very high and with no shelves they may feel too much space above - unless you put 30cm or more of substrate in! Which is an option - so it's a cage for digging tunnels and burrows.
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Old 06-14-2019, 07:03 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

Actually the maxi duna multy is the same price as the wood cage! I think that would be good to go for because it is suitable for any species of hamster now and in the future. Big enough for a Syrian and fine for a pair or a single dwarf. And plenty of scope for enrichment (eg depth of bedding - a few cardboard box houses with multiple entrances etc).

If you move them over to a new cage,come on here first as that needs doing carefully or they may fall out at that stage and you need to move all the old bedding across and move them both atthe same time - and allow settling in time.
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Old 06-14-2019, 09:49 AM   #5
Mother_of_Hammies
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

Thank you so much for your knowledge both of you! I had no idea that levels could cause territorial behaviour! It says nothing in the books and I have looked a lot online regarding dwarf hamsters but only been given the generic information.

They’ve been together for 3+ months now not including when I purchased them together. They only have one level in their cage so everything is on the ground floor. Knowing this about levels has given me something to think about.

I will look into the maxi duna, they are still in their starter cage but would like to give them a little more room to play in.

Thank you both, you’ve been a tremendous help!!
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Old 06-14-2019, 05:42 PM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

You're welcome.
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Old 06-14-2019, 10:57 PM   #7
Schwartzie
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

Shannonmcn and Serendipity7000...this forum is very lucky to have you and many other knowledgeable hamster owners on board.
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Old 06-15-2019, 01:55 AM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

And Souffle and Cypher and Vectis and many other hamster owners more experienced than I am! You will always get help on here as we all love hamsters. And some members are experienced breeders or owners.
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Old 06-15-2019, 03:59 AM   #9
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Schwartzie View Post
Shannonmcn and Serendipity7000...this forum is very lucky to have you and many other knowledgeable hamster owners on board.
Thanks! But yeah I'm just recycling info I got from here from all the members Serendipity mentioned and others over the years.

Stick around, it's super nice here
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Old 06-15-2019, 10:59 AM   #10
Schwartzie
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Default Re: Is this cage safe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shannonmcn View Post
Thanks! But yeah I'm just recycling info I got from here from all the members Serendipity mentioned and others over the years.

Stick around, it's super nice here
I have learnt so much from everyone. Lol, Shannonmcn...I got my 100cmx50cm after all. Amazing how one can squeeze things around to make more space. People on this forum have been amazingly helpful and kind.
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