Is my hamster cage okay?

[Bella1827]

So I recently changed my hamsters cage for many different reasons, he previously was housed in a medium living world eco habitat but I downsized him to a diy bin cage which measures 70 by 44cm so it is above the minimum cage size. I just can’t get use to the change in size and I’m wondering if it’s almost too small? And I seriously can’t stop thinking about it, I feel like a bad hamster owner. One of the reasons for this new cage was due to his age, he’s hardly ever awake anymore and barely uses his wheel or plays around and my parents were getting quite annoyed by having this large cage in the way when he doesn’t even use it. I was thinking of adding another level to his cage since we bought it in a pack of three, but it depends if my parents agree to it. I just want your opinions on if you think my cage is suitable for a dwarf hamster because I’m constantly worried that it’s not and he needs more space even though he spends 70% of the day sleeping. I also have no idea if I’m getting another hamster after this one so another question would be is it suitable for a younger hamster or should I not get another after this one?

[PuppyMintMocha]

If it's above the minimum, and you're hamster is happy, and doesn't display any symptoms of stress or boredom, then it should be alright. However, bigger is always better so if you do have a way to upgrade, I'm sure your hamster would appreciate it!

[PurpleKat]

Bigger is always better, but if hamster doesn't seem distressed then it's ok for the moment. But you might need a bigger one if it starts been distressed or bored.
Might be worth a sand bath, my dwarf loves hers at the old age of 2 yrs old.

[Schwartzie]

How deep is the bedding? There is debate about the depth of bedding but it’s from 3 inches up. I own a Syrian but I’ve heard that dwarves love to burrow. It’s hard to tell how much you have with your picture.

[Bella1827]

His bedding is quite deep about 12 inches if not more , and yeah he does love to borrow. He’s literally awake for like 20 minutes max a night which is really worrying but he was like that in his old cage as well, he’s never on his wheel all he wakes up for is food and water. I also have added a tube leading out of his cage and into my room which I have hamster proofed and everything (I only let him out when I’m supervising of course, other times the tube has a stopper on it) he had this in his old cage as well and use to play out all the time but he just stopped after awhile. I stay up till like 4am just hoping he’ll come out and play but he doesn’t. I’m guessing he’s just getting old? He’s a year and a half right now. Also he use to have a sandbath but the brand I used became unsafe so I’ve just ordered a different brand. The new cage is the same size as the Kerry terrarium from zooplus which people says a good size? And I didn’t want to spend that much money so I just thought it’d make one the same size. This is getting quite long but would you suggest attaching another bin cage, the same size on top? Or even habitrail ovos? I’ve heard dwarfs really like them

[10Minutes]

I like your set up, it is very beautifully done. Your hamster is such a gorgeous snowy colour too. I do think the bin cage size is fine as long as he doesn't show signs of boredom or distress.

By adding another level, do you mean you will stack one bin cage on top of another? If so, please ensure that you cut out the sides of the bin cages and cover them with mesh to provide sufficient ventilation! I couldn't help noticing that your current bin cage doesn't seem to be cut at the sides at all, so ventilation might not be that great. I didn't know about the importance of ventilation, but after listening to the advice of the people on this forum and also reading up, I would strongly suggest you do get more ventilation for him. Especially if you plan to stack the cages, as the current only source of air is the top (from the photo, though I can't see in the photo if one side of the cage is cut for ventilation) and it will be blocked out completely with stacking. Sorry if you already knew this, I was just a little worried because I didn't know if you are able to cut the sides or not, and there wasn't any mention of it.

If you are able to create good enough ventilation and your parents are okay with it, I don't see why adding a bin cage would be a problem since you have extra. Maybe just try to ensure he has food and water on both levels.

[Bella1827]

Yeah I was thinking of adding another bin cage (the exact same size) either on top or next to with tubes, only of my parents agree to it cause they’re not really hamster lovers like me and they don’t understand that they need large cages. Yeah the entire bin cage lid is wired mesh, and yeah I was thinking what I would do about ventilation if I stacked them ontop of one another but like you said I would probably Just mesh the two sides of both bins. Also do you think a robo hamster would enjoy a cage like this?

[mangoandmimi]

I personally would not put another hamster in it. This minimum you speak of was quite literally plucked out of thin air on another hamster community, and it was partly based on the availability of various American bins and this cage just about meets that. The only minimum backed by any kind of hard evidence is the German one of 100x50cm. So given that I would not advise this kind of setup or size for a robo or any other dwarf, especially since stacking bins doesn’t increase the floor area (it does however, add enrichment). If you can find a safe way of doing so then adding an extension would be nice.

[Bella1827]

Yeah I understand what you’re saying, his previous home was 100x60 cm and the main reason I got that cage was due to the size. It’s just sort of confusing since everyone has different opinions, like people on here seem to really love cages like the Kerry terrarium from zooplus even though it is still rather small and just meets the minimum, so what’s the difference between that cage and mine? Like I’ve said, I love owning hamsters but my parents not so much so I can’t reallt build a massive diy cage (although I’d love to) but I also don’t want to stop owing hamsters. Everyone just has a lot of different opinions about hamster care and cage sizes. My hamster does seem perfectly happy in this cage I just worry a lot and I don’t just want to stop owning hamsters after this one

[alpacassei]

Ive found Russian dwarfs are perfectly happy in a cage that size so if he’s not showing signs of stress or anything then I wouldnt worry.