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Old 07-01-2020, 02:21 PM   #1
MumofAlexanderHammyton
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Default Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

Hey everyone, I hope you're all well!

I was wondering if any of you have experience with the Pets at Home XL cage? I'm currently using this for my Syrian but I feel he doesn't like it much. I have a few toys in there for him but I was wondering if the cage itself is too small and I should upgrade.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks ❤️
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Old 07-02-2020, 02:59 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

Hi, if I remember correctly that is not a very big cage, if possible I would upgrade, especially for a syrian.

If you can post a photo of your cage setup we could also have a look and suggest ideas that could maybe help, or take a look at the cage threads on here where people post photos of their cage setups.
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Old 07-02-2020, 05:51 AM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

I had this cage for my Syrian and upgraded to the Alaska from Zooplus. I think the p@h xl is ok for a dwarf because they have smaller wheels and toys.
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Old 07-02-2020, 06:06 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

Agree with Ria - it's a good cage for a dwarf hamster but too small for a Syrian.

What personality is your syrian? ie does he come to the cage door to want to come out or is he a bit nervy? I ask because a good option for an upgrade is the Barney cage from Zooplus and it's also not expensive - but it has small doors on the front and a big door on top. It worked great for our last Syrian but not for our current one who is more shy - it was difficult to access him with the small doors and he hated top access.

So another option is the Savic Hamster Plaza which has a big front door- but it needs quite a lot adding to give it enough enrichment which adds to the cost. Whereas the barney comes with a good house and a good shelf.

If 100 cm cage is too big for you to fit in then the Hamster Heaven or Alaska are ok but I wouldn't go any smaller than that. The Alaska needs more adding. The Hamster Heaven needs most of the colourful plastic stuff and tubes removing to make it work or they block them up and pee in them.

Zooplus sell the Barney, Alexander, Alaska and Hamster Heaven, with free delivery. Pets at home sells the Savic Plaza.

All of them need a new wheel adding - the 28cm trixie wheel is a good basic option - syrians need a wheel bigger than the tiny ones supplied with cages which are only big enough for dwarf hamsters. All but the Barney and Alexander cages need a good sized house/nesting box adding. The wood items in the Barney and Alexander are good - most people paint the house insides at least - with plasti kote pet safe liquid paint.

If you don't mind the cost there is also a tank style cage on Zooplus that's good - the MArrakesch.

The Alexander cage has everything needed except a wheel so is effectively cheaper than the Savic Plaza - providing the hamster is not too shy as access is harder without the large front door.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small.../hamster_cages

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...r-and-rat-cage

A better option than the Hamster Heaven is the Hamster Sky with the tubes removed and blocked off (it comes with blockers in the box). Just a house and wheel to add. The cage is the same size.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Savic-Hamst...3694859&sr=8-3

Cheapest upgrade option is the Alaska cage which also has a big front door. Also needs a house and wheel. The 80cm cages may not sound much bigger than the current one but surprisingly they are - offering more floor space and a bit more height to fit in an 11" wheel.

When you upgrade though, come on here for tips on how to do the cage move without stressing them too much.
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Old 07-02-2020, 06:43 PM   #5
MumofAlexanderHammyton
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

Thanks everyone for your tips! I thought the cage was too small, so it's nice to hear you agree. This is the set up I have for him: https://ibb.co/xzRKy12

I try to change the set up once he starts to get bored. I would take on any advice you have.

I've become obsessed with German cages and found this one:

https://www.amazon.de/M%C3%A4use-und...gateway&sr=8-1

What do you think?
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Old 07-02-2020, 11:50 PM   #6
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

The borneo xl is a very good sized cage. It is quite high so I would recommend putting some shelves in, so if your hamster falls, it is not such a long drop and potential to hurt himself.

Re your current setup I can see what I think is a flying saucer, but not an upright wheel. (there may be one but out of shot) Ideally a syrian hamster needs an upright 11-12inch wheel. As Serendipity already mentioned the Trixe 28cm wheel is a good basic wheel.
Flying saucers aren't great as it causes the hamster to curve it's body.

You could add a bridge or two for your hamster, like you have already done with your pringle tube, use your recyling and you could use a cardboard egg carton or adapt a cardboard box, no tape as your hamster could chew and ingest it.

I also can't see where your hamster is sleeping, does he have a hide/house? If not a great tip is to use a shoe box, take the lid off and put that on the bottom of the box, turn the shoe box upside down, cut a hole for an entrance.

This video might give you a few more ideas and show you what I mean re the shoe box (2min 13 sec mark shows the shoebox):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xpx...&index=10&t=7s

Just one last thing, I know people use hammocks but they aren't really safe if your hamster chews it, and I personally wouldn't use or recommend anything with chains/ metal loops or rungs where they can potentially get their feet stuck/caught. You could always swop the metal parts on things for some sisal or jute string, which only costs about £1.99 from places like wilkos or garden stores. just make ssure it is 100% natural.

Hope this helps, you did say you were open to advice
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Old 07-03-2020, 01:01 AM   #7
Maker
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

Quote:
Originally Posted by MumofAlexanderHammyton View Post
Thanks everyone for your tips! I thought the cage was too small, so it's nice to hear you agree. This is the set up I have for him: https://ibb.co/xzRKy12

I try to change the set up once he starts to get bored. I would take on any advice you have.

I've become obsessed with German cages and found this one:

https://www.amazon.de/M%C3%A4use-und...gateway&sr=8-1

What do you think?
The German cage is nice, my only observation would be the front door, hamsters like to use the front door as a ramp when it is open and drops down, with this one opening to the side your hamster wouldn’t be able to walk in and out himself when free roaming
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Old 07-03-2020, 01:26 AM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maker View Post
The German cage is nice, my only observation would be the front door, hamsters like to use the front door as a ramp when it is open and drops down, with this one opening to the side your hamster wouldn’t be able to walk in and out himself when free roaming
That is true, but for example my cages are up off the floor and so when the door is open, my hamsters know they have to walk onto my hand if they want out. So I don't think it is a big issue.
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Old 07-21-2020, 03:17 PM   #9
MumofAlexanderHammyton
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

Hi all! Thanks so much for your incredibly useful help. I bought the Borneo and the trixie wheel. I'm currently in the process of building shelves for the cage, hopefully the little one loves it!
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Old 07-21-2020, 04:25 PM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Pets at home XL cage for Syrian

It is a great cage. Because it's so large it will need "filling up"with plenty of enrichment - bedding, toys etc.

You have a couple of options regarding the height. One is shelves - although that can end up a bit expensive and needs very careful setting up. A full level is a good option if you can make one, and safer.

The other option is increase the depth of bedding - which effectively reduces the height. To be able to do this you put something round the inside bars - about 2 to 3 " high of cardboard or perspex. Perspex is see through, but can work out expensive and a bit fiddly to fit. Cardboard is easy. That way you can have about 8 to 10" deep bedding - above the height of the base as the cardboard holds it in.

The only issue with that (not really an issue but again needs careful setting up) is that any houses or toys on the substrate can be tunnelled under and can fall on them, so they need supporting underneath.

I looked at the 100cm version of this cage a long time back and looked at all the options for making it safe .

The cheapest option is deeper bedding with cardboard (or possibly hemp mat) round the inside and just the one shelf for enrichment- as in most cages - somewhere to put a food bowl and to sit under etc. You can have the bedding up to the bottom of the front opening door.

If you go the shelf route you might need to get the shelves cut to size. I got this done for my cage - the Savic Plaza - ranchouse cages sell pine shelves with fittings in various sizes or made to measure. I got one a bit too big and cut a piece off so it fitted. (If you have a saw and someone who can use it!).

For a full level you could just get one piece of quality plywood (eg non toxic birch plywood). You'd need to sort some fittings so it sits in place. And cut an area out of one corner for a ladder or tunnel up to the level.

With either shelves or a full level you'd end up with something looking a bit like the Alexander cage racetrack shelving (I'll link that below) . What some people do with that cage is use the ladder as a fourth joining shelf that sits across the two longer ones at the front. Then you just have a hole in the middle (for a ramp). But you then also need something hanging over that hole in the middle or they can still monkey bar across the roof, fall down the hole and hit the edges of the shelves on the way down. Something like a grass hammock or rat sputnik hanging over it should do the trick. But then it's attached to the top door inside - which is ok as long as the door still opens ok.

This is the shelving in the Alexander cage. You can see the wide ladder which people use to sit across the side shelves at the front.

https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small...r_cages/174238

The Borneo XL is much taller than the Alexander cage - so you might even want to do a bit of both - deeper substrate and shelves. Or just a full level.

You also need to factor in where the wheel goes as the shelves/full level will reduce the height for a wheel to sit under. My plan when I looked at this was to use a wheel that screws to the bars at the back (the 12" silent runner wheel is ideal for this and it has special bar attachment plates). That way you can have the wheel at any height you want.

So my plan was shelves like the alexander cage at either end. The wheel at the back sat right next to one of the shelves. And a shelf at the back in the space between the wheel and the other end shelf. So basically the wheel cuts into what would have been the back joining shelf and sits above shelf level.

You could probably get away with just having three shelves, like in the Alexander, if you put hemp mat on the shelves right up to the edges - so if they're fallen on they're not hard. And also have deep substrate to cushion any falls and make sure any floor toys are under the shelves so they can't be landed on.
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