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Old 12-30-2020, 10:17 AM   #1
Beaker people
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Default Play pen cage for hamster

Hello everyone. I’d like to get a cage play pen for our hamster, Mouse. She loves coming out of the cage but she moves fast and so we have to put her back in before she disappears behind some immovable object. I’d like her to be able to have more time to explore. I’m looking for something with cage panels that we can store flat and get out quickly. I was looking at this, but the bars are probably too far apart (perhaps we could put cardboard over the lower part of the bars?)

https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...a-pig-play-pen

Does anyone have any other ideas? Thanks!
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Old 12-30-2020, 10:49 AM   #2
Jazzlovessyrians
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Smile Re: Play pen cage for hamster

Hiya, I'm only a beginner myself so there may be someone that knows more! Free roaming is an option where you can let Mouse run around a room as long as you could easily get her back and there are no wires and other dangerous objects. I personally use a polyester playpen from amazon, they're around £10-£15. My old hamster used to always climb out of his wire playpen and it was a constant battle to get him to go back in so I opted for polyester this time around. I just make sure I keep a constant eye while my hamster is in it in case she tries to chew out of it (she loves one particular corner!). Victoria Raechel has made a video on a diy playpen and another on free roaming on her youtube channel which may help!
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Old 12-30-2020, 10:59 AM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: Play pen cage for hamster

Have you thought of hamster proofing the hall?
I've attached Trixie wire playpen panels to the bannister with cable ties and then add a few panels to block off the stairs when a hamster is out freeroaming.
I put a blanket down and lots of toys plus spare wheels for a hamster to roam around while i sit on the floor causing an obstacle to be climber over.

You could also use panels of wood that slot into each other that can be stored flat when not in use.

I found the wire panel playpens unsuitable, fiddly to put together and easily scaled by a Syrian hamster.

Last edited by Ria P; 12-30-2020 at 12:08 PM.
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Old 12-30-2020, 11:36 AM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Play pen cage for hamster

I have a playlist of hamster run videos on my YouTube channel

Hamster runs/playpens - YouTube

I used the VivaPet Octagan run which was a total waste of money, but still way cheaper than the pets@home one you link to. I ended up lining it with cardboard, but my syrian girl Luna eventually escaped by chewing through it. (although supervised, so she didn't get far)

I just section areas of rooms off with collapsed cardboard boxes now, with Twinkle my male syrian he has never chewed the cardboard to try and escape, but my other females did in the past.

I have seen people use ball pit pens, but be careful they don't try to chew their way out.

Other people get these things that slot together, but may have a tiny hole at the bottom. which a hamster may fixate on (especially females)

something like this:

EUGAD Pets Playpen, DIY Plastic Exercise Modular Enclosure Pet Run, Crate Kennel Cage for Guinea Pig, Rabbit, Hamster Playpen 12 Panels, 35cm x 45 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
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Old 12-30-2020, 01:43 PM   #5
Beaker people
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Default Re: Play pen cage for hamster

That’s interesting about females. She is super chewy, we stack cardboard boxes in her cage and she spends hours shredding them.

I think small holes would be a problem, but we could use cardboard boxes to block off the doorways and let her rush about in the hall, that sounds a good idea. Not sure that permanent hamster proofing would meet with approval in all areas, my husband is a reluctant hamster owner as it is! But that sounds a good idea, thank you. I can tape cardboard to the door frames and let her roam for a bit. I think she’d like that.

Are females generally more active and escapey then? Our previous hamster was male and was generally more sleepy and slow moving, also less chewing but he had big teeth problems so that could have been why.
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Old 12-30-2020, 03:20 PM   #6
Ria P
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Default Re: Play pen cage for hamster

I think if you put plenty of toys down she wouldn't chew the door frames. You can make mazes and allsorts from cardboard boxes to keep her entertained.
Here's my female Syrian foster hamster in the hamster playground in the hall tonight and by the end of the evening everything will be gone and put away.
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Old 12-30-2020, 03:25 PM   #7
Jazzlovessyrians
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Smile Re: Play pen cage for hamster

I find my female syrian is a lot more active than my male ever was but from what I know, each hamster has its own personality, regardless of its sex. Some are a lot more active and prefer different things to others who may be more calm.
My female, georgie, has calmed down a lot since having a larger cage though, less stress and boredom and more things to do, I assume. She also isn't wanting to come out all the time like she used to just comes and climbs on my hand for a bit then goes back to doing her own thing.
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Old 12-31-2020, 06:42 AM   #8
Shadow Cat
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Default Re: Play pen cage for hamster

I use panels from one of those plastic storage cube units joints together in a long line using zip ties. However, I also have a female chewing machine and I worry about her injesting plastic. I also only have carpet in suitable rooms for her to go in and she likes eating that as well. In realiality, I don't get her out of her cage as much as I ought to because I'm worried about her either eating something she shouldn't pr escaping. I'm always on the look out for ways to do better by her. She seems happy though, so I don't stress about it.

I do think it's the difference between boys and girls. She's the only female hamster I've had (3 boys) and she's been the only chewer. In reality, as much as I love Peggy, I think I'll only get boys in the future.
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Old 12-31-2020, 07:22 AM   #9
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Play pen cage for hamster

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beaker people View Post
That’s interesting about females. She is super chewy, we stack cardboard boxes in her cage and she spends hours shredding them.

I think small holes would be a problem, but we could use cardboard boxes to block off the doorways and let her rush about in the hall, that sounds a good idea. Not sure that permanent hamster proofing would meet with approval in all areas, my husband is a reluctant hamster owner as it is! But that sounds a good idea, thank you. I can tape cardboard to the door frames and let her roam for a bit. I think she’d like that.

Are females generally more active and escapey then? Our previous hamster was male and was generally more sleepy and slow moving, also less chewing but he had big teeth problems so that could have been why.
Every hamster is different but I have certainly found that my current male hamster and the 2 male hamsters I had as a child never chewed to escape under doors etc. Whereas the 3 females I had they were always looking for ways to escape. I just used fleeces and cardboard pieces to block gaps off and try and distract them with a wheel and lots of tunnels and cardboard boxes etc.
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Old 12-31-2020, 08:04 AM   #10
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Play pen cage for hamster

Could you possibly put down cardboard temporarily to cover the carpet? It isn't a great long term solution but it might do the trick for now. Another idea I can think of for covering carpet would be corrugated plastic - similar, but I'd imagine not as easy to chew.

I'm in a similar position at the moment myself with a carpeted room and a fairly new pair of female rats. While I haven't figured out anything just yet I will definitely try to post more here if I do find any good ideas!
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