Thread: Biting the bars
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Old 07-09-2017, 06:13 AM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Biting the bars

Is it the Hamster Heaven you're thinking of upgrading to? (You said 80 x 50 x 50 and that sounds like the hamster heaven!). If so it is much cheaper on Zooplus than in pet shops usually - just under £50. That would be a good upgrade. Unless you have a particularly large Syrian that needs a 12" wheel because a 12" wheel only just fits in the Hamster Heaven (it is not actually 50cm tall - that height includes the penthouse on top - the actual cage is about 36 to 38cm tall). The Penthouse and tubes usually end up having to be removed as hammies block them up with substrate and it causes issues. Cages without external tubes are best for Syrians. Have a look on Zooplus - they have two or three very good cages for Syrians at very good prices. The Alaska cage is popular - it's 84cm by 48cm but taller than the Hamster Heaven (while not being too tall) so fits any size of wheel and also has a big front opening door. It's quite a basic cage, but only costs about £33 The white house on the shelf is no good as it's too small for a Syrian and they need a house that is sat on top of the substrate and open underneath, but it's easily removed. The shelf is a bit flimsy but ok really. You would just need a house, a wheel and some toys - toys can be cardboard floor tubes or tunnels or tissue boxes as hidey places - you don't have to spend a lot and can make some.

A good basic, inexpensive set up for a Syrian is an Alaska cage and a 28cm Trixie wheel (also sold at Zooplus and you don't pay postage if you get it at the same time as a cage). They can take up to a week to deliver but delivery is free.

Hamster Cages | great selection at zooplus

If you have the space, the Barney cage might be a better option. It costs about £15 more but it does come with a good shelf and a good house for a Syrian, so you save on having to buy a house. It also comes with a basic 8" wheel which would do to start with and you could get a bigger wheel later. The Barney cage has smaller bar spacing (7mm instead of 1cm) so bar chewing is less likely as it's more difficult. I have that cage for our Syrian after upgrading from something the size of the Hamster Heaven which ended up being a bit cramped for our large Syrian - but it is a good cage. However, most of the colourful plastic stuff it comes with ends up being removed by most people - the tubes, penthouse, shelves and little plastic pod houses - as they don't really work - plus one shelf needs removing just to fit a Syrian sized wheel in.

Trixie 28cm wheel

Trixie Small Pet Exercise Wheel | Free P&P on orders £29+ at zooplus!
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