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Pebbles82 · 08-22-2019, 03:33 AM

I have just read your other post introducing Ambrosius

If you haven't had him long, it may be better to wait 2 or 3 weeks before upgrading him to a new cage. When you do move him, it helps avoid stress of the change hugely, if you also move over all his old substrate (spread it out on top of the new substrate as you will need more if the cage is bigger). And don't clean anything when moving him over. Just spot clean the pee area a little. With plenty of substrate and spot cleaning you can go 2 months or more without needing to do a substrate change. Especially if you use a litter tray as then you just empty the litter tray every few days and the cage should stay clean and dry.

Avoid the temptation to clean all the items when moving them over - they will be fine for another couple of weeks (2 weeks is the usual settling in time to avoid disturbing anything so they don't get massively stressed and have chance to develop new habits and scent mark everything).

If you are interested in the Barney or Alexander, most people paint the wood shelves and houses with plastikote enamel paint. It is petsafe water based paint that makes the wood wipe clean. Doesn't really smell of anything and a little pot goes a long way. I tend to only paint the inside of the house. One of the smaller houses that comes with the Alexander has a small round window which isn't safe for Syrians who can get stuck, so that needs either blocking off with a piece of wood glued over it or just remove that house

There is also the Savic Plaza cage, which is also 100cm by 50cm. The dimensions are about the same as the Alexander in that it is fairly tall and really needs additional shelving - which adds to the cost - to prevent fall risks. Although if you have plenty of depth of substrate that should cushion any falls from the roof (they can monkey bar across the roof at night!) and any hard items can be put under or on a shelf. However it has a nice big front opening door and easy to put the wheel where you want also.

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

08-22-2019, 03:33 AM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Your thoughts on these cages I have just read your other post introducing Ambrosius If you haven't had him long, it may be better to wait 2 or 3 weeks before upgrading him to a new cage. When you do move him, it helps avoid stress of the change hugely, if you also move over all his old substrate (spread it out on top of the new substrate as you will need more if the cage is bigger). And don't clean anything when moving him over. Just spot clean the pee area a little. With plenty of substrate and spot cleaning you can go 2 months or more without needing to do a substrate change. Especially if you use a litter tray as then you just empty the litter tray every few days and the cage should stay clean and dry. Avoid the temptation to clean all the items when moving them over - they will be fine for another couple of weeks (2 weeks is the usual settling in time to avoid disturbing anything so they don't get massively stressed and have chance to develop new habits and scent mark everything). If you are interested in the Barney or Alexander, most people paint the wood shelves and houses with plastikote enamel paint. It is petsafe water based paint that makes the wood wipe clean. Doesn't really smell of anything and a little pot goes a long way. I tend to only paint the inside of the house. One of the smaller houses that comes with the Alexander has a small round window which isn't safe for Syrians who can get stuck, so that needs either blocking off with a piece of wood glued over it or just remove that house There is also the Savic Plaza cage, which is also 100cm by 50cm. The dimensions are about the same as the Alexander in that it is fairly tall and really needs additional shelving - which adds to the cost - to prevent fall risks. Although if you have plenty of depth of substrate that should cushion any falls from the roof (they can monkey bar across the roof at night!) and any hard items can be put under or on a shelf. However it has a nice big front opening door and easy to put the wheel where you want also. https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/p...r-and-rat-cage Last edited by Pebbles82; 08-22-2019 at 03:38 AM.