Suitable cage for a Syrian?

[jennifer01]

What do you think of this for a Syrian?



cage (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7705097561&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT#ebayphotohosting)



I love it. Is it worth bidding on?



thanks

[flogging_molly]

yep definetly, low cages are better. This is practically the same model I have Wes in and he rarely ever gnaws at the bars, you can also get a good decent sized wheel in there too, plus because it's quite low at 10 inches in height, it means your hammy won't fall too far if it decides to play Indiana Jones :lol:

[Emma]

This is very similar I had Alfie in (a campbells), although he had a half level in it too and the base was deeper although same overall height.



I think it's ok for a small-medium sized syrian. Alfie was a large-ish campbells and I wouldn't have wanted him in anything smaller.

[babyboos]

Okay-ish sizewise a bit boring though I would want to see some increased floor space through the use of maybe a puzzle playground configuration but ideally something twice this high with an extra level to give the hamster another dimension to his space would be better. I only use single level enclosures for nursing mothers and sick hamsters.

A point to remember in terms of levels is to ensure the drop between floor and level is no more than one and half times the length of your hamster ideally so if there is more than one level present these should preferably overlap so there is not a three times hamster length drop to the enclosure floor, but rather a one and a half between each level - I hope this makes sense.

[rhian]

I just picked up my new hamster cage last night, and it is massive! I have never seen so large a cage (though I'm sure many of you have). It's 90cm by 50cm by 50cm. My Mum's giving me a lift back to Edinburgh with it because I don't think I'd manage on the bus. I was expecting something a bit larger than my existing one, but it's at least four times the size! I checked the bar spacing and it will be fine for a hamster, but I'm going to be spending an awful lot on wood shavings for it. It has come with some plastic shelves that clip on as extra levels and some wheels and tubes and things, but do any of you have advice on making it interesting, seeing as space doesn't seem to be too much of a problem?



Rhian x

[babyboos]

oh how exciting Rhian nearly there :wink: Do you have a camera to take a picture at all? Can you see a brand name or anything in it? The traditional toilet / kitchen roll tube always goes down well or you can buy animal safe parchament versions in larger sizes.

http://www.petutopia.co.uk/images/prods-resized/2354_chubes.jpg

Plus you can buy Plastic Puzzle Playgrounds

http://www.petutopia.co.uk/images/prods-resized/6720_42pce_hamster_puzzle_61323.jpg

http://www.petutopia.co.uk/images/prods-resized/6721_60pce_hamster_puzzle_61329.jpg

in various sizes and combinations from many good petstores on online.

There are also wooden toys such as these or Hagen do a great range of houses, treasure chests etc with holes in them for your hamter to explore around in.

http://www.petutopia.co.uk/images/prods-resized/19650_superpet_61331.jpg

You get various toys for keeping teeth in trim as well

http://www.petutopia.co.uk/images/prods-resized/16586_superpet_62067.jpg

There really is no limit if you have a vivid imagination :oops:

Eggboxes made from 100% recycled board are a firm favourite in my house. It doesn't need to be expensive to be liked thank goodness. My other-half is a dab hand with a drill and a coconut - you can make houses and little hanging swings from these.

[rhian]

Thanks Babyboos. Those are great ideas and I can't wait to get experimenting. Once I recharge my camera batteries I promise to post a picture. As far as I can tell from the barcode sticker on the bottom, the cage is a FOP (Italian brand) Ted cage. It seems quite an old fashioned cage, with a deep plastic base and white wire top which clips on. The access isn't great. There are three small doors: two on the top and one on the front, but I can reach all areas of the cage from it. The shelves look good, but unfortunately they can't be arranged so they overlap properly. There's always a space on the higher shelf for the hamster to fall off, so I'll have to make do with one shelf. :( Never mind. The guy also provided a few bits and bobs like wheels and see saw tubes, which is nice. They are all soaking now.



Once those are dry and disinfected, I will be all ready for a hamster. Hooray!

[babyboos]

See how you feel Rhian I would watch how he behaves with one shelf - if he tries to leap off a lot then forget the higher level if not then give it a go. Put an extra thick litter layer in - if this means placing the cage in a large cut down cardboard box slightly larger than the base to catch any outfall then do this, or you will be hoovering constantly :oops: