HAMHATTAN = Dwarf Hamster City

[Hamtastic]

Originally Posted by battlewagon

I honestly don't care what you guys think about my city not being suitable for my dwarves. I prefer Habitrail, Crittertrail, and SAM over any flat cage or tank or bin. The latter I find to be boring and just crappy. I don't regret spending more than a thousand dollars in building my dwarf hamster city and I'm not about to change their habitat just because a bunch of other people say that it's not suitable or this or that. The 4 dwarves are happy and social and to me that's most important. If someday, fights break out, they will be separated. The troublemakers will no longer live in HAMHATTAN. The nice ones will stay in HAMHATTAN. The whole point of HAMHATTAN is for it to be a home for multiple dwarf hamsters.

For now, the 4 dwarves love each other and they are very happy in their unique one of a kind home. And I'm proud of it.

As Nikkigrace has noted, you did post your set-up on a public hamster pet forum, so people will come and comment if they think they have something to contribute.

Let me know what you think.

So you clearly do care

Many of us have been members of this site / reading about the highs and lows of hamster care for a long time now, seeing that some things are beneficial, and some are marketed fads that do not actually benefit our pets.

I would take a step back and re-read the advice given to you here and see that people are trying to be helpful for your own pets' benefit. If you disagree, you can still reply in a respectful manner, as we are a community, and there is no reason to be brash.

And to add my own note: I think that set-up is exciting for the owners, but it's probably absolutely horrendous to keep clean and definitely can result in some "traffic jams" and hamsters falling out. They are animals with animal instincts of defending their property, and sections / tubes can cause some tensions.

[The Hamster's family]

My Mignon was never as happy in his old CritterTrail/Ovo set as he is now in this :

[Pouches]

I just have one question. What do you do in an emergency? Say like something that warrants a quick evacuation (fire, flood, tornado, etc)? I'm not trying to be ugly or malicious, but how much of that setup is actually used regularly? I can't believe you spent that much money, I think maybe in the 6 years I've owned hamsters, maybe I've spent a total of $400 on cages and housing alone. The best purchases I have made for housing has come from a $10 10 gallon bin, $10 water bottle, $20 silent spinner and a $5 igloo. It's all things that I'm not afraid to let my hammies chew on, and if ever pinched for space I can stack the bins on top of each other, and god forbid something causes me to have to leave in a hurry I don't have to spend precious time searching through countless modules, and tubes to find my hamsters. I just pop the lid on the bin and go. Not to mention, when the bins are on the rack all I have to do to get to my hammies is reach in.
HAMHATTAN is impressive, I will give you that. However the St. Louis arch is impressive too, albeit impractical (no offense intended to anyone from St. Louis btw )
Hamster habitat can also dictate a hamsters behavior, it's very easy to mistake a nervous apprehensive hamster for one that has a lot of energy and is happy.

[DrKMcK]

Well, to put my own two cents in...Hamhattan is an impressive setup for sure. I used SAM and habitrail parts along with my aquarium tanks. I found them to be a total pain to keep clean. I use them now only as playground space (besides a pop up dog playpen), and as connectors to other tanks. I also use tank toppers to add more floor space. (I have a syrian hammy). No matter what anyone says on this site, they're your hammies and it's your dime. But, in the time I've been on HC, I've recognized that these folk really are absolutely serious about hammy welfare. I've read posts where people who didn't really have the information they needed were pleading for help with dueling dwarf hammies that a pet store employee told them would live well together. I do hope your hammies stay together without coming to harm. It can happen. But it is really a true thing that cages and modular homes for hammies really are just a money maker and are meant to attract humans, not hammies. Good luck to you and your little ladies.

[Lougarry]

Yeah, but when they get older they're not going to want to live in a busy high rise. They'll want to move out to White Plains or Scarsdale.

[CharlieB]

Originally Posted by battlewagon

I honestly don't care what you guys think

Did you not ask for opinions?

My rescue Syrian came to me in a modular system and the only thing I saw it fit for was the bin! He was so unhappy in it! and the section he used as his 'bed' got filled with condensation within hours, no wonder he was poorly. He was put into an Alexander cage and my word did it make the world of change with him! He was happy and able to move around freely. I know Syrians that are happy in a 64L bin cage, its not about what the cage looks like its about what enrichment you put inside the cage.

I have experienced a dwarf fall out and its not worth the risk! The one I saw wasn't even a bad one as I was able to intervene due to how accessible the cage was. How would you get to your hams in a tube if they had a fight in there? They would be badly injured or killed!

Yes your system may look impressive to some and may be good for a single ham depending on there needs but I cant see areas for the things they enjoy.... where can they burrow? Is there a sand area for them? Is there multiple water bottles/bowls and multiple food bowls? For a group or pair it is highly dangerous and risking a serious fall out. I wouldn't wish anyone to see that!

If you ask for opinions you will be given them.

[Kissa]

I honestly don't care what you guys think about my city not being suitable for my dwarves

I have nothing new to add, so I will just say I agree with pretty much everything everyone else has posted. The cage is just not suitable and to be frank, you claiming the cage is more important to you that the hams' saftety and quality of life I find deplorable.

[Bozly's Family]

Originally Posted by Lougarry

Yeah, but when they get older they're not going to want to live in a busy high rise. They'll want to move out to White Plains or Scarsdale.

Hahahah. Best comment!!!

I don't have anything to contribute about the practicality, safety, or well-being of the HAMHATTAN that others haven't already voiced, other than adding a big flat area wouldn't hurt; I do like the idea of adding the playpen especially.

What I do have to add is that I love how you write about HAMHATTAN and all concerns aside, the idea is really cute and hilarious. I hope you refer to yourself as Mayor. I wouldn't mind a key to the city someday.

[moonlite]

true hamster owners are such nice people lol..even the criticism are so constructive..this is gotta be one of the friendliest sites around , totally different from the stock market and basketball forums...

[jesselle]

i just wanted to highlight that your hamsters may get respiratory issues in cages like this due to the condensation and ammonia from their urine. so, despite you worrying that they'd be bored in a single level cage, it's actually healthier for them.