What is the best cage for the dwarf hamster?!

[katmick]

Hi, everyone...it's been a while since my last post. I have a question to ask...
Few weeks ago I added to my family our second hamster Florie ( Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster) from the work (I work in pet store) and this little girl (a runt) was badly injured on her eyelid from a nasty bite injury, so I took her home to look after her - poor thing. She is doing fine now and is healed well.
However, I have only experience with keeping Syrian hamsters (have one - boy Percy).
My question is : what is the best cage for the dwarf in your opinion? (I want to give her best possible life ! At the moment she lives in a small plastic aquarium. She is only 8 weeks old and I have her since she was 5 weeks old. The aquarium was just an emergency + for nursing her when she was sick. )

Thank you for your advise ( in advance )!

[cypher]

A dwarf needs as much space as a syrian hamster, your main concern should be bar spacing, preferably about 7cm & no more than 1cm as they can squeeze through small gaps. Or you could use a tank or bin with a mesh lid.
They do like to dig & burrow a lot so if you do go for a barred cage try to get a deep base so they can have lots of substrate.
These are all good cages for a dwarf

Hamster heaven
Hamster Cages: great selection at zooplus: Hamster Heaven 80 Cage
I don't like all the plastic bits but I do just use the basic cage for one of mine.

Great deals on small pet cages at zooplus: Alexander Small Pet Cage

Small Pet Cages ? Alaska Hamster Cage: Free Delivery on orders £29+ at zooplus!
I really like this cage but there are some slightly bigger gaps between the bars at the top so not good for very small dwarfs although I have a chinese in one with no problems.

Hamster Cages: great selection at zooplus: Small Pet Terrarium Kerry

Rat Cages : Mamble Rat / Hamster Narrow Bar 100cm Cage : www.LittlePetWarehouse.co.uk - The UK's Small Pet Specialists - The place to buy amazing products for your pet online

Rat Cages : Mamble Rat / Hamster Narrow Bar 80cm Cage : www.LittlePetWarehouse.co.uk - The UK's Small Pet Specialists - The place to buy amazing products for your pet online
I haven't used a Mamble cage but they look good & I'd probably buy one if I needed a new cage.

Hope that gives you some ideas to be going on with

[katmick]

Thanks Cypher. I have to decide whether it is better to house her in tank or Zoozone or in the cage.
....??? I noticed she loves to burrow, I gave her plenty of substrate (recycled paper pulp and plenty of soft paper bedding to make a nest).

[Truffle]

Cages that I like for Dwarfs are tank-style cages (so that you can provide them with plenty of substrate for burrowing). I personally like the Zoozone 2 Buy Hagen Zoozone Critter Home Large Dark Blue You would need to mesh the lid, but otherwise they make wonderful cages. I personally have two of them, both of which I brought second-hand for £20.

Another similar cage is the Maxi Duna Multy Ferplast Maxi Duna Multy Guinea Pig and Rabbit Cage, 99 x 51.5 x 36 cm, Grey: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

I also have two Ikea Detolf which make fantastic cages for dwarf hamsters if you have the space. DETOLF Glass-door cabinet - IKEA

A good review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQXI8pgRhmA

The main disadvantage is that you would probably need to make a lid, I have made two and honestly they are not two difficult. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYzDeSBE1hI

[NiceCrocs]

I personally prefer glass tanks for all species of hamsters. No risk of bar chewing, almost impossible to escape (as long as the lid is attached correctly) and lots of depth for deep substrate. Both of my hamsters (1 Syrian and 1 Robo) are housed in 40 gallon glass tanks.

[becky1412]

I really like the zoozone 2 for my dwarf I meshed the lid and it only took an hour! You can add a lot of substrate and is a good size there is quite a large hole in the side that could warrant an escape or chewing so I just covered it up. You know your fluff best so you'll be best at telling what style of cage would suit her best. Let us know how you get on

[katmick]

Hi, thank you all for your advice! It is much appreciated and it is helping me to make best decision for me and my ham.
I will let you know how I got on and post a photo of Florie's new home! THANK AGAIN!!!

[katmick]

Update: so after reading all your comments and cage reviews here on HC, I am now in dilemma whether to go for Alaska cage for my Florie (WW) 84x48.4x44 cm or for Habitat Fop"Charlie Prestige" 75x45x37. I found this cage on cage review from August.
The thing is,we have another hammie Percy (Syrian) and so far the two are in separate rooms,but eventually I would like to have cages beside each other. Would the "tank cage" be better to minimise the "contact" between two hammies (even though in separate cages)?
My Percy is in three tiered cage,and is due his upgrade soon too (Santa is coming to town...) ..

[becky1412]

I know that quite a few members here including myself have our hamsters in the same room and quite close together now I have a Zoozone 2 and an Alexander and I have no problems at all. I would say as long as they are far enough away that the hams have no possible chance of reaching each other and you keep an eye to make sure it's not stressing them out it should be fine

[katmick]

Thank you...that makes sense...OH GOD,I am still stuck on cages size dilemma...I feel I am choosing cages a bit too small,but the space in our bedroom is an issue...on the other hand I want what is the best for my hams....well,time to think and decide...