Detolf VS Pawhut!

Noahsark · 03-14-2021, 10:02 AM

Hello everyone🐹

Its been a while since I was last on, Iâ€™ve missed this site! My little Noah passed away a couple of months ago at the age of 2yrs 8 months, he was the best little boy💕my local shelter contacted me as she had taken in a Syrian who needed a home, little Isa now lives with me in a detolf!

Isa has been showing signs of stress since she came home (3 weeks ago) she has been biting the lid and the bars, and its getting more every night. Ive been looking into a Pawhut cage (link below) and before I did anything was looking opinions on the cage, and if anyone has had any experience with it?

I just want her to be content in her home, and I think if I were to go bigger it may help, more room for bedding and enrichment!

Thank you in advance!🐹

Pawhut Wooden Hamster Cage Mouse Rats Mice Rodent Small Animals Hutch Exercise Play House Pen 115L x 60W x 58H(cm) | Aosom UK

Ria P · 03-14-2021, 01:23 PM

So sorry to hear about Noah and welcome to Isa.

Does the Pawhut have more continuous floor space than a Detolf?
I have seen two Detolfs connected by removing the sides which could be a possibility. I think a wooden enclosure isn't suitable for a hamster who chews because she could chew her way out.

Noahsark · 03-14-2021, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

So sorry to hear about Noah and welcome to Isa.

Does the Pawhut have more continuous floor space than a Detolf?
I have seen two Detolfs connected by removing the sides which could be a possibility. I think a wooden enclosure isn't suitable for a hamster who chews because she could chew her way out.

Hi and thank you☺️
I’m not too sure that’s kinda what I was hoping to find out, it’s a little less in length but it’s much wider and taller, which would be really handy as I’m very limited in the detolf. I would love to put two detolfs together but we just don’t have the space. I had thought about the chewing also which is why I thought to come on here and ask, as I can’t seem to find many reviews for it.

Noahsark · 03-14-2021, 03:10 PM

I’ve worked out the detolf has 960 inches of floor space and the pawhut has 1080 inches.

Ria P · 03-14-2021, 03:59 PM

I've never had either of those cages but personally wouldn't get a wooden cage. I think there's a good chance that she'd chew her way out.

Do you give her enough out of cage time? Maybe she needs to run around to burn off some of her energy.

Apparently, some female Syrians can be hard to please and some aren't happy in whatever cage they're in. A detolf is a big cage as it is.

You could also look for a large second hand fish tank which may be a safer option. It would be higher and she couldn't reach the lid. With nothing to chew that she shouldn't be chewing, she may settle down.

Does Isa have a Whimzee?

Noahsark · 03-15-2021, 02:54 AM

yeah, she has a wooden run but she has figured that out really quickly so we have taken to hamster proofing a room and letting her run free. We try to do this every day or every other day. I've only ever had boys before and I can definitely say girls are more work, and harder to please

she has a range of whimsies in her cage big and small, she does chew them sometimes but she has yet to destroy one, they're in pretty good shape for being in three weeks.

Ria P · 03-15-2021, 07:56 AM

Freeroaming is the only thing that works for our lot. I also have hamster proofed a room and extended out to the hall with a hamster play ground with spare wheels, tubes etc.

There's no guarantee that she would be happier in a Pawhut.
I bought a cage once off a lady who had moved her female Syrian into a Pawhut but she told me that she wished she hadn't bothered because the hamster was still not happy.

Maybe someone will reply who has this cage and can tell you more about its advantages. I'm sorry that i can't be more helpful. It could also be that you have to resign yourself to the fact that you now have a furry diva living with you.

You could post a photo of her set up to see if there's anything you could adjust that may make her more appreciative of her huge home.

Dodo · 03-22-2021, 02:58 AM

Hello, I second Ria's request to see the set up

One thing you could do is make/buy a raised lid for your detolf? This would add a lot of depth and limit bar biting /monkey barring options?

Good luck!

Noahsark · 03-22-2021, 07:34 AM

Thank you both for replying

I decided to go for the pawhut, she's been in for two days now and seems to be calmer, it's not been long though so we are keeping the detolf just in case! I will add pictures of both her setups, any suggestions would be helpful.

Ria P · 03-22-2021, 08:08 AM

They are both lovely habitats with fabulous set ups!
She's a very lucky hamster.

Are you planning on getting a dwarf for the detolf if she settles in the Pawhut?