Getting Pika a New Home

Erzs · 02-16-2011, 12:04 PM

Hey everyone,

I currently have Pika in a 3ft tank. I moved her into there because the petshop bought cage I had just felt too small. But now, I never see her!

There isn't much for her to do in the tank as there are no layers so I was wondering what kind of house you would recommend for a hamster of Pika's size. She's nearly 1yr old, syrian, and fairly active! Picture included.

I'm working to a budget atm as I have to take a couple of my other pets to the vet. But if I need to save I will!

I've scouted around some of the other threads and seen quite a few mentions about Savic cages and also Zoo Zone 2.

If however you know the answer to hamster happiness in a tank please let me know! Thanks =]

souffle · 02-16-2011, 12:27 PM

I'm sure she is perfectly happy in the tank. You could add levels using boxes and wood or bury tunnels for her to run through.
It sounds as if it is you that wants to see her more. Remember they are nocturnal. I would suggest trying to train her to come out when you call. We rustle the bedding and call our hammies and they normally trundle out for a treat. Set aside some time to tame, interact and allow free running time in a safe area with you supervising.
I notice she has a barred wheel in the pic. These are not suitable for hammies as they can easily catch and break a leg in the rungs. The wheel is also too small for the hamster as it needs to be at least 8in diameter so she can run without beding her back. If you look on the housing section there are several threads discussing wheels. We use the wodent wheels but the Karlie Bogie wheel (wooden) or the comfort wheel are nice and large.
Hope that helps.

Erzs · 02-16-2011, 01:56 PM

Yeah that's great! I've never liked that wheel I thought it was a death trap when I first saw it but it was the biggest the store had. She hasn't had it too long when she first got it I was nervous about her going in it but she seemed okay. With your advice though I will definetly hunt down a wodent wheel as I really like the look of them.

She's incredibly tame and when she's out happily scurries around. It was more that when she was in her wired cage she'd come out even whilst the lights were still on and run around. But now she won't appear until very late at night! Maybe she's just become too comfy in her new den!

Oh and I'm going to do the box thing, sounds like such a simple solution to making it more interesting for her!

Thanks again!

souffle · 02-16-2011, 02:01 PM

Settled hamsters always get up later. When they are young and new they do get up and be busy earlier but now she is settled and happy that will be why she has set up a later routine.

**Hope** · 02-17-2011, 02:56 AM

A 3ft tank is perfectly fine for her, she sounds quite settled, as Souffle has said.

The are lots of things you can do to make it a more stimulating place, try an area of deep substrate and burry treats for her to dig and find, simple things like toilet roll tubes abd boxes are loved by all hammies, you could try her with a sand bath too.