Why is it so difficult to find a decent sized cage..:(

[sai12]

I bought a cage recently to use as a holdover until I could get something bigger and better. (if anyone noticed the one about getting the cat--I needed something FAST).

Sakana is a large hamster and....I want him to have space. What should the dimensions be for a cage for a Syrian hamster? Seems like all they sell in the pet stores are only suitable for dwarfs.

[souffle]

Decent sized cages definitly seem to be a problem in the USA. There must be a market there for an entreupreneur! In the UK animal welfare says a cage should be around 30inx18inx15in min but many cages fall far short of that. I think your best bet is to make a bin cage of if you can afford to ship a Gabber criceto rex (available on e bay) they are great cages.

[Holly]

I'm not exactly sure of recommended dimensions for Syrians but I know what you mean about cages being small - there are only a handful of UK cages that I'd even consider for a Syrian (now that I know more about hamsters) as most commercial cages seem tiny and cramped. I'm a big fan of the Gabber Rex but I don't think it's available in the US.

I've read the dilema that US hamster owners have (on other forums)...have you considered a Zoozone 1 or 2? They are both decent sizes (the Zoozone 2 is HUGE) and I believe it can be found in the USA

[sai12]

Hmm he was living in a bin before...just a bin..no lid or any add ons. I don't think I am capable of making the elaborate ones with the wire and stuff.

I might even drive up to the next closest town where they have a Petco and a Petsmart to see what I can't find. Thanks for the dimensions He is in something much smaller right now....my only consolation in his being in a tiny cage is that he is SAFE from kitty teeths.

Zoozones look too be expensive.....and the pages for them seem to usually be in French. O.o

[Basia]

Can you get some firm mesh and make a top for his bin? In the Uk we can buy sheets of mesh at the DIY stores. If you bend the edge of the mesh over the top of the bin to form a lip, you can then make the lid secure by attaching thick elastic bands to the mesh and sucker hooks which you can stick onto the sides of the bin.

[Mautal]

Zoozones aren't expensive really.
(well here at least!?)

They're great cages!

[sai12]

Originally Posted by Mautal

Zoozones aren't expensive really.
(well here at least!?)

They're great cages!

Heh, they look like they cost more than a Critter Trail cage would cost. I'm not sure if the prices I was looking at were in US prices though...so *shrug*

Which I've been wondering....is it better to get more bottom surface area or is it okay if they have levels? Like the Critter Trail three has three levels they can climb to.....

V.S.

something like the zoozone you mentioned.

[Holly]

I think it's generally accepted that they like floor space more - from what I've read on other forums. Levels can be used to increase floor space but this needs to be done carefully (ie, large, un-cramped levels and ensuring they overlap to prevent falls from top to bottom of a tall cage).

Is it not possible, like Basia says, for you to get some firm mesh and make either a window in the lid or side of your bin? I'd have thought that would be more secure than an open cage like that tall Crittertrail you mentioned.

It's not that hard - I'm not very DIY savvy and I recently made my travel boxes which are identical to a bin cage except smaller. The lids lock in place and they seem very secure:





You'd need to screw the mesh in place rather than zip-tie it for a permanent residence, I think, but other than that it would be the same - each one took less than two hours to make.

[BubblesandSqueak]

Do you have a 'Time 4 Pets' near you?
They sell everything! From small hammy to big hammy cages, wire mesh, plastic, tunnels, play equipment. Check it out, if you know any.
http://www.citikey.com/business/1028388 ... =1&total=1

[BubblesandSqueak]

Plus, if you get a cage like this:

Then you can also get attachments to make it EVEN bigger!