Best cage for Robo? (preferably in pink)

[Olivia82]

I currently have one Syrian and I've also had Campbells in the past, and I'm hoping to get my first ever Roborovsky in the next few months. I'd prefer an older one from a rescue because I've never had a Robo and don't want to start out with a really young and active one as I don't have the space to fit another huge cage. I want a hamster that will be happy with less space, and from what I heard a Robo would be the best way to go. Is that right? And which cage do you think works best for them? I heard that bin cages are good because they can't escape, but I don't want that. I would prefer an actual hamster cage. Would a Mini Duna from Pets At Home be fine or will it need a bigger one? What is the minimum size to go by? I really like pink so I would love a cage with a pink base or pink parts If you have any recommendations of nice pinkish cages suitable for Robos, that would be great thanks.

[Olivia82]

Hello, this is Michelle's mum Olivia. My daughter loves her Syrian hamster Daisy so much and because she is getting very old I've decided to get us another hamster. Since we don't have the space to fit another huge cage (Daisy's is already 80 by 50) we have decided on a dwarf. From my understanding a Roborovsky would be the best way to go if we can only fit a smaller cage as they're the smallest hamsters, correct? We both really like Robos, but if a Campbell or Winter White would be better then please let us know. Also, do you have any recommendations for Robo cages? My daughter's room is all pink, so would love a cage with a pink base or pink parts to match.

Is this cage from Pets At Home any good?

Mini Duna Hamster Cage by Ferplast | Pets at Home

And how about this one, does anyone have that?

Crittertrail Pink,limited Edition: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

Should we go for a tank type cage or is a barred cage fine even for a little Robo?
My daughter would really like that Crittertrail cage as it seems easy to access and small enough to carry easily, but will the hamster squeeze through the bars?

Any help is appreciated, thank you!

[jesselle]

Hi, great that you're here are asking for advice. I'm short on time so a few points/

- cage size. robos might be small, but they can be very active! Also, they're less likely to be tame and have out of cage time, so spend most of their time in their habitats. So, I believe mini duna with the shelf is the smallest cage recommended for single dwarves. The minimum cage requirements usually recommended here are a single level of 70x40cm/75x40cm. The mini duna measures something like 55x45cm but has the shelf.
- older rescue robo. A rescue robo may be past the point of taming. Robos can be (not always) a pet for watching rather than holding and playing with. Is your daughter aware of this and will she be able to keep an interest in the robo?
- patience. Robos need a lot of patience and understanding. They're nothing like Syrians. Make sure you know what you're taking on! I have a rescue robo who was 9 months old and he's very active, cannot be held and has a 100x50cm tank as anything smaller just looked so restrictive on him and his speedy little legs!

As for a suitable pink cage, I would recommend:

- pink zoozone 1. This measures 70x45cm and allows for deep substrate and plenty of running space. You can pick them up for about £35 new or as little as £10 on eBay etc.
- pink mini duna

There are other tank options, such as the gabber rex, savic rody rabbit, iMac bingo that would also be suitable but they're less likely to be pink.

[jesselle]

The iMac bingo (not pink unfortunately but has pink clips?!) is amazingly cheap on this site:

Modern Use Guinea Pig Cage With Hay Rack. For Use Indoors<br>

Under £25, so cheaper than the duna but more room for a robo.

[racinghamster]

Hello and welcome. Jesselle has covered many points for you regarding robos and which habitats suit their needs. Your right to say robos are the smallest dwarf hamsters....but they are the fastest aswell! So much so, that 99% of them can`t/won`t be handled. Russian dwarf hamsters are better if your daughter wants a smaller hamster (smaller than the larger syrian) but not quite as speedy and excitable as the robo!

The Zoozone 1 tank style perspex cage comes in pink (well, the base at least!) and this would be the smallest size I would choose for a Roborovski or other dwarf species. The mini Duna and Savic Rody are still on the market, but most of us go with a little more space these days which enriches the hamsters life. Anything smaller is limiting their natural behaviour and means cramped space for accessories.

I would also suggest only getting the one hamster because pairs are notorious for falling out. A little rescue russian or robo would be nice. There are usually some in local RSPCA and independant rescue centres.

So basically, if your daughter wants a small ball of fluff she can hold or interact with under supervision, a Russian dwarf (winter white or Campbells) would probably suit her needs more than a roborovski. Robos don`t make good childs pets unless they are happy just to watch them and take part cleaning out, feeding etc...

Hope this helps. x

Edited to add: I wouldn`t recommend Crittertrail or Rotastak caging for any animal as they are cheaply made, gimmicky cages. Hamsters need one level cages with running space with no climbing tubes as they have fur covered feet, so can`t handle vertical tubes or ladders. They are also colour blind so can`t see colours!

[Olivia82]

Thanks then we will get a Campbell again and we will be picking up this set as it has the cage we want already included and for only £5 more it comes with the basic things the hamster will need Dwarf Hamster Cage and Accessories Kit (Available in Store Only) | Pets at Home Hope they will have that in pink also. I have another question. What is that VIP thing? Does it mean you will get 10% off on everything? How does it work? https://vip.petsathome.com/Club.aspx

[jesselle]

The duna is ok but if you have a very active dwarf you may find they outgrow the cage.

The iMac bingo or a zoozone 1 would be better.

[Biyu]

Bit late but crittertrail is 90% of what you find here (states) and I opted to return mine so I could get a big bin instead and I think my hamster loves it but in the smaller cage she had she was a pretty bad bar chewer (a possible issue from the small size from what I understand)

I honestly don't get why they sell such small cages (the outher cage was about crittertrail size/such she never got out apart from the door not being connected right which was when I was watching)

[alisont]

Just adding that I have recently got a rescue hybrid hammy - he's in a mini duna cage at the moment as he was 13 weeks when I got him but he's growing fast and loves exploring so I've ordered him a bigger cage - a Kios one.
Zooplus have some great cages and I got 20% off my order in the sale.

I've tamed my hamster but he is so fast - he won't sit for more than a few seconds in my hand but is so curious and confident - its great how hamsters have such different personalities

[racinghamster]

The cage in the link is the Mini Duna, so the minimum amount of space for a dwarf hamster. For around the same price believe it or not, if you google "Zoozone 1" you will see that this cage is similar in style (minus the internal shelf but that doesn`t matter as one can be made) and is roughly the same price on certain websites. Pets At Home will sell you the Duna with the wood shavings, the bits & bobs and the bag of free food, but the russian hamsters they sell are all hybrids, so need a sugar free diet as they can become prone to diebetes if fed on this brand of mix, so looking at alternatives for your new hamster would be advisable. The Burgess hamster mixes are better, but the corn and peas would need to be removed as these contain starch, but can be replaced with simple grains like dry porridge oats and budgie millet.

I`m not sure about their discounts but not too long ago another member did mention that you need to spend a certain amount before getting money off, so it`s probably a gimmick!

I would go elsewhere for a better cage to be honest. The Zoozone 1 does come with a pink base if you express a wish to have the pink one from the seller before you purchase.

the cage alisont mentioned, the Kios cage from Zooplus would be a great buy and you get the discount! Although the Base isn`t pink. Does that really matter though? It`s better to buy a cage that suits the hamster all it`s life than choose a small cage because it`s pink?