Hamster igloos vs just bedding

[Nat]

Hi,
With my previous hammys I've never used any kind of hamster house but my current cage came with a plastic house so I thought I would use it.
With Dolly being a new hamster, I wasn't sure of her behaviour and so didn't know where she would pee/poop.
She seemed to go everywhere apart from the corners! And when checking her house it was clear that it was her favourite place to go. It stunk of urine and she'd been pooping loads in there. There was also a condensation on the "ceiling" of the house. I immediately removed the house and replaced it with a small cardboard box (working in a dentist I have an endless supply). (I've literally just changed it so I don't know how she will get on with that instead).
I just wanted to hear other peoples opinions on hamster houses.
Do hammys prefer it as a place to feel safe? Does anyone recommend any particular type of house/bed or are they fine with just bedding on its own?
Thanks guys!
Natalie

[Skeever]

Trial and error, really. Hamsters are quirky. Ziggy prefers enclosures and rarely uses them as a bathroom. Though I did spy him doing his bidness on the second floor platform, in a corner behind a tube....so he has moved to other than his hammie toilet. I wiped it down, and took some of the urine scented tissue and put them with dry litter in his portotoilet ....not sure if it worked, will check tomorrow. I think hammies that are new are also prone to experiment more, just as we do with their diets and toys, so very little surprises me anymore. Till the next goofball thing he does?

[BrainGirl]

I like to put platforms for my hamsters to climb on in their cages. I have the plastic ones but I find that a low cardboard box is better for them and offers more entertainment possiblities. I just cut a door in it and maybe add some ramps and then they can use it as a nesting spot if they want to

[Esmy]

I think all of mine prefer a dark home vs plastic cause it lets more light in, but I haven't found a good option for all of them. Wicket sleeps under a Knuff shelf though and loves it.

[BrainGirl]

All my hams who have had one have loved a terracotta house. Not a pot with hole in the bottom but an actual tunnel-like structure. I have used a length of drain tile and Seren currently inhabits a wine cooler. It's nice and dark and has a good, solid feel to their feet I guess. Plus it's breathable

[Esmy]

Drain tile? What is that? I can't picture a terracotta house either.

[Enh98]

I have two hamsters. Merlin has a plastic igloo and seems to like nesting there. He only does his business on his corner potty. I just removed the igloo from Moo's cage because he was using it as a bathroom and it was super smelly and gross. I didn't replace it with anything and found that he build himself a little nest with the substrate and toilet paper and burrowed down in. There was no pee in there today - yay! So even though it's only been a day without a house or igloo, Moo seemed to do just fine.

[BrainGirl]

Originally Posted by Esmy

Drain tile? What is that? I can't picture a terracotta house either.

This stuff: http://vreaa.files.wordpress.com/201...drain_tile.jpg

It's mostly been replaced by perforated plastic drain pipe but clay is still available, and often repurposed as wine storage. It can be round or hexagonal.

I would love to get my hands on a terracotta toad house but I haven't seen any around here for some reason

https://www.google.ca/search?q=terra...w=1024&bih=634

[Esmy]

Ohh ok, I see. Never seen that stuff before! I do have a long 3" wide pvc pipe for their playpen. I can see how they could sleep in it too though. I have been thinking I would like to go to a pottery shop and try to make a ceramic Syrian hamster house.

Check this out: Amazon.com : Esschert Design Toadhouse : Outdoor Decor : Patio, Lawn & Garden

[BrainGirl]

I would like that if it wasn't glazed. The glaze seals it and stops air flow.