Housing a Chinese Hamster

[tea rose]

Hello, I've been lurking & reading for a few weeks now but haven't yet posted. I kept Syrian hamsters while growing up & again a few years ago. It's been quite a while now & I recently decided I needed a hamster in my life again. After lots of research to refresh what I know & make sure I'm doing everything properly I bought the Hamster Heaven cage from PAH a couple of days ago with a view to finding a Syrian hamster at the weekend.

I stopped by today to pick up some supplies and noticed that the Chinese hamsters I looked at a week or so ago were still in their adoption section. 3 boys, all housed separately. I spent ages chatting to a member of staff who showed me each of the hamsters & handled them - all very sweet and tame. I couldn't walk away. I hope I didn't act too impulsively, but I'd fallen in love! It was so difficult to choose, but I have come home with a lovely little dominant spot who was said to be under 6 months old. He has a name, but it's silly and I think I'll change it before I introduce him to you all... if he doesn't mind!

Now my question. Would it be possible for the little Chinese to live in my new Hamster Heaven cage or should I look for something more suitable? I seem to recall reading here that someone is using this cage for a Chinese hamster and I'd love to know if it's suitable and escape proof or if it's not a good idea. The little hamster is currently in a bin cage I started making recently, with the barred part of the Hamster Heaven over the top instead of the lid (which I haven't finished making).

Thanks guys - photos to follow, I promise!

[mollldoll]

Congrats on your new hammie : ) i think he will LOVE his new home! a Hamster heaven is a great sized cage for a chinese hamster

[tea rose]

Thanks Mollldoll! I can't wait to see what he thinks of it. I'm just worried that he could escape somehow. I think he's too big to get through the 10mm spaced bars, but haven't had a chance to have a good look at him since he's been home as bless him, after pouching lots of food he built a nest in the Weetabix box I have given him and has been asleep ever since.

[mollldoll]

I keep my Chinese in a cage with 8mm bars and have kept one in a cage with 10mm and they had no chance of squeezing through, I think it should be fine but I think if you look at him in there you should be able to tell if he would be able to squeeze through or not

[Hanlou]

Hi! I have a weensty baby Chinese hamster - he's only 8 weeks old - (Ping) in my Hamster Heaven and he's not escaped yet.

Here's his set-up:



.... so yeah, I think he'd *love* it lol!

[tea rose]

Thanks mollldoll & Hanlou for the reassurance! I've finally managed to have a good look at him (actually stayed up until 2.30am watching him) & I don't think he'll be able to squeeze out. Still a little paranoid though - sort of imagine him waiting until I go to sleep then whipping out a tiny toolbox and getting to work drilling a hamster sized hole... but I have a vivid imagination!

Hanlou, I love Ping's set up! I have a few of the same things (am totally embarrassed over how much I spent) but none of those lovely bridges hanging from the top of the cage - does Ping climb on them? Mine doesn't seem to know how to climb & ran all over the ground level but didn't even go up to the first floor level let alone the bars. And I don't think he can reach his wheel, so I built a bridge as a step up but don't know if he used that either.

[tea rose]

Ok I take that back completely... as soon as I finished posting he woke up and had a run around. As I chatted away to him he took one look at me, used his potty and strolled upstairs and climbed into his tubes. He lay down and let me take some photos and then as I chatted to him I could see his eyes closing and he fell fast asleep up there! What's the Chinese for genius?