Mini Duna Vs Duna Multy?

[Stacey]

I adopted a wee robo a few weeks ago as he was in the pets at home adoption bit for over 3 months and my heart just went out to him. I have Alfie in a mini duna just now with an 8inch wodent wheel. I feel the wheel takes up a lot of room (I have had to send back two 6.5inch silent spinners as both didn't work right) and im considering upgrading to a duna multy but ive been reading a lot of posts on here and I know everyone has their own opinions on both cages but im in a pickle. I know bigger is always better but ive read a few people saying their dwarfs freaked out at the bigger space.
Ive never had a dwarf hamster so really don't know whats the best for them.
I have 2 Syrians each in a barney cage and when I look at the size difference I feel like im being cruel to Alfie as Penny and Gizmo has these huge cages and his is tiny compared to them.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated

[Lizbeth]

I think the dwarfs you have heard about were primarily older dwarf hamsters who had lived their entire lives in smaller cages (therefore felt much more stressed out with a lot of space/potentially unsafe) or hamsters that had past trauma that would make them slightly different than any other hamster. With a still fairly young one, I wouldn't worry as much.

I have my dwarf in a Zoozone 1, which based on picture comparisons on this board looks about the same as the Duna Multy and I have had no issues. I have her in there since it's the largest cage I can accomodate and I haven't noticed any issues in her either lacking space or needing more (although obvious if I could accomodate more, like a Zoozone 2, I would).

Hope that helps a bit

[Stacey]

thanks, just went and ordered it and loads of new toys.

[velma]

I have my robo Hector in a mini duna. The plan was to have the mini duna for him to settle in (as taming can be easier in a smaller cage) & then swap him to the multy, leaving me with the mini as a holiday cage. Well, Hector being Hector didn't settle & it didn't help that I had to disturb him when he had a cold during his settling in period. He was an adoption but not that old really so who knows why but a big cage wasn't for him. Doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend you gong ahead though as having said all that, I'm still glad I tried as I think the multy is a nice cage. Even if the water bottle goes on the "wrong" side. The main things are to have plenty of substrate for digging & lots of tunnels & hideys so he doesn't feel exposed. Bendy bridges make great cover. And give him a couple of weeks to settle in as he may be a bit spooked to start with. Can't wait to see your cage set up!

[racinghamster]

Hi Stacey. My last two robos (single hamsters) were housed in my Gabber Rex tank cage, which is basically the same size as a Zoozone 1. It`s a better space for a speedy robo and you will find it has that extra bit space required for a good wheel and some extras. The Duna Multi is also a nice cage and has the narrow bars on the top grill. Either would do.

The mini Duna has it`s uses, but for a young, active hamster, I feel the minimum size should be around the Zoozone 1 sizing. The mini Duna has had it`s day in terms of size and is still a useful tank to have in case of emergencies or as a spare.

When your new cage arrives, just put everything from the small tank into the new one so as nothing is taken away, like scent. Also try to keep the layout similar unless you really feel it needs changed for the better. You can also incorporate the Duna shelf inside the larger cage as the slits on the shelf should fit between the top and bottom of your multi. You will just need to balance something under the other end to keep it stable like a bendy bridge!

Your robo will love the space! He may seem zooming mad for a bit but leave him to get on with it. He will be running about checking everything out and will eventually find his nest. Your water bottle hole may be high up on this cage, so you may want to look at integrating the bottle inside the cage. I used one of the inserts from a Savic Rody cage, the plastic bit that holds the water bottle? I cut one of those down just to use the water bottle part and slid this between the top and base of my gabber cage and it works a treat. It also means the bottle spout will be nice and low for your wee robo. x

[Stacey]

Thanks for your replies. I just want him to have to best as hes had a awful time so far. I really hope he does settle in this new cage spec as it wasn't cheap, but I guess if he doesn't I have an extra home for another wee guy haha.
I plan on keeping everything he has in the new cage along with bedding etc so hoping that helps. Ive bought lots of new toys aswell like tunnels and hidey places so hopefully he feels at home. If he is really stressed atleast I have the mini if that's what he's most comfortable in. He has the 8inch wodent wheel and I just feel it takes up so much space in the mini but ive seen a lot of multis online with great ideas.
Should have it by Monday x