Deciding on a new cage??

[Beegracee]

Hello,

I got a new hamster on the weekend and bought a cage recommended by the pet shop assistant and it was very similar to the ones I had when I was little and had hamsters.

However after looking on different websites, forums and you tube I have realised how cruel and unfair the cages sold in pet shops are, they are no where near big enough for even dwarf hamsters let alone my Syrian

I know it was really stupid to not research the best housing first and I really wish I had done that first but now I just really want to sort it out and make it better for him.

I have seen everyone really recommending the Detolf from Ikea and this is what I am hoping to get in order to provide my hamster Jarvis with the best possible home.

However its just the size and finding somewhere to keep this, so just in case I can't use the Detolf, I was wondering what other cages people have and what they would recommend as the perfect hamster home? I have seen people use terrariums and wondered if they are any good?

Any help would be appreciated! Thank-you!

[Nibbler]

Firstly congrats on your new ham and welcome to Hamster Central

Are you in the UK, USA or elsewhere? Your geographical location will play a massive part on what options are available to you.

If you're based in Europe then there are, relatively, lots of options. For example zooplus.com have some fantastic ready made cages for reasonable prices (the Alexander, Barney & Alaska are probably the most popular).
If you're in US or Canada then I'm afraid your options are often more limited. There are some cages that are supposedly made for rats (Mamble is the 1st to spring to mind) which are suitable for syrian hamsters. Other popular options would be diy ikea hacks (like the detolf you mentioned) or bin cages.

So basically, What space do you have available in your house and where are you based? Have a look through previous threads on the forum as well. This is a bit of a never ending discussion

[cypher]

Hi Beegracee welcome to the forum & congrats on your new ham!
As you said pet shop rather than store I'm guessing you're in the UK so I'd say have a look at Zooplus & the cages Nibbler mentioned there, those really are some of the best options around if you don't want to go down the DIY tank route.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi BeeGrace and welcome! The cages the petshop sell are too small.
Cypher and Nibbler have offered good advice.

[Beegracee]

Thank-you to everyone for the help ! I live in the UK so I am lucky there are a few more options for me.

I have decided that I am making a trip to Ikea tomorrow and fingers crossed that the Detolf will fit in my car! Jarvis should be settled into his new home by the weekend !

[cypher]

Sounds good!