Hamster Play Pen ideas.

[Gemma_xo]

I've just spent about 2 hours cutting out card board boxes to make a play pen for Pixie, I can't justify the funds for a metal play pen and I think it's about time I sorted a play pen out, if only temporarily until I can afford a metal one.

I had the brain box idea (from a friend on Facebook) that something like this children's ball pool might work, I mean, it has a floor (not sure if it's a net floor or a sheet of material because the picture isn't exactly a close up one, if it's a net floor I will be looking for ways to either replace it, or I'd cut it out to avoid feet being stuck in the net).
But I figured it's an inexpensive alternative to a metal cage one, and a better alternative to card board. Also, it's foldable to literally one "panel" length and due to the insane lack of storage space in my flat, it seems perfect to me.

I am aware hamsters chew, but Pixie would NEVER be left unsupervised in there so I could stop any chewing attempt as soon as I saw it, and/or patched up with pool patches or even bike patches on either side, something that's adhesive but not toxically adhesive kind of thing (I will do some research!)

I have weighed up the pros and cons, here's a list (that I can think of)

Pros:
A lot cheaper then most metal play pens I've seen online and in stores
Sturdier then a cardboard play pen
Foldable to a "panel" length
Has a floor (questionable pro, but for now it's a pro.)
Can be brought in different sizes to suit hamster size & space available.
Quick and easy temporary fix with little to no finances.

Cons:
Thin, ability for hamster to chew through in no time at all. (With supervision this can easily be managed)
No way to sufficiently have a water bottle, (will probably use a toilet roll tube with a hole in to utilise the spare bottle I have, and to ensure water is available at all times in the play pen, but more of a pain due to other play pens having wires and the nylon play pen having space for a water bottle).
Can't be climbed up (from what I gather, the proof would be on arrival & use!)

Anyone else think of any pros or cons? I want to really weigh them up before I buy this, I have a temporary cardboard attempt, but I'm no DIY expert, it won't last long at all knowing my track record! Would you buy one of these if it got to a point where needs must?

Thanks

[racinghamster]

That isn`t too bad Gemma as long as it`s (as you say) escape proof! It looks not to have any gaps or holes in the corners and if it has a mesh bottom, you could always lay an old bed sheet over it while supervised or make a cardboard floor of some kind. The walls are high enough and no bars to break a hamsters teeth either. As you say, hamsters chew, but if your going to be watching or even kneeling inside the pen with her, it`s cheap enough at the price. Your on the right track though. x

[Gemma_xo]

The escape proof will come in time when I actually have the pool here, if I do choose to go this route. But, with supervision I'm sure it will be escape proof because I will be super vigilant
I have a cardboard box flattened out big enough that the pool would be on it anyway so if the bottom is mesh or not, it's going to sit on the cardboard as I have carpets and I'm sure Pixie would be happier with a sturdy "floor" to run around on, not a bumpy carpet xD
x

[Amys_Mum]

I have one for Harvey - see my thread about exercise and you'll see what was in it tonight!

The bottom is made from the same material as the sides, although she has been known to try to burrow and chew into a corner. So we don't leave her totally alone (although my 7 year old isn't all that helpful, I just get summoned "Muuuum, Harvey's trying to escape") - for the most part, my daughter is 'supervising' whilst I'm doing a spot clean on the cage so I'm usually in the room as well. One thing I didn't appreciate was that the play pen was totally open, so she may have been trying to get into the corner because she felt exposed - so now we have the hamster teepee, although an upturned tissue or shoe box with an opening would have done the trick (and I may still revert to that, given she tries to chew the teepee too).

One of the attractions for me was how small it folded down - but, this does seem to have messed up the wires and now it doesn't quite go into the neat shape it did before. That's folding it into the single panel, and then twisting the panel into a circle so it fitted back in it's little pouch. That may have been down to the husband not knowing how to get the twisting right, or it may be that it's just not designed to be handled like that every day! I'd say if you are able to store it as a single flat panel, you'd be fine though.

[Piebald]

Puppy play pens are similar. Someone got one recently and is loving it. It's big enough for her to sit inside. I think it was a Leopet.
I had a puppy play pen a while ago (for a rehabilitating dog) and you do have to be careful about folding it back up the right way so as not to bend the wires-- and the directions were not great.

[Esmy]

If you can find coroplast (corrugated plastic) for cheap, either online or at a sign store that uses it (think asking to buy their scraps), they make great playpens! They are easy to score on one side to bend to make sides, not easy to chew if an edge is not exposed, and easy to wipe off. They would last a lot longer than cardboard too.

[Jen250]

Originally Posted by Piebald

Puppy play pens are similar. Someone got one recently and is loving it. It's big enough for her to sit inside. I think it was a Leopet.

That's me! I got this recently, and it's working out really well. There's a lot of room in it, and it's tall enough that he can't climb out. It's not perfect though. He still needs to be closely supervised in case he decides to start chewing the material in order to escape, but so far, he has so many toys in there he hasn't tried. I also put a blanket over the plastic floor so that it's nicer for him. The best part about it is that Hubble really loves it. He's a very active and happy hamster when he's in there. It makes me wish I could have a cage that size for him!