Help needed FAST

[foxta1l]

Hi guys!
I really don't know where on the forum this thread should be, so sorry if I put this thread on a wrong place! And sorry for wrong grammar and spelling! But okay, I made this DIY cage using some sort of a wood plate(?) and I also painted it with a type of paint which my dad said was non toxic, but I do not know really if it is non-toxic for hamsters though. But everytime I got a new hamster and put them in that cage they would die in just a couple of months! And my sister has almost the exact same cage but the only difference is that she did not use paint, and her hamster has been living there for 1 and a half year without any problems, and my hamsters just dies. And I was woundering if it might be the paint? I'm woundering because I'm getting a new hamster next week, and if it is the cage that is the cause of the deaths, i would like to get a new cage before i get my new hamster! And everytime one of the hammies died i would sanitice everything, so there would be no germs. But i really hope you guys have any ideas of what could cause the deaths, i do think it is the paint though, If it is anything deadly in the cage I WILL GET RID OF IT! thank you for the answeres.

[cypher]

It's hard to say but most paints other than Plastikote are considered unsafe to use so if your hams chewed it that could have been a problem, there are other things to consider like adequate ventilation in the cage, the substrate you use, what you feed them.
I wouldn't use the cage again if it's even a possible contributing factor or cause but I would also consider every aspect of hamster care & see if there are any other things you may need to change too.

[BrainGirl]

To be on the safe side I would get a new cage.

I think it is worth trying to determine the cause though. Did your hamsters show any symptoms before they died? Did they chew at the cage at all? Do you happen to know the type of paint your Dad used?

[Mama2six]

I would also HIGHLY recommend replacing the cage. It is too much to be a coincidence when multiple hamsters have died.

When I was a teenager, and we moved, our new house seed to kill my hamsters after a few months, every time. I never did confirm it, because it could have been a fluke, but I decided to not risk buying another hamster. Better safe than sorry!

You have it easy... You can just replace the cage.

[Pebbles82]

You're right - it can't be a co-incidence. Nearly all paints and varnishes are toxic to small animals unless it is one of the few that say pet-safe (and I only know of Plastikote - which is water based and doesn't really smell of anything).

The problem is, hamsters chew so they would be eating the wood preservative or varnish or whatever. They also have a highly tuned sense of smell and smells can be overpowering for them. (Which is why cleaning products need to be low odour and petsafe too - I only ever use warm water, and rarely washing up liquid then a good rinse).

I think it would be wise to get a new cage. Do you prefer wood? There are some excellent hamster cages on Zooplus at good prices - good sizes for hammies. Standard cage types, but also some wood type ones.

The Barney is popular at just under £50. Suitable for dwarf or Syrian hamsters as narrow bar spacing (although it would need setting up carefully for a dwarf hamster).

Is it a dwarf or Syrian you are getting? Anyway these are all suitable for Syrians

Barney Pet Cage | Great deals at zooplus!

The Alaska is smaller but still meets minimum floor size recommendations and is about £32

Alaska Hamster Cage | Free P&P on orders £29+ at zooplus!

The Alexander has a second level and costs a bit more

Great deals on small pet cages at zooplus: Alexander Small Pet Cage

TBH if it's for a Syrian you can't go wrong with a Barney cage.

This is also suitable for a Syrian or dwarf hamster (Maxi Duna Tank).

Cage Maxi Duna Multy

For Dwarf hamsters as well there is the Kerry Terrarium - also has narrow bar spacing:

Hamster Cages: great selection at zooplus: Small Pet Terrarium Kerry

Depends how much you want to spend! There are more expensive cages and tank style cages!

If you prefer wood, someone on here has this one. It's flatpack. when you put it together you can swap the front panel so the door is at the top (allowing for deep substrate at the bottom). I personally wouldn't fancy all that painting with plastikote paint! But it's a great size.

Songmics XXL Wooden Hamster Cage Guinea Rodent House Mice Cage 115x60x58cm PHC001: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

Meanwhile - if there are any other things you want to know, ask away. In case there is something else that could be a cause, but it does sound like it might have been the paint.

eg. Best to leave them to settle in for the first 2 or 3 days without too much excitement. Plenty of substrate and torn up white toiet paper to build a nest with. Good hamster mix and make sure water bottle is working each day.

My Grandma had 24 budgies die on her in close succession. She was very attached to the last one and was so upset she had an autopsy done it. They had died of lead poisoning. She used to let them fly free in the room and they would sit and peck at the old leaded windows.

[foxta1l]

Thanks for all the answeres! I will get a new cage! And I'm getting a syrian, I will take a look at the cages above!

[Hdiamond]

I need help, I have a robo hamster and somehow I got paint on her. What should I do . I’m scared. The pain is also dried