Which cage?

[pinkneon]

So someone here came in my room and asked if it was an option to get Sweep a SMALLER cage. (Their reason was that when I go to clean out the cage I will "waste too much bedding") I said no, and tried to explain about the RSPCA guidelines on cage sizes. They said that "many families have smaller cages than you" to which my response was that those cages are (probably) the ones pet shops buy that are aimed more at children than hamsters!
Anyway, at the same time I brought up that I'm getting Sweep a new cage. Went through reasons such as his toys are so big there isn't much room, but my main issue about the door being on the top and not on the sides ...
I was planning on getting the Alexander, but now I'm wondering if I'd be better with the Alaska (so they can't complain about the size)? Although the Alaska is slightly shorter than the Maxi Duna, it does have a shelf which adds extra space. However, I've had an Alexander before, and loved it, but I am again worried about the comments.
I am really struggling to get them to understand that Sweep NEEDS lots of space! They said he wouldn't grow much bigger, so a smaller cage wouldn't matter. I'm sticking to my guns about him being in a cage big enough. What I am wondering though, is whether it is worth getting the Alaska instead of the Alexander? It is smaller than the Alexander, and also shorter than my current cage. BUT it has the extra level. I am worried that Sweep might still be unhappy in that cage. Or should I just go ahead and order the Alexander anyway? It is a little longer than the current cage, and has 2 levels. I know it is big enough to add enough toys for Sweep.
OR is there another cage I could get? Both the Alexander and Alaska don't have particularly deep bases, which this one has and I like because he likes digging. Also because this cage is all plastic with just the bars at the top, I can put in a lot of substrate, which I couldn't necessarily do in the Alexander or Alaska as he could kick it all out ... Though the Alexander comes with that HUGE bed, which could be filled right up, which could be good ...

[freyashamsters]

I'd say to go with the Alexander. We originally planned to get it but the price was a bit unreasonable for us. If your worried about the depth of the base, it is the deepest base I can find in a commercial hamster cage - its 17cm. With that, you can provide more than and adequate amount of substrate without (or at least minimal!) substrate being kicked out. Hope I helped

[Pebbles82]

I'd also go with the Alexander. I think the base is the same size - 17cm? The shelf doesn't really make up for the floorspace in the Alaska. The Alexander would be a good upgrade. The Alaska would be a bit of a downgrade from what he has now.

I know it's tough with peoples' opinions. But stick to your guns and do something nice for them and be a help to people and keep smiling Assertiveness can help too. I read a book about it once. You basically, calmly keep repeating what you believe/want to say. eg

Them "Your hamster doesn't need a cage that big, it's silly.
You "I've done my research and it's the ideal size cage for a Syrian hamster".
Them "But he's only little, a smaller one would be more practical"
You "Yes a smaller one would be a bit easier, but I've done my research and it's the ideal size for a Syrian Hamster".
Them "It's too big to lift and you'll use too much bedding"
You "The top lifts off quite easily for cleaning. I've done my research and the more bedding you put in, the less you waste, because it means you can spot clean. Plus the hamster is toilet trained and uses a potty"

That last bit usually shuts them up - people can't believe hamsters can be toilet trained!

If all else fails you could try

"I've made my decision based on research and I'm happy with it, and it would make me happy if you would accept it".

[pinkneon]

Thanks. Not sure how deep the base is one the Maxi Duna (current cage) but because there are no bars on it - except te roof! - I can add sooooooooooo much substrate and he does love digging! The base on this one looks quite deep - to me it looks like half the depth of the whole thing put together! Might go measure it if I can find one of those tape things to measure it with as I don't have a ruler LOL

[pinkneon]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I'd also go with the Alexander. I think the base is the same size - 17cm? The shelf doesn't really make up for the floorspace in the Alaska. The Alexander would be a good upgrade. The Alaska would be a bit of a downgrade from what he has now.

I know it's tough with peoples' opinions. But stick to your guns and do something nice for them and be a help to people and keep smiling Assertiveness can help too. I read a book about it once. You basically, calmly keep repeating what you believe/want to say. eg

Them "Your hamster doesn't need a cage that big, it's silly.
You "I've done my research and it's the ideal size cage for a Syrian hamster".
Them "But he's only little, a smaller one would be more practical"
You "Yes a smaller one would be a bit easier, but I've done my research and it's the ideal size for a Syrian Hamster".
Them "It's too big to lift and you'll use too much bedding"
You "The top lifts off quite easily for cleaning. I've done my research and the more bedding you put in, the less you waste, because it means you can spot clean. Plus the hamster is toilet trained and uses a potty"

That last bit usually shuts them up - people can't believe hamsters can be toilet trained!

If all else fails you could try

"I've made my decision based on research and I'm happy with it, and it would make me happy if you would accept it".

LOL I wish he was toilet trained! He uses the sand for digging rather than as a potty - to be honest I aven't actually found a wee corner ... I don't know why!
Could also try the "well, it's MY money, and he's MY pet" card ... Or maybe I could show them photos of people using Detolf's (which I would LOVE but we don't have the space here!) and say that the Alexander is "so much smaller than the detolf" LOL
If all else fails then I guess I try redirecting them to HC

[pinkneon]

Sorry, meant Barney not the Alaska! For some reason I keep getting confused between them both!!

[AmityvilleHams]

I hate to be the one to jump in and point this out but,why not a DIY?They're honestly not that difficult if you just take a few moments and relax beforehand then just figure out how to attach certain things!

Not only would a DIY be as large as you want,but it would also allow for the most possible substrate making it even more suitable than any premade cage on the market.You can customize the design itself to have levels,built in climbing frames,mesh parts to hang extra toys and a water bottle,and more.Overall a DIY cage is the most suitable for hamsters,as long as it is actually made well.

It makes cleaning easier,makes less waste of substrate,allows for better ventilation and stimulation,allows for proper burrowing,allows for much more fun things,and more.Overall I would recommend a DIY cage above all other cages,considering how little substrate wire cages can hold and how little ventilation a tank would have in comparison let alone the cost of a tank that is even comparable in size to a DIY cage if you make it very large.

[freyashamsters]

Originally Posted by pinkneon

Sorry, meant Barney not the Alaska! For some reason I keep getting confused between them both!!

Oh okay lol! Well seeing as they are effectively the same size in floor space, it's wouldn't matter. If you want your hamster to have even more floorspace (the benefit of the platform!) then I'd go with the Alexander. One thing I'd recommend doing in placing a hammock between the levels as its a fairly tall cage and your hamster could get injured if they fell off it

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by freyashamsters

Oh okay lol! Well seeing as they are effectively the same size in floor space, it's wouldn't matter. If you want your hamster to have even more floorspace (the benefit of the platform!) then I'd go with the Alexander. One thing I'd recommend doing in placing a hammock between the levels as its a fairly tall cage and your hamster could get injured if they fell off it

My only frustration with hammocks is the simple fact that almost all species are terrestrial.It kind of makes platforms and hammocks and things like that very irrelevant and unnatural,so a cage much larger in floor space would actually be better.

[pinkneon]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

I hate to be the one to jump in and point this out but,why not a DIY?They're honestly not that difficult if you just take a few moments and relax beforehand then just figure out how to attach certain things!

Not only would a DIY be as large as you want,but it would also allow for the most possible substrate making it even more suitable than any premade cage on the market.You can customize the design itself to have levels,built in climbing frames,mesh parts to hang extra toys and a water bottle,and more.Overall a DIY cage is the most suitable for hamsters,as long as it is actually made well.

It makes cleaning easier,makes less waste of substrate,allows for better ventilation and stimulation,allows for proper burrowing,allows for much more fun things,and more.Overall I would recommend a DIY cage above all other cages,considering how little substrate wire cages can hold and how little ventilation a tank would have in comparison let alone the cost of a tank that is even comparable in size to a DIY cage if you make it very large.

I don't know anyone good at DIY and I wouldn't be able to make it myself. Could also take a long time and I'd ideally like to upgrade ASAP. I would LOVE a detolf but we don't have the space here Hopefully one day when I have my own place I will get one for a future ham!