To small for a hamster?

Taylor · 04-14-2016, 12:17 PM

Was told on instagram that my cage was better but not good enough. I try to give my hamster the best life I can but I also have 2 human babies under the age of 2 to care for. I would love your feedback on anyway I can improve. The cage is 24 in long and 16 in width and 24 in high

jessjunipan · 04-14-2016, 03:13 PM

Hey, welcome,

I think it is probably too small really but bigger than so poor hamsters get so you're on the right track. Google the Barney cage it reasonably price, it has a tray so your hamster can dig down a little.
Also maybe try and find a different place to put the cage, the noise from the fridge/freezer may drive it nut, also may be temperate issues.

You've come to the right place, loads of nice people who will help you make your hamsters life is great, but try not to worry too much about getting everything right straight away, you can make changes as you go and upgrade him as and when you can

Saying that I think it's a pretty sweet set up

Pebbles82 · 04-14-2016, 03:35 PM

I think it looks nice too

It is too small really unfortunately, but mainly it's quite tall and that can be an issue with fall risks - although you have almost a full level in there which would prevent most falls, but a fall from the roof down the gap to the floor could cause injury, especially if there's anything hard like wood or ceramic to land on.

The Barney isn't available in the US unfortunately! There are very few suitable sized cages available in the US - and they're usually quite expensive. So I can see your issue. A lot of US Members get tanks or make bin cages or diy cages for that reason. But if you prefer a cage and your hammy is used to a cage then another cage could be an option but they tend to be $100 to $150. Whereas when the have the $ a gallon sale you can get a 40 gallon tank for $40 which is a good size (about 30" to 40" long I think).

A good option is the detolf which costs $60, but it does mean a little bit of diy if you don't mind that. To make a lid out of wood and mesh. Otherwise it's just an Ikea glass cabinet - which you tip on its side and leave the door off and put the diy lid on top.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ha...K2BGwQ_AUIBigB

This is a good cage for a Syrian and the best price at the moment (I just asked a US member for the link the other day!)

MARCHIORO GORAN RAT CAGE | Sundown Supply Company

AmityvilleHams · 04-14-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor

Was told on instagram that my cage was better but not good enough. I try to give my hamster the best life I can but I also have 2 human babies under the age of 2 to care for. I would love your feedback on anyway I can improve. The cage is 24 in long and 16 in width and 24 in high

I'd recommend making bin cages!They can be a lot larger and very cheap too,so with you needing to not spend too much money it's definitely a better idea than buying a brand new wire cage from a different country or anything like that.

freyashamsters · 04-15-2016, 12:43 AM

I'd recommend either the Barney, Alexander or Maxi Duna. All are about 100x50cm so far above the minimum (80x50cm). You can get the Barney brand new for £50 which is an excellent price and the Alexander for £70 - perfect if you have the money for it! The Maxi Duna is a bit hard to find without monstrous postage costs (it's a heavy item so postage is very pricey

) but you can get it on Amazon second-hand for around £50

AmityvilleHams · 04-15-2016, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freyashamsters

I'd recommend either the Barney, Alexander or Maxi Duna. All are about 100x50cm so far above the minimum (80x50cm). You can get the Barney brand new for £50 which is an excellent price and the Alexander for £70 - perfect if you have the money for it! The Maxi Duna is a bit hard to find without monstrous postage costs (it's a heavy item so postage is very pricey

) but you can get it on Amazon second-hand for around £50

All are lovely cages but they aren't available in the US

CMB · 04-15-2016, 02:22 AM

A rat cage can be OK for a Syrian hamster. Just need to set up extra levels/platforms if it is a tall cage to minimise the risk of falls.

herbi7 · 04-15-2016, 03:02 AM

I had a marchiorio Rene as my first cage for willow which I later upgraded to an Alaska. I think u can get the marchiorio cages in the US they've marketed as rat cages but really good for Syrian hams. Not dwarf as the bar spacing is too wide. I like your cage actually. I think we forget that in the old days no one had the right size cage for a ham but with enough care and out of the cage time they could still have happy lives. It's harder work though as you're making up a lack if the cage isn't big enough so as you're busy probably best to try and upgrade and have them as happy at home as poss.

Pebbles82 · 04-15-2016, 03:18 AM

I linked the Marchioro Goran above, and I think there is one called the Ferret and Rat cage (that is the same as the Mamble) - that would be similar to what you have now but more floor space - there's an 80cm one and a 100cm one. I didn't link it though as last time I looked it was about $190! It's about the same height as the one you have now, so would either need a full level or a few overlapping shelves so there's no drop from the top right through to the bottom.

I think Amityville's suggestion of a bin cage is good - it's a cheaper option - there are a number of tutorials on how to make them in various places (on here and on youtube). I believe you can get Christmas Tree bins in the US which are a good size. If you really don't want to do any diy, a tank would probably be the next cheapest option and you are lucky to be able to buy those Zilla mesh tops for tanks in the US - we have to make mesh lids in the Uk. I think someone said recently that the $ a gallon sale was still on at Petco if you want to check that out.

Are there other Marchioro Rat cages Herbi? I only really know the Goran - it's a good height for a Syrian but taller ones can be sorted with shelves.

souffle · 04-15-2016, 03:54 AM

How is your hamster behaving in the cage? Does it seem happy and content? Is it healthy and seem to have normal activity levels and interaction with the family?
I think it looks a decent set up and two levels at 2ft long each level is really quite a large space. Your kids can also enjoy being able to see the hamster and if you allow him plenty out time and he seems content I wouldn't pay over much attention to comments from the net. It is a little high but that could be helped by adding another level. Does he climb?