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Old 05-20-2016, 09:53 AM   #1
Orion
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Default Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

Hi has anyone got a Omlet Qute cage https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/hamster...4a42d337935f7/

My friend just got one. Thanks
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Old 05-20-2016, 11:10 AM   #2
Cinnamon Bear
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

Hi, I just watched that video. The cage is too small & you can see the hamster arching his back on that exercise wheel. The levels don't count for room, the lower level is what matters concerning minimum hamster cages which I think in the UK is 80 x 50 cm

It used to be 360 sq in here in the US but now I think it's a 40 gal tank that is the new standard, 720 sq in
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Old 05-20-2016, 11:23 AM   #3
Hammyholic
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

Hi there. I think these cages are marketed mainly as they may seem aesthetically appealling to some but in reality, are much too small. The vertical tube to the second level would be almost impossible for even the most seasoned of climbers to scale. I've also read somewhere on here, that some hamsters have managed to push open the tank/drawer at the bottom and subsequently escape. If your friend hasn't yet purchased, I would advise them to have a look on zooplus as they stock quite a few great cages for a reasonable price but if the tank style is what is appealing, there's a few to choose from... I have the Kerry terrarium for my robo and the living world Eco habitat which albeit, is pricey, it is a fantastic cage (I one for each Syrian) and they allow for large wheels, deep substrate, hides etc and plenty of floor space. If you have a search on here, I'm sure you'll find some more information and thoughts on the Qute cage. Hope this helps
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Old 05-20-2016, 11:42 AM   #4
Orion
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

Unfortunately she has already purchased it for a dwarf hamster. �� I am moving my dwarf from his 4ft tank to a converted detolf so I would have a spare tank.

I just need to find a way to get her to change them over. Had I known she was getting a hamster I would have advised against getting this cage.

The idea of a good looking spacious hamster living space is great but just not this design.
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Old 05-20-2016, 11:42 AM   #5
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

It's a great concept - if it was bigger, didn't have a vertical tube, didn't have a partly mesh floor and was escape proof!

They are not really considered to be suitable hamster housing really - far too small. And when a hamster gets older it wouldn't be able to get up and down the tube. Mesh flooring can give them an unpleasant foot condition that needs vet treatment.

I would try being very tactful with your friend and suggesting she ask for a refund (they are expensive cages!). There are much better alternatives to give a hamster a suitable home and if she is happy to spend that amount of money, there are also some very nice looking tanks for a similar price.

They key is the floor area - they need it to have normal hamster behaviours such as digging, exploring roaming and so on. The Hamster Heaven is a good sized cage and costs a lot less. A number of people have successfully got refunds even after a cage has been used, saying it's too small or not suitable.

One of the reasons for needing more space and width is to fit in the things that a Syrian needs for a happy healthy life - like a decent sized house or hide that's dark inside and they can build a nest in, and syrian sized wheel they can run in without having an arched back. Arching of the back can also lead to pain and spinal problems and vet bills.

Sorry to put a damper on it. They market it well and it looks attractive but it's not suitable housing for a hammy.

If you look on zooplus there is a good range of cages that are suitable - the Alexander, Barney, Alaska and Hamster Heaven (there also cages on there that are too small). The Marrackesch terrarium looks similar to the Qute but is more suitable as it's lower and longer. Not cheap though.

Hamster Cages | great selection at zooplus
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Old 05-20-2016, 12:40 PM   #6
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

Serendipity is right, it's a great concept but just not a great cage. Id agree to tactfully making suggestions but ultimately, if she's already purchased then you might not get far. I was in a similar position with a new colleague. We got talking about our mutual love of hamsters and as his hammy had recently passed, he planned on getting another but was looking to purchase a new cage beforehand. I made loads of suggestions but he lives in a small 1 b/r flat and in the end decided on a modular for his new syrian. It was tough to school my opinion and so I totally understand that it's difficult not to be overly passionate about it but if you're close friends then maybe it might be easier to make those suggestions more frank but still tactful lol idk, that's a tough one. My colleagues hamster actually got stuck in one of the tubes, thankfully, she was completely unharmed but it led to him texting me to ask what the cages were that I suggested and he ended up shelling out more money and was stuck with a cage that he reaslised was just a waste of money... I think he went with the barney. Maybe explain that in the long run, if she bought a bigger cage now, it would work out cheaper and lead to a happier hamster. Good luck and fingers crossed it all works out! X
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Old 05-20-2016, 12:46 PM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

Good advice there from Hammyholic. We also started with an unsuitable cage and had a hammy got stuck in rotostak tubes. And I quickly bought an 80 x 50 cage - and paid double the cost of a hamster cage as a result!

I did read a review of the Qute somewhere that said hammies can push the bottom plastic bin out from behind and get out that way, so it could have escape issues too.
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Old 05-20-2016, 01:55 PM   #8
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

Unfortunately, it's not a suitable cage. It has mesh flooring, a vertical tube that I doubt most hamsters could scale and is far too small, not to mention the price! For £10 less she could have got an Alexander, the biggest cage marketed for hamsters. Can she return it and get a refund? Try to be tactful and maybe even offer her your old 4ft tank until she can get a suitable cage
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Old 05-20-2016, 02:39 PM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

That's an idea! You could suggest that you have a great 4 foot tank you could let her have that would be an ideal set up for a Syrian and that she could try and get a refund for the Qute as it wouldn't be good long term and she would have to end up buying something else if her hammy couldn't get up the tube with age or escaped regularly. Very hard to do these things, especially when someone really likes the design and says they don't have space for anything else. Good luck though. Suggestions like helping to rearrange the room and being creative with storage might help.
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Old 05-21-2016, 03:51 AM   #10
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Default Re: Omlet Qute hamster and gerbil cage

They do make solid floors for the Qute where the venting is on the side, if she's not going to part with the cage. https://www.omlet.us/shop/hamsters_a...-_solid_floor/ Doesn't fix the cage size of course.
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