Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Housing

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-29-2016, 07:11 AM   #1
Crayolalaura
Hamster Pup
 
Crayolalaura's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 91
Default Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Literally only had this for a day but I already have opinions on it LOL

So quick background from me- this was a spur of the moment choice. I love PAH for their selection of toys and food but do not like their hamster cage choices never have done.
Anyway my beautiful Syrian passed away after a suspected stroke at 2.5 years on December 18th and I wasn't planning on getting any more for a while but I decided my next eventually would be a/or a pair of Russian dwar(ves)f
Yesterday I spotted this beautiful little Russian dwarf female for adoption, 5 months old and she was easily handled and very timid. I have the IMac Fantasy cages for Syrians but I did not believe this would be at all suitable for a dwarf hamster so I knew I'd have to chose a new cage there and then and no other pet stores near by so I went with with this as the lesser of other evils LOL

They were saying to me this cage is good for a pair- I'm not so sure about that but I figured it'd be good for a single dwarfie
I like the cage itself- not the biggest but it's good enough (and I like to set up separate activity bin cages)
I like that the see through plastic half comes off easily and I like to sit my hand near her and let her get used to me and stroke her which is easier to do than just putting your hand through a cage door (in my experience anyway)
I like that the bottom blue half is deep enough for a good amount of bedding for burrowing
These Pros are what is NOT making me take the cage back

But the cons:
Ok BIGGEST con is that the lid doesn't seem to fit on properly. I need to have a proper sit down and put hammy somewhere else so I can see where the issue lies but it doesnt on the edge of the blue bottom-half right. There is a gap-not big enough to escape or even get stuck but there shouldn't be this gap

There is a wire cage top door on top of the lid which is a pain to open and not at all quiet. I will only use this to hang stuff off I think.

The rest of the cons are with the accessories which aren't so bad as easily replaced- wheel squeaks, bottle leaks, I think the reason why the lid won't close is because of the white platform/hideaway is in the way around the edges. That platform is too slippy and tbg I plan on taking it all out and putting wooden house or bridge or something there for her and getting a bottle holder

So basically scrap the accessories and so long as I figure out what's going on with this lid I'd recommend this for a single dwarf but also recommend a separate activity bin cage just for a little break from the area as it's not huge once you start filling it with toys and hideaways

Don't get this for a Syrian and I'm not wholly convinced it's ok for pairs but maybe I'm wrong on that

Anyone else had this cage? What were your thoughts?
Lots of the same complaints as mine on the reviews on the website

Hopefully the attached pictures work- no this is obviously not my permanent set up for her LOL I need to clean and steam old toys and get new ones which I didn't have time to do yesterday so please ignore how pathetic her set up is right now
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0002.JPG (1.28 MB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0003.JPG (1.20 MB, 37 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0004.JPG (697.3 KB, 24 views)
Crayolalaura is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 09:35 AM   #2
alpacassei
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
alpacassei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1,109
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Honestly, I think it's too small for any hamster, especially Syrians and pairs. The measurements are the same as the mini duna but that's only just big enough for single dwarf hamsters because of the huge second floor. I was in Pets at Home last week and there were cages half the size of that one being advertised for Syrians or dwarf pairs! Then there's those single rotastak circle cages the size of a small pizza that they say are suitable for Syrians! those poor hamsters who have to live in such tiny cages...

She should be fine until you get a bigger cage though (she'll be used to the tiny pet shop cage this will seem like a mansion in comparison). My pair has been in a mini duna for 2 months because that was the biggest available cage when I bought them and they're only just getting unhappy with their cage size (their new cage will be arriving soon). In my experience, Syrians are more likely need a larger cage sooner than dwarfs.

TL;DR she'll be fine for now but get her a bigger cage when you can.
I reccommend the larger duna cages or making a bin cage.

Last edited by Fluffagrams; 12-29-2016 at 10:02 AM.
alpacassei is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 09:47 AM   #3
flowerfairy
Fluffy Hamsters
 
flowerfairy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 4,231
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

What a sweet cage. I like the design of it but agree with you about the accessories.

I found zooplus really good for cages. The alaska and the barney being two of my favourites. The barney has nice narrow bar spacing.

If you like that style of cage then a really useful bin might be good or one of the dunas as suggested by alpacassei.

It is often a good idea to start with a small cage for easy taming. You could buy a bigger cage and use it as her play space for a bit until she gets used it. Best of luck.
__________________
flowerfairy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 09:49 AM   #4
Crayolalaura
Hamster Pup
 
Crayolalaura's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 91
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Quote:
Originally Posted by alpacassei View Post
Honestly, I think it's too small for any hamster, especially Syrians and pairs. The measurements are the same as the mini duna but that's only just big enough for single dwarf hamsters because of the huge second floor. I was in Pets at Home last week and there were cages half the size of that one being advertised for Syrians or dwarf pairs! Then there's those single rotastak circle cages the size of a small pizza that they say are suitable for Syrians! those poor hamsters who have to live in such tiny cages...

She should be fine until you get a bigger cage though (she'll be used to the tiny pet shop cage this will seem like a mansion in comparison). My pair has been in a mini duna for 2 months because that was the biggest available cage when I bought them and they're only just getting unhappy with their cage size (their new cage will be arriving soon). In my experience, Syrians are more likely need a larger cage sooner than dwarfs.

TL;DR she'll be fine for now but get her a bigger cage when you can.
I reccommend the larger duna cages or making a bin cage.
Totally agree- I think those cages that are tiny and recommended for Syrians- No. maybe to travel with or just a temporary thing but otherwise no. Makes me so angry. I've said to people buying those cages to be prepared to get a bigger case in 8 weeks because that is not going to be suitable and these people have no clue because pet shops don't tell them they just need to sell the cages and damn the customers who realise these cages are totally impractical!
I think this does seem like a mansion to her compared to those in the shop!
so long as she's happy though

Last edited by Fluffagrams; 12-29-2016 at 10:03 AM.
Crayolalaura is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 09:51 AM   #5
Crayolalaura
Hamster Pup
 
Crayolalaura's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 91
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Quote:
Originally Posted by flowerfairy View Post
What a sweet cage. I like the design of it but agree with you about the accessories.

I found zooplus really good for cages. The alaska and the barney being two of my favourites. The barney has nice narrow bar spacing.

If you like that style of cage then a really useful bin might be good or one of the dunas as suggested by alpacassei.

It is often a good idea to start with a small cage for easy taming. You could buy a bigger cage and use it as her play space for a bit until she gets used it. Best of luck.
Yes I've been seeing a lot on here about the barney cage so I'll do some proper looking soon
Crayolalaura is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 10:14 AM   #6
Fluffagrams
Moderator
 
Fluffagrams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 3,640
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

May I just remind people when posting in these review threads that every hamster is different and the size and set up of the cage should reflect their individual needs. Some hamsters thrive in a larger cage while others feel more secure in a more enclosed space and this cage (and those of a similar size) is, for some hamsters, the most suitable option for their needs.

Comments regarding the sizing of cages remain the opinions of individual members and do not represent a general rule.
Fluffagrams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 12:09 PM   #7
BubblesHamster
Hamster Pup
 
BubblesHamster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: North West England
Posts: 95
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Hiya
I had this cage as a temporary cage when my WW hamsters started to fight. try turning the lid around because I had a gap and once turning the lid around the gap closed. Also the lid becomes quieter the more it is used. Hope this helpsXx
__________________
Owned by Misty, my little monkey
Play well over the rainbow bridge Midnight, Toffee, Willow, Rowan & Sooty
BubblesHamster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 01:28 PM   #8
Crayolalaura
Hamster Pup
 
Crayolalaura's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 91
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fluffagrams View Post
May I just remind people when posting in these review threads that every hamster is different and the size and set up of the cage should reflect their individual needs. Some hamsters thrive in a larger cage while others feel more secure in a more enclosed space and this cage (and those of a similar size) is, for some hamsters, the most suitable option for their needs.

Comments regarding the sizing of cages remain the opinions of individual members and do not represent a general rule.
Oh yes absolutely!! The ones I was referring to in my comment about the pets at home ones are the ones I think are ridiculously small ones which are only meant to be temporary but they don't explain this to newbies and so they end up forking out more more money for a bigger cage or don't realise and hammy is stuck in a very very small cage

Last edited by Fluffagrams; 12-29-2016 at 01:36 PM.
Crayolalaura is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 01:29 PM   #9
Crayolalaura
Hamster Pup
 
Crayolalaura's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 91
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Quote:
Originally Posted by BubblesHamster View Post
Hiya
I had this cage as a temporary cage when my WW hamsters started to fight. try turning the lid around because I had a gap and once turning the lid around the gap closed. Also the lid becomes quieter the more it is used. Hope this helpsXx
Yes I just realised earlier that the lid goes on in a particular way- still not fitting right though LOL I think it's just me being dense here!
Crayolalaura is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2016, 01:55 PM   #10
alpacassei
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
alpacassei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1,109
Default Re: Pets At Home- medium plastic hamster home

Quote:
Originally Posted by flowerfairy View Post
I found zooplus really good for cages. The alaska and the barney being two of my favourites. The barney has nice narrow bar spacing.
Zooplus are usually good for toys and accessories too. Also portonaquapets have a sale on hamster cages right now.
alpacassei is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cage, good, lid, dwarf, easily, set, hamster, lol, toys, top, cages, recommend, bottle, accessories, biggest, hand, blue, door, putting, half, cons, separate, bin, activity, single

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:57 AM.