About the Ikea detolf..

[strwbie]

Okay, so I was thinking of using one of the glass shelves that comes with the detolf to use in the middle of the display case, so basically having two spots for two hamsters.
I would like to do this because: It saves space, looks nice, and the floorspace is 544 sq inches when you split it in half, so above minimum requirement.
I was wondering if two hamsters being able to see eachother through the glass, do yall think that would stress them out? Ive heard of hamsters giving eachother death glares when they were in tanks next to eachother.

Also I hope the explanation for the set up makes sense!

PS: I like to think that im the first person who has thought of this

[strwbie]

Turns out I am not the first person to think of this…

[LunaTheHamster1]

yes, sorry to tell you that lots of people have thought of this and done it in the past

Less people seem to be doing it these days as 1.) it's really not enough room for 2 hamsters, just because something is above this minimum that everyone quotes it doesn't mean that a hamster will always thrive in a space that size and 2.) there is always the chance that the divider comes away (not 100% sure how people secured it). Personally, it's not something I would risk with my hamsters.

Good size for 1 hamster though.

[AmityvilleHams]

I would really not recommend it. That amount of floor space might work for some of the smaller dwarf species, but once you divide a detolf in half the amount of floor space really isn't that good unfortunately.

For a much better space saving option you could look into some sort of shelving system where you could have multiple nicely sized cages stacked vertically. It may not look as nice as a single detolf divided, but it'll be better for the hamsters which is much more important. It's also far more secure than just dividing a detolf!

[Petite]

As some folk may remember, I divided my detolf. The divider is wood, and as my current pair aren't serious chewers it has worked very well. (OH has made it very secure, but also removable, so I convert back to one large cage if needed). I have a dwarf in one side, and a robo in the other. They don't seem bothered at all by each other's scents, and have lived very happily for several months in cages that have had custom-built shelves added, and hanging hides to accommodate different levels and interest. So while it may not be the ideal, it can work.

[strwbie]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

I would really not recommend it. That amount of floor space might work for some of the smaller dwarf species, but once you divide a detolf in half the amount of floor space really isn't that good unfortunately.

For a much better space saving option you could look into some sort of shelving system where you could have multiple nicely sized cages stacked vertically. It may not look as nice as a single detolf divided, but it'll be better for the hamsters which is much more important. It's also far more secure than just dividing a detolf!

Oh definitely. In the past I had 3 bin cages stacked on eachother (with mesh on the front of course) but man that’s disappointing, That kind of setup wouldve looked so clean.

[Ria P]

Doesn't have to be a detolf. Two Ikea linmons next to each other would look neat.