Hemp matts

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

The eco habitat height includes the wheels . I think the actually height is 55cm internally.

I think 80cm would be too tall as well. 60cm height is fine - if you intend to have 30cm deep bedding for example. 50cm height is usually a good bet as you can have some areas with deeper bedding than others and not all hamsters take to really deep bedding.

Thank you. I am glad to have opinions from people who understand hamsters. I thought a hamster may feel squashed with 35cm space.

[Ria P]

[QUOTE=cloudy;958890]Thank you. I am glad to have opinions from people who understand hamsters. I thought a hamster may feel squashed with 35cm space.[/QUOTE

It's more the opposite. Hamsters live in burrows in the wilds and our pet hamsters like enclosed and sheltered spaces. They all love things like coconut hides and cork tunnels etc and don't like too much open space.

Usually, the only time their noses point upwards towards the lid of their enclosure is when they're trying to figure out an escape route.

[cloudy]

[QUOTE=Ria P;958891]

Originally Posted by cloudy

Thank you. I am glad to have opinions from people who understand hamsters. I thought a hamster may feel squashed with 35cm space.[/QUOTE

It's more the opposite. Hamsters live in burrows in the wilds and our pet hamsters like enclosed and sheltered spaces. They all love things like coconut hides and cork tunnels etc and don't like too much open space.

Usually, the only time their noses point upwards towards the lid of their enclosure is when they're trying to figure out an escape route.

Aww that is so cute. Thank you for explaining this to me. I really am grateful to all the lovely members of this forum.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I really am grateful to all the lovely members of this forum.

Same here. When i first arrived here, i was like, "i bought a hamster, NOW WHAT?!!"

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

Same here. When i first arrived here, i was like, "i bought a hamster, NOW WHAT?!!"

Haha that is how I feel already and I do not even have a hamster yet

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by cloudy

Thank you. I am glad to have opinions from people who understand hamsters. I thought a hamster may feel squashed with 35cm space.

35cm is low for cage height. For example the hamster heaven is about 36cm height internally and that's a lowish cage for a Syrian. With a barred cage, that lower height is quite important as they can monkey bar across the roof and fall and if they fall from a height there can be serious injuries. That cage is tall enough because you can't really fit more than 6" of bedding into the base.

The general rule of thumb is they shouldn't be able to fall more than 30cm and even then, not land on anything hard or sharp.

With a tank style the height is less of an issue as they shouldn't be able to get up to the roof level. Although some people with the eco habitat find they can! (Using the holes in the side to climb up and on top of something).

It does need some thinking about, what you're planning. I think 20cm depth of substrate is fine for most and if you use a good house they are unlikely to want to dig a burrow anyway. I tried the natural thing of no house and letting them dig a burrow and it was a stinky mess! Not only that the hamster wasn't happy either because it was a stinky mess. He would emerge with his ears flat not looking very happy. And stinky. In having to spot clean it it collapsed all the time too.

But when I added a large house he moved in straight away and made himself at home and abandoned his stinky burrow

Can you link which one it is? I had a look on their site and it does look low height. Does the lid cost extra?

Not sure if you've seen them but "Hamster Homes" has a very good range (the wood is already waterproofed when you buy it). In various different sizes and the heights are better. They cost a bit more though. She used to be a member on here - they started making their own cages as a business.

Extra Large Hamster Mouse & Gerbil Cage - 90x60cm or 120x60cm

These have a perspex front and a hinged meshed lid. They are 42cm high and I would say that is about right for a hamster.

Just read actually, they now supply the waterproofing stuff to paint the base with .

But they are expensive. Including the Manor one. For that price you could get a glass tank custom made. Or even an Exo Terra glass tank Terrarium with front opening doors. Giving good access. I have always wanted one of those! It is 90 x 45 x 45 tall - not the largest cage but a good size and a compromise between an 80cm or 100cm cage.

Personally I prefer cages - for a greater feeling of interaction, good ventilation and being able to give plenty of enrichment by means of attaching things to the roof and side bars.

I've used Hamster heaven sized cages and the 100cm Savic Plaza cage for syrians. And no worries about them chewing their way out of wood. Although there are some hamsters who would even chew through a plastic base! but that is usually only when the cage isn't big enough.

Do you know which species of hamster you want to get?

For example you could get the Savic Plaza for a lot less - usually £75. And have some spare money to buy a really good house/nesting box for it and some other items for the cage. I am currently using mine for a robo dwarf hamster - it's too tall to be safe for him so I cable tied cardboard round the inside bars and have much deeper bedding (so the height is reduced).

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

35cm is low for cage height. For example the hamster heaven is about 36cm height internally and that's a lowish cage for a Syrian. With a barred cage, that lower height is quite important as they can monkey bar across the roof and fall and if they fall from a height there can be serious injuries. That cage is tall enough because you can't really fit more than 6" of bedding into the base.

The general rule of thumb is they shouldn't be able to fall more than 30cm and even then, not land on anything hard or sharp.

With a tank style the height is less of an issue as they shouldn't be able to get up to the roof level. Although some people with the eco habitat find they can! (Using the holes in the side to climb up and on top of something).

It does need some thinking about, what you're planning. I think 20cm depth of substrate is fine for most and if you use a good house they are unlikely to want to dig a burrow anyway. I tried the natural thing of no house and letting them dig a burrow and it was a stinky mess! Not only that the hamster wasn't happy either because it was a stinky mess. He would emerge with his ears flat not looking very happy. And stinky. In having to spot clean it it collapsed all the time too.

But when I added a large house he moved in straight away and made himself at home and abandoned his stinky burrow

Can you link which one it is? I had a look on their site and it does look low height. Does the lid cost extra?

Not sure if you've seen them but "Hamster Homes" has a very good range (the wood is already waterproofed when you buy it). In various different sizes and the heights are better. They cost a bit more though. She used to be a member on here - they started making their own cages as a business.

Extra Large Hamster Mouse & Gerbil Cage - 90x60cm or 120x60cm

These have a perspex front and a hinged meshed lid. They are 42cm high and I would say that is about right for a hamster.

Just read actually, they now supply the waterproofing stuff to paint the base with .

But they are expensive. Including the Manor one. For that price you could get a glass tank custom made. Or even an Exo Terra glass tank Terrarium with front opening doors. Giving good access. I have always wanted one of those! It is 90 x 45 x 45 tall - not the largest cage but a good size and a compromise between an 80cm or 100cm cage.

Personally I prefer cages - for a greater feeling of interaction, good ventilation and being able to give plenty of enrichment by means of attaching things to the roof and side bars.

I've used Hamster heaven sized cages and the 100cm Savic Plaza cage for syrians. And no worries about them chewing their way out of wood. Although there are some hamsters who would even chew through a plastic base! but that is usually only when the cage isn't big enough.

Do you know which species of hamster you want to get?

For example you could get the Savic Plaza for a lot less - usually £75. And have some spare money to buy a really good house/nesting box for it and some other items for the cage. I am currently using mine for a robo dwarf hamster - it's too tall to be safe for him so I cable tied cardboard round the inside bars and have much deeper bedding (so the height is reduced).

Sorry, I meant 35cm after having the 25cm bedding. I am very bad at explaining things. I have a multichamber house, the rodipet hide and I have some ceramic hides on their way. I just meant the option to burrow is there if the hamster wishes to do that.

I do not mind which species of hamster I adopt. I love them all.

I first wanted to buy an aquarium but could not find one suitable as they were too expensive for me. I have arranged manor pet house to make me a 150cm, 60cm,60cm enclosure. I have already paid for this but sent a separate email asking for the option of a front opening door 25cm up as it was mentioned it would be a good way of interacting with the hamster. The lid does cost extra.

The enclosure I asked for is based on the indoor guinea pig one but with the measurements I mentioned. I looked at happy hamster homes and they are shallow for the amount of bedding I want to provide.

I looked at getting something from junglepets but found very bad reviews. With a tank I have the issue of it being very heavy and having to find something to put it on. I found an enclosure was more suitable.

[Pebbles82]

Wow that sounds great. Sorry I misunderstood. Yes I think 150 x 60 x 60 sounds good especially if you can get a front opening door. I've also heard pros and cons about Junglepets. There used to be another place called Custom Aquaria who would build one any size you want with front opening doors. But it cost more than the Exo Terra so seemed a bit pointless to me at the time.

It sounds like you have everything thought out well.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Wow that sounds great. Sorry I misunderstood. Yes I think 150 x 60 x 60 sounds good especially if you can get a front opening door. I've also heard pros and cons about Junglepets. There used to be another place called Custom Aquaria who would build one any size you want with front opening doors. But it cost more than the Exo Terra so seemed a bit pointless to me at the time.

It sounds like you have everything thought out well.

Thank you very much. It is really nice you think that. I am very bad at expressing myself and explaining things so always misunderstood. I apologise for that.

[Pebbles82]

No I probably didn't read properly I also looked up the manor pets cage and it said it was 35cm tall. Didn't realise you'd already ordered. It's hard to find anythign that large so it's a good option.