Bin cage

[Tiffanyh]

Hi everyone!

I was just wondering if the Wham 133L bin cage will be ok for my syrian hamster?

He's 1y8m old and has cushings, I've noticed recently he's finding it harder to climb things, such as his ladder to his shelf above.
He's currently in a ritz, I am thinking about just taking the shelf out but he likes to sleep under it and I'd also like to add more bedding for him but it will just fall through the bars.

I just want to make sure he's as comfortable as he can be, but I don't know if the move to a new home will stress him out too much as well

Thanks

[Ria P]

I'd adjust his cage to a bungalow set up rather than move him into a bin cage.
Could you post a photo of the Ritz?
You can attach mats or cardboard to stop the substrate from falling out and lower the shelf or add a freestanding platform to sleep under.
I have also adjusted the set ups of my two elderly Syrians and know that a move into a different cage would have unsettled and upset them a lot.
To make a storage box like the 133l Wham into a hamster cage, you would need to cut out and mesh the lid and a window to ensure sufficient ventilation.

[Ria P]

As an added note. If you do decide to make a bin cage for him, i'd recommend a really useful box like the 145l rub.They have a flat lid which is easier to cut and mesh than a box with a ribbed lid like the Wham.

[Tiffanyh]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I'd adjust his cage to a bungalow set up rather than move him into a bin cage.
Could you post a photo of the Ritz?
You can attach mats or cardboard to stop the substrate from falling out and lower the shelf or add a freestanding platform to sleep under.
I have also adjusted the set ups of my two elderly Syrians and know that a move into a different cage would have unsettled and upset them a lot.
To make a storage box like the 133l Wham into a hamster cage, you would need to cut out and mesh the lid and a window to ensure sufficient ventilation.

I don't have a picture right now, I'll add one when i"ve got a minute.
I ended up taking the shelf out and he didn't seem phased by it, just burrowed under as usual.

I'll put some cardboard along the side so I can add a bit more for him

[Ria P]

I've looked up the Ritz in the meantime. I wasn't sure which cage that was but it is a very nice and spacious cage and not too high.

Personally, i'd much prefer the Ritz over a bin cage but that's only my opinion.

My oldest Syrian is 2yrs 3 months and i levelled out his Alaska cage set up by lowering a shelf, platform and ramps. He seems very happy with it and gets about easily. He can still do a little climbing but everything is easily accessible. I also added a second water bottle next to his house but left the other on the lowered shelf in place.

[Tiffanyh]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I've looked up the Ritz in the meantime. I wasn't sure which cage that was but it is a very nice and spacious cage and not too high.

Personally, i'd much prefer the Ritz over a bin cage but that's only my opinion.

My oldest Syrian is 2yrs 3 months and i levelled out his Alaska cage set up by lowering a shelf, platform and ramps. He seems very happy with it and gets about easily. He can still do a little climbing but everything is easily accessible. I also added a second water bottle next to his house but left the other on the lowered shelf in place.

Yeah he has loads of space, I was just thinking of a change so it was better for him, I had already lowered the shelf but he seems happy enough without it. I might add another hide for him, instead of stressing him out with a move.

He's struggling to drink out of his bottle sometimes due to the cushings as he gets a bit wobbly, so I might add a bowl of water in there as well so he has two to choose from

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Tiffanyh

Yeah he has loads of space, I was just thinking of a change so it was better for him, I had already lowered the shelf but he seems happy enough without it. I might add another hide for him, instead of stressing him out with a move.

He's struggling to drink out of his bottle sometimes due to the cushings as he gets a bit wobbly, so I might add a bowl of water in there as well so he has two to choose from

That's a good idea. My old boys have two bottles and a bowl in different locations in their cages and they use them all.

They have the Ferplast guinea pig houses sunk into the substrate so the roof acts like a platform and another level without any real climbing plus various hides and a wicker tunnel. A low, free standing platform is great with a carrot house acting as a step and a gradual, long bendy bridge leading "up".