Can a hamster live in a guinea pig cage?

[chubchub]

I posted this question on yahoo, but I need more advice and opinions, especially from those who have/have had guinea pigs and hamsters.

I've been reading reviews on different hamster cages and have been looking for big spacious cages (lengthwise) for my two full grown Syrian hamsters. I tried looking at amazon, craigslist, ebay.ca/ebay.co.uk, other random websites and I couldn't find any that would deliver cages/tanks internationally except for some UK sites but it's going to cost me at least $200.

Instead of ordering a cage online, I was thinking of getting a guinea pig cage instead which would be $100 less and it would be so much bigger. I've never had a guinea pig and I haven't seen a guinea pig plastic wire cage. Every time I go to a pet store, I always see them in tanks. I haven't had the time to go to Pet Smart either.

This is Sammy's current cage and I had to take out the small and narrow tubes because I always see him get stuck; he can't fit half of his body through the tubes. My poor chubby baby


Dimensions: 15.25" L x 9.5" W x 14.25" H

Teddy's current cage

Dimensions: 16" L x 9"W x 15" H.

As you can see, there's really not enough room for an 8" wheel, food bowl,
igloo/log tunnel, toys and other cage accessories.

Please don't recommend 3-level cages or plastic bins because I'm bad at DIY.
As well as 30+ gallon tanks because they're too expensive and too heavy for me to carry and clean.

I personally prefer big plastic wire cages. It's almost summer and I want Sammy and Teddy's cages to be well ventilated and don't want them to suffer from heat.

I also might start coming home really late starting June especially during weekends and might not be able to give them floor time every night. I want them both to have roomy cages so they won't get bored and they have enough space to run around.

I'm thinking of getting either one of these for Sammy just to see how it is. If I find it safe and worth the price, then I'll buy another cage for Teddy.


Dimensions: 41"L x 18"W x 21"H
$89.99




Dimensions: 40½"L x 18"W x 20½"H.
$79.99

I know the wire spacing in a guinea pig cage is big enough for hamsters to escape but what if I wrap the wires with something safe so the spacing will be smaller and narrower? What could I wrap the wires with? (Wiremesh?)

Do you think, I can leave their cage doors open so it will make a ramp that will connect to a playpen? I think there are some guinea pig cages that has narrower and smaller bar spacing. What do you guys think? Is it safe or not safe for my hamsters?

What should I do

[Fidgetthefirst]

Guinea pig cages are awesome for hamsters, there big and spacious! If you just wrap wiremesh, as you said around the bars - theres no reason why you cant get one.
Rat cages tend to have to bigger bars also, although here are a few that have thin bar spacing. But there just as expensive for half the size.

I'd go with the guinea pig cages and just put the mesh over it

Good luck!

[chubchub]

I think it would be awesome for hamsters too! Do you have a guinea pig?
Also, I think I'm going to step by step instructions how to bend/wrap the wiremesh around the bars.
Do I have bend the edges with pliers, etc?
What other materials/tools am I going to need?
Is there any other material I can wrap the wires with besides plastic wire mesh?

Do you know any other ways to make the spacing narrower/smaller?

[Fidgetthefirst]

I dont no how to put the mesh around the bars - but plenty of people on here have done it so you could just post a thread and ask!
And no, idont have a guinea pig, my friend does, and i want to take it off her, she doesnt care for him.

[internet_nobody]

You can't use plastic mesh, hamsters can chew through. You need wire mesh/hardware cloth. It is a bit of a nightmare to cut and bend.

Other suggestions:
Currently out of stock, but a great cage - Marchioro Rene 72 Kit Rat Cage at PETCO Its not quite as big as the guinea pig cages, but has 1cm bar spacing so is fine for any kind of hamster (and mice!). Presumuably it won't take long for them to get more in.

All Living Things® Small Animal Cage - 24 inch <- half the size, but also half the price and with suitable bar spacing. You could always get 2 of these and join them?
And Super Pet Deluxe Rat My First Home which is similar.

[SammytheSyrian]

Chubchub, I'm also on a hunt for a bigger cage. My hamster cage lengths are about the same as Teddy's.

[Amethyst_ice]

We have a guinea pig in a cage and yes they are big buit the spacing is large.

Do you have plastic covered guinea cages out there? Like a huge version of a duna, because that would save you the hasssle x

[fluffymunchkins]

like I N said you would need metal mesh. Which i would attach with cable ties!
It is possible but will need patience and work

the ones I N suggested all look great

[chubchub]

Originally Posted by internet_nobody

You can't use plastic mesh, hamsters can chew through. You need wire mesh/hardware cloth. It is a bit of a nightmare to cut and bend.

Other suggestions:
Currently out of stock, but a great cage - Marchioro Rene 72 Kit Rat Cage at PETCO

All Living Things® Small Animal Cage - 24 inch

And Super Pet Deluxe Rat My First Home which is similar.

I forgot to mention I saw that and the other lovely cages at PETCO. I even made a long distance phone call to the nearest city, in the U.S. I also tried buying a cage online from PETCO but unfortunately, they don't ship to my location I don't think there's a PETCO store in Canada but there's Pet Smart near my area If I get All Living Things® Small Animal Cage - 24 inch how do I join two cages?




I saw Super Pet Deluxe Rat My First Home already and I thought it looked too small from the picture

Dimensions 24.5"L x 12.5"W x 14.5"H.
$39.99

It got pretty good reviews and some customers even bought their hamster.


It might be too small for rats but big enough for a Syrian and it's the same size as Savic Cambridge!! I LOVE THE COLOR TOO ^_^ It's half the price of the guinea pig cage and I don't have to worry about the bar spacing.

This is going to be my first choice. It says WEB ONLY on the site but I'm waiting for the store to open so I can ask they might have it in stock.
If not, I can buy it online because they ship to location.

Merchandise Subtotal: $39.99
Estimated Shipping and Handling Subtotal: $37.44
International Handling Fee: $4.73
Estimated Total: $82.16

It's way cheaper than buying a SC/Criceti 15 from UK.

Thanks internet_nobody Can you tell me how to connect this kind of cage to my old hamster cage? (See first picture on my first post)

I said earlier that I don't like 3-level cages because I don't want my hamsters jumping from 3rd level to the ground. I don't want them to hurt themselves but I'm liking this cage too


Dimensions: 30"L x 18" W x 30"H
$99.99

OMG I'M SO INDECISIVE! I feel like I'm asking too many questions and I'm whining too much. >.<

Originally Posted by SammytheSyrian

Chubchub, I'm also on a hunt for a bigger cage. My hamster cage lengths are about the same as Teddy's.

SammytheSyrian, is there a PETCO near you?
I wanted to buy this cage but they won't ship to my location.
I hope they have it stock.

Marchioro Jack 72 Hamster Cage at PETCO

28.25" L X 17.25" W X 16.25" H
It's $93.49 free shipping to Pennsylvania. It got excellent reviews. Hope it's big enough for your Sammy

Originally Posted by Fidgetthefirst

I dont no how to put the mesh around the bars - but plenty of people on here have done it so you could just post a thread and ask!
And no, idont have a guinea pig, my friend does, and i want to take it off her, she doesnt care for him.

When you're not so busy with school work, or when you finish school, you should adopt him. I think he'll have a better life with you. Or you can tell her to give him up for adoption if she doesn't care for him.

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

We have a guinea pig in a cage and yes they are big buit the spacing is large.

Do you have plastic covered guinea cages out there? Like a huge version of a duna, because that would save you the hasssle x

I haven't seen a huge version of duna in pet stores but I saw one on sale on craigslist. I think they're for rabbits. There are some hamster cages in a pet store 2 cities away, that look like ferplast dunas. It is going to save me A LOT of hassle but I'm not to sure if I like that kind of cages though, I don't think my hamsters are going to get enough ventilation especially during the summer. Do you have ferplast dunas and do your hamster(s) like it? I like seeing my hamsters climb the bars and the stuff so I prefer wire cages. Thanks though ^_^

[Sammybingo]

I know my hammy is in a Mini Duna, but he does great in there - I can't sing their praises enough. I intend to get him a multy or zoozone and mesh the lid. There seems to be plenty of ventilation, he never gets stinky and seems very content .

They are big cages, easy to clean and tidy, easy to DIY (even for me, I imagine, and my best pal is on her way round to do my flatpack!) and reasonable prices .. I think they are super. There is also very little chance of wire chewing going on, which is a bonus.