Playpen question

Pleasehelp · 03-11-2021, 08:37 AM

Hi guys

I just have a question. I currently don’t have a playpen for my Syrian hamster and I was wondering if I could use one of her old cages (bin cage) as a playpen?

Also do I take all her toys out of her current cage and put it into her playpen or just get more toys?

And if I can use her old cage do I need to put substrate in?

NibblesTheHam · 03-11-2021, 10:24 AM

I think you could do that, and use toys from your hamster's current cage, it'll make her feel more comfortable. You don't need substrate in a playpen, but it'll probably make her feel a bit more comfortable, since it has her scent on it.

LunaTheHamster1 · 03-11-2021, 10:40 AM

that's a great idea. I use a big plastic box on wheels that some people use as a cage for my hamsters play run. I have put bedding in butnot enough so that he can escape over the top. I use a separate wheel and different toys to his normal cage. Just for the variety, plus I don't have to keep taking everything in and out of his cage. I also swop things over every now and then with some of his toys that he has for free roaming When i say toys, i mean recycling

i use a lot of boxes for him to climb in and out of when he is running around.

Pleasehelp · 03-11-2021, 01:49 PM

Thank you both so much for your replies!

I just would like to know if I use her previous cage as a playpen will that provide “out of cage” enrichment? I’ve read everywhere that you need to take your hamster out of their cages and into a playpen or something so they can get “out of cage” time. Up until now I used the exercise ball and let her roll around but I’ve read it’s dangerous and she can’t see or smell anything in that ball so it apparently doesn’t offer anything beneficial towards her.

So even though I put her in another cage will it still feel like an “out of cage” experience for her since it’s not her current cage?

I hope I worded this correctly!

Ria P · 03-12-2021, 03:57 PM

I'm glad that you read up about hamster balls and don't use it anymore. They are fine as a safe means of transport from the cage to a playpen or play area but they are no good for anything else.

I find that hamsters love to run, sniff and explore when out of
their cage so i let mine run around in the hall with all the doors closed and the stairs blocked off. I put down a blanket and set up toys that are too big for their cage, spare wheels, cardboard boxes, long bendy tubes etc. I don't think my lot would be happy in a box because they couldn't have a proper run in it.

Not everybody has the space to let hamsters free roam but i think its important to have a playpen that's as big as possible, ideally big enough for a human to sit in it because we make good climbing frames for hamsters.

You could also sit in the bath tub with your hamster and let her climb around on you. Put a blanket down and some toys. One of my dwarfs likes running up my trouser legs and another likes to sit on my shoulder to have a wash.

Out of cage time is a great way to interact with hamsters in a fun way. i have a hamster who does not want out of cage time but most do. I only take them out when they ask to come out.

LunaTheHamster1 · 03-12-2021, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pleasehelp

Thank you both so much for your replies!

I just would like to know if I use her previous cage as a playpen will that provide “out of cage” enrichment? I’ve read everywhere that you need to take your hamster out of their cages and into a playpen or something so they can get “out of cage” time. Up until now I used the exercise ball and let her roll around but I’ve read it’s dangerous and she can’t see or smell anything in that ball so it apparently doesn’t offer anything beneficial towards her.

So even though I put her in another cage will it still feel like an “out of cage” experience for her since it’s not her current cage?

I hope I worded this correctly!

yes it would be still classed as enrichment, it's a different environment to explore. Free roaming would be better if you are to do that, but if not this is certainly better than not taking your hamster out of the cage that she lives in all the time - providing your hamster is happy to be out of her cage. You are right a hamster ball is a big no no