Hamster abodes

[Scubbs]

Getting a hamster has been in the back of mind for a long while now.  I'm not sure why I want a one so much (maybe from browsing Kathy's Kritters years ago?), but I've decided to finally go ahead with it if I can find an adoptable ham.  I've seen hamsters housed in a plethora of cages, from colorful CritterTrails, to tanks and even some Martin's Cages.  For all those hamster owners out there - what do you think is best? 

I won't be getting any sort of CritterTrail type cage, since I think they're too small (even when heavily expanded), hard to clean, and don't have very good ventilation.  Most people, at least from what I've seen/read, recommend large tanks or bins as cages.  I'm leaning toward that option, or even a Martin's (R-670).  I'm sure the wire flooring wouldn't be good for their little feet, so what would be better - fleece or tile/linoleum? 

Any help is greatly appreciated! 

[Summer_Rat]

Fleece should be avoided with hamsters so none of your awesome hammocks and such for them. Hamsters will chew on them and they will probably stuff what they chew off. Some of the fleece they may end up swallowing and it could get stuck in the digestive track. The tile would be better.

I would reccomend an aquarium or a bin cage. A 20 gallon long minimum would be best or a bin cage with the same measurements. (30" x12" x12"). Although a martins would be alright if the floors were covered. Hamsters have more sensitive feet then ratties. But looking at the model you pointed out I would be worried with the levels not being full levels. Hamsters have bad eye sight and terrible depth perception in other words they tend to fall off shelves easily. So unless you can get them to be full shelves I would avoid it for their own safety.

Also what breed of hamster are you considering? Just curious =)

[Scubbs]

Damn!  And here I was all excited about making tiny hammocks for the hamster    What you're saying totally makes sense though, I can see a hamster chewing off bits of material and stuffing them into it's pouches (or swallowing some). 

Another good point about the half levels, I didn't even think of that.  I know hamsters are notorious for walking off of surfaces, but for some reason I didn't make that connection for the cage.

I'd really like a syrian, since they seem to be the most popular and the most social, but I'm open to other types of hammies 

[Punkygirl0101]

I think it depends on the hamster. I had hammocks in two of my Syrian's cages. One of them ripped it to shreds, and dug at it..while the other slept on a few times,and ignored it..and then turned it into her litter box.

I would go with Syrians. I have both, have had Syrians for 16 years now, and dwarves for about 10. Dwarves are fun to watch, but not handle. They are very jumpy. While Syrians are very loving, and are easier to handle.

I use rat cages for Syrians, and I also use bin cages. I don't really have a preference though. I like them both.

[Shantyana]

I think bin cages are best and you can customize them however you please. They are lightweight, easy to clean and durable.

Here is mine.


I also have a wire cage, it is a Jack 62.

[Zombinwonderland]

I definitely suggest a tank or bin. I use a 20 gallon tank for mine, without a top for good ventilation.

[Summer_Rat]

Dwarves are fun to watch, but not handle. They are very jumpy.

*laughs* My two males love to sit in my hands and groom me and then they will go off and play. My female loves to sleep and cuddle. I have never had a dwarf that did not love to be handled.

Syrians are great though aswell!! Syrians are fun and usually are easier to handle but there are some that are nervous, hyper ect. It just depends on the individual. All of mine have been friendly though.
For syrians they usually get pretty big and will need a 8" wheels.

*points at awesome hamster forum* http://www.hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php?

[Peep]

I love my two dwarf hamsters, but the bigger ones are cute too.
I use a bin cage and my hammy loves it! I find my dwarf hamsters love to be handled and they are so adorable to watch! You have to be gentler with them obviously, but unless there a young kids around that shouldn't be a problem.

[leaveittoweaver]

I definitely suggest a 20 gallon long aquarium. Hamsters really don't need vertical room because they do not climb. Actually I had a hamster in a tallish wire cage and he fell from a level and broke his neck and died so I'm pretty religious about the 20 gallon aquarium. I would get a lid for it also...especially if you have a female as they seem to be more of the escape artists. The bin cages are fine, I just don't prefer them because you can't see through them and watch your babies as well

[holly238]

I acquired a Syrian from a creep who was going to let her loose outside, and she lives in a former rat cage I had at my house (Deluxe Critter My First Home, 24.5"L x 12.5"W x 24.5"H).

Picture here:


The cage she was living in before was the size of a shoe box . The cage I have now is huge, and, unlike what leaveittoweaver said about hamsters, she climbs the cage bars all the time! I also use fleece in the whole cage (including liners and hammocks, just like with the rats), and she doesn't chew it at all. She basically lives like one of my rats! I would never, ever use a tank for any animal other than a fish. The ventilation is terrible, and you can't interact with them. How is that suitable?

I'll post a picture of my cage later so you can get an idea of what you can do. I have tons of levels and ramps for her to use, and she loves it. With a tank or bin, you can't add levels and increase your usable surfaces. Luna, my hammie, has never fallen off of a shelf or even come close. She's well-coordinated and would be miserable in teeny tank with nothing but a house and wheel for fun. Not utilizing vertical space almost always means that your cage will be too small; it would have to be many feet long to have enough space for any creature, IMO.

[Summer_Rat]

It is all personal opinion but I like my tanks as do my hamsters. I fidn that syrians do like to climb around but they aren't very agile like mice or rats and when if they fall then can be hurt badly. They seem more fragile in that sense. Which is why I don't like tall cages for hamsters.