what size cage does a hamster like?

[Kriket]

Right now I have Super Bill in a habitrail space station, it seems roomy enough and all, but I thought she might like a new cage. Someone told me hamsters dont like big cages because it makes them feel too out in the open, but I can't imagine that she wants a SMALLER cage. I want to build her one out of mesh grids, but I cant see a way to put her wheel in, and she loooves her wheel. Any suggestions?

[lilchris_28]

What kind of hamster is she? My syrian hamsters just stay in one corner, but my dwarf hamsters like to run around.

[Kriket]

Bill is a syrian hamster too, but she loves to run in her wheel and climb the bars of her cage. She also likes to run and play on the floor in the living room.

[dagwellismypigy]

Habitrails are WAY to small for a syrian hamster. I've never ever heard anything about a hamster cage being too big. THey run miles at night, the wheel is a substitute, but giving them more room is always good. There will be more room for toys aswell. Try a large aquarium or even cheap a large plastic bin. You can get a nicely sized one for under 10 bucks. They are completely custamizable, and if she really really like her cage you could always attach it or just put it in the tub.

http://www.hamsterheaven.co.uk/cgi-b...num=1109532059

[lilchris_28]

Yeah, I agree she especially needs more room if she's a syrian and you have her in a habitrail cage. Those are really small.

[Licorice]

I use 10 gallon aquariums for my Syrians, though I have been told 20 gallon long are much better. My Syrians also like to run around in their run about balls which gives them exercise and a change of scenery.

[Da_3_mad_pigs]

You could build a 2x2 c&c cage, with a roof, so they cant escape?

[lilchris_28]

You'd have to use mesh grids but that could work. My only concern would be can they get toes or nails stuck in the mesh?

[dagwellismypigy]

The mesh grids would work, but why spend more money on it? Its much cheaper to get a bin, then use the money you saved on toys!!

[ilovemykisses]

My hammies stay in the corner of their cages.. or in their wheels.

That plastic bin cage looks nice.. lots of fun stuff in there. I think my hammie would like it. I always worry about ventilation, but I see there are lots of holes along the top.. excellent idea. I think I'm going to do that for Potter.

[TabithaTwitchit]

I think you should get the biggest cage you can find! I had Siberian Dwarf Hamsters and they liked big cages better than small. I now have a Syrian Hamster and I had her in a 10 gallon "aquarium" then I put her in a 20 gallon "aquarium" and she was so much happier!

[laura220]

If your worried about ventilation in the bin and if you don't mind working on it a bit. You could cut out a side and add mesh. http://www.petwebsite.com/article_read.asp?id=256&title=Make%20A%20Homemade% 20Hamster%20Bin%20Type%20Cage
http://www.geocities.com/calhamassoc/FeatureBin.html

[lilchris_28]

That's a really good idea.

[Ly&Pigs]

I would be leary of using just mesh grids for a hamster C&C cage. There are holes on the corners of those where the hammies could escape. If you used coroplast, they could chew through it and escape.

I use large plastic bins for both my hammie and my gerbil. So far they are working great and I have no problem with ventilation.

[TabithaTwitchit]

I don't think it's exactly a good idea to keep a hamster in a bin. I've read that that can be dangerous and unhealthy. I've always used glass aquariums with plastic hamster lids, though the one I have now has a sliding screen lid and that works well.

[BabyGrl]

Whats the difference between a plastic bin and an aquarium, if the bin is so unhealthy?

[laura220]

I think a bin would provide better ventilation than an aquarium. You have the option of poking holes in the sides or like in the link I posted above adding mesh. There's also no risk of injury to the eyes from light reflecting on the aquariums sides.