How to choose the right cage for your hamster

 Before you take your hamster home, you need to settle the question of the cage: bar cage, aquarium or terrarium? Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some tips that will guide you in the choice of the ideal hamster cage.

1. The cage of hamster with bars
2. Glass or plastic house: the aquarium and the terrarium
3. Cage with plastic tubes
4. Wooden cage - our favorite
5. Cage dimensions

The cage of hamster with bars

It has many advantages: ventilation is good and cleaning is easy. The bars allow direct contact with the animal. Accessories, such as the bottle, are easy to attach to the bars of the hamster cage. But there are also disadvantages: hamsters are burrowing animals that love to dig, and sometimes litter is thrown out.

The bars encourage it to climb up. But this is not his strong point, which does not prevent him from trying; he clings to the bars and often falls. You won't be able to stop him, but you can prevent him from hanging from the bars and getting hurt. To do this, the bars should be at least 12mm apart.

If the hamster does not have enough objects to gnaw on and lacks distraction, it may start gnawing on the bars. If it starts gnawing on the bars, add play accessories for your hamster.

Glass or plastic house: the aquarium and the terrarium

If you don't want to look at your hamster through bars, you can also use a large terrarium. Advantage: no projections when the hamster is digging in its litter.

Caution:

• The floor area should be about 80 x 40 cm. If the terrarium is too narrow, there is insufficient air circulation. The humid heat that is generated can make the animals irritable and even sick.
• Beware of terrariums that are more than ten years old! The seal is usually made of putty and not, as is usually the case today, silicone. The putty contains lead, which is dangerous for your hamster.
• To make up for the lack of rungs, remember to allow as many climbing possibilities as possible.
• Make your own tin-plated wire mesh cover that will protect it from cats if necessary, while ensuring a sufficient air supply.

• Even if it seems strange, an aquarium makes an excellent home for a hamster. The hamster can dig in at will. You need a lid that is escape-proof and safe for him, which lets enough air inside. A small-mesh wire mesh lid is easy to make. It is also possible to buy this type of ready-made cage/aquarium.
• 
  
• On the other hand, the aquarium is quite heavy and difficult to handle. Children cannot and should not move it. Cleaning is not as easy as with a cage with bars. Be careful, the aquarium must be less high than wide, otherwise there will be a problem of aeration. This is unpleasant for the animal, but also for its nose. The hygiene in the aquarium must be impeccable.

The terrarium looks a lot like the aquarium, but it has one decisive advantage: it is aerated from above and below. Moreover, it opens from the side and not from the top (bird of prey attack). The view is not obstructed by bars. But the terrarium is also very heavy and takes longer to clean.

Cage with plastic tubes

"Hamster maze"; some pet shops are starting to offer plastic hamster shelters, inspired by the burrows of animals living in their natural state. They are composed of various elements connected to each other by transparent tubes, which can be combined at will.

There are commercially available models of hamster cage with many galleries, including the cage with plastic tube. These cages are attractive because they allow you to see your hamster in the different galleries. But be careful, the animal can get stuck in the tubes. It is important that the cage alternates larger space and galleries so that the air is renewed. During the maintenance of the cage, it is strongly recommended to clean each tunnel by dissociating its parts in order to remove all traces of condensation. The colorful and modern finish appeals to children, but the maintenance of the cage requires more attention. With this type of hamster cage, there is a whole range of extensions. It is mainly the Habitrail brand that stands out in the field.

Wooden cage - our favorite

Our real favorite is the wooden hamster cage model, a mix between a terrarium and a hutch. Apart from the fact that they are often very aesthetic, they are also practical to clean thanks to a sliding drawer. They fit perfectly into a more natural environment.

Tip: To prevent your hamster from gnawing on its cage, put some fruit tree wood to gnaw on it, do not hesitate to coat it with food to attract it.

Cage dimensions

Hamsters are agile, curious and very active. In the wild, they travel long distances on their small legs. This instinct must be satisfied in the cage. A wheel does not replace space. The minimum dimensions of the hamster cage are 80 x 40 x 40cm. It should not be too high: if it exceeds 40cm high, it is advisable to install an intermediate floor. In any case, these floors are very useful. They give the hamster a varied space and movement. With them, the animals have a choice: a small house at the top, another one at the bottom.

A well-designed house for your hamster

Material: a metal cage, floor consisting of a plastic tray. Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 25 cm at least. Grid: can be raised from above.

Bars: horizontal.

Spacing of the bars: 1 to 1.3 cm. Floor: raised edges of at least 7 cm. Other solutions: a large terrarium or a "hamster maze".

To discover our advice on ' All about the hamster all you need to know for adopting a hamster '