To not want to spend £55 on a hamster cage?

[sharlotroze]

Found one in Argos £19.99 person we are buying it from recommends a £55 one. That's ridiculous. AIBU?

We bought our cage second hand, and recouped our money by selling it on again when Hammy went to to new pastures.

Hamsters aren't really good pets as they are nocturnal so are active when everyone is in bed so DCs want to play with them when they want to sleep. Choosing a pet based on price suggests it might not be for you.

But if you want to save money on a hamster cage get a second hand one of the right size rather than a new one that is too small. I'm sure these will be easily available on Gumtree etc as hamsters don't live long and people don't replace them when they die because they aren't good pets.

Alarently rats are the best rodent pets - much more sociable and they aren't nocturnal.

A decent rat cage costs even more than £55

If you cant afford a decent cage, don't get the hamster. You can always buy a second hand cage but they need a good large cage, preferably a wire bar one than a plastic one. They like to climb the bars and gnaw them. If hamster is for children I would recommend a guinea pig or even a rat instead. Hamsters are nocturnal and not very sociable, also can be quite bitey!

I agreed to a hamster because I thought they would be cheaper.

This doesn't bode well for the hamster.

Go for the biggest and best one you can. You want to give your pets the best live you can. Hamsters need a lot of space to make a bed and play. Mine used to love doing the monkeys bars 😁😁

I agree with others - if you are quibbling over buying a half decent habitat for the hamster don't get the hamster!

we have this one www.amazon.co.uk/Omlet-Walnut-Gerbil-Hamster-Storage/dp/B00EQ2Y63K/ref=sr_1_40?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1506494589&sr=1-40&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A1943890031&tag=mumsnetforum-21

Hamsters can be expensive. Sawdust is not a good option for hamsters as, although cheap, the dust can get into its eyes and lungs. Cotton wool when chewed can become lodged in their pouches so that is a bad option as well. Paper pulp and thick soft shredded paper are the best options.

Syrian hamsters need larger wheels. The small ones will cause their backs to curve as they run round - this could cause them spinal injuries. I personally don't think the size of the cage is as important for space as it is for ensuring a wheel of the appropriate size can fit inside.

Please research before you buy a pet - hamsters may be small but they need proper care and attention, as well as the right environment.

If you can't afford to spend an extra 30 pounds or so, you can't afford the hamster.

If you can afford it and just want to save a little money at the expense of the animal welfare, well...you definitely shouldn't have the hamster.

I use an Ikea DETOLF cabinet on its side (with mesh lid) lots o commercial hamster cages aren't fit for purpose, far too small

Please get a decent-sized cage for your hamster. We have a three-storey one with tunnels, bars, two wheels and little bed extension. I was initially against any sort of caged animal, but I can see that our hamster genuinely loves being in his cage. He likes everything to be just so - the first things he does when he gets back in is run round checking everything is in its proper place and he loves fluffing up his bedding to make himself a cosy nest. Ours is very friendly and he'll happily come out to sit on your hand or for a little scamper round, but if you leave the cage door open he'll climb back in on his own and genuinely seems to be happy to be home again. On freezing days in winter I actually quite envied him, snuggled up in his wool, and I truly identify with his need for his cage to be tidy and organised! Actually the cage is the only really major expense with a hamster - they don't eat much so a bag of hamster food lasts ages and a slice of carrot or cucumber from the fridge costs nothing. he has a hamster "doughnut" to grind his teeth on, the only other expense is bedding which is quite reasonable.

I've seen lots of ideas for putting hamsters in plastic cabinets - the only problem is that with no wire mesh, there is nowhere for them to climb, which both of ours have always loved doing.

yabu
pets are expensive if you want to care for them adequately.
if you don't want to or can't give the pet what it needs then you can't keep a pet.

My Harold has a decent sized cage that I bought 2nd hand from a pet shop. I told them what the recommended size was , this cage is slightly smaller. Harold spends most of his time ( when I'm about) in his ball bouncing around the house.
My rats were in a 3x2ft cage but spent most of the time running free.
So maybe think about how much time they will get out of the cage as well

I used to be a hamster breeder. Who are you getting the hamster from please not pets at home

How old are your kids? Guinea pigs are generally better for primary age children and cost similar. They are slower, tendency to bite less, and are awake in the daytime.

If you go ahead with a Syrian you are best to buy a larger cage with no accessories, rather than a smaller cage with lots of plastic junk in it. You can add toys to the larger cage as you go. Vets bills can easily be £20-30 for a 5 minute consultation so factor that in too. You need holiday care for more than an overnight, that can cost too.

Bubbleyagain, that habitat looks amazing. How many hamsters do you have in there?

Yeahbutno 2 Russian dwarf ones

Next time tell her that you've only got a limited time to deliver to 20 GP practices in the area and is she paying your overtime?

My dcs were teenegers before I finally cracked and allowed them a pet. A hamster is perfect as teenagers are pretty nocturnal themselves. They are also old enough to clean out the cage unsupervised.

bubbley

What do your hamsters use for climbing?

Wooden toys in the cage, they're much more into tunnelling and burrowing then climbing.

Mine is a tunneller (also a Russian dwarf).

Pets are never cheap. They are living creatures that deserve a good life in a large home.
Imagine being stuck in your living room your entire life. Don't do that to an animal, it's not fair, their life isn't just for your amusement.

Oh wow to Bubbly's cage. My guinea pigs would be envious.

Whatever you choose, watch the bar spacing. Hamsters can get out through astonishingly small gaps.