Best hamster cage?

[indiesearcher]

I have made the huge mistake of buying an Omlet Qute for DDs new Syrian hamster. Awful cage - beware!

What is the best thing to replace it with? We don't have a huge space but I definitely want something more practical for both hamster and us (it's sold as easy to clean but it's disgusting, urine leaking out of the lower box etc).

We have a pets at home locally but are there any better brands or something I can order online?

TIA

An alaska! Minimum requirements for a syrian is 80cm x 50cm

is large and great for a Syrian.

I second the alaska. Also we had one called a barney. Zooplus is a great website for them. Pets at home don't sell any that are the minimum requirements for a hamster. A single layer with a tall base is best for them to burrow instead of lots of levels and tubes. There's a fab group on fb called Hamsters UK that have lots of good advice and tips

I just came on to ask the same question - I haven’t had hamsters for years so I’m sure things have moved on now my 6yr old is lobbying for one. Do they still have wheels to run on?

I just went out and got the pets at home extra large cage (still a few cm smaller than I'd like but I wanted something I could collect today). And a UFO wheel and some other toys... after doing a bit of research last night I felt terrible about the set up we'd given hammy to start with.

None of the hamster cages in pets at home are suitable for a Syrian hamster, sorry. Even the ‘XL’ ones.

I second the poster about the Ikea deltof DIY cage, we used that for our last hamster and that was a tiny dwarf one. Either that or buying a similar sized large plastic storage tub.

@indiesearcher If you could have waited a few days you could have bought something suitable. Pets at Home sell no suitable housing for any rodents. I volunteer in animal rescue and we will not let anyone adopt in a cage less than 80cm, which is the RSPCA recommended minimum. The Alaska (if in stock) or Hamster Heaven are much better www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/hamster_cages/hamster_cages/197362?mkt_source=1455364&awc=2940_1641924635_1cb3b30655a8406da9e07ddb0f57ef7f

Also make sure your Hamster has a 28cm wheel, anything smaller will give them back pain. The wooden Trixie Wheel is good.

The Detolf from IKEA (£65) is a popular rodent hack and theres plenty of You Tube vids on how to set up and build lids. I've attached a pic of my Gerbils in one.

We've got a ZooZone one which is 80x50cm. Large 28cm wheel, sand bath area and teabag bedding and loads of enrichment. He's a happy hamster!

Unfortunately I don't have the DIY skills for IKEA hack.

I have a large wheel, bathing sand, lots of toys, and there's an additional platform with half the cage space again... it might not be perfect but it's a huge improvement on what I had bought in the first place!

They need lots of space to run. Cages sold in pet shops are terrible. Can you convert an ikea deltof? Easy to do and they look very attractive.

For anyone following the Ikea Detolf hack, you can pick them up on second hand selling sites (I got mine that way ready made). Or to avoid the DIY (there are You Tube tutorials) this Etsy shop does pre made lids www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1076468022/ikea-detolfcustom-lids?ref=user_profile

The XL pets at home cage is too small sadly. They'll let you return it as it's not fit for purpose.
The minimum size is so important when the pet will spend most of their life in the cage. The Alaska is the best bare minimum cage.

What a shame you had to get it so quickly.

DD’s Syrian had the hugest cage I’d ever seen (a Ferplast iirc) and she (the Syrian) really enjoyed running around and burrowing in all the space.

I wouldn’t have bought the Ikea one because our Syrian loved climbing up the bars and hanging off them for as long as she could. It meant we didn’t need to put any extra climbing toys in the cage and she had more space to move around.

Ggrr
Can't find the ikea thing anywhere now

@indiesearcher

Unfortunately I don't have the DIY skills for IKEA hack.

I have a large wheel, bathing sand, lots of toys, and there's an additional platform with half the cage space again... it might not be perfect but it's a huge improvement on what I had bought in the first place!

👍🏼

@Wavypurple

None of the hamster cages in pets at home are suitable for a Syrian hamster, sorry. Even the ‘XL’ ones.

I second the poster about the Ikea deltof DIY cage, we used that for our last hamster and that was a tiny dwarf one. Either that or buying a similar sized large plastic storage tub.

pets at home sells the hamster haven 80x50. No good?

www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/savic-plaza-hamster-and-rat-cage?istCompanyId=7255ccad-a1fc-4729-af31-478f79e5071c&istFeedId=82241121-9b34-4cd9-a017-97d53f8b4d48&istItemId=itxmxrlpm&istBid=t

Op I did the same and felt terrible when someone told me. I took it to the dump. I got a huge one- will try to find it and link.

It’s the one posted above my post!

@Saintandsophia

It’s the one posted above my post!

Which one? (Also looking)

Update: hamster so much happier and Omlet provided full refund. I can't believe they continue to sell it, size aside, it's terribly designed.

@fenulla

Ggrr Can't find the ikea thing anywhere now

Lids www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3590376514401109/?referral_code=page_shop_card_109439957501210&ref=mini_shop_storefront

Ikea Detolf www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/detolf-glass-door-cabinet-white-80269122/

Thank you

Sold out though
But I have a cage on order

FYI someone is selling a converted ikea thing on gumtree