Cage for Syrian hamster

[Bambini83]

Hi, does anyone know if this cage is a safe and suitable option for a Syrian hamster?
https://www.aosom.co.uk/item/pawhut-hamster-cage-wooden-mouse-rodent-small-pet~D51-083.html
thanks in advance!

You need a large aquarium with a secure lid. Those hamster bastards can get out of any cage. I loved my Syrians, by the way. Absolutely loved them.

Strongly recommend checking out r/hamsters on Reddit - www.reddit.com/r/hamsters/s/UMSuygYTgt

There's a HUGE amount of misinformation when it comes to hamster care which unfortunately leads to some hamsters having very short, very unhappy lives. 600 square inches of floor space is the bare minimum for a Syrian hamster and the recommendations is for 800 square inches of uninterrupted floor space (not split over two levels). They should also have at least 6-15 inches of bedding to be able to burrow into.

Hamsters are misinterpreted as cheap easy pets because they're small but pet shops and general googling will often give you poor information.

www.hamsterwelfare.com/cage-advice-and-evidence/ - another good website with lots of information

Bin cages are a good option and cheaper, AND would have the benefit of having a secure lid to keep hammy safe from cat. B&Q has some options for about £14

www.diy.com/departments/form-kaze-clear-138l-xxxl-plastic-stackable-storage-box/3663602763185_BQ.prd - a good option.

www.argos.co.uk/product/9485482

With a bin cage you do need to get a bit creative to ensure there's suitable ventilation so a good cheaper option if you have a power tools!

Sorry getting a bit carried away! www.aosom.co.uk/item/pawhut-hamster-cage-58h-cm~D2-0041.html more expensive but no DIY required, you'd just need to take out the shelves to allow for deep enough bedding

Get an ikea storage unit and turn it on its side, that's what we did.

None of the cages sold in pets at home are suitable and are incredibly cruel.

Id really think twice about getting a hamster if you have a cat tbh

If you get the Savic hamster heaven I would put sellotape over the top opening where it can’t get to it, as that can open quite easily. I also wouldn’t use the top tubes personally.

The Hamster Heaven covers having the correct minimum floor space because of the large shelves, despite the lower tray only being 80x50. It is also large enough to still have that even if you bin the top shelf and roof tubes and replace them with a silent spinner 12 inch wheel (secured to the wall through the bars) at that end instead.

Ah Syrians, dwarfs whatever I adore hamsters. Had a fair few and never would I have had them in wood. They will gnaw on the wood, they will wee and it soon soaks in and will stink before slowly rotting. The reasons pet shops sell wood chew toys is exactly that they love to gnaw hence why cages are usually plastic and wire.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Friends-Savoy-Gerbilarium-Accessories/dp/B005CAWGTG/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=glass+hamster+cage&qid=1701820194&sr=8-8

We have a Russian dwarf in this one. The glass smells much less than plastic ones I have used in the past and allows for deep bedding to burrow in (2 cm of shavings then shredded paper to the top of the glass and half way across base. Sand in one corner but he always covers it up in a few days. It’s amazing to see his tunnels when he comes near the glass. I did prop the lower ramp on a sturdy wooden tube to make it less steep. The wooden platforms can get smelly but can be submerged in soapy water and scrubbed.

Also have a cat. I lined the clips that hold the lid on with rubber strips to make them hold the glass tighter. Cat has occasionally gone up and had a close look (swiftly stopped by me or the dog who is a softie with no prey drive. Hamster just runs to the bottom and hides. I do shut the cat out at night and when we are not in the house. It is a nuisance tbh. Have also been clear with DD (8) about natural instincts of predators and that there is a risk and we would be sad if the hamster got hurt but still have to treat the cat the same.

@SoggyDoggyWalks unfortunately that cage is not big enough for your hamster.

That cage is ‎58.5L x 38W x 47.5H centimetres. The recommended minimum as per the Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare is 100L x 50W x 50H cms. Your cage at half the recommended minimum length is too wee and will stress your hamster out. The research suggests that Syrians and Russians need the same amount of space

Absolutely not... they need at least an 80 x 50cm uninterrupted floorspace (extra levels don't count)

With the consideration of the cat, consider using a fish tank with a deep fill of bedding.

As a Syrian, they'll need a 28cm wheel - smaller ones will cause back pain as they have to bend back on themselves to run. https://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/accessories/exercise_wheels/609617 This one is good. Having an adequately sized wheel does rule out a lot of cages that simply aren't tall enough.

Zooplus used to do cages called Alexa / Barney / Alexander which were very good but sadly they seem to have stopped. You might be able to find one on marketplace.

Far, far too small for a Syrian. Look up the RSPCA recommended minimum size

This is wayyyyy too small for a Syrian. Nowhere near enough ground area. Please look up RSPCA minimum sizes and upgrade your cage. Poor thing

We got that Trixie wheel and felt terrible when I realised how uncomfortable our hamster must have been bending backwards in the one Pets ar Home sold us. It's nice and quiet too.

We stopped using the ball for the same reason as well. Far too small and bad for his spine. Also they navigate by scent, so being inside a plastic ball is disorienting and distressing.

This youtuber has good advice about cages and all aspects of hamster care: https://m.youtube.com/@VictoriaRaechel/featured

To echo other posters, 100x50cm, continuous floorspace is the minimum for Hamsters. I volunteer in rescue (small furries) and we wouldn't allow adoption in anything smaller.

As exercise balls have been mentioned: they are cruel and should never be used. Hamsters navigate by smell and sight. They get disorientated and stressed in a ball, and covered in their own urine. They're banned in Germany for a reason. Free roaming, like a pen or sectioned off area of a room is kinder and more interactive.

Wheels should be 28cm and solid, so a Hamster can run with its back flat. A small wheel which causes it to arch, causes pain and back damage.

Thank you for coming here for advice. I know it's a minefield, with lots of Internet sites giving conflicting and sometimes terrible advice. As mentioned by previous posters, Hamster Welfare is an excellent site and the only one you need. All suitable housing options are featured there. Take their advice and you'll have a healthy happy hamster 🙂

https://www.hamsterwelfare.com/

Thank you @SilentHedges so half I checked here too! It’s appalling that all the pet shop options are so inadequate!

Not RTFT so apologies if this is already covered but can anyone recommend a sandbath for a Syrian that would fit inside a Savic Hamster heaven (I think it is called?) or do you remove you hamsters from their cage for giving them access to sandbaths typically?

I'd recommend adding a self contained flat/annex for the wee chap, myself. They like to run for miles and miles, so the bigger the space the better.

Yes, should have said, thanks for flagging, we do have that- tunnel connection to another cage for extra space. Just not sure whether taking the ham out for sandbaths is the best way or if it’s nicer for them to have access to a sand bath in-cage whenever the mood strikes.

This list might help choose one that's suitable :-) Three Uk pet charities now recommend at least 100cm x 50cm cages or enclosures. Blue Cross, PDSA and Wood Green animal charity. t

This is a new cage that has a 10" deep base for deep bedding. The Savic Aura 120 plexi. I'm lucky enough to have one and have done a video showing it if anyone is interested. I think it's the ideal hamster cage.

There's a list of the best hamster cages here. Basically get as large a cage as you can! At least 100cm by 50cm

That link didn't work for some reason. I'll try again

t