14 replies to this topic

[em~]

Hello
So, I am debating what type of hamster I want to get in the future and I wanted to ask, what species would enjoy my cage (size, setup, etc.)? I was thinking a dwarf, but I want your opinions.
Basic info:
- Its a 200qt bin cage (650sq inches) PS: the cage does have a lid!
- I have about 5 1/2 inches in the back [can’t fit much more ):]

Here are a few pictures:
https://ibb.co/tqkrVMh
https://ibb.co/0r3nHH5
https://ibb.co/HKdLZ5r
https://ibb.co/m4m39Tq
https://ibb.co/pjtsscb

Items in the cage:
[spoiler]
- 11inch Wodent Wheel (I can buy a smaller one)
- Large Sand bath dish
- Small food dish (I can get bigger)
- Kaytee chews (variety)
- Whimzee chews
- Kaytee hamster kebab
- Small pet tunnel (under bedding)
- Sprinkled herbs
- Small heart dish (filled with more sand)
- Rainbow Bendy bridge
- DIY cardboard hut
- Glass container hide (in sand bath)
- Small flat rocks (scattered)
- Toilet tube tunnel
- Timothy Hay tube
-Kaytee igloo
[\spoiler]
Thanks in advance! <3

[ForgetfulBreeze]

Hello! I can't see the pics because I am on a school computer, but based on the other stuff you said, I would go for a dwarf. Dwarves can use a 11" wheel, as long as they can push it. Dwarves are usually less picky about cage size, though some may need larger. (Like 800+ sq". I've owned a few dwarves, but only one has needed more than 600 sq", aka my current ham, Breeze lol). Most syrians need larger, so I wouldn't personally go smaller than 800-1000 sq inches.

 

Also, I'm courious on why you can't fit more than 5 1/2" of bedding? On my 200Qt bin that I have, I can fit 13" with a barrier (Don't use a bendy bridge) for the wheel. I wouldn't go under 6" of bedding, but aim for at least 8"+ (Ideally 12"+ if you can!) for dwarves.

 

The only difference between dwarves is that robos need more sand (Ideally at least 1/3 of their enclosure), and Hybrids/WW/RCD and Chinese hams are prone to diabetes. Chinese hams are better at climbing, so you can add some of thoes too.

Edited by ~moo, 14 May 2021 - 06:06 AM.

[♥️ MKmagnifico ♥️]

I personally don’t think a Syrian would be happy in this. I’m not trying to generalize and I do know that all Syrians are different, but from my experience owning and caring for a Syrian, they do get really needy sometimes and it gets stressful for all parties involved.
I also think that 5-1/2 is not going to satisfy most hamsters, especially as Syrian. Please if you can even go 1 or 2 more inches, it’d be far better. I understand if you can’t but even those 2 inches could make a huge difference.

And 11inch should be fine for most dwarfs, so unless you can see that they’re struggling to push it, it should be fine.

Since you don’t have a huge sand bath, I wouldn’t recommend a Robo. They require a huge sand bath (1/3) as a basic necessity.

Also, unless you’re willing to buy a lot more climbing toys, I wouldn’t recommend Chinese hams.

I would recommend an RCD or WW, you can probably get a pure bred from an ethical breeder. Note, they are more prone to diabetes. I think that they could be pretty happy in this home.

Constructive Criticism if you want it:

Spoiler

I truly think you’ve done a great job with your enclosure, however there’s always ways to improve:)

I would recommend filling it up a little bit more. Maybe adding some more natural elements. Maybe some smooth stones or branches. Cork logs and grapevine wood would look great in there. Maybe some more textures and substrates as well? Like hay, moss, eco-earth.
Even some DIY cardboard boredom breakers could be great!
Play around and try to add more things, to just create more of a busy and crowded place.

I’m pretty sure (80%) that ChipTheHamster has the same sized enclosure as you. I’d recommend checking out her profile for some pics and inspiration!

I hope you found this helpful
This is by no means trying to say that yours isn’t good, because it absolutely is. I just thought that some more crowded-ness could help make you future hamster feel more comfortable.

I hope you have a lovely day!

Edited by ♥️ MKmagnifico ♥️, 14 May 2021 - 06:38 AM.

[lil BIG dwarf]

I would say a robo is your best bet as their the smallest (for burrowing purposes-all sizes of hamster need a large cage), but in all honesty I would try for more bedding with a barrier-at least 7 inches, ideally far more. It'll also depend quite a bit on the individual.

[Popcorn1020]

I would say a dwarf. WW or RCD would be fine, but if you are going with a robo, they need quite a big sand bath. 

[em~]

Hello! I can't see the pics because I am on a school computer, but based on the other stuff you said, I would go for a dwarf. Dwarves can use a 11" wheel, as long as they can push it. Dwarves are usually less picky about cage size, though some may need larger. (Like 800+ sq". I've owned a few dwarves, but only one has needed more than 600 sq", aka my current ham, Breeze lol). Most syrians need larger, so I wouldn't personally go smaller than 800-1000 sq inches.

 

Also, I'm courious on why you can't fit more than 5 1/2" of bedding? On my 200Qt bin that I have, I can fit 13" with a barrier (Don't use a bendy bridge) for the wheel. I wouldn't go under 6" of bedding, but aim for at least 8"+ (Ideally 12"+ if you can!) for dwarves.

 

The only difference between dwarves is that robos need more sand (Ideally at least 1/3 of their enclosure), and Hybrids/WW/RCD and Chinese hams are prone to diabetes. Chinese hams are better at climbing, so you can add some of thoes too.

Hi

Thanks for the info ~ I'm most likely getting a dwarf hammy 

I said I couldn't add any more bedding because I didn't have any bedding left.  But I found an extra bag  , and now there is 10 inches 

 

I personally don’t think a Syrian would be happy in this. I’m not trying to generalize and I do know that all Syrians are different, but from my experience owning and caring for a Syrian, they do get really needy sometimes and it gets stressful for all parties involved.
I also think that 5-1/2 is not going to satisfy most hamsters, especially as Syrian. Please if you can even go 1 or 2 more inches, it’d be far better. I understand if you can’t but even those 2 inches could make a huge difference.

And 11inch should be fine for most dwarfs, so unless you can see that they’re struggling to push it, it should be fine.

Since you don’t have a huge sand bath, I wouldn’t recommend a Robo. They require a huge sand bath (1/3) as a basic necessity.

Also, unless you’re willing to buy a lot more climbing toys, I wouldn’t recommend Chinese hams.

I would recommend an RCD or WW, you can probably get a pure bred from an ethical breeder. Note, they are more prone to diabetes. I think that they could be pretty happy in this home.

Constructive Criticism if you want it:

Spoiler

I truly think you’ve done a great job with your enclosure, however there’s always ways to improve:)

I would recommend filling it up a little bit more. Maybe adding some more natural elements. Maybe some smooth stones or branches. Cork logs and grapevine wood would look great in there. Maybe some more textures and substrates as well? Like hay, moss, eco-earth.
Even some DIY cardboard boredom breakers could be great!
Play around and try to add more things, to just create more of a busy and crowded place.

I’m pretty sure (80%) that ChipTheHamster has the same sized enclosure as you. I’d recommend checking out her profile for some pics and inspiration!

I hope you found this helpful
This is by no means trying to say that yours isn’t good, because it absolutely is. I just thought that some more crowded-ness could help make you future hamster feel more comfortable.

I hope you have a lovely day!

 

Hellooo

Thanks for the criticism ~ I'm trying to go a little more natural, but I just bought some things, so I'll have to buy those things in a few weeks :(

I'm most likely going to get a dwarf hammy 

 I couldn't put any more bedding because I didn't have any bedding left.  But I found an extra bag   , and now there is 10 inches 

 

 

I would say a robo is your best bet as their the smallest (for burrowing purposes-all sizes of hamster need a large cage), but in all honesty I would try for more bedding with a barrier-at least 7 inches, ideally far more. It'll also depend quite a bit on the individual.

Hi

Thanks for the info ~ I'm most likely getting a dwarf hammy 

I just added more bedding, and now I have 10 inches! 

 

I would say a dwarf. WW or RCD would be fine, but if you are going with a robo, they need quite a big sand bath. 

Thanks for responding!

I'm most likely getting a dwarf hammy 

I also just added more bedding, so now I have 10 inches!!!!

[♥️ MKmagnifico ♥️]

Yesss 10 inches is brilliant!!
Do you know which species of dwarf? There are 4
Ok that’s great to hear that you’re going a bit more natural!
I would recommend you create a multi-chamber hide. You can easily DIY one out of cardboard. Jellie (Sophia and her hamster is the channel name) has a great video on that.
I wish you all the best!

[em~]

Yesss 10 inches is brilliant!!
Do you know which species of dwarf? There are 4
Ok that’s great to hear that you’re going a bit more natural!
I would recommend you create a multi-chamber hide. You can easily DIY one out of cardboard. Jellie (Sophia and her hamster is the channel name) has a great video on that.
I wish you all the best!

I've seen that video! I'll try to make it soon! I'm thinking winter white, or hybrid

[4 Hamsters]

Hello
So, I am debating what type of hamster I want to get in the future and I wanted to ask, what species would enjoy my cage (size, setup, etc.)? I was thinking a dwarf, but I want your opinions.
Basic info:
- Its a 200qt bin cage (650sq inches) PS: the cage does have a lid!
- I have about 5 1/2 inches in the back [can’t fit much more ):]

Here are a few pictures:
https://ibb.co/tqkrVMh
https://ibb.co/0r3nHH5
https://ibb.co/HKdLZ5r
https://ibb.co/m4m39Tq
https://ibb.co/pjtsscb

Items in the cage:
[spoiler]
- 11inch Wodent Wheel (I can buy a smaller one)
- Large Sand bath dish
- Small food dish (I can get bigger)
- Kaytee chews (variety)
- Whimzee chews
- Kaytee hamster kebab
- Small pet tunnel (under bedding)
- Sprinkled herbs
- Small heart dish (filled with more sand)
- Rainbow Bendy bridge
- DIY cardboard hut
- Glass container hide (in sand bath)
- Small flat rocks (scattered)
- Toilet tube tunnel
- Timothy Hay tube
-Kaytee igloo
[\spoiler]
Thanks in advance! <3

 

Personally, I don't think a syrian would be happy in an enclosure this size. I would instead adopt a dwarf. The only thing I would recommend is getting a more ... 'hideout-y'? hideout. The entire concept of a hideout for a hamster is so that the hamster can go hide in it when he/she feels threatened or sleep in it. A clear hideout doesn't really fulfill that need. I would replace the glass container with a terracotta pot and have a slightly bigger sand bath. Perhaps adding a digging box might also help encourage burrowing?

Other than that, a dwarf can possibly be happy in there. 

[♥️fluffy♥️]

Hello
So, I am debating what type of hamster I want to get in the future and I wanted to ask, what species would enjoy my cage (size, setup, etc.)? I was thinking a dwarf, but I want your opinions.
Basic info:
- Its a 200qt bin cage (650sq inches) PS: the cage does have a lid!
- I have about 5 1/2 inches in the back [can’t fit much more ):]

Here are a few pictures:
https://ibb.co/tqkrVMh
https://ibb.co/0r3nHH5
https://ibb.co/HKdLZ5r
https://ibb.co/m4m39Tq
https://ibb.co/pjtsscb

Items in the cage:
[spoiler]
- 11inch Wodent Wheel (I can buy a smaller one)
- Large Sand bath dish
- Small food dish (I can get bigger)
- Kaytee chews (variety)
- Whimzee chews
- Kaytee hamster kebab
- Small pet tunnel (under bedding)
- Sprinkled herbs
- Small heart dish (filled with more sand)
- Rainbow Bendy bridge
- DIY cardboard hut
- Glass container hide (in sand bath)
- Small flat rocks (scattered)
- Toilet tube tunnel
- Timothy Hay tube
-Kaytee igloo
[\spoiler]
Thanks in advance! <3

I say RCD or WW. A Syrian would not be happy in that enclosure. Robos can be quite skittish though.

[em~]

I say RCD or WW. A Syrian would not be happy in that enclosure. Robos can be quite skittish though.

Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for the response!

[em~]

I just made some changes to my enclosure, here are updated pics:
https://ibb.co/0KLFfj7
https://ibb.co/D91bxRg
There is now 10 inches of bedding on the left side of the enclosure!
I’ve added in some diy things:
- popsicle stick seesaw
- many boredom breakers

[♥️ MKmagnifico ♥️]

I just made some changes to my enclosure, here are updated pics:
https://ibb.co/0KLFfj7
https://ibb.co/D91bxRg
There is now 10 inches of bedding on the left side of the enclosure!
I’ve added in some diy things:
- popsicle stick seesaw
- many boredom breakers

Well done on the DIY’s! They look great.
My only suggestion is ditch that blue semi transparent igloo, for a wooden or cardboard multi-chamber hide
The transalucent (sorry I don’t know how to spell) igloo is not ideal for a hamster.

[Brownie~s♥️buddy]

I just made some changes to my enclosure, here are updated pics:
 

 

Very nice My only suggestion would be to bury the hides, that is what our hammie likes ♥ You can add light DIY cardboard hides on top as well, gives more stability and encourages them to dig/burrow!

[em~]

Well done on the DIY’s! They look great.
My only suggestion is ditch that blue semi transparent igloo, for a wooden or cardboard multi-chamber hide
The transalucent (sorry I don’t know how to spell) igloo is not ideal for a hamster.

Thank you! I'll make a carboard hide to replace the igloo

 

Very nice My only suggestion would be to bury the hides, that is what our hammie likes ♥ You can add light DIY cardboard hides on top as well, gives more stability and encourages them to dig/burrow!

Thanks for the tip