5 replies to this topic

[Rapha689Pro]

Yeah,a lot of people say the absolute bare minimum it’s 450 square inches of unbroken floorspace,the problem its that when someone has a 430-440 sq inch cage then this hamster/mice owners go crazy and say it’s super small and your abusing your pet and that,in my PERSONAL opinion,the bare minimum it’s between 420-460 sq inches,not exactly 450 sq inches,I’ve seen some owners like Munchie’s place going crazy just because a cage it’s 448 sq inches and not 450 sq inches,LOL,please don’t go crazy saying there is scientific proof,a hamster will be equally stressed in a 430 sq inch cage or 450 sq inch cage

[HamsterLover246]

I understand what you mean, but in My opinion 440 sq inches is okay compared to the bare minimum, but 420 is to small, in my opinion even 450 sq inches is small...
But much better than a crittertrail, yes!
The bare minimum needs to be realistic for those who started with a super small cage. But in my opinion, 700 sq inches is where a cage starts to be really good, and not only okay, for all hamster breeds. But that's just my opinion

[♥️ ♥]

I'm not sure the "experts" go crazy over the 10 or 20 sq inches of floor space, rather than the overall smallness of 450 sq inches. It really is a small space. And not many hamsters, mice, etc (very few ) will actually be happy in that small amount of space. And yes, they might be stressed the same amount having 20 more sq inches. Like HamsterLover 246 said, it does need to be realistic though. 

I get where you're coming from though! As small animal lovers, we all want our pets to be as happy as possible ))

[HamsterLover246]

I'm not sure the "experts" go crazy over the 10 or 20 sq inches of floor space, rather than the overall smallness of 450 sq inches. It really is a small space. And not many hamsters, mice, etc (very few ) will actually be happy in that small amount of space. And yes, they might be stressed the same amount having 20 more sq inches. Like HamsterLover 246 said, it does need to be realistic though.
I get where you're coming from though! As small animal lovers, we all want our pets to be as happy as possible ))

Totally agree
450 sq inches may be "okay", but don't you want your pet to have more than an "okay" life?(I'm not meaning you, just people in general)
Dwarf hamsters are also even worse climbers, so they can't show they aren't happy by escaping, something a syrian can do easier.

Edited by HamsterLover246, 13 August 2022 - 04:38 AM.

[Binder]

Well, overall as a community 450 as a minimum itself has been discredited. In mine and lots of other opinions to truly give a hamster everything it needs to thrive 450 is simply just not enough, especially for larger hamsters like some RCD and Syrians.


But I also do believe getting nit picky over 10, 20, or 30 sq inches is a little petty and unnecessary.

[HamsterLover246]

I disagree. 10 sq inches is unescessary, yes , but 30? When were talking about such small space as 450, 30 sq inches can be room for a wheel, another hideout, a food dish, and other things . So yes, if we're talking about 900 sq inches 30 sq inches won't be a big difference.
I also disagree that small Dwarves can be happier in a 450 sq inches, than Syrians. In my experience, Dwarves need to run even more than Syrians, but Dwarves are smaller. So in my opinion they need as much, both. The only difference should be bedding depth if you're not able to give your dwarf that much, and wheel size.

When 450 sq inches is already small, 10 sq inches can make a difference, and if you can always go under the limit, whats the point of a limit?

Edited by HamsterLover246, 13 August 2022 - 07:31 AM.