21 replies to this topic

[HamsterLover246]

Hi!
I was just wondering people's opinions about cage sizes. Do you think 450 sq inches makes a good cage, even if it is the minimum ?

In my opinion, it's too small , for any hamster breed. I'm not saying a hamster will hate it, but if you want a completely happy hamster, more is necessary. I do understand the bare minimum needs to be realistic for everyone, and of course its better than a crittertail , but I still think it's too small. You won't be able to fit everything a hamster needs to be happy .

I always say 450 sq inches here because I guess the US community is the biggest one, where nearly everyone is from, but I live in Norway.
Here, the minimum for a dwarf is 40x60cm, and for a syrian it's 80x50 cm.
The syrian minimum is okay I guess, (a bit bigger than 450 sq inches) but the dwarf minimum, is wayyy to small in my opinion. (345 sq inches) what do you think about that?
The most popular hamster cage here is definitely: https://www.dogman.com/no/ferplast-smadyrbur-duna-fun-bla-m-55cm-998755?gclid=Cj0KCQjwl92XBhC7ARIsAHLl9alpAY32KcWUM2oohMyaAOErc1EXEQbKS6XLJxwXU43YD4FOqwiQhKMaAiFHEALw_wcBfor Dwarves and Syrians.
I disagree that Dwarves can have smaller cages anyways, though
What are your opinions about all of this ?
-Hamsterlover246 <3
 

[Happyhammies26]

I agree, 4500 Sq inches is to small for any species of hamster. Thought 450 Sq inches is livable, I think the bare minimum should be 600 Sq inches for all species. Though if someone has a 450 Sq inch cage, I believe that we should recommend larger, but if they try to fit all the enrichment a hamster needs including a large wheel, I'd say that they are doing a okay job (at least it's not a critterjail)
The dwarf minimums way to small, just because dwarfs are small doesn't mean they deserve a smaller cage.

I also disagree that dwarfs can have smaller cages,

- Happyhammies26

Edited by Happyhammies26, 13 August 2022 - 11:31 PM.

[snowham12345]

I agree with you.
It isn’t often that you hear of a hamster satisfied with only 450 square inches of space. It simply is too small.
My personal minimums are 600 square inches, preferably 800+.
I have my Syrian in a 950 square inch enclosure and my dwarf in a 750 square inch enclosure (his is a bit smaller due to the fact that he is blind and over two years old and very much can slowing down)

[HamsterLover246]

I agree with you.
It isn’t often that you hear of a hamster satisfied with only 450 square inches of space. It simply is too small.
My personal minimums are 600 square inches, preferably 800+.
I have my Syrian in a 950 square inch enclosure and my dwarf in a 750 square inch enclosure (his is a bit smaller due to the fact that he is blind and over two years old and very much can slowing down)

I have my syrian an a 950sq inches too, and my past dwarf was in the same one. Until my dwarf got it , she was bored in all enclosures 😂

[Natalie]

I agree with all of you, 450 just seems too small to fit all of the supplies necessary for enrichment and give the hamster some floor space so I think 600 should be the minimum

[Natalie]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, dwarves and Syrians needing different sizes is a myth because cage size ought to depend on activity, and not size. Dwarves, especially robos, need just as much space because they are very fast and very active, they need the space just as much as a Syrian.

[HamsterLover246]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention, dwarves and Syrians needing different sizes is a myth because cage size ought to depend on activity, and not size. Dwarves, especially robos, need just as much space because they are very fast and very active, they need the space just as much as a Syrian.

I agree soo much😀

Edited by HamsterLover246, 14 August 2022 - 12:37 AM.

[HamsterLover246]

I think 450 sq inches also is a minimum because those who start with crittertails etc, if you tell them that they need a 700-800 sq inch cage, they will probably never upgrade because they arent interested enough in hamsters to let them take up some big space. But maybe 450 sq inches is more realistic to them, so they are more likely to upgrade? And 450 sq inches is better than a petstore cage. I don't know but it seems to be a reason that is realistic for me at least

[a little furry thing]

I think the biggest factor is enrichment

 

Like I think you can do a lot more for a dwarf in, say a 50 gal, than you can for a Syrian just because their accessories are gonna be smaller. So while all species deserve large enclosures, you can make due with less for dwarfs

 

Oatmeal's my first hamster I've had since i was eight, and she's a dwarf. I've setup and rearranged her cage several times and I kinda got used to that relatively small scale. And then when I set up the 50 gallon bin for a potential syrian (which I decided against), oh my gosh the space just does not go as far. The 12" wheel alone takes up so much space compared to Oatmeal's old 8".

 

 Also just a tangentially related side note I find it's easier to make diys for dwarfs cause you don't need as much materials. I rarely make cute diy stuff for my rats but i make stuff for oatmeal all the time.

[HamsterLover246]

I agree, the only reason I think they should have as much space is because of the energy they need to run, not only to explore different accessories. At least my dwarf needed to run all the time, even though she loved to explore her toys and accessoires !

[Tater]

I agree, the only reason I think they should have as much space is because of the energy they need to run, not only to explore different accessories. At least my dwarf needed to run all the time, even though she loved to explore her toys and accessoires !

It feels as if you just keep mentioning your experience with dwarfs, which sounds as if you've only owned 1? Do you have other evidence or experience to back up your claims about both dwarfs and syrians needing same enclosure sizes? Or is your info based solely on your experience.

[HamsterLover246]

Well, I've had one dwarf, known many, but only owned one, yes. I don't think I've tried to say I was am expert, and I've not said I have ALOT of experience, but I've said MY experience.
I don't think I've ever said I was an expert, just that IN MY opinion they need as much. Everything I've read and heard about hamsters, they say start with a syrian, because they are more calm. Dwarves have more energy, and run around even faster than Syrians. I don't have any "evidence", but I've heard people around me, read things, and experienced things.

And remember, this is my opinion, I'm not trying to lecture everyone I'm not trying to explain what you should do, but I'm rather explaining what I've experienced, and what I've read and heard. I'm only saying, that in my opinion, there is no reason to say that if you can't fit a big cage, get a dwarf. You've said you had your Dwarves in a 600 sq inch cage, something I absolutely Don't qualify as abuse, I'm sure your hamsters had and have a great life, in my opinion Dwarves should just have like 700-800 sq inches minimum, but I know my meaning about this can be a bit extreme and not realistic for many, dwarves can surely be happy in a 600sq inch with proper bedding depth and good enrichment. In my opinion bigger can often be necessary, but that's my opinion
I know I've been repeating things, and I hope I don't sound rude or like I think I know everything Hope I made things clear <3
-HamsterLover246

[Rapha689Pro]

Yeah,but only for robo and smaller dwarfs,and maybe a Chinese,but for a chinese I reccomend connecting another cage (The first being more than 430 sq inches) and for a Syrian much more,a robo and dwarfs can be happy in this cages (like a 105 qt bin,that,contrary to the popular belief,it’s not 375 sq inches BUT 430 sq inches) but I think Chineses and Syrians need more space

[Rapha689Pro]

Well, I've had one dwarf, known many, but only owned one, yes. I don't think I've tried to say I was am expert, and I've not said I have ALOT of experience, but I've said MY experience.
I don't think I've ever said I was an expert, just that IN MY opinion they need as much. Everything I've read and heard about hamsters, they say start with a syrian, because they are more calm. Dwarves have more energy, and run around even faster than Syrians. I don't have any "evidence", but I've heard people around me, read things, and experienced things.

And remember, this is my opinion, I'm not trying to lecture everyone I'm not trying to explain what you should do, but I'm rather explaining what I've experienced, and what I've read and heard. I'm only saying, that in my opinion, there is no reason to say that if you can't fit a big cage, get a dwarf. You've said you had your Dwarves in a 600 sq inch cage, something I absolutely Don't qualify as abuse, I'm sure your hamsters had and have a great life, in my opinion Dwarves should just have like 700-800 sq inches minimum, but I know my meaning about this can be a bit extreme and not realistic for many, dwarves can surely be happy in a 600sq inch with proper bedding depth and good enrichment. In my opinion bigger can often be necessary, but that's my opinion
I know I've been repeating things, and I hope I don't sound rude or like I think I know everything Hope I made things clear <3
-HamsterLover246

Syrians can run faster than dwarves,they are just less energetic

[HamsterLover246]

Syrians can run faster than dwarves,they are just less energetic

Yes, so because they are more energetic I think they need as much space as a syrian
I'm not trying to say who's faster