21 replies to this topic

[HamsterLover246]

I personally think every hamster needs more, but im not saying they will hate a 430sq inches bin
That is what I think, I'm not trying to convince you and I'm interested in different meanings

[Remy]

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

I actually think Chinese hamsters can do well in smaller cages compared to other species. They enjoy crowded cages with opportunities to climb. They have longer tails and are much more agile compared to other hamsters, which makes them good climbers. Because they use vertical space unlike other species, you can fit more enrichment for them than you could for other hamsters in the same sized cage.

https://vectishams.com/chinese-hamster-housing/
Vectics Hamstery, a fairly well-known Chinese hamster breeder, actually recommends a minimum of 2,000 sq cm (about 310 sq in). While I wouldn’t keep one of my hamsters in that sized cage, it’s interesting to see what people who have so much personal experience with these animals would recommend, particularly because Chinese hamsters aren’t as common as the other species.

I’ve kept plenty of hamsters and other rodents, and I actually see a lot of similarities between mice and the Chinese hamsters I’ve kept. The setups for my Chinese hamsters more closely resembled my mice setups with the crowdedness and the climbing toys. Their body shapes are also similar, long and slender where hamsters are generally more stocky. A lot of mice owners recommend a minimum of 360 sq in (or a 20 gal long tank), which is close to the minimum Vectics recommends on their website. They’re very interesting animals, and the more I learn about them the more I realize that they’re not quite as similar as the other species of hamsters are to each other.

[HamsterLover246]

I agree

Edited by HamsterLover246, 14 August 2022 - 08:15 AM.

[HamsterLover246]

I'm not an expert on Chinese hamsters at all, and not trying to be, just justvwanted to say that even though they can use vertical space, even mice should have bigger cages than thr bare minimum, if that is possible. No need as big as syrians and dwarves, but for me, a minimum is where far under its abuse, and every like ten inches under you go is getting a less happy hamster. Far over the minimum, you'll have a very happy hamster. The minimum is the smallest possible,to get a hamster with an okay life, and nothing more
This is MY opinion, and I'm not trying to convince any of you that I am an expert

Edited by HamsterLover246, 14 August 2022 - 04:11 AM.

[Lillias]

Part of the reason for recommending larger cages for Syrians is that their accessories are bigger, so they get less usable space from the same size habitat. They are also a greater escape risk because they are more capable of reaching top doors or pushing up lids. If you can offer a larger cage for your dwarf, then by all means, go for it.

 

We should keep in mind that not everyone is in the same situation. I wouldn't recommend a 420 sq in cage, but I would never want to see someone rehoming their hamster because that is all they can provide. It's more difficult to rehome an adult hamster, and there are enough hamsters in the world with uncertain futures and no permanent homes. If you are prepping for a new hamster or you are ready to buy a new cage, then yeah, let's talk larger sizes.

[HamsterLover246]

I completely agree, Lillias.
And 420 sq inches is better than many other cages, the hamster could get rehomed to someone with a crittertail.

But, saying dwarfs need smaller cages, for me, means that maybe if you said they needed bigger the person would have got a bigger cage. Accepting 450 sq inches for a dwarf or a syrian Is completely different than reccomending 450 sq inches and saying no more is necessary, if the people could've had a bigger one told that was better
I hope this made any sense hahah
-Hamsterlover246

[snowham12345]

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 😂

My dwarf used to be in 950 too but due to the fact that he’s over 2 years old, completely blind and has dental issues he needs less space. He was using like 1/4 of the enclosure and he’s been much more relaxed in the slightly smaller enclosure.