Many people think there’s not much to research when it comes to getting a hamster, as many believe that all cages in pet shops are good enough for their hamster to live in, but what if I told you that even the biggest cages you find in pet shops are barely adequate enough for a hamster to even temporarily live in?
Here are a few reasons why they need such a large space.
They need space to dig
In the wild hamsters make lots of little tunnel systems to burrows underground, so will instinctively need a large space to dig in their cage, to fulfil their need to do this. Fulfilling your hamsters needs to express natural behaviour is an essential part of pet ownership.
They need a large wheel (especially Syrians)
Having a large exercise wheel for your hamster is absolutely essential. Hamsters have been shown to run up to 8miles in a single night! Having a wheel too small for your hamster increases the risk such as curvature of the spine, arthritis and back pain, especially in Syrians as they’re a large species. A hamsters back must lie straight as they’re running to prevent this.
Most hamster cages simply don’t have the space to fit a wheel large enough for them. Dwarf hamsters need the largest wheels you can buy for a hamster, usually around 8-12inch but the bigger the better, whilst Syrians are more suited to rat wheels. Here is one that I recommend for a Syrian hamster which barely makes any noise and a good quality material.
Space to fit other essentials
Hamsters are very active, which means they will need constant things to be doing in their cage. Give them various chew toys, a great one they love are toilet roll tubes, as they will nibble this up and use for nesting, play sticks and bendy bridges are good. Getting bathing sand for your hamster allows them to roll around and get extra clean, because sometimes they look a little greasy! I would purchase a small stainless steel dog bowl to place the sand in and change regularly, or you can buy sand baths online.
Large cages help prevent behavioural issues
Behavioural issues such as bar chewing can boil down to the fact that their cage simply isn’t big enough. Hamsters can easily become stressed if the cage they’re in is too small which can lead to hamster aggression and also your hamster biting you. This can really ruin your bond with your hamster if they’re not happy.
Which cages do I recommend the most?
A very popular and well sought after hamster cage would actually be the ikea detolf. Although, I would recommend ways to make a secure and well ventilated lid, to ensure there is no possibility of your hamster escaping. I would also recommend watching some videos on YouTube, as there are many channels that show you how to assemble this cage for hamsters.
Another I would recommend would be The Savic Plaza cage or the Hamster Heaven and I definitely wouldn’t go any smaller than that. I personally would remove all the plastic attachments and wheel and opt for more natural and higher quality items that are chewable and durable, I would definitely also be getting a bigger size wheel and hamster house . Accessories that come with cages are usually very cheaply made and poorly fitted.
