Minimum hamster cage size

Although hamsters are an inexpensive pet to buy, the cost of suitable housing should not be overlooked.

Hamsters and other small rodents need plenty of space to move about as they are highly active at night. Unfortunately, they no longer advocate a minimum cage size, but they do state any pet should be able to exhibit all normal behaviours, which for hamsters includes running, exploring, climbing, and burrowing. We make 4 standard sizes of Pet Home for small pets — all of which will be suitable for your hamster, mice or gerbils depending on how much space you want to provide. Our smallest size is 90 x 60cm see first pic above. To view our range of Hamster Cages, just click on the button below. Syrian hamsters must be housed individually, but dwarf hamsters, mice and gerbils are more social creatures, and can be housed in pairs or groups. When housing two or more dwarf hamsters together, choose a cage without any platform levels or compartments, as this can lead to territorial behaviour and fighting.

Minimum hamster cage size

One of the most popular species of hamster kept as a pet is the Syrian or golden hamster. Despite the common name, not all Syrian hamsters have reddish-golden hair; they now are bred in a variety of colors and hair lengths. While Syrian hamsters are the largest type of pet hamster, they are still relatively small at an average of 5 to 7 inches in length as adults. These cute rodents make fun pets and can be socialized with regular gentle handling. They are curious, active, and playful, although their nocturnal habits mean you might not often see them while awake. Some will adjust somewhat to your schedule, however, if you handle them regularly. Never abruptly wake up your sleeping hamster, as this may startle it into biting. To keep your pet hamster healthy and happy, it is very important to feed it an appropriate diet, give it opportunities to exercise, and choose a cage that fits its needs. When you are choosing a cage for your Syrian hamster , you need to consider several factors. Most importantly, you want to pick a cage that is large enough, safe, and easy to clean. Unfortunately, many cages you will find at the pet store do not meet all these requirements when it comes to Syrian hamsters. Here's how to pick the best kind of cage for your hamster and properly outfit it. Your main choices will be between a wire cage usually on a plastic base , a plastic modular cage the kind with many compartments and tubes , or an aquarium with a secure mesh lid. Each style of cage has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cleaning , ventilation, and security.

Since hamsters are small and fragile, harnesses and leashes can easily injure them.

Caring for a pet hamster includes providing a cage with bedding, food, and water. You want to provide a big enough cage so your hamster can get enough exercise every day and has access to plenty of mentally stimulating toys. For Syrian hamsters, the minimum amount of floor space needed per hamster is square inches, or 40 x The height should be 24 inches to allow for several inches of bedding. Chinese and dwarf hamsters need a minimum of square inches of floor space.

In fact, some animal welfare groups refuse to give a minimum, as really it should be about providing as much space as possible — not providing the minimum. You will also need to consider other things, such as the size of the bars, or any potential escape routes, too. And, of course, hamsters are far less likely to be given free roam of larger areas of your home. As large a cage as you can afford, accommodate and practically look after is always a good idea. Also make sure you think about other stimulation in the cage, such as wheels, toys and things for them to chew. There are a number of key criteria you should consider when trying to choose the best hamster cage.

Minimum hamster cage size

Experienced hamster owners suggest square inches as the minimal size for a hamster's cage. Bigger IS better when it comes to your hamster's cage, so try to get a larger cage if possible and follow up with getting the best possible setup inside, to provide your little furry friend with a rich and interesting environment. However, there are still other factors to consider when choosing a hamster cage size: type of hamster, ease of cleaning, and ventilation.

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Hamsters in the wild will cover very large distances at night whilst they forage for food. What signs of stress or boredom might indicate a problem? Take a measuring tape and measure the length of the and width of the cage at the base , multiply those numbers and it will give you a calculation of floor space. Recommendations for the best first hamster cage include the Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage , which is complete with an assortment of accessories. Stereotypic wire-gnawing, usage of the provided space, weight gain, and reactions to mild husbandry stressors were used as welfare indicators. Adding a cork log or other tunnel halfway into the bedding can be a starting point for a burrow system. Using video recordings, the behaviour of sixty female golden hamsters Mesocricetus auratus , housed individually in four different cage sizes, was compared in order to draw conclusions about their welfare. Hamster cages available in pet shops vary hugely in size, and design; so what should you be looking at when considering cage size and type? Leave a Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Blog About Contact. Toggle limited content width. These cages are available in many sizes and to fit any budget. When you are choosing a cage for your Syrian hamster , you need to consider several factors. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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As such, they need chew toys for proper dental care. While in a hamster ball, especially a transparent one, hamsters cannot meet their natural instinct to take cover. Sadly though, there are many other cages available similar to these and many hamsters across the world that have to live in them:. For inspiration take a look at our Amazing Setups page. How many levels should my hamster cage have? As a general rule, your Syrian hamster should have a layer of bedding that's at least 1 to 2 inches deep. The cage sizes were 1, cm2, 2, cm2, 5, cm2, and 10, cm2. Blog About Contact. It is recommended to choose a wire-top cage that has at least square inches 5, square centimeters of unbroken floor space and a plastic base with a height of at least 8 inches 20 centimeters. Create an Account. Hamster wheels are exercise devices that allow hamsters to run, even in a confined space. Plastic cages and aquariums do offer better protection from drafts. Are you wondering how big your cage at home is? Research shows that a smaller cage size causes more bar biting.