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Post by bubbles87 on Oct 5, 2015 14:51:40 GMT
I have an imac fantasty hamster cage. This size link to cage was curious if this could be suitable for anything other than a hamster?
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Post by smilesbetter on Oct 5, 2015 21:22:12 GMT
Personally I'd not use that for a hamster, it looks way too small. The bigger the better I always say (although obviously make sure it's escape proof haha)!
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Post by bubbles87 on Oct 6, 2015 8:22:19 GMT
Really? I thought the cage was decent size with it measuring Width: 58cm, Depth: 38cm, Height: 77cm. It has 3 floors...the top 1 Lilly used as her bed & food storage. Lol. The cage can have levels added to it as well
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Post by smilesbetter on Oct 6, 2015 9:49:48 GMT
I personally prefer the big glass ones with plenty ventilation holes which are marketed for rabbits (and way too small for rabbits in my opinion). You can put different levels into it and can also create a decent area on the bottom floor for digging and foraging, however I'd personally probably add some sort of "background" to at least three sides of those ones (making sure not to cover ventilation holes) so that the hamster doesn't feel too exposed either.
I feel that cages marketed for a particular animal are usually in my opinion much too small for that type of animal, as sure it has some space but I feel it can get very boring and the bigger a cage is the better. Plus I'm not so keen on plastic cages or ones with bars.
Just my personal opinion, but I would always go for the biggest enclosure possible and really go for the behavioural enrichment in any way I could, plus changing areas of the environment now and then depending on the animal and how it would cope with that, so that the cage doesn't get too repetitive and boring.
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Post by Roo on Oct 6, 2015 10:11:06 GMT
I think the minimum size requirements for a hamster cage are 30cm high, 50cm wide and 70cm long, or there abouts.
I wouldn't use it. Hamsters like to climb, but prefer a tank style cage/enclosure as everything is near enough on the same level. Remember they have incredibly poor eyesight, and as they get older wouldn't be able to navigate around this cage easily. They should not have bars on the cage because this can lead to monkey-barring, which is a form of stress, however there is much debate about this still.
Check out ErinsAnimals on YouTube - possibly the best source of hamster care out there. Highly recommend her cage videos.
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Post by Roo on Oct 6, 2015 10:17:54 GMT
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Post by Roo on Oct 6, 2015 10:20:15 GMT
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Post by Roo on Oct 6, 2015 10:21:43 GMT
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Post by Roo on Oct 6, 2015 10:22:30 GMT
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Post by smilesbetter on Oct 6, 2015 10:54:49 GMT
Haha the German cages are absolutely not all that minimum size, at my old work there was some teensie ones, which I never had to sell as I was always quite happy to inform customers that they were way too small.
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Post by bubbles87 on Oct 6, 2015 12:09:09 GMT
I presume by all your comments about its suitability for a hamster you wouldn't suggest using it for any other pet? lol.
I will def have a look at the videos though :-) thank you
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Post by Roo on Oct 6, 2015 12:57:04 GMT
I presume by all your comments about its suitability for a hamster you wouldn't suggest using it for any other pet? lol. I will def have a look at the videos though :-) thank you Nuh-uh! Gerbils need huge tanks that can be filled so they can dig, I think they need a minimum of 1metre long, and about 50cm high (they are talented jumpers). Nice require a different set up altogether, they are so tiny and fragile that they could easily hurt themselves in that sort of cage, but also escape from it pretty quickly!
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Post by smilesbetter on Oct 6, 2015 13:01:05 GMT
I agree with Roo , I can't think of any animal I'd jail in one of those tiny cages for longer than transporting to the vet or some place. I hate that those kinds of cages even exist, they are really just marketed at kids and families with kids in my opinion. They look fun and colourful but in reality they really aren't big enough for any animal.
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Post by barley on Oct 7, 2015 20:12:48 GMT
Remember that whatever cage you get, it'll need to be tall enough to accomodate an 11/12'' wheel, as that is what an adult Syrian needs.
I have the Maxi Duna for my Syrian - 100cm x 50cm - nice deep base for lots of substrate, we love it!
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