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| Types of Cages |
| The Cage Choosing a Cage Types of Cages Preparing the Cage Where to Place the Cage Cleaning the Cage |
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| * Don't forget these points (from the Choosing a Cage page) when selecting a cage: size, durability, wire/aquarium, shape, door (size, handiness), colour The Wire Cage Ideal for: Syrian Hamsters Syrian hamsters like to climb up and down the bars. They are much too big to squeeze through them. Description: This is considered the "typical" hamster cage, but is not necessarily the best. Wire cages consist of metal bars approximately 1 cm apart, running either vertically or horizontally. They make up all four walls and the top of the cage. The bottom is a removable tray, usually plastic. Some wire cages also have bars along the bottom just above a plastic tray (much like a bird cage), but they are NOT suitable for hamsters, as hamsters need a thick layer of shavings in which to burrow, hide food and make their bed. The door of these cages is usually found on the top of the cage, but can also be found on the side. It latches shut by hooking onto one of the bars. Pros and Cons of a Wire Cage Pros * light and very durable * wire cages come in many shapes and sizes, usually with a wide variety of doors and trays as well * bars can be used to hold up toys and platforms * hamsters have fun climbing up or along the bars * hamsters will chew on the bars when stressed, bored, or from lack of a gnawing log. It makes it easy to see when your hamster is uncomfortable. * removable tray makes it easy to clean * excellent ventilation and will not get overheated The Aquarium Ideal for: Dwarf hamsters Due to their small size, they can easily squeeze through the bars of most wire cages. Although platforms cannot be added in aquariums some breeds of dwarf hamsters are not good climbers and won't make use of them anyways. Description: All aquarium cages consist of plastic or glass walls and base and a solid coloured plastic, removable cover. Aquarium cages are usually visualized as fish tanks converted into a hamster home. In truth, this is only the most common of the different types of aquarium cages. Nowadays, there are aquariums made of thin plastic panels that are designed and sold as hamster cages. These are usually much smaller than fish tank aquariums, and although they offer some ventilation, it is usually insignificant. Watch out for catchy advertisement of these cages; decide for yourself whether they are large enough for your hamster, and have enough ventilation. Pros and Cons of an Aquarium Pros * clear, unobstructed view of the hamster * hamsters have almost no chance of escaping * glass aquariums are extremely durable; however, thin plastic aquariums may weaken over time * large amounts of shavings can be added for your hamster to burrow in * the area around the aquarium remains clean and free of shavings The Mixed Cage Ideal for: Syrian hamsters, the larger breeds of Dwarf hamsters Since this cage combines the basics of both the wire cages and the aquariums, it is suitable for both Syrian hamsters and the larger dwarf hamsters, as the low plastic panels prevent the dwarf hamsters from reaching the bars (the smaller dwarf hamsters are still at risk of escaping through the bars). Description: This is easily the most versatile type of cage. It is a mix of both wire cages and aquariums. Therefore, it has all the advantages of both the wire cages and the aquariums, but cancels out most of the cons. The typical mixed cage has plastic panels on the two sides of the cage as well as a bit in the lower front and back. The top and the upper front and back of the cage consist of wire bars, and the base is a removable plastic tray. The door can be plastic or wire and functions the same way as in a wire cage. This type of cage can usually be linked to other cages of this type using tubes. There are many different varieties of this type of cage, however. Some only have bars on the roof of the cage, forming an aquarium with lovely ventilation. Others have no plastic panels on the front and back. Some have very dark coloured panels that obscure your view of the hamster. Be very careful not to buy simply because of fancy advertisement, as these are the MOST ADVERTISED cages. (The following list of pros and cons are based on the typical mixed cage) Pros and Cons of a Mixed Cage Pros * light but durable * allows ventilation and prevents overheating (the more bars there are the better; ex. the Habitrail Safari cage. Ones with few bars give more venti- lation than aquariums but still not very much) * hamsters enjoy climbing up and along the bars * bars can be used to hold up toys and platforms * hamsters will chew on the bars when stressed, bored, or from lack of a gnawing log. It makes it easy to see when your hamster is uncomfortable. * clear, unobstructed view of the hamster through certain parts of the cage * removable tray makes it easy to clean * the area around the cage stays clean and free of shavings * lots of shavings can be added Brands of Cages (under construction) IMPORTANT: This is NOT an advertising section. It is here to show you how well specific brands and models will suit both yours and your hamster's needs, without you actually having to try them out yourself. Inevitably, some brands and models of cages are better than others. However, the best cage is not necessarily the most expensive, and sometimes a cage of better quality may cost less. On the other hand, a very cheap cage may upset the hamster, or may get chewed up in the first week. So how can you tell the quality of a cage just by looking at the price? Simple answer: you can't. You usually can't even tell how good a cage is by looking at the cage itself. This section is here to show you how well specific brands and models will suit both yours and your hamster's needs, without you actually having to try them out yourself. Each cage has been tried out and given a rating of one to four stars: * = poor (lacks important features, is of poor quality . . .) * * = average * * * = good * * * * = outstanding (has all important features in desired position/shape, has something above and beyond the normal cage (accessories, or on the cage itself), is of excellent quality . . .) |
| Cons * shavings can be pushed out of the cage * the paint on the bars may come off due to gnawing and tiny claws. (make sure any paint used is non-toxic) * bars may obscure your view of the hamster * tray limits the amount of shavings you can put in the cage * most wire cages do not allow you to link other cages/rooms to it using tubes * smart hamsters may be able to open the latch of the door (to prevent this, click here to find out how to make a cage lock) |
| Cons * aquariums do not allow proper ventilation. Small aquariums may get overheated * hamsters have no room to climb as there are no bars and platforms can only be added using suction cups. Toys cannot be suspended as well (keep in mind that Syrian hamsters enjoy climbing but certain dwarf hamsters do not) * large glass aquariums are very heavy * other cages/rooms cannot be joined using tubes * hard to clean, as they don't have a removable tray |
| Cons * hamsters may be able to open the latch of the door (to prevent this, click here to find out how to make a cage lock) * the paint on the bars may come off due to gnawing and tiny claws. (make sure any paint used is non-toxic) * plastic panels and tubes need to be cleaned regularily * this type of cage is relatively new and so it comes in limited shapes and sizes |
| The Wire Cage The Aquarium The Mixed Cage |