Hamster Cages

I realize that I left my readers hanging and hungering for more hamster related info and news after my last post. So, I am back to help ease the suffering. Thus, I bring to you, a brand new post! This post will detail hamster cages. I will talk about what sizes are appropriate as well as what types. I will also dispel long popular rumors on this subject. So without further adieu,  the rest of my post.

Plastic Trail Cages

These cages have long since been popular with many crowds, mostly the younger ones, and I have to admit, I used one or two back in my youth. Made by popular companies such as Crittertrail and Habitrail, they provide everything one would think any hamster would need all in one nifty and visually engaging setup. There are even themes that the manufacturers provide such as a royal castle or Dora the Explorer. Some, like the Habitrail Ovo, even bring about a space age look and feel. While this cage is somewhat okay, I use "okay" loosely here, for dwarfs and Chinese hamsters, they are much too small and cramped for Syrian hamsters. Syrians can barely fit in the tubes and the wheels provided with the setup leave many a Syrian with back aches because of they are a poor, and much too small, fit. Long story short folks, don't ever use this type of cage with a Syrian. Its just not a good fit, literally.

These cages are also somewhat a pain in the backside to clean. What with the disassembling and scrubbing down of all the parts and pieces, then drying them and putting them back together. This process can take in excess of an hour or more to complete. Add to that the price tag these puppies can have, some costing upwards of $50-$60 for a measly amount of space, and neither you nor your hamster will be happy.



Wire Cages


A simple wire cage with a plastic bottom is becoming increasingly popular as the preferred cage to purchase. Its lightweight, easy to clean and many things can be done to it. Some even come with a wheel, food dish and water bottle. Even cages with multiple levels can be bought. However, most wire cages that are sold as hamster cages are a bit on the small side if your looking to house a Syrian. The wheels are, again, too small for a Syrian and those snazzy looking levels can pose a potential risk of a fall. Lets face it. Hamsters aren't the brightest crayon in the box. They will walk right off of a ledge, not knowing or really thinking, where the bottom of the fall will be. This is mostly because they are terribly nearsighted and can't discern distances at all well. So, with this being said, a cage with multiple levels that allow the hamster to walk right over the edge might not be the best idea.


Homemade Bin Cages

With the lack of great cage options on the shelves of stores, more and more hamster owners are turning to making homemade bin cages for their hamsters. This gives the owner complete control of the size of the cage and most importantly, the floor space. Floor space is key with any hamster cage. The more you have, the better. Hamsters do best with their four little feet firmly on the cage floor, so multiple levels aren't really needed. Remember what I said about them being terribly nearsighted and unable to discern distances well? This type of cage also allows you to add a proper sized wheel, which is very important to hamster health. A wheel which is too small will cause the hamster to arch its back when running, thus causing soreness and eventually disfigurement. That's right. The spine will literally become deformed after a while.

As well as giving you control over many of its aspects, this type of cage is also extremely cheap and easily made. All you need is a storage bin, hardware cloth, and a few basic tools. I will post a step by step guide to making one in the future. In the meantime, feel free to Google it. This cage is also very simple and easy to clean and, as its made of plastic, its light weight and won't break easily. All in all, a very popular and ideal option.


Glass Tanks


Some people prefer to use glass tanks as cages as they are convenient and provide ample space, when the proper size is selected that is. Now, there is a popular misconception that a glass tank wouldn't provide the required ventilation needed to keep the hamster healthy and happy. Well, this is just that, a misconception. If the cage is cleaned on a regular basis and is the proper size, this is not at all a problem. In fact, the mesh lid will give your hamster all the ventilation it needs. One can also add a homemade cage topper to these cages for even more space, though be cautious with the levels. Make sure the hamster can't tumble over the edge and go free falling down to the tank floor. This isn't at all good for their little bodies what with internal injuries and whatnot. 

Some people will cram a poor Syrian hamster in a ten gallon and think all is fine. Well, in reality, its not. The minimum tank size is a 20 long, even with a dwarf or Chinese hamster. Remember, floor space is the most important thing here. Of course, if you can go bigger, all the better. I am currently working on getting my 29 gallon breeder in shape to house the latest hamster I will be getting.

Also remember that when housing multiple dwarf hamsters, that levels aren't recommended. Levels will cause territorial issues and eventually fights to the death.


Well, that's all I know about cages. Sorry if I missed anything. Its very late at night and I tend not to write the best at this hour.

Regardless, and as always,

Stay Savvy!!

Hamster Bedding

I am going to add one more post to my blog before I call it a night, as it is very late and I am very tired.
 
Tonight's topic is going to be bedding, as in what types and brands to use and what not to use. I think I will start by saying this one valuable bit of information so that its very clear to you readers:  The pet stores, like Petco and Petsmart, are more interested in selling you a product and making money than they are at keeping your animal healthy and happy. Its their foremost concern. Its understandable to a point, I mean its what a good business should be doing, making sales to profit the business, but within reason. Its when the company starts selling and not considering who they are selling too and what they are selling that it gets to be a problem. I, however, digress. This is a blog dedicated to info, not to bash corporate fat cats. For that, I advise going to a political blog. Now onto the topic at hand, bedding. There are many bedding types available. Pine, Cedar, Carefresh, and even shredded paper to name a few. Here is my list on the best and worst beddings to use. I will group them by wood shavings, paper products, and grasses.

Wood Shavings  

Pine Shavings
While this is a popular choice among hamster owners for its fresh piney scent, it is the very scent that is the reason this bedding is not suitable. That nice scent you smell comes from oils in the wood. These oils, while indeed fragrant, cause the hamster skin irritation, and over time, hair loss. This causes the hamster to have unnecessary stress and shortens their life overall. Please refrain from using this as a bedding. I know that they sell it at the pet stores, but its just to make money, not for the interest of the pet.  

Cedar Shavings
Popular for the same reasons as pine shavings, its fresh and appealing scent. Yet it has those oils that cause the skin irritation and hair loss like pine shavings. Please don't use these either.

Aspen Shavings
A very good choice indeed, and the only type of wood shavings that I am aware of being sold at major pet stores that is okay to use. These particular type of shavings don't have those pesky, skin irritating oils in them and can be used alone or with other acceptable beddings. I don't use them personally but they are used by other top hamster owners and breeders.

Paper Products  

Carefresh
When I refer to Carefresh, I am of course, referring to the products made from bits of fluffed cardboard and whatnot. They come in a range of cheerful and attractive colors which pleases the younger crowd, and are soft and comfy for the rodent. It should be advised that this bedding is known to contain mites so be cautious when putting into the cage ( though I have been using this brand for a few years now and have yet to see any mites in my cage or on my hamsters ). I use the Carefresh Ultra brand which is specially designed to absorb odor as well as wick up moisture. I notice that the bedding around the water bottle can sometimes be a tad bit soggy because of this but the pieces are good at holding and keeping in excess moisture.

Shredded Paper
Some people like to use shredded paper from their paper shredder as a bedding. It is both plentiful and cheap as well as readily accessible. However, this type of bedding is poor at absorbing odor and moisture. It also tends to get messy really quickly.  

Grasses  

Straw and Hay
Some people like to use straw and hay as bedding if they have it readily available. It smells nice, and offers the hamster a snack as well as as a place to curl up in. It can get moldy quickly though, due to urine and water leaking from the water bottle, so be on the lookout for that. Mold spores can get into the hamster's lungs and cause respiratory complications. It also can cause other problems if ingested.

 Natural Soil Beddings 

I don't really know much about the type of soils that go into a natural hamster cage, but I do know that they are popular among German and other European countries thereabouts. Maybe a reader can fill us in on that particular subject.

Well that is all that I know about hamster bedding. I don't know much else.

Till next time,
Stay Savvy!!

Hamster Savvy is Born!!

Hamster Savvy is an online resource for hamster knowledge. I am going to collect knowledge from all over the webs and put them in one place for all to see. Continue to come back for more interesting and informative posting.

Stay Savvy!!