Minimum hamster cage size

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.

Even though hamsters are very small they actually require a lot of space, it is not uncommon for hamsters in the wild to run 9km in one night. It is the minimum cage size for ALL species of hamsters including Dwarf. Please note this is a minimum of unbroken floor space not levels , the more space the better. Pet shops usually always sell cages which are far too small, this is because they are often cheaper for customers to buy and they save on shop floor space. If you buy a cage which is too small, your hamster will sadly live a miserable life.

Minimum hamster cage size

A hamster cage is an enclosure designed to house one hamster. It is recommended that hamster cages contain at least x 50 cm in of floor space , although there is evidence that hamsters experience less stress if housed in larger cages. The recommended cage size for a hamster is a minimum of 50 centimeters by centimeters, and at least 18 inches tall. The ideal floor for a hamster is solid and covered with bedding. A wire-top cage is a plastic base with an overarching wire structure. A wire cage with wired stairs may cause bumblefoot. Wire-top cages for hamsters are often marketed in two varieties; [10] one version for larger Syrian hamsters, with approximately 12 mm 0. 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. Well designed wire-top cages have doors that are specifically placed to allow humans to open them as needed, accessing any part of the pen. The wobbling may upset hamsters, who prefer stable ground. Plastic tank cages range from simple boxes to elaborately designed structures with tubes, tunnels, and separate rooms to encourage exploration. These modules are generally sold separately.

Mewoofun x 50cm cm2. Categories : Hamster equipment Buildings and structures used to confine animals, minimum hamster cage size. Using video recordings, the behaviour of sixty female golden hamsters Mesocricetus auratushoused individually in four different cage sizes, was compared in order to draw conclusions about their welfare.

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.

Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Since your hamster will be spending the majority of its life inside its cage , it is essential to have the right size cage for them to live in. The right cage for your hamster should be easy to clean, spacious, roomy enough for them to run around in, and of course, escape-proof! Hamsters are highly active animals — they can run 5 to 8 miles a night in the wild! That being said, there are several other vital factors to consider other than size, all of which can have a dramatic influence on the health and happiness of your hamster family. So how much space does a hamster need in their cage?

Minimum hamster cage size

Even though hamsters are very small they actually require a lot of space, it is not uncommon for hamsters in the wild to run 9km in one night. It is the minimum cage size for ALL species of hamsters including Dwarf. Please note this is a minimum of unbroken floor space not levels , the more space the better.

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A hamster could start to burrow in at least 6 inches of bedding but a section of 10 inches 25cm is much more suitable as the hamster can make a deeper burrow like they would have done in the wild, it is also a way to make them feel safe and warm in their environment. Scatter feeding rather than just putting food into a bowl encourages the hamster to forage for its food as it would in the wild. Use profiles to select personalised content. Email Address. The wheel should be large enough that the hamster runs with its back positioned flat. As a Suggestion — You will see that owners often buy a tank at no extra cost than a cage and they create natural wild looking setups that your hamster will love. Cage materials may include wire mesh, aquariums, and plastic. The recommended cage size for a hamster is a minimum of 50 centimeters by centimeters, and at least 18 inches tall. As a general rule, your Syrian hamster should have a layer of bedding that's at least 1 to 2 inches deep. Choose a wheel that's 8 to 12 inches in diameter for your Syrian hamster, as the 6-inch wheels intended for mice or dwarf hamsters are not large enough. Wire cages have many advantages, but some hamsters become almost obsessive about chewing the bars. Our Pet Homes 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.

Do you want your hamster to be happy?

Make the enclosure big enough to dig and roll in such as a glass baking dish. Remove soiled bedding daily, and replace all of the bedding weekly. No bars means no bar biting, it also allows you to add enough bedding depth so that your hamster can burrow. This article contains instructions, advice, or how-to content. Therefore, bedding made from cedar or pine is considered unsafe for hamsters. Each style of cage has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cleaning , ventilation, and security. TVT considers hamster balls to be dangerous, and they do not recommend them for any small mammal. The connecting tubes have multiple connection joints that can trap bacteria from the typical soiling that happens while the hamster is roaming the trails. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Remember me. The small ventilation slots may not provide sufficient air supply for the hamster. Facilitating this natural behaviour is very important to keep your hamster happy and stimulated.