Find the Perfect Habitat With These Best Hamster Cages

Did you know that when you put two hamsters in the same cage, there is a great tendency that they will fight to the death? Because hamsters are hermits, and they find living in solitude the most satisfying and safest way to live, there is a great need for your hamster to have its cage. Unfortunately, these furry creatures are also endowed with the ability to flatten their small body and squeeze through cracks and small holes easily, making them one of the greatest escape artists. To ensure that your hamster does not have any reason or chance to wander off, you need to invest in a quality hamster cage. The review section above shows that hamster cages come in several sizes, pack several features, and are made from different materials. So, without wasting time, let's show you how to select the best hamster cage for your little furry friend.

What are the factors to consider when buying a Hamster Cage?

Before going ahead to choose any of the hamster cages reviewed above, here are some factors that will help you in selecting the right hamster cage that will be perfect for you and your hamster.

The Breed

Of the 24 hamster species known today, three are pretty famous for pet purposes: the Dwarf hamster, the Syrian (Golden) hamster, and the Chinese hamster. Each breed is unique in its own sense; hence, your knowledge of the species and peculiarities of your hamster will guide you in your choice of a hamster cage.

It is however important you know that both the Dwarf and Chinese hamsters are much smaller in size than the Syrian hamster, which is popularly called the bear hamster. For this reason, it is only standard that the Syrian hamster will need a bigger space.

With the Dwarf and Chinese hamsters, you would need to invest in more secure cages to counter their small body size and reduce the chances of escape.

Size of the Cage and Living Space

Hamsters are very energetic animals and always need space to move around. When making a hamster cage purchase, ensure you avoid choosing a cramped and confined home. It will be a nightmare for you and your pet.

Experts recommend a minimum floor space of 24 x 12 inches, 17.5 inches of vertical space for the Syrian hamster and 7 inches of vertical space for the smaller breeds.

Living space, although this is quite different from the size of the cage, is an equally important factor you must take into consideration when selecting a hamster cage. It refers to the comfortability rating and general outlook of the cage.

Cage Material

A hamster cage consists of two major parts, the cover and the base. You need to pay attention to the materials used in building each of these parts. Popular cage materials for hamsters include plastic, glass and wire.

Plastic cages, which comprise a plastic cover and a tray as the base, are easy to clean, secure and offer you a continuous view of your pet; however, they offer little to no ventilation and are not suitable for climbing which is an integral hamster activity.

Glass cages, on the other hand, are well ventilated but have the drawback of being relatively expensive and heavy.

Lastly, with wire cages, your pet hamster will be blessed with the freedom of climbing whenever it pleases and receiving ventilation. However, these wire cages are not without their disadvantages; with them, there is a higher chance of your hamster escaping. They are also the most difficult to clean of the three.

Ease of Cleaning

The more complex a cage is, the more difficult it is to clean. The complexity of the cage will lead to skipping cleaning duties, which will, in turn, lead to random cleaning times, which results in poor hygiene for the hamster, hence, predisposing it to diseases. Therefore, confirm that the cage is easy to clean before making the purchase.

Ventilation

Well ventilated cages help your hamster breathe fine. Wire cages provide the best ventilation, but they are predisposed to drafts. Glass cages have poor ventilation but can avoid the draft. When you opt for a glass cage, certify the presence of functioning windows and ventilation holes.

Safety

Not only can hamsters easily squeeze through crevices but with their rapidly growing teeth, they can chew their way out of cages, especially wire cages. For this reason, you need to ensure that the cage you select is made from high-quality materials. In addition to this, the cage must be able to withstand possible attacks from the teeth of your hamster.

For wire cages, be sure the bar diameter isn't too wide or slack to facilitate escape. Also, check for any exposed rims or ridges in a glass cage. Lastly, ensure every door is secure.

Portability

Ask yourself how often you intend on taking out your pet hamster for a walk or a drive. Your answer to this question will be a significant determinant of how much you want your hamsters cage to weigh. Heavy pens will be tough and uncomfortable to carry around.

Features to Look Out for When Choosing a Hamster Cage

Since we have taken a look at factors to consider before choosing a hamster cage, let's take a look at features present in all the best hamster cages.

Wheels

Research has proven that a lack of exercise in hamsters can lead to osteoporosis, cartilage degeneration and poor articular cartilage damage. Wheels in cages provide the right amount of daily exercise and relief from stress. When choosing a hamster wheel, ensure the wheel isn't too small so that the hamster's limbs wouldn't get caught in them.

Bedding Depth

A cage bedding is a material used to support the body and lifestyle of the animal. Regardless of the cage's style and material build, verify the presence of bedding with a delightful depth that encourages burrowing.

It's no news that hamsters love borrowing and digging, so the deeper the bedding, the better and more soothing it is for your pet.

Also, ensure that the bedding height is balanced to ensure the hamster doesn't kick off a large chunk. Appropriate bedding includes cardboard, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, and egg cartons. However, it never includes wood shavings as their chemical element is dangerous to the hamster's health.

Cage Toys and Accessories

Toys and accessories keep the hamster occupied and never out of activities. In addition, this keeps the hamster in proper health and never out of shape.

Hiding Spaces

Hamsters need to feel safe in this safe space you intend on creating. These hiding spots in the cage give the extra amount of solitude hamsters need to feel safe. A cage void of this can cause cage rage.

FAQs

Do Hamsters like multi-level cages?

Multi-level cages are cages with different platforms. These cages save space and give your hamster more playing space while saving you floor space. Yes, since hamsters love to climb, so they will surely like multi-level cages.

Should I cover my Hamster’s cage during the day?

Covering your hamster's cage during the day serves no purpose. You will only be preventing the hamster from getting enough air when you cover its cage during the day. Also, since daylight does not affect their sleeping pattern, the need to cover their cage while they sleep is non-existent. Once there is no noise, they can always sleep at noon. Covering your hamster cage only becomes useful when it’s experiencing a nerve-racking session.

Do hamsters like to be held?

Hamsters do not like being held and tend to bite when handled suddenly, especially during sleep. They also tend to bite if your hands smell like another animal or food. However, you can train these furry creatures to get accustomed to being handled.