When you have a hamster, you need to get the proper hamster cage; just buying any kind of hamster cage just won't do. When you begin your search, there are several common aspects you need to keep in mind when it comes to the hamster breed you own.
Things Hamster Owners Need To Know About Cages:
- Make sure the cage you get gives the hamster plenty of ventilation. It must have a lot of airflow. If you've got a damp cage, your hamster is liable to suffer with medical ailments including bacteria infections and/or breathing problems.
- Be sure the hamster cage you get is secure since hamsters have a tendency to escape. After all, they can easily escape by squeezing through tight spaces. Make sure the bars of the cage are close together. This will also help to keep cats and/or dogs from getting into the cage and harming your hamster.
- Purchase a hamster cage with a deep bottom tray. This will allow you to place lots of litter so that your pet will be able to burrow beneath it. A deep bottom will keep the cage clean since it won't scatter the litter about.
- When you're purchasing your cage, make sure that it's simple to clean since this can be a rather tedious job.
- Make sure to get a decent size cage that allows your hamster to get some exercise. If it's not big enough, your hamster will get fat.
Three Types Of Hamster Cages:
There are three types of hamster cages available; each one of them has some advantages and disadvantages. You need to weigh each one based on the kind of hamster you plan to own before you make the purchase of both the cage and hamster. The three types are:
- Aquariums
- Plastic hamster cage
- Combination plastic and wire hamster cage
Aquariums - If you're looking for a cage with safety in mind then an aquarium may be your best bet. After all, the glass enclosure allows you to see everything that your hamster is doing and keeps it from being able to escape. The litter won't get scattered about the cage either.
While these cages do have benefits, they do have some drawbacks. For instance, they don't provide your hamster a lot of airflow. The litter can remain damp, which will allow ammonia fumes to swell. On top of that, there's no real place to hang a water bottle without additional accessory purchases. You can choose to use a water bowl but this method isn't very clean. You'll need to buy a separate lid so your hamster doesn't get hurt or escapes. Bear in mind that cleaning these tanks is also difficult. These tanks generally cost around $10 to $15.
Plastic Hamster Cage - Plastic hamster cages are similar to aquariums in that they have smooth plastic sides. It's also got ventilation holes on the lid so that air circulates throughout the cage. There are also openings and/or exercise tubes on some cages to provide the hamster some exercise. Some plastic cages will come with an exercise wheel. These cages will keep the hamster safe along with not scattering the litter.
Again, there are drawbacks to using a plastic hamster cage. For instance, you can't see your hamster near as well. It's tough to clean the cage and there isn't a lot of airflow for your hamster. These hamster cages tend to cost $20 or more depending on its size and the accessories that it comes with.
Combination Plastic and Wire Hamster Cage - The ideal cage is a combination of plastic and wire where the bottom tray is plastic with wire bars. This cage will not allow your pet to escape. It will keep the litter from scattering about and gives the hamster cage more than enough airflow. You can also remove the tray to clean it easily. You're able to hang the hamster's water bottle on the side. They only thing you need to worry with is the placement of the cage; you don't want it where there's a lot of draft, which means no windows or fans should be near it. Bear in mind that these cases cost up to $35.
You can make your hamster's cage more interesting by adding in a wheel, automatic feeder, chew toys and more.
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