Hamster cages: types, selection and arrangement

Little fluffy and funny hamsters are loved by both adults and children. These animals are often brought home as pets. In order for these moving and brisk animals to live comfortably, they need to create the necessary conditions for this: select a convenient cage and equip it.

There are different types of cells that differ in design, material of manufacture, external design and size. When choosing a cage, you need to consider the breed of the hamster, as well as how safe the design is. Cages should be spacious, comfortable and equipped with various accessories to ensure the mobility and entertainment of animals.

Design features of cells must comply with such parameters.

• Door design and size. It should conveniently open, and its dimensions should be such that it is easy to remove the hamster from the cage. It is necessary that the door has a locking hook or latch, as hamsters can easily open an unlocked door. It is not recommended to use cages with doors on springs: they can cause injury to the hamster.
• Type of floor. The trellised bottom in the cage is inconvenient in that the pet may be injured on the lower bars of the bottom. It is better if the cage has a continuous hollow floor, which often has a rounded shape, which is convenient when washing it. Retractable pallets exist, but they are usually shallow and can leak.
• The size. For hamsters of different breeds, cells of different sizes are required. Syrian breed hamsters will be completely satisfied with cells measuring 50x40 cm with a semicircular top.A small cage is dangerous for such animals in that it does not provide them with the necessary mobility, which can cause obesity, physical inactivity and affect the duration of its life. For dwarf animals, smaller cells will be required. For other breeds, the cell size should not be less than 30x45 cm, with a height of 20 to 30 cm.

• Standard trellised. In such cages, it is convenient for the pet to climb the rods, hang on the ceiling rails, move along them and grind their teeth. It is important to consider the density of the rods in the walls. To keep small hamsters, cells are necessary, in which the rods are close to each other (at a distance of 5-6 mm). For larger hamsters, rods may be located less frequently, but with an interval of not more than 13 mm. For a Syrian hamster, the distance between the rods is 5 to 10 mm. Lattice cells are easy to wash, they are well weathered.

• Three-story and two-story cage. Such dwellings are large. The height between the levels in them should not be too high. On the upper floors, the animal is resting, and the lower ones are used for activities and games. Multi-storey cells can have continuous platforms for their entire length or to the middle. In horizontal continuous areas, there is always a hole for descending the ladder. Often such cells are equipped with pipe tunnels and labyrinths.

• Terrariums and aquariums are designed for dwarf and other small hamsters. Designs must have a volume of at least 40 liters. The top in such a dwelling should be open for air access or covered with a grill so that a curious animal does not get out of it. For better aeration, the height of the aquarium should be less than its width, then the glass walls will not sweat and will not create favorable conditions for the emergence and reproduction of harmful microorganisms. Aquariums provide complete safety for their residents from other pets, and the space around them will always be clean.

• Mink house with pipes, tunnels and a maze. Such dwellings are closed containers made of plastic, interconnected by tunnels. The use of labyrinths and pipes makes such dwellings very similar to minks in which hamsters live in nature. But the transparent and smooth plastic surface of the walls does not allow hamsters to climb. Air is badly delivered to such a dwelling.

• Modular cells assembled from individual modules. These unusual cells can have a different design, in accordance with the set of modules and the wishes of the owner of the hamster. However, such a cell does not always look beautiful. In addition, they are expensive, it will take a long time to assemble them.

• Small carrying cells. Such cells are not intended for permanent residence of the pet. They are used if necessary to plant the animal during the harvesting of the main cage or for its transportation (for example, to the veterinarian).

In the manufacture of hamster cages, different materials can be used. Cells are like that.

• Metal. Such cages are a good home for furry animals, since the structures have excellent aeration. They are easy to disassemble, which facilitates the washing process. Most often, they have a solid continuous plastic floor that can be detached and removed, which is also convenient when cleaning the cage. Of great importance for these cells is the quality of the metal feed. The metal must be hard, as the hamster is able to gnaw bars of soft metal and slip out of the cage.

• Plastic. The quality of plastic is important for these cells: it must be strong and safe, and the cell itself should not have sharp details. Plastic dwellings most often have more than one level and are equipped with tunnels, pipes and other attributes that fully satisfy the motor activity of the animal. Usually they are used for small pets that move freely through winding tunnels. Large hamsters can simply get stuck when moving around the tubes. Transparent plastic cage allows you to enjoy the games and entertainment of the hamster.

• Glass. Usually these are terrariums and aquariums. Although not intended for hamsters, they are often used for them. Walls in glass dwellings can be made not only of pure glass, but also of plexiglass. This is a very durable material, although it requires caution when processing and washing. The disadvantage of such houses for hamsters is their large mass and not entirely satisfactory ventilation ability. In addition, it is not very convenient to fix attributes on glass walls.

• Wooden. The tree is an environmentally friendly raw material and safe for hamsters if hardwood is used. The negative aspects include the high ability of the tree to absorb odors, and it is poorly cleaned. In addition, the price of such cells is very high. Typically, wood is used to make a combined cage in which the frame or floor is wooden and the walls are metal gratings.

When choosing a home for your pet, you need to consider not only the size and type of cage. It is desirable that places for eating, sleeping, resting and a toilet be equipped in it. The best cells are those in which the hamster will feel comfortable, safe and have everything necessary for a mobile and active life.

Choosing one or another type of cage, one must take into account all the disadvantages and advantages of the future housing of the animal. It is also important to know that dwarf breeds can live together, and for Syrian residents it will require separate cells. You need to take into account how easy it is to maintain the cell. The greatest difficulties arise when cleaning cells made of plastic, consisting of several elements, levels, because they have many inaccessible parts.

An important factor is the cost of the cell. The market has a large number of cell models from different manufacturers. The most famous and popular are such manufacturers: Triol, Ferplast, Imac, Kredoproducing various types and models of beautiful cells with different costs: from budget to expensive. A cell from Ferplast, model Mini Duna Multi (pink, white or light green). It is made of durable plastic and has a long service life.

There is a wide range of models of various types and other manufacturers. You can specify only a few of them:

• from the Russian manufacturer Triol, the Studio model is a combined cell;
• Imag's Fantazy model (Italy) is a convenient two-story cage;
• Kredo model is three-story, with a modern, original appearance.

For the normal life of a hamster, in addition to a convenient and safe cage, you need to collect all the necessary accessories for arranging his home. Hamsters love to make minks, dig, actively move and play. Proper arrangement of the cell should provide not only the physiological needs of the tenant, but also his play and entertainment. When arranging a cage, such accessories are needed.

One of the important points is the decision which filler is best to use for the pallet. It matters not only how useful or not this or that type of litter is, but also how often it needs to be changed, to wash the cage and the space around it. There are many types of pallet filler. They may differ in the material of manufacture, weight, safety for the animal, the degree of absorption of moisture and odors.

• Plain newspaper. This version of the litter has remained since those times when there was simply no other filler. But the newspaper harms the health of the hamster and not only the printing ink. The absorbent capacity of newspapers is extremely low, and they do not absorb odors at all, so they do not meet hygiene requirements. In addition, they will have to be changed every day. This type of litter is not recommended.

• Soft clean paper. Hard paper cannot be used, as sharp, thick edges can cause serious injury to the gnawer. White soft paper towels, napkins or plain toilet paper can be laid as bedding. In such a filler, the hamster will perfectly arrange a mink for himself and will gladly gnaw paper into small pieces. Despite the fact that such a filler is practically safe for animals, it has the same drawback as with newspapers - it does not absorb liquid and odors well.

• Cotton wool and rags. Warm soft cotton wool and rag rags quite like the animal. But this option does not provide safety to the pet. Vata has fibers in its structure that can harm the health of the hamster. If he manages to wind them on his fragile foot and tighten it tightly, then he can not only damage the tendons, but also lose his limb. And in tissues, fibers have even greater strength. It is also not recommended to use this type of filler, in addition, it has the same disadvantages as newspapers and paper.

• Sawdust. They are used most often, since it is an inexpensive type of filler. Sawdust, although not fully, absorbs liquid well and absorbs odors. It is necessary to change the filler quite often - after 2-4 days, when odors appear. But for hamsters with long hair, sawdust is not suitable as a filler, as they, tangling with the hair, form lumps. You will have to look after such a hamster every day - comb the hair and remove the sawdust. In addition, some hamsters like to hide sawdust behind their cheeks. In this case, they can injure the mucous membrane of the cheeks and make an infection. The disadvantages of sawdust can also be attributed to the fact that they are a lightweight material that easily spreads and pollutes everything around.

• Pressed sawdust or wood filler. In quality, such a filler is significantly superior to sawdust: it has a higher ability to absorb moisture and absorb odors that can appear only after 5-8 days. The wood filler has no such disadvantages as sawdust. But its disadvantages include a rather large size of granules, as well as the presence of wood dust in it, which is dangerous for hamsters suffering from allergies.

• Cellulose filler. This type of filler can be used even for animals with allergies. The degree of absorption of moisture and odors is the same as that of sawdust. But its granules are smaller and lighter than those of pressed sawdust. Therefore, it can be used as a litter even for small pets.

• Corn litter. Compared to all of the above, this type of filler is the best, so its cost is quite high. It has the highest degree of moisture absorption and odor retention. It will have to be changed in about 7-10 days. There is no wood dust in it, it does not mix up with wool and is not able to injure the animal. This is the smallest type of filler. Its only drawback is that it is very light, which means it can easily spread outside the cell.

Other essential accessories in the hamster's cage are containers for food and water. It is important not only to purchase a convenient feeder and drinker, but also to place them correctly in the cage. The hamster feeder needs to be set to a small height so that the animal is comfortable to eat. The feeder is convenient in that you can put the daily feed rate in it, thereby controlling the power supply of the animal. It should be small but deep.

It is better to use a ceramic bowl rather than a plastic one, as it is lightweight, and the hamster can easily tip it over. It is recommended to periodically scatter food on the floor in order to maintain the hamster's natural instinct for finding food, collecting and storing it.

Water is not recommended to be poured into an ordinary saucer or bowl: the hamster can turn them over, and the litter will be constantly wet. It is better to use a special drinker. There are several types of them: a drinking bowl with a pocket and a ball, vacuum and nipple. They are fixed to the cell outside and will not take up space inside.

To diversify the life of the pet in the cage and provide him with a comfortable content, it is necessary to put additional accessories in the cage.

• House. It is necessary for the animal to sleep and rest, to store feed supplies and to equip the mink. All hamsters love to sleep and spend time in cozy compact rooms, where it is easy for them to warm themselves and control their body temperature. The houses can be both plastic and wooden. The main design requirement is a reliably reinforced roof, the absence of sharp protrusions, and the environmental friendliness of the material. All openings (doors, windows) must be of such a size that the hamster can easily pass through them.

• Jogging wheel. Hamsters living in the wild are able to run up to 10 km per day, looking for food and material for the nest. Therefore, at home, they need to create maximum conditions to support physical fitness. For this reason, a running wheel is a necessary attribute in a cage. It must meet the safety requirements - its inner surface must be non-slip, continuous with small transverse protrusions, and not from individual crossbars. Mesh wheels can be used if the mesh consists of the smallest sections. A wheel made of wood would also be a good option.

• Mineral stone The animal that loves to sharpen its teeth, such a stone is simply necessary. He not only grinds his teeth, but also is a source of mineral elements.Stones are simply mineral or with the inclusion of salts or other additives: dried fruits and vegetables, probiotics and vitamins.

• Attributesthat contribute to the pet’s playing activity: climbing ladders, a hammock where the hamster can relax, mazes, tubes and tunnels that the hamster will explore with interest, toys and various wooden objects in the form of dumbbells, vegetables or fruits, cubes with which the hamster will enjoy will play, hide them or scatter them.

A cage with a moving and mischievous tenant can not be placed anywhere. It is not recommended to place it in such places.

• Near heating radiators and in places exposed to direct sunlight. These small animals do not respond well to heat.
• In places accessible to drafts, as the animal may become ill during hypothermia.
• Do not place the cage with the hamster on the floor. The innate instinct of self-preservation makes the animals closely monitor the environment, and from below it is hard to see. Therefore, the unexpected appearance of even the owner will cause him excitement or stress. The cage must be at least 1 m from the floor so that the hamster can see everything that happens in the room.
• Bathroom, balcony (loggia) is not a hamster's place of residence. Damp and cold air, through wind negatively affect the health of the pet.
• It is not recommended to place the cage directly near the curtains, curtains, tight to the wall, pasted with wallpaper, or near furniture. A lover to gnaw, a hamster can damage everything that is within its reach.
• Near sources of loud sounds (TV, radio, amplification speakers), as hamsters are sensitive to sharp and loud sounds.

Since hamsters are clean by nature, the health of a small pet is largely dependent on the cleanliness of the cage. Therefore, it must be cleaned often. It is necessary to clean the filler daily. The cleaning of contaminated areas of the litter is done as follows: all detected stool areas, all pieces of uneaten feed are removed and fresh filler is added. The cell itself needs to be cleaned after 2-4 weeks, depending on contamination. You need to remove the cell in this order.

• First, you should put the tenant in a portable cage or in an ordinary jar.
• Remove wet and dirty filler.
• Release the pallet from the litter and rinse well with water (warm) using detergents for children. To get rid of the smell, you can use special tools.
• Place the filler in the pan, adding fresh and leaving a little old to preserve the smell of the animal.
• Wipe the cell lattice thoroughly with a wet foam sponge. Then wipe dry with a napkin or a clean cloth.

See how to remove the cage from the hamster.

Aquariums and plastic cages need to be cleaned much more often due to poor ventilation. They need to be washed at least 1 time per week. It is necessary to wash the drinker and feeder every day. Accessories in the cage also need to be processed. To do this, they can be placed for some time in detergents, and then washed and rinsed well with tap water. Those accessories (for example, wooden toys) that, after a while, can no longer be cleaned, must be discarded and new ones placed.

A hamster kept in clean and comfortable conditions will always be healthy, cheerful and mobile, which means it will cause positive emotions in the household.