To ensure the safety and well-being of your dwarf hamster, you must take into account the cage's dimensions, safety features, and ease of cleaning. Because dwarf hamsters and Chinese hamsters are smaller than Syrian hamsters, many pet shop cages don't satisfy all of these standards for these animals. Here's everything you need to know about choosing and setting up a cage for a dwarf hamster.
The Design of a Hamster Dwarf Cage
A wire cage (typically on a plastic foundation), a plastic modular cage (the sort with multiple sections and tubes), or an aquarium are the major options you have (with a secure mesh lid). There are pros and downsides to each kind of cage.
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| Hamster Dwarf Cage |
Cleaning the Cage is a breeze.
For the most part, a cage made of wire and a plastic tray is the simplest to clean. Keeping it all clean is as simple as lifting and wiping away any dust off the wire and base. A plastic cage with a lot of compartments and tubes will be more difficult to clean if it has a lot of compartments and tubes. Cleaning these cages may be a big hassle. While aquariums aren't difficult to clean, they may be cumbersome to move about when it's time to do so. Owning a hamster will be more enjoyable if you don't have to spend a lot of time cleaning the cage.
In-Cage Airflow
When it comes to ventilation and cages, a wire cage is your best bet. Ventilation may be a difficulty with plastic modular cages because of the tubes and enclosed compartments. This can lead to poor air quality and condensation. Aquariums, too, suffer from a deficiency of ventilation. Wire cages' open design allows for excellent ventilation, but it also necessitates that you keep the cage out of direct wind. Better protection against drafts is provided by plastic cages and tanks.
Dimensions of the Pens
Although dwarf hamsters are little, they need a lot of floor area in their cages to run about and play. Many hamster cages on the market are too tiny. Measured from the bottom, or around 25 inches wide by 18 inches long, pet owners should strive for 450 square inches at the very least, according to the California Hamster Association.. The larger the hamster cage, the better.
Safety & Security in the Cage
Dwarf hamster cage bars should be no more than a quarter inch apart, which is difficult to locate in huge wire cages. Because hamsters may become proficient at opening doors, take careful to check any cage's doors before leaving them alone. To ensure the safety of your hamster, make sure the cage you purchase has no places where it may fall far.
The Chewing Habits of Dwarf Hamsters
It is important to consider hamsters' desire and aptitude to chew while selecting a cage. You should avoid using plastic cages with exposed edges or ridges since hamsters may begin gnawing on them. If you don't, your hamster is almost certain to go away at some time. While most hamsters can't get out of a wire cage by gnawing, others grow nearly fanatical about it. In this way, aquariums are useful since there is seldom anything to nibble on.
For Dwarf Hamsters with Running Wheels
In order to avoid arching the hamsters' backs when running on the wheel, all hamsters should be equipped with wheels. To prevent limbs and other body parts from being entangled, wheels should have a flat surface and no crossbars for support. Outside of the cage, you may also use run-about balls.
Toy Hamsters
Regardless of the kind of cage you pick, make sure you have enough bedding for your rabbits to burrow into. When it comes to wire-sided cages, this is critical. One with a deep tray is ideal since it not only provides enough room for a thick layer of bedding, but it also reduces the quantity of bedding that your hamster may push or kick about.