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 spacealthough there is evidence that hamsters experience less stress if housed in larger cages, minimum hamster cage size. The recommended cage size for a hamster is a minimum of 50 centimeters by centimeters, and at least 18 inches tall.

Here in North America, most hamsters are kept in cages much too small. Insufficient cage space can cause physical and psychological health issues for your hamster. Syrian hamsters are the largest species of pet hamsters and I see stress behaviors like bar chewing, pacing and obsessively trying to escape when hamsters are housed in cages under square inches. This minimum cage size is similar to the requirements in Europe. Are you wondering how big your cage at home is?

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. For Syrian hamsters, the minimum amount of floor space needed per hamster is square inches, or 40 x The height should be 24 inches to allow for several inches of bedding. Chinese and dwarf hamsters need a minimum of square inches of floor space. This equates to about 40 x A cage height of at least 24 inches with inches of bedding is optimal. Syrian hamsters prefer to be housed alone and should not live together. Dwarf hamsters will need an adequate amount of space to accommodate more than one and should only be housed alone or limited to pairs. Be sure to check the gender and separate males and females to avoid unwanted breeding, and observe interactions as aggression may occur between cage mates. The best cages for hamsters are escape-proof and allow adequate ventilation. Cage materials may include wire mesh, aquariums, and plastic.

Enrichment is a very important way of allowing the hamster to behave in normal ways and provide stimulation.

Although hamsters are an inexpensive pet to buy, the cost of suitable housing should not be overlooked. How much space do hamsters actually need though? Hamster cages available in pet shops vary hugely in size, and design; so what should you be looking at when considering cage size and type? Winter white, Roborovski, Campbell or Chinese dwarf, these species vary in size but are all smaller than the Syrian hamster. The dwarf species can sometimes live in pairs or small groups if care is taken to provide enough space and resources. For some time, there has been a commonly quoted size of 80cm x 50cm minimum cage dimension length and width for a Syrian hamster and 70cm x 40cm for a dwarf hamster.

In fact, some animal welfare groups refuse to give a minimum, as really it should be about providing as much space as possible — not providing the minimum. You will also need to consider other things, such as the size of the bars, or any potential escape routes, too. And, of course, hamsters are far less likely to be given free roam of larger areas of your home. As large a cage as you can afford, accommodate and practically look after is always a good idea. Also make sure you think about other stimulation in the cage, such as wheels, toys and things for them to chew.

Minimum hamster cage size

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. The ideal cage for a hamster is escape-proof, easy to clean, and, most importantly, provides your little furry pet enough living space for eating, sleeping, playing, and exercising. Ramsey also recommends looking for a cage that has bar spacing of a half-inch or less, can hold four inches of bedding, and is tall enough for a full-size hamster wheel. Our favorite is the Prevue Pet Products Universal Small Animal Home , which is spacious, has tight wiring, and includes two separate entry doors. But we also have recommendations that may work better for you and your hamster. Ramsey recommends the Prevue Pet Products cage as one of the best hamster cages you can buy.

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In general, a wire cage with a plastic tray is the easiest to clean; just lift the wire off the bottom, clean out the bedding, and wipe down the wire part as necessary. Unfortunately, they no longer advocate a minimum cage size, but they do state any pet should be able to exhibit all normal behaviours, which for hamsters includes running, exploring, climbing, and burrowing. TVT, the German veterinary association for animal welfare, warns that hamster balls can be hazardous, as hamsters cannot free themselves from the ball, and they cannot control its speed or direction. Our smallest size is 90 x 60cm see first pic above. Featured Image: iStock. Despite the common name, not all Syrian hamsters have reddish-golden hair; they now are bred in a variety of colors and hair lengths. As such, they need chew toys for proper dental care. Cages made entirely of glass provide inadequate ventilation. They are generally made of transparent plastic, contain air holes, and have a removable lid. In other projects. Retrieved 15 April Blue Cross say a cage should be no smaller than cm x 50cm x 50cm for ALL species of hamsters. Remember me.

Do you want your hamster to be happy? As we learn more about our pets, we discover that the gear that was once widely accepted may not be in their best interest.

It may take some hamsters time to figure out that they enjoy this behavior. This can act as a breeding ground for fecal bacteria as well as ammonia gas from urine. Categories : Hamster equipment Buildings and structures used to confine animals. Plastic cages and aquariums do offer better protection from drafts. To prevent your little pet from biting the bars of their cage, we recommend choosing a home with a perspex front, rather than one with bars or mesh. Your main choices will be between a wire cage usually on a plastic base , a plastic modular cage the kind with many compartments and tubes , or an aquarium with a secure mesh lid. Develop and improve services. Report a Thread or Reply Thank you for your help. Table of contents Hamsters commonly kept in the UK are: Syrian hamsters Dwarf hamsters Cage or enclosure requirements Aside from ensuring that your hamster has the largest available space what can be done to allow natural behaviours? Download as PDF Printable version. Depending on how much space you have for the cage, you can go long and low, or choose a cage that isn't quite as long, but has multiple levels for your pet to climb and explore. Skip to content. Contents move to sidebar hide.