Suitable Housing for Hamsters

There is no lack of variety when it comes to your hamster's housing. You can build a veritable city for your hamster with different combinations of cages, tubes, tunnels, penthouse suites and a variety of other features, which are as much fun for you as they are for your hamster. On the other end of the scale, your hamster can easily live in a simple wire cage or in an aquarium.

Suitable housing for your hamsters
There are many cages available for hamsters, but there are many factors to consider when choosing a cage for your hamster. Most importantly, you want to pick a cage that is large enough, safe, and easy to clean.

Style of Cages
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). Each style of cage has advantages and disadvantages.

Things to consider before purchasing a cage

• Ease of Cleaning - Wire cages are quite easy to clean, however dismantling of the parts would be a hassle. Plastic tanks are the easiest to clean as they are relatively light in weight. Aquariums are not terribly difficult to clean but can be heavy and awkward to handle at cleaning time. Let's face it; cleaning cages is not a fun task, so keeping it easy will make owning a hamster more fun.

• Ventilation - A wire cage is easily the best option here. The tubes and enclosed compartments of plastic modular cages can pose real problems with ventilation, so air quality and condensation can become problems. Likewise, aquariums can also have inadequate ventilation. Keep in mind that the openness of wire cages gives them great ventilation but means you must keep the cage out of drafts. Plastic cages and aquariums do offer better protection from drafts.

• Size - Hamsters need ample space to run and play, and the actual floor space of the cage is important for this. In general, many cages marketed for hamsters are too small.
  
  Recommended Size for ONE Syrian = 24 inches x 12 inches (60cm x 30cm), and at least 12 inches (30cm) tall.
  Recommended Size for ONE Dwarf = 18 inches x 12inches (45cm x 30cm), and at least 12 inches (30cm) tall.
  
  *Syrians are solitary animals so it is a must to keep one in one cage/tank
  
  However to keep your hamster active and happy, try to get a bigger cage -- when it comes to hamster cages, bigger is always better! Note that the tubes, compartments, and built-in wheels of plastic modular cages are too small for many Syrian hamsters. However, OVO tubes from Habitrail are relatively suitable for Syrians.

• Cage Security and Safety - If getting wire cages, please take note that the space between the bars for a Syrian hamster's cage should be no more than 1/2 inch or approx 1cm (1inch = 2.54cm) apart and the space between the bars on a dwarf hamster's cage should be no more than 1/4 inch or approx 0.5cm apart. Horizontal bars will allow some opportunity to climb. Check the doors on any cage to make sure they are secure, as hamsters can become quite expert at opening doors (metal bolt clips, like those on the end of a dog leash, can be clipped on to "lock" doors for an extra level of security on wire doors). If you choose a cage with multiple levels, make sure there is no place where your hamster could fall a long distance.

• Hamster Cages and Chewing - The drive and ability of hamsters to chew can affect the type of cage they are suited for. Wire cages have many advantages, but some hamsters become almost obsessive about chewing the bars. If providing ample chew toys and boredom busters doesn't relieve the chewing, switching to a solid sided cage may be the best option. Also, when choosing a plastic cage, make sure there are no exposed edges or ridges of plastic where a hamster can start chewing the cage, or your hamster is likely to escape at some point. Aquariums are generally chew-proof (but make sure the cover is secure).

CLEANING THE CASTLE
Hamsters are basically clean animals and appreciate a clean house. Any odors that are coming from the cage area are generally from dirty bedding and not the hamster. Once a week, the cage should be thoroughly cleaned.

Dismantle the cage and remove the old bedding. If there are urine build-ups, they should be scraped off. All parts should be washed with an antibacterial soap, rinsed with warm water and thoroughly dried. If the hamster has been sick, do a second cleaning with diluted household bleach (5-10% bleach/water mix) and rinse until all bleach odors have dissipated.

Don't forget the outside bottom of the cage either, especially if it's sitting on a solid shelf with no air circulation underneath, this is a prime breeding ground for unhealthy bacteria. Another method for a quick sterilization is to wash the antibacterial soap and rinse thoroughly. Shake as much remaining water out as possible, pour in a small amount of Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol, cover the entire surface with it and dry with a clean towel. As with the bleach, make sure there aren't any remaining alcohol odors before reassembling the cage and putting the hamster back.

It is also a good idea to clean the water bottle, food dish, wheel and toys the same time you clean the cage. Add fresh bedding, the remainder of the furnishings, put the hamster back and watch a happy and contented hammie!