How to Choose a Hamster Cage

There are 3 basic kinds of hamster cages available at most pet stores: the wire cage with a plastic base, the plastic cage equipped with fun tunnels and chambers, and the aquarium or tank. These cages all offer some advantages and disadvantages. It is important to choose the right cage for your hamster if you want to raise a happy and healthy pet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know your hamster's breed. Is it a dwarf hamster? Or, is it one that will grow much bigger? You don't want to pick a cage that your pet hamster may outgrow or one that will be too large either.

2. Look for safety features. For example, are the tunnels or chambers too small for your hamster? Or in the case of a wire cage, are the spaces between the wire bars too wide which may cause your hamster to escape?

3. Ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the cage, especially if you plan on having more than one hamster.

4. Consider the cleaning process when selecting a cage; it can get tedious if you get a cage that is too large or one that has a large number of contraptions. A simple cage with an easy access system and a few toys for the hamster to play with is the easiest to maintain.

5. Look for comfort in the cage. Some cages have a wire grate bottom which is not comfortable for your hamster. Avoid those. A solid bottom is preferable.

Tips & Warnings

• Plastic cages with tunnels and entertainment equipment provide hamsters with opportunities to exercise, but they have less ventilation. Also, hamsters may chew through the plastic and escape. It is suitable for smaller dwarf hamsters but not larger hamsters.
• An aquarium cage is easier to clean compared to the plastic cage. However, it also has less ventilation all around since the ventilation can only come from the top.
• A wire cage with a plastic base is fairly easy to clean. You will need to watch out for big openings between the bars which your hamster may escape through. The wire cage is more suitable for larger hamsters.
• When buying a hamster cage, the minimum cage size should be 12 inches by 18 inches by 12 inches in order to provide enough base space for your hamster to move about.