Hello, I'm thinking of getting a Chinese dwarf hamster and I want to make sure they will have the best home I can offer with the space I have. I admittedly haven't had a hamster since I was a child. What would you suggest?
Omg hi thank you so much for sending this ask this has literally made my day to get to talk husbandry <3
This post will probably get long so I'm going to put in a break shortly! I'll title sections so you can skim fr whatever info you'd like easily!!!
Chinese (Dwarf) Hamster Cages
(just some random stuff before we get into husbandry)::
To preface, while Chinese Hamsters aren't 'technically' dwarf hamsters, they are still referred to as such in pet stores and in most resources outside of the hamster community, but when I refer to a Chinese Hamster it's the same thing!
Out of the 5 species of hamsters in captivity this is also the hardest one to find, they generally don't sell well due to their mouse like appearance (which imo makes them the most interesting species), as well as because they are a almost exclusively solitary species unlike 'true' dwarfs. If you're buying from a pet store be sure they actually have some before you go, if through a breeder or a rescue it'll probably be much easier (but if from a breeder/rescue definitely check their minimum adoption requirements as they vary from organization to organization).
The males have.. very large testicles. It looks very silly but does not affect them so do not worry if your hamster is really silly looking, it adds to their charm.
All husbandry advice will be based on US standard, please note that the recommended standard often differs wildly from country to country, I will be referencing both the CHA and the OHC though as the CHA sucks and is full of insane people who are literally a clique and will come for people not in their clique (specifically referring to breeders). The OHC has a majority of the same breeders on their list but the people who run the association itself are less insane.
The minimum recommended size for a healthy happy dwarf hamster is 450sq inches, or at least 30"x15" (per https://ontariohamsters.ca/). Lets look at some options:
Bin cage: These are incredible since they're sooo versatile. If you decide you'd like to make a bin cage (using a storage bin with added ventilation) this will be the cheapest housing option. The smallest recommended size is a 110 qt sterilite bin, but any size larger in that brand or the largest IKEA SAMLA bin are also acceptable! If you have the space to do a larger enclosure, also look at 200 qt bins and xmas tree bin. Check out this video on how to ventilate since I am silly and cannot use my brain right now to explain it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjuWsbPrF04
The main thing to avoid is bins with wheels underneath, the plastic over the wheels bumps up inside and makes for a great spot to chew and escape from!
Tank: Tanks are great for allowing for the most bedding possible, and functionally prevent any messes the ham could make. You'll want to look for a 40 gallon at least, if you have a petco near you they regularly (like 5-6 times a year) do a sale where they offer half off on all their tanks (its going on right now actually) so a 40 would be $60 currently. 55 gallon tanks are technically smaller, but they are very tall and allow for a LOT deeper bedding and more climbing enrichment, and 60 and 75 gallon tanks have the same floor space as each other, but the 75 is taller. If you decide on a tank you'll need to order the tank lid online for any size over a 40 (sometimes pet stores have the 40 lid in stock), make sure to get a reptile terrarium lid!
Similarly there are also Acrylic and wooden enclosures. You'll want them to have the ventilation on the lids or very high up on the sides to prevent them from attempting to escape, but I recommended looking into the brands Bucatstate, Niteangel, and Pawhut (before you buy though look for 'clones' of the cages by niteangel because you can find cheaper than their prices for almost everything they sell).
Wire Cage: These are awesome for allowing for hanging enrichment like toys and shelves, but chinese hamsters are very small so you need bar spacing of at most 3/8". The Prevue 528, Savic Hamster Heaven Metro, and Crittertrail Super Habitat are all awesome options! These can all be purchased online, but Petco sells the Crittertrail Super Habitat and the Hamster Heaven can also be purchased from many Pet Supermarket locations if you have those near you!
That's a Prevue 528 set up below!
Connectable Cages: If you were wanting a Syrian Hamster (also called golden hamster, teddy bear, black bear, fancy hamster, etc) these wouldn't be possible at all since the tubes cannot accommodate a syrian hamster, and they are honestly HELL to deal with because occasionally they'll pee in the tubes and you'll have to take it all apart to clean it, but you do technically have one option for connectable cages with dwarf hamsters if it interests you. The Crittertrail Super Habitat is about 500sq inches, and features 1 connection port. You can attach connectable cages to that as long as you can maintain them. You don't really want to do only small cages connected to each other, hamsters may be burrowers in the wild but they are also major explorers. If their entire enclosure simulates a burrow they will want to escape that burrow to explore. You want a large main enclosure to allow them to have a 'surface', and to give them the option to burrow on their own (the small ones never have enough room for bedding ugh). The pros to connectable cages is that you can have different areas that are easier to maintain, and chinese hamsters are quite agile so they tend to enjoy being able to explore. If you decide to ever use tubes in your cage, try not to have any straight up and down sections larger than 3-4 inches, if they fall within the tube from any higher they're able to get injured quite easily.
(sorry couldn't find many good set up pics for this option since this style of enclosure has fallen out of style in the last few years for easier, larger setups)
As far as enclosures go those are your primary options! If you have specific questions about other aspects of their care, please let me know!!! I just didn't wanna overload this one post with too much info...
Hi lovely people! I’d like to bring something to your attention.
Pet smart and most pet stores sell hamsters (duh). They also sell cages for those hamsters. The problem is that these cages that they market are way too small to be healthy. The critter trail cages, depicted here:
Are about 180 square inches and 2 inches deep for bedding. The MINIMUM healthy uninterrupted floor size for these lil creatures is ~450 square inches and about five to six inches deep for bedding. While it’s understandable that sometimes, a space that big isn’t available in every person’s home, the typical crittertrails and other cages sold by pet smart are much much too small (and overpriced). Properly sized alternatives include cheap plastic bin cages, 30+ gallon aquariums, and (more expensive) large cages you can buy.
Large pet stores tend to sell these and market them as good for the hamsters. They are NOT. In the wild, hamsters usually have much much much more space, and can sometimes burrow 30 inches into the ground. When domesticated, these hamsters are sometimes put into too small cages, resulting in stress and even an early death.
There are other issues with these cages as well, including the fact that they’re escapable and the tunnels can suffocate the hamsters. The diameter of most CritterTrail wheels are around 5.5 - 6 inches. Syrian hamsters need at least 8 inches. Hamsters who run on their wheel with their back curved can experience back problems, requiring an exotic vet.
When petsmart sells these, a lot of people understandably assume that they’re A-okay for hamsters, and that’s misleading on the store’s part.
Please sign this petition to get these cages out of petsmart and more humane cages sold, and reblog to spread the word!!
http://chng.it/dFDDT5s2pT
Make Petsmart develop humane, safe cages for small animals
"Super Pet's Crittertrail Three offers three spacious levels of living space for all hamsters, gerbils or mice, plus a cool "Petting Zone" area. This hamster cage has the “Petting Zone” which is a special area of the home that you can open so you can pick up your pet or provide them with a tasty treat. Crittertrail Three comes complete with a 10 oz. water bottle, food dish, safe and silent Comfort Wheel, three "E-Z" access doorways, snap-lock Bubble-Plug, "E-Z" climb Bubble Wave Fun-nels and three connectable Comfort Shelves. Also has six locations where accessories can be attached to the home. This colorful cage is connectable and compatible with all other Crittertrail accessories. Size: 16"L x 10.5"W x 22.5"H. Easy to clean thanks to the deep, scatter-less base and easy, lift-off roof. It's also compatible with all Crittertrail, Habitrail and S.A.M. systems." (Sourced from https://www.animalworldnetwork.com/bcrittrailth.html)
(additional info below)
The website listed above may or may not still be active as a store, but if so the listing prices and site data as of 03/05/2023 (m/d/y) are as follows:
Item Code: 55560530
Availability: No
Normal Price: $59.99
(If I have any additional photos of the cage from any source, they will be posted below, sources vary from forums, ebay, facebook marketplace, and any other public posting of the image. I apologize for the lack of better sourcing)
I do not, I'm sorry :(
Where is this cage now?
This cage is no longer in production by Kaytee, the company that bought Super Pet. Other brands have definitely mimicked it, but this post is only about Super Pet and Kaytee.
omg?? I found a cage lot ad on FB Marketplace today and it included TWO in box crittertrails, one of which I DIDNT KNOW EXISTED???
NIB CRITTERTRAIL T R E E H O U S E???? It looks like its using the same base as the modern "Begin and Connect" Habitat by Kaytee, but this has both a external wheel AND a petting zone??? It also appears it may have an addition connection port on the petting zone, but I'm unsure. I'm reaching out to the seller to see if they'd be willing to send me photos of each side :)
In addition this set included a nib SPC Mini One, a nib WARE critter universe cage (likely more modern than the other cages), a nib S.A.M. Ball with stand, two nib SPC accessory sets (one is the modern Loop-d-Loop/Expansion Kit 2, the other is no longer sold as is and is only available via the Extreme Challenge/X habitat), 4 nib tube expansion sets, as well as several other accessories.
I cannot explain my literal joy at this listing!!!
"Super Pet CritterTrail Two Give your small animal pet room to roam in the CritterTrail Two. This hamster cage has clever design gives pets safely confined living space inside, outside and on top of the home with a "Petting Zone" area which allows you to easily interact with your pet. Bright, translucent plastic components not only look great, they offer your pet some of the camouflage he instinctively seeks. Wire mesh and plastic construction offers adequate ventilation, yet protects pets from drafts. Includes a 10 oz water bottle, food dish, Safe & Silent Exercise Wheel, 2 comfort shelves, E-Z Climb Bubble Wave Funnels and a Snap Lock Bubble Plug. There are also 6 spaces for connecting additional CritterTrail Accessories (sold separately). The CritterTrail two is easy to clean thanks to a deep, scatter-less base and an easy to remove roof-top. It's also compatible with all CritterTrail, Habitrail and S.A.M. systems." (Sourced from https://www.animalworldnetwork.com/bcrittrailtw.html )
(additional info below)
The website listed above may or may not still be active as a store, but if so the listing prices and site data as of 03/05/2023 (m/d/y) are as follows:
Item Code: 55560525
Availability: Yes
Normal Price: $49.99
Current Price: $39.99 (20% off)
(If I have any additional photos of the cage from any source, they will be posted below, sources vary from forums, ebay, facebook marketplace, and any other public posting of the image. I apologize for the lack of better sourcing)
(None at this time, sorry! but I do have these images if Super Pet branded cages that are from a newer design? They look functionally identical to the new kaytee design besides the sticker on the cage, so I'll at least post those for archival purposes)
Where is this cage now?
Kaytee Crittertrail 2-Level Habitat
According to kaytee.com "This expanded Two Level Habitat provides your small pet with plenty of room to play, climb and roam. The habitat features two levels of living space and a removable petting zone for instant interaction with your pet. The Two Level Habitat also comes with a food dish, water bottle and exercise wheel. Front wire doors allow you to easily access your pet at any time. Ideal for mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, and gerbils."
Features:
Includes a petting zone, exercise wheel, food dish and water bottle
Features a look-out tower, exterior extreme wheel, and front access door
CritterTrail Habitats are completely compatible with all CritterTrail accessories
For dwarf hamsters, hamsters, gerbils, mice or other small animals
"Crittertrail X is the extreme activity home for hamsters, gerbils and other small animal pets. This hamster cage, the Crittertrail X features the Xtreme Wheel, an exercise wheel that mounts on top of the home and spins both forward and backward while also rotating around the base -- and Crittertrail X glows in the dark! There's also the Xtreme Slide, a spiral climbing slide inside the home, plus the "petting zone" a special area on top of the home that offers easy access to your pet, and also removes from the home to give you a safe place to keep your pet while cleaning the cage. With six locations for adding accessories, the Crittertrail X can be expanded by adding Crittertrail Fun-nels and accessories (sold separately). Includes water bottle and food dish. Crittertrail X Perfect for hamsters, gerbils and mice." (Sourced from https://www.animalworldnetwork.com/crxfrsupet.html )
(additional info below)
The website listed above may or may not still be active as a store, but if so the listing prices and site data as of 03/05/2023 (m/d/y) are as follows:
Item Code: 55560518
Availability: Yes
Normal Price: $49.95
Current Price: $36.95 (26 off)
(If I have any additional photos of the cage from any source, they will be posted below, sources vary from forums, ebay, facebook marketplace, and any other public posting of the image. I apologize for the lack of better sourcing)
None at this time :(
Where is this cage now?
Kaytee Crittertrail Extreme Challenge Habitat
According to kaytee.com "This complete habitat features an extreme exterior wheel and a fun spiral ramp to provide your pet with hours of extreme fun! The habitat also features a removable petting zone for instant interaction with your pet. The Extreme Habitat also comes with a food dish and water bottle for your convenience. Front wire door allows you to easily access your pet at any time. Ideal for mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, and gerbils."
Features:
Improved detachable design makes assembly easier and cleaning a breeze
Enhanced door locks offer easy access and added security
Includes water bottle, food dish, removable petting zone, and activity wheel
Ideal for dwarf hamsters, gerbils or mice
Measures 20" x 11.5" x 18" inches with .29" bar spacing
