I found 1 cage and 1 tote, which is better for 1 hamster?

[Maz]

I think if making a bin cage lid isn't going to be possible, you maybe need to think about alternative housing. Also you might want to see the hamsters and interact with them and if they are high up that would be difficult. They also get stressed if the enclosure gets moved regularly. Ideally their cage or enclosure should have one home and remain there - even moving it to another room can stress and disorientate them.

The options that are already secure with lids are:

1) A 40 gallon breeder tank (you can buy lids for those) - maybe a second hand one would be available? I couldn't see any sales on them at the moment.
2) Something like the exotic nutrition Sahara enclosure - not cheap Exotic nutrition sahara large
3) The Omlet cage - expensive - about $190 after the discount Omlet cage
4) Exotic nutrition Zanzibar cage - it's a bit on the small side but not bad. It's also a bit tall for a robo but you could put cardboard inside the bars and have deeper bedding - so that helps with bedding depth and also reduces the height of the cage. Not much cheaper than the sahara Zanzibar cage
5) Bucatstate tank style enclosure - these are great and have a front opening door as well as a lift off top. Expensive though Bucatstate
6) A second hand niteangel enclosure (similar to the sahara but they are very expensive new).

If you need enclosures for two hamsters, it could get expensive. Maybe it would be better to rehome one of them and get the best enclosure possible for the other one? Commercial hamster cages are expensive (except the tiny ones which should be banned!). DIY is cheaper, but I also wouldn't fancy making a bin cage lid as I'm not that great with diy.

There are other diy options that are inexpensive (Ikea hacks) but you still need to make a lid for them.

You could have a look on craigslist maybe - for second hand 40 gallon breeder tanks, niteangel enclosures, pawhut hamster enclosures etc. You might find a bargain.

Robos may be tiny but they are very high energy. In the Uk the minimum recommended size for all species of hamster (including robos) is approx 100cm long by 50cm wide (about 40" by 20"). In the US something 90cm by 45cm is seen as acceptable with something like the Zanzibar cage being a minimum size.

These used to be popular and are only $60. They are a tank style secure enclosure but are actually slightly smaller than the zanzibar. It's a shame there isn't a bigger version. They were used with all the wood contents removed as the wood items are too large and take up too much space and intended for guinea pigs (and of course the cage is far too small for a guinea pig). They would be ok for a temporary home perhaps as they are secure. No need to have them high up. Very narrow bar spacing on top.

tamburino

 

[rattfan69]

I think if making a bin cage lid isn't going to be possible, you maybe need to think about alternative housing. Also you might want to see the hamsters and interact with them and if they are high up that would be difficult. They also get stressed if the enclosure gets moved regularly. Ideally their cage or enclosure should have one home and remain there - even moving it to another room can stress and disorientate them.

The options that are already secure with lids are:

1) A 40 gallon breeder tank (you can buy lids for those) - maybe a second hand one would be available? I couldn't see any sales on them at the moment.
2) Something like the exotic nutrition Sahara enclosure - not cheap Exotic nutrition sahara large
3) The Omlet cage - expensive - about $190 after the discount Omlet cage
4) Exotic nutrition Zanzibar cage - it's a bit on the small side but not bad. It's also a bit tall for a robo but you could put cardboard inside the bars and have deeper bedding - so that helps with bedding depth and also reduces the height of the cage. Not much cheaper than the sahara Zanzibar cage
5) Bucatstate tank style enclosure - these are great and have a front opening door as well as a lift off top. Expensive though Bucatstate
6) A second hand niteangel enclosure (similar to the sahara but they are very expensive new).

If you need enclosures for two hamsters, it could get expensive. Maybe it would be better to rehome one of them and get the best enclosure possible for the other one? Commercial hamster cages are expensive (except the tiny ones which should be banned!). DIY is cheaper, but I also wouldn't fancy making a bin cage lid as I'm not that great with diy.

There are other diy options that are inexpensive (Ikea hacks) but you still need to make a lid for them.

You could have a look on craigslist maybe - for second hand 40 gallon breeder tanks, niteangel enclosures, pawhut hamster enclosures etc. You might find a bargain.

Robos may be tiny but they are very high energy. In the Uk the minimum recommended size for all species of hamster (including robos) is approx 100cm long by 50cm wide (about 40" by 20"). In the US something 90cm by 45cm is seen as acceptable with something like the Zanzibar cage being a minimum size.

These used to be popular and are only $60. They are a tank style secure enclosure but are actually slightly smaller than the zanzibar. It's a shame there isn't a bigger version. They were used with all the wood contents removed as the wood items are too large and take up too much space and intended for guinea pigs (and of course the cage is far too small for a guinea pig). They would be ok for a temporary home perhaps as they are secure. No need to have them high up. Very narrow bar spacing on top.

tamburino

I think I will go with Zanzibar Cage. I can buy two of them. Thanks for looking out for cages for me. The other cages are too expensive. I would rather have cage instead of tank. I used to have tanks but got rid of them. I should have kept the tanks, but anyways how much bedding should I use? Do I fill with bedding half way up the cage? I will have to move the hamsters to their new home. I will get next month. I will be doing a major upgrade to where they are now. I seen a Zanzbar cage for 106 dollars for one cage., on Amazon.. The other one is cheaper but I do not want to give me important ifo. I like to go to where it is trusted, just to be on the safe side. Now all I have to do is figure out where to place the cages. i am sure glad I did not buy more hamsters. 2 hammmys are plenty enough for me. Also cages are easy to clean. Where as the tanks are not. I rather go with a cage at this point.

 

[rattfan69]

It's true, a cage can be more secure more easily The only one big enough really though, is the Omlet cage and two of those would be expensive. Some people, when they find they need to separate dwarf hamsters, decide to rehome one of them and get a good cage for the other one.

If the bins are where the cat can't reach them, that is good. It's a bit risky without a lid in case the hamsters escape. Sometimes they pile bedding up in one corner and just walk up it and climb out! Giving them minimal bedding to avoid that is bad for their welfare. Robos especially need plenty of bedding so they can dig and burrow.

I am going to go with the Zanzibar Cage.Someone posted on here links to buy cages. It is a little expensive but I can buy it. i want to keep both of my hamsters. It be better than the bin. as I am not handy at projects set up. The cage will be fine, for now. All I have to do is make space for the new cages.

 

[Maz]

I prefer cages as well It's also called the Prevue cage if you see it on Amazon. I thought it was more expensive on amazon but maybe not. It does have a nice big front door and a top door as well so it's quite easy to spot clean.

If you can just cut up a cardboard box (eg an Amazon box) and put cardboard inside the bars about 6" high all round, then you can fill the base with bedding. There are various ways of attaching the cardboard so it stays in place. That'll give them 8" or more bedding and mean the cage isn't too tall for a robo

It has a decent shelf in there so then you just need their wheels and some enrichment items - hides, tunnels etc (cardboard ones are fine too for that - eg a tissue box hide) and some sprays and any other enrichment items you can get!

 

[rattfan69]

How much bedding should I use? Should I fill bedding half way up the cage? I am not sure how to measure the bedding. I want to make sure I have enough bedding for the hamster's. Also should I leave some of the old bedding in the cage, then replace with new bedding? I read to fully clean the tank once a month, is that true? And do spot checking every few days, I have done that and I did not have to clean anything. little hamster pee does not stink.

 

[Maz]

You'd want at least 8" of bedding in there. The base holds 6" so I would put maybe 5" high cardboard inside the bars so you can fill the base with 8" to 10" of bedding and it not spill out. The bar spacing is ok - about 1cm - but you'd need to check the gaps at the corners (and maybe round the top) in case they are a bit larger. What I've done before is fasten cable ties along the length if there is one bar that is a bit wider - either to close it up a bit or just block it off basically.

As and when you move them you can put new bedding in the cage, then keep all the old bedding and put that on top, so it still smells familiar. Robos pee very little and most of it just evaporates! So occasional spot cleaning of the pee area is fine. There's a home page article with tips about cage cleaning. But basically the more bedding you have in, the less often you need to do a main clean and just spot clean mostly, and then just do "partial" cleans. With a robo I used to do a partial clean maybe after three months and just do one end of the cage. He would move his nest to the other end. Then maybe a month later I'd do the other end of the cage. Even then I'd replace at least half the clean bedding.

Hamster cage cleaning

Tips on how to clean your hamster cage and avoid causing stress to your hamster. It's best to have plenty of depth of substrate and mainly spot clean your hamster cage. Avoid disturbing your hamster's nest and hoard.

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Maz]

Incidentally you can get a very large bale of paper Boxo bedding from Walmart that would last a long time!

It's linked in this article

Hamster cage set up on a budget

How to set up a hamster cage or enclosure on a budget in 2025 and give your hamster a good home. Hint - cardboard is your friend. Our hamster site and forum will give friendly advice on everything you need for your hamster enclosure or cage...

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Maz]

This photo is from about 10 years ago - before we knew about deep bedding! But you can see how I have cable ties along the top edges where the gap was bigger. (This was before I snipped the long ends of the cable ties off). Just to show how you can do that. Even if it doesn't close the gap up, it blocks it!

 

[rattfan69]

I was looking up
Why the Zanzibar Cage is not escape-proof for dwarf hamsters

• Bar spacing: Dwarf hamsters are small and flexible enough to squeeze through a gap as narrow as 1/2-inch. Experts recommend a much tighter spacing of no more than 1/4-inch (0.635 cm) to prevent escapes.
• Flexible body: Hamsters have collapsible rib cages, which allow them to squeeze through surprisingly small openings. If they can fit their head through, the rest of their body will follow.
• Inadequate size: While a large cage is needed for a hamster's welfare, one that does not meet species-specific escape-proofing needs will lead to escapes.

I found the cage from a link over here. This cage will not work for my hamster. I was going to buy the cage, but now I have to look for another cage my hamster that he can't escape from. Any cages for 100 dollars will do, and escape proof. I am not into using tanks. this is why I like totes, cause hamster can't escape.

 

[Maz]

You can't believe everything you find on google 1cm bar spacing is standard for hamster cages - anything larger than that would not be good. It's quoted as half inch in the US. It's true that narrower bar spacing can be better if a robo is particularly small, but most people have found 1cm fine for a robo. There aren't any cages with narrower bar spacing in the US unfortunately and very few in Europe. My robo was in a cage with 1cm bar spacing. But it is why some people prefer to have them in a tank. And yes there are some areas on that cage where the gap is bigger than 1cm - hence suggesting using cable ties there.

It's a good point though - usually 1cm bar spacing is quoted as half inch in the US because it's a round number kind of - half inch is actually 1.27cm. The cage is meant to be identical to the Alaska cage that used to be available in the Uk, and the bar spacing on that was 1cm. Without seeing one to measure it I wouldn't know but it looks like 1cm.

There aren't any cages with quarter inch bar spacing that are big enough in the US. 7mm is usually the smallest (European cages) and not many of those. Although there is one in the Uk with 6.5 mm bar spacing.

But if you're worried about it, and about the larger gaps at the edges (and doctoring them) then maybe a tank style would be better. It's hard to find anything for $100 though. About the cheapest I've found is the Sahara tank from Exotic nutrition. A tank style is less manoevrable though.

 

[rattfan69]

This photo is from about 10 years ago - before we knew about deep bedding! But you can see how I have cable ties along the top edges where the gap was bigger. (This was before I snipped the long ends of the cable ties off). Just to show how you can do that. Even if it doesn't close the gap up, it blocks it!

View attachment 10820

Nice looking cage for hamster. I am again trying to find the right cage for my hammy, a cage he can't escape from. And a cage I can afford. I think the bins are the cheaper way to go and hamster can't escape. The only problem is the lid. I thought I found a cage, guess not.

 

[rattfan69]

You can't believe everything you find on google 1cm bar spacing is standard for hamster cages - anything larger than that would not be good. It's quoted as half inch in the US but it's 1cm. It's true that narrower bar spacing can be better if a robo is particularly small, but most people have found 1cm fine for a robo. There aren't any cages with narrower bar spacing in the US unfortunately and very few in Europe. My robo was in a cage with 1cm bar spacing. But it is why some people prefer to have them in a tank. And yes there are some areas on that cage where the gap is bigger than 1cm - hence suggesting using cable ties there.

I just made a post before you posted, so sorry about that. Well as long as hammy can't excape, which you are saying he can't. then I will buy the cage, thanks for your reply. I just want to make sure I get a good home for hammy and stephen. They are so cute. I find myself talking to them. lol

 

[Maz]

We posted at the same time! I edited my post above as well

 

[Maz]

To be honest, the best cage would be the Omlet cage - it has narrow 8mm bar spacing, it's a good size and ideal for a robo and a deep base for bedding with the perspex. But they are expensive.

Hamster Cage & Hamster Playpen | Omlet

Discover Omlet hamster cages with a large, secure space and easy-to-clean design. Add enrichment options to keep your hamster safe, happy, and active.

www.omlet.us

I believe they're doing a 20% off sale on 28th August to 1st September. Whether you'd still get the 10% off for being a new customer as well, I don't know, but 20% off still makes it $175.

 

[Maz]

The Bucatstate actually seems to be cheaper than the Omlet cage. It looks like a tank but it's perspex rather than glass and it has a front door. They are very popular. I can't see the price on this link as I'm in the Uk. You can get wheels for them as well.

Amazon.com

It's a point though that the Zanzibar bar spacing "might" be risky and does have those extra gaps at the side and the top - I don't know how big or small your robos are. They vary! How much do they each weigh?

 

[rattfan69]

The Bucatstate actually seems to be cheaper than the Omlet cage. It looks like a tank but it's perspex rather than glass and it has a front door. They are very popular. I can't see the price on this link as I'm in the Uk. You can get wheels for them as well.

Amazon.com

It's a point though that the Zanzibar bar spacing "might" be risky and does have those extra gaps at the side and the top - I don't know how big or small your robos are. They vary! How much do they each weigh?

It cost 155 on amazon. I can buy a cage, then wait to I get paid and then buy the other cage. Can I put the two hamsters together and see if they get along? I always have my bin, if I need to separate them. Or should I not chance it? i am home a lot so if I see any fighting I can sep them quickly. I still am going to buy the other cage, it would just be temp, to keep them together. I will have to wait another month to by the other cage but I always have the bins to put hamster in, if I have to separate them. If I can not separate them. I will keep one hamster in bin, which is what he is now, for a month, then I can buy the other cage the following month. Plus I have a pet deposit I have to pay with is 200 dollars. Thanks for all your help, and thank you for showing me this cage, at least hammy can't escape. The other cage is good, except for the top part, a hamster could squeeze through that. I took a look at the cage and ontop there is a space where hamster could just sneak away, But on the bottom half of the cage I do not think hammy could fit through.

 

[rattfan69]

The Bucatstate actually seems to be cheaper than the Omlet cage. It looks like a tank but it's perspex rather than glass and it has a front door. They are very popular. I can't see the price on this link as I'm in the Uk. You can get wheels for them as well.

Amazon.com

It's a point though that the Zanzibar bar spacing "might" be risky and does have those extra gaps at the side and the top - I don't know how big or small your robos are. They vary! How much do they each weigh?

I am not sure how much they weigh but they are very tiny, they are just babies.

 

[rattfan69]

I looked at a video on the cage and I seen how much bedding to use, and it is a big cage, looks easy to put together, just add a few screws and put on the plastic in the slots. I now see how much bedding I am going to have to use, which is more than I thought. Once I get the cage I will take a video of it, so you all can see it. I am going to buy two cages, but 1 cage per month. I only need two cages. Well back to amazon, to order me a cage.

 

[rattfan69]

I been looking around and checking links, and I can only really afford the plastic tote. I am not sure about the lid but I will figure it out. Thanks to all of you that gave me links to cages. I did look but too expensive for me. I also have to buy a lot more bedding then I thought. I also have to pay a pet fee where I live and it is 200 dollars. (I can hear hamster chewing his food) Anyways, thank you all for your help. I just want my hammies to have a good home. I do need to upgrade as the bins I have need to be bigger, which I am going to take care of. I will have to say my totes are bigger than some of the cages I looked at. I can see why those cages are banned. Hammies deserve good homes. Could I use this hole cutter, to cut though a hole in the plastic lid. I found a hole cutter but not sure if this is the right size

Amazon.com

 

[Maz]

I can't really help on cutting bin lids I'm afraid as I haven't done it and am not great with diy. And yes it is a dilemma - the cost of cages, two hamsters and what is affordable.

Yes there is a larger gap round the top of the Zanzibar cage - it would need cable ties all round - that would be quite a lot of cable ties (they are very cheap) or fixing strips of perspex (not so cheap). At all four corners the gaps are bigger too and cable ties would work there. All along the height of the four corners. There is a chance a hamster might bite through the cable ties - it hasn't happened to me before - that depends on the hamster though.

You know what I think. I think you could get two Tamburino cages - for now. No diy, small bar spacing and $60 each. Until you can afford to upgrade them in future as you have a lot of outgoings all at once.

5 years ago the Tamburino was seen as a suitable size for a dwarf hamster - hamster care and guidelines have increased since then and they are considered a bit small now - but they are bigger than your current bins and they are secure. I know it seems a bit much spending $120 for something temporary, but it would keep the hamsters secure.

It sounds like it's either that, or have a go at making bin cage lids - plastic can crack and go wrong. No you can't really put them back in together now - it wouldn't be fair on them - even if they didn't kill each other immediately (and you can't be awake to watch them all the time).

If it was me I would rehome one of them and get an Omlet cage. If you really want to keep both I'd suggest a temporary solution like the Tamburino (linked above in post number 21) until you can afford something bigger for both of them. They are nice cages, perspex and narrow bar spacing - you can have deeper bedding at one end.

The cutter linked on Amazon is a circle hole cutter - that wouldn't make a big enough hole to mesh and the plastic could still crack.

There is another option some people have used instead of making a bin cage lid. Buying cooking racks to sit on top of the bins - like this (providing the spacing is narrow enough. But they would need weighing down (eg books on top in various places) or your cat could just push them off. It's also hard to find anything the right size and you might need two or three and they're not cheap.

Amazon.com: Ultra Cuisine Heavy Duty Cooling Rack for Cooking and Baking - Professional Grade Premium100% Stainless Steel Baking Rack & Wire Cooling Mesh for Roasting & Grilling - Dishwasher Safe - 11.5" x 16.5": Home & Kitchen

Shop Ultra Cuisine at the Amazon Bakeware store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Everyday low prices, save up to 50%.

www.amazon.com

It is difficult - no hamster cage is perfect and many need adaptation.

You can also buy plexiglass panels and fix those round the inside bars of the Zanzibar cage - that would block any gaps for the full height and there would still be ventilation through the roof and door - but it's more diy again as you'd probably need to drill holes in the plexi and fix them with nuts and bolts. And plexi isn't that cheap either and you'd need to get panels cut the right size probably.

I wouldn't rush any decision right now. Also look on craigs list for second hand hamster enclosures - you might find a niteangel or bucatstate second hand.