Playpens and Playareas
- Thread starter Maz
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I am still hoping to see a picture of Rafferty. He sounds so sweet.
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I can’t recommend the Skyline Ranch Arizona playpen. I’ve had two that were just awful. The quality control is very bad and they are too splintery. One about two to three years ago - that one was splintery and did t even fit together. One just recently (in the hope quality had improved) and also really splintery- too much for sanding. It’s a shame as my original one of these from about 7 years ago was fine. But it seems not any more.
Admittedly most of the splinters and rough splintery areas were on the outside rather than the smooth inside but the hamster would come in contact with, but some were on the inside where the pop out door is and also along the top and bottom edges which a hamster could come in contact with. So unless you want to sand the whole thing, I wouldn’t bother with this one!
Even though most of it is on the outside it majes it awful to handle. I got splinters in my thumb and a finger just lifting a piece out of the box.
However this one did actually fit together! But I’m sending it back.
Admittedly most of the splinters and rough splintery areas were on the outside rather than the smooth inside but the hamster would come in contact with, but some were on the inside where the pop out door is and also along the top and bottom edges which a hamster could come in contact with. So unless you want to sand the whole thing, I wouldn’t bother with this one!
Even though most of it is on the outside it majes it awful to handle. I got splinters in my thumb and a finger just lifting a piece out of the box.
However this one did actually fit together! But I’m sending it back.
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Wow, that is really bad. What a shame they do not ensure the wood is smooth.
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I have been using my Songmics playpen with cable ties instead of using the pegs to hold it together as it can be folded up quickly for storage. It needs a blanket or fleece under it to prevent the hamster using it from burrowing under the walls or getting stuck while trying to burrow. That is a possibility, so best to supervise constantly while a hamster is using it. Socks hasn't tried to burrow under the walls, but it is wise to be aware of the potential hazard. You can use a bulldog clip to hold the first and last partitions together. If you put two sets of partitions together, if would make a very large playpen. Being plastic, it is not escape proof at all and cannot be made escape proof, so best used in a room with closed doors that the hamster can't wriggle under, just in case he or she gets out of the pen. Adding a few more partitions allows you to sit in with the hamster. There is a risk of chewing the cable ties, which are rigid and sharp, so constant supervision is necessary. They could be covered with fleece. The knes highef up should be out of reach. You can also get reusable ones. Socks is a Syrian hamster, so I haven't tried it out with a dwarf hamster, who may need a different set up with smaller gaps between the partitions. It's best used for short, supervised outings. I will post some photos soon. Happy out of cage time!
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Such a great idea to make it more portable. 
When you say it’s not escape proof because it’s plastic, do you mean it could be chewed? I think they need supervision in any playpen. Those reusable Velcro cable ties are easy to use. Presumably they hold any gaps together?
When you say it’s not escape proof because it’s plastic, do you mean it could be chewed? I think they need supervision in any playpen. Those reusable Velcro cable ties are easy to use. Presumably they hold any gaps together?- Messages
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Yes, the panels can be chewed through quite quickly, although Socks has stopped chewing because he has learned that I will stop him. But if I am not watching, he might chew a panel and escape. Also, there could be a freak accident such as a hamster trying to squeeze through a gap and becoming wedged. It is always wise to keep scissors on hand when dealing with cable ties. And chewing through the cable tie would also create an opportunity to escape. Hamsters being ninjas 
even in wooden cages, anything is possible.
even in wooden cages, anything is possible.Attachments
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Presumably at the corners? Yes supervision is always needed with any playpen as most of them can be chewed. I've not had problems with chewing with my wood one as there's nothing for them to get a hold on, but I have had a hamster (Raffy) escape from it by taking a run and hurling himself at the side and managing to get a hold on top and pull himself over!
But with supervision you can stop any chewing
I think cable ties are a great idea though for making it easier and quicker to put up and take down.
But with supervision you can stop any chewing
I think cable ties are a great idea though for making it easier and quicker to put up and take down.
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Just came across this thread- desperately seeking advice re; playpens for my daughter's Hamster (Rose)
We got the spotty amazon one initially, but she soon chewed a hole in it, next we got a metal one but realised it was not very tall so she would climb straight out of it, so sent it back.Then we thought we had cracked it by getting her a strong plastic paddling pool, but she even chewed a hole in that!
We also tried getting her out in the bath but she doesn't seem keen...spends the whole time just trying to get out.
I'm abit stuck....we really want to be able to get her out regularly but not sure what we can use now.
Not keen on balls and know they aren't really advised now, but just unsure how to proceed...don't want her stuck in her cage all the time, only coming out for handling for afew mins each day.
We got the spotty amazon one initially, but she soon chewed a hole in it, next we got a metal one but realised it was not very tall so she would climb straight out of it, so sent it back.Then we thought we had cracked it by getting her a strong plastic paddling pool, but she even chewed a hole in that!
We also tried getting her out in the bath but she doesn't seem keen...spends the whole time just trying to get out.
I'm abit stuck....we really want to be able to get her out regularly but not sure what we can use now.
Not keen on balls and know they aren't really advised now, but just unsure how to proceed...don't want her stuck in her cage all the time, only coming out for handling for afew mins each day.
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Hello and welcome I find the wood ones best, but they're not cheap. Like this one - the 30cm high version is fine
www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk
Alternatively could you section off an area and hamsterproof it instead of using a playpen? Some people use the hallway or landing in a house and close doors etc or block off any possible escape gaps!
Although that wood one is expensive, they do come apart easily and it's easy to store the pieces (mine go behind the sofa). A cheaper option is the Songmics type ones that some people have - but they don't come apart easily and are better left up most of the time - I wouldn't have the space for that.
I find the wood ones best, but they're not cheap. Like this one - the 30cm high version is fine
Hamster Run Enclosure - Formaldehyde Free, Non Toxic, Wooden, Slot Together | Happy Henry’s Homes
Slot Together Wooden Hamster Run Enclosure - Available in 4 sizes- With or without 6mm floor bases- 9mm floor base version complete with grooves to retain the run in position and a hinge on reverse to allow the base to be folded for storage.- Made from pet safe poplar plywood, bonded with non...
www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk
Alternatively could you section off an area and hamsterproof it instead of using a playpen? Some people use the hallway or landing in a house and close doors etc or block off any possible escape gaps!
Although that wood one is expensive, they do come apart easily and it's easy to store the pieces (mine go behind the sofa
). A cheaper option is the Songmics type ones that some people have - but they don't come apart easily and are better left up most of the time - I wouldn't have the space for that.- Messages
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Thanks very much for your helpful responseHello and welcome
Hamster Run Enclosure - Formaldehyde Free, Non Toxic, Wooden, Slot Together | Happy Henry’s Homes
Slot Together Wooden Hamster Run Enclosure - Available in 4 sizes- With or without 6mm floor bases- 9mm floor base version complete with grooves to retain the run in position and a hinge on reverse to allow the base to be folded for storage.- Made from pet safe poplar plywood, bonded with non...
Alternatively could you section off an area and hamsterproof it instead of using a playpen? Some people use the hallway or landing in a house and close doors etc or block off any possible escape gaps!
Although that wood one is expensive, they do come apart easily and it's easy to store the pieces (mine go behind the sofa
I will look into those options!
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I have the wired one from Trixie but it’s a pain in the ass to assemble. Also sneaky George found a way to disassemble this himself and I haven’t put him in it ever since as once he knows how to open it he goes to the same spot to open it again 
So he free roams in my room as it’s the safest. (He even put his food stash in one of the places he enjoys going into 
)
So he free roams in my room as it’s the safest. (He even put his food stash in one of the places he enjoys going into )
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This one looks great!!! Seems easier to assemble and not as easy to chew through as the pop up ones I saw on AmazonHello and welcome
Hamster Run Enclosure - Formaldehyde Free, Non Toxic, Wooden, Slot Together | Happy Henry’s Homes
Slot Together Wooden Hamster Run Enclosure - Available in 4 sizes- With or without 6mm floor bases- 9mm floor base version complete with grooves to retain the run in position and a hinge on reverse to allow the base to be folded for storage.- Made from pet safe poplar plywood, bonded with non...
Alternatively could you section off an area and hamsterproof it instead of using a playpen? Some people use the hallway or landing in a house and close doors etc or block off any possible escape gaps!
Although that wood one is expensive, they do come apart easily and it's easy to store the pieces (mine go behind the sofa
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The only way they can escape that is if you have things too close to the edge they can climb on! Or if you're as determined as Raffy was, avoid tall hides in the middle as well. He used to climb on top of it, hurl himself at the side and when he landed (sometimes just a thump and he'd not make it), he would cling on to the top edge with his front paws and climb over. That stopped once I removed the tall hide!