Reccomendations for buying cage accessories without spending a fortune?

[mealwormdevourer]

After months of trying to get a Bucastate 3.0 120cm second hand, they have come back into stock and I gave up and bought a brand new one.

I am really looking forward to upgrading Stig to a spacious cage, his current temporary one is only 90x45.

I need to set the cage up, fill it and move him in on the same day as I don't have space to set it up and wait. Is it ok to do it like this? Or does it need to sit around and get the smell of the environmetn first? I would of course be transferring everything from his current cage so that it still smells familiar.

I also would like some tips on where I can buy things like wooden burrow starters, a wheel and platforms for food (and the wheel) and water bottle stands etc. I will not buy from amazon or temu, but am happy to do two seperate orders if I can't get it all from the same shop.

Are plastic wheels any good? Do hamsters tend to slip on them? I ask because he has eaten most of his current wheel, I am concerned that a new wheel might just go the same way!

 

[Maz]

I think Happy Henry homes is a good place for platforms, and you can choose what length legs you want for them Eg you could have one at substrate level for a sand bath. One or two at different levels (I have one about 2" above the substrate and one about 2" above that and a little step between them. You could spend ages on there working out platform combinations!

Platforms | Happy Henry’s Homes

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

You could use a small water bowl rather than a bottle. I use the Ikea Glasig tealight holders. They are just the right size and quite heavy so not easily knocked over. If it's in the corner of a platform its not likely to get spilled or fallen in. I don't really have any recommendations for bottle holders really as most are not that good. I do like the Rodipet one, but rodipet are offline at the moment. The Bucatstate cactus one might be ok but I've only seen that on Amazon.

For a nice big cork log, this places is good - and you choose the size and shape you want. They also arrive very clean.

Cork caves and hides are perfect for decoration, hiding and nesting

Cork Caves / Hides. Caves and hides are perfect for decoration, hiding and nesting. The Cork Shed UK. Full Worldwide Delivery on all cork products.

www.thecorkshed.co.uk

I think with a couple of platforms and a cork log you'll have quite a full cage already! Plus sprays. A multiroom house is good too (Happy Henry homes have a good one of those as well - see above link).

Wheels - You can't really go wrong with the Trixie 28cm plastic wheel It's cheap. It's not silent, but they're usually quiet and spin quite well. That is sold at other places as well as Amazon. And yes a plastic wheel is fine. Unless he chews it but I've never had a syrian chew a plastic trixie wheel yet.

Is ebay any good? It seems to be out of stock everywhere else. You don't need an expensive wheel, just a reliable one.

Trixie Exercise Wheel 28 cm Diameter Smooth Motion Quiet Grip Solid Surface Safe 4047974610114 | eBay UK

Trixie Exercise Wheel, 28 cm ---Plastic ---Protects the spine due to ideal wheel size ---Particularly smooth motion and quiet ---Solid running surface (no rungs) with lateral reinforcements for better grip ---Safety stand and closed rear wall prevent the animal from getting caught...

www.ebay.co.uk

Where did you manage to find the Bucatstate enclosure? Amazon used to be the only place and they haven't had them for a while and I believe people had been getting them from Temu as the only other option? Or do Bucatstate ship direct? He's a lucky boy!

 

[mealwormdevourer]

I think Happy Henry homes is a good place for platforms, and you can choose what length legs you want for them Eg you could have one at substrate level for a sand bath. One or two at different levels (I have one about 2" above the substrate and one about 2" above that and a little step between them. You could spend ages on there working out platform combinations!

Platforms | Happy Henry’s Homes

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

You could use a small water bowl rather than a bottle. I use the Ikea Glasig tealight holders. They are just the right size and quite heavy so not easily knocked over. If it's in the corner of a platform its not likely to get spilled or fallen in. I don't really have any recommendations for bottle holders really as most are not that good. I do like the Rodipet one, but rodipet are offline at the moment. The Bucatstate cactus one might be ok but I've only seen that on Amazon.

For a nice big cork log, this places is good - and you choose the size and shape you want. They also arrive very clean.

Cork caves and hides are perfect for decoration, hiding and nesting

Cork Caves / Hides. Caves and hides are perfect for decoration, hiding and nesting. The Cork Shed UK. Full Worldwide Delivery on all cork products.

www.thecorkshed.co.uk

I think with a couple of platforms and a cork log you'll have quite a full cage already! Plus sprays. A multiroom house is good too (Happy Henry homes have a good one of those as well - see above link).

Wheels - You can't really go wrong with the Trixie 28cm plastic wheel It's cheap. It's not silent, but they're usually quiet and spin quite well. That is sold at other places as well as Amazon. And yes a plastic wheel is fine. Unless he chews it but I've never had a syrian chew a plastic trixie wheel yet.

Is ebay any good? It seems to be out of stock everywhere else. You don't need an expensive wheel, just a reliable one.

Trixie Exercise Wheel 28 cm Diameter Smooth Motion Quiet Grip Solid Surface Safe 4047974610114 | eBay UK

Trixie Exercise Wheel, 28 cm ---Plastic ---Protects the spine due to ideal wheel size ---Particularly smooth motion and quiet ---Solid running surface (no rungs) with lateral reinforcements for better grip ---Safety stand and closed rear wall prevent the animal from getting caught...

www.ebay.co.uk

Where did you manage to find the Bucatstate enclosure? Amazon used to be the only place and they haven't had them for a while and I believe people had been getting them from Temu as the only other option? Or do Bucatstate ship direct? He's a lucky boy!

Happy Henry homes looks great! I will have to get a tape measure and work out what the different heights look like in person.

His current wheel is very loud and I have mostly got used to sleeping through it! His cage is right next to my bed so it isn’t ideal. I’ll see where I can get the Trixie wheel.

I ordered direct from bucatstate. I’ve been looking at their website for a while, and the prices have all been set to £720 for everything because it was all out of stock. They finally had the enclosures back in so I decided to just go for it and order one. I haven’t opened it yet, it did come with Evri who are notoriously terrible in my area. Hopefully it’s intact!

 

[Maz]

What is his current wheel? I can't remember. Occasionally some trixie wheels will have a rattle or a squeak but best thing then is just send it back and replace it (and actually that's why I usually get them from Amazon! They are good about returns). Most other wheels are ridiculously expensive now - all over £40 usually.

The exotic nutrition silent runner (12" orange) is a good silent wheel that only costs about £26 and I have found those very long lasting. But they seem very hard to get hold of now (they are imported from the US), although the sugarglider shop has them in stock. Similar idea to the trixie wheel - but a 12" wheel, bigger holes, silent. It is better made but also harder to take apart for cleaning than the trixie wheel.

Tip: Doesn't need taking apart that often - it can be wiped out without taking it apart.
Tip 2: Once you've taken it apart and put it together a few times it gets quicker and easier!
Big tip 3: Don't submerge the back part in water - the centre contains ball bearings which will rust if it's submerged in water, and stop working.

Silent Runner 12″ Wheel – Sugar Glider Shop

sugarglidershop.co.uk

 

[mealwormdevourer]

What is his current wheel? I can't remember. Occasionally some trixie wheels will have a rattle or a squeak but best thing then is just send it back and replace it (and actually that's why I usually get them from Amazon! They are good about returns). Most other wheels are ridiculously expensive now - all over £40 usually.

The exotic nutrition silent runner (12" orange) is a good silent wheel that only costs about £26 and I have found those very long lasting. But they seem very hard to get hold of now (they are imported from the US), although the sugarglider shop has them in stock. Similar idea to the trixie wheel - but a 12" wheel, bigger holes, silent. It is better made but also harder to take apart for cleaning than the trixie wheel.

Tip: Doesn't need taking apart that often - it can be wiped out without taking it apart.
Tip 2: Once you've taken it apart and put it together a few times it gets quicker and easier!
Big tip 3: Don't submerge the back part in water - the centre contains ball bearings which will rust if it's submerged in water, and stop working.

Silent Runner 12″ Wheel – Sugar Glider Shop

sugarglidershop.co.uk

This is great, thank you!

His current wheel is the wooden one by pets at home. I think it’s about 28cm. It has definitely got a lot louder recently, partly because it probably needs a bit of oil and partly because it’s in pieces where he’s eaten it!

 

[Maz]

I remember now! He's a naughty boy eating it! I think a silent runner would be a good option as in my experience, they tend to last for years with no issues. Providing you don't mind it being orange! And it's guaranteed to be silent.

 

[Maz]

These are popular with most syrians too - for in or out of the cage. They're the right size for a tunnel and they like the holes

Hyacinth Play Tunnel

The Rosewood Hyacinth Tunnel is made from 100% natural materials, there is no glue, plastic or metal, making it perfect for rabbits to play in, sleep in and chew. The small and medium sized tunnels are marketed for rodents and smaller pets, but can be used as hay stuffers, the small ones have...

wildaboutbunnies.co.uk

Also there are some nice ceramic items, sprays and various healthy treats at Hamsters We Love shop. I get sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds from there.

Hamsters We Love | Hamster Accessories | Hamster Sprays 3/3

www.hamsterswelove.co.uk

 

[mealwormdevourer]

These are popular with most syrians too - for in or out of the cage. They're the right size for a tunnel and they like the holes

Hyacinth Play Tunnel

The Rosewood Hyacinth Tunnel is made from 100% natural materials, there is no glue, plastic or metal, making it perfect for rabbits to play in, sleep in and chew. The small and medium sized tunnels are marketed for rodents and smaller pets, but can be used as hay stuffers, the small ones have...

wildaboutbunnies.co.uk

Also there are some nice ceramic items, sprays and various healthy treats at Hamsters We Love shop. I get sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds from there.

Hamsters We Love | Hamster Accessories | Hamster Sprays 3/3

www.hamsterswelove.co.uk

I have got him a little cork tunnel, he has a grass nest type thing, a wooden bendy bridge and homemade tunnels made of cardboard.

I’ve ordered the wheel, just waiting on its arrival to measure the base and work out what platform size I need!

I also found these in pets at home. It doesn’t say what they are, but I’m pretty sure some of them are oat sprays. Would these be safe?

 

[Maz]

Oat sprays are fine - does it say on the packet what they are though? The bottom packet looks like flax.

 

[mealwormdevourer]

Oat sprays are fine - does it say on the packet what they are though? The bottom packet looks like flax.

It just says “an assortment of edible plants”. It’s all the same packet.

 

[Maz]

Ah - so are they actually plants in pots? Personally I'd be cautious if it didn't say what they were or edible for which species. I didn't know Pets at Home sold sprays. Do they have any Rosewood PicknFly? Those selections of sprays are very cheap (intended for birds but fine for hamsters too) - they tend to include, millet, sorghum and a couple of other hamster safe varieties. Although there is one in there where the leaves are a bit "sticky" and I don't use that one.

 

[mealwormdevourer]

Ah - so are they actually plants in pots? Personally I'd be cautious if it didn't say what they were or edible for which species. I didn't know Pets at Home sold sprays. Do they have any Rosewood PicknFly? Those selections of sprays are very cheap (intended for birds but fine for hamsters too) - they tend to include, millet, sorghum and a couple of other hamster safe varieties. Although there is one in there where the leaves are a bit "sticky" and I don't use that one.

I haven’t seen that. I will have a look.

These are dried and cut like normal sprays. They are also by rosewood.

 

[Maz]

If it's Rosewood, does it have any other kind of branding or say what species it's for? Some things that are good for guinea pigs aren't always good for hamsters Although they do look a bit like oat and flax!

Is it Rosewood Harvest Festival? If so that contains oat, dill, peppermint and flax. All of which are ok for hamsters although the peppermint may be a bit strongly scented for them or they might not like it - but you could just pick that out

 

[mealwormdevourer]

If it's Rosewood, does it have any other kind of branding or say what species it's for? Some things that are good for guinea pigs aren't always good for hamsters Although they do look a bit like oat and flax!

Is it Rosewood Harvest Festival? If so that contains oat, dill, peppermint and flax. All of which are ok for hamsters although the peppermint may be a bit strongly scented for them or they might not like it - but you could just pick that out

I think that’s exactly what it is! It says it’s for guinea pigs, but I know it’s definitely not suitable for guinea pigs as they shouldn’t have seeds.

I’ll have a look when I next go in there. I think I need more bedding for the new enclosure. Carefresh is ok isn’t it? It’s what he currently has as it’s not too dusty for me or my guinea pigs (all sharing one small room together). But I’ve heard some bedding is best mixed with hay for burrow stability.

The wheel has arrived, I’ve ordered a burrow, platform and some dog boxes. So when they arrive I can set it all up and move him in!

 

[Maz]

Dog boxes? Glad the wheel has arrived Yes Carefresh is fine. Hay isn't necessary. There was a time when some people mixed it in to help hold burrows but it's not necessary and might not make much difference. Hamsters don't actually need hay either. It would do no harm to add a bit of hay somewhere in the cage, but it needs to be really good and soft and not spikey (so they don't get their eyes poked). I wouldn't bother layering it in bedding though personally. A mix of two different substrates is sometimes recommended to help hold burrows but some substrates hold them perfectly well on their own - eg kaytee clean and cosy and fitch. I assume carefresh does as well but I'm not entirely sure.

It can be really stressful for them having an enclosure change, even if it's a much better upgrade. There are ways to make it virtually stress-free for them so they settle in a few days (and you don't want diarrhoea again!).

The key is to not clean anything before you move him over. Tempting though it is - it'll all be fine for another couple of weeks. Also keep all his old bedding and spread that on top of the new bedding. And it can really help to have items in the same location as before. Eg wheel back left, house front right or whatever - and other items in the same location where possible. If using new things, that isn't always possible but keeping some things the same really helps.

The other thing that really helps - if you have the space to have both enclosures in the room at the same time for a couple of days - is give the hamster a "transition day".

By setting up the new enclosure with new bedding, and any new items you intend to use - and maybe putting one item from his old enclosure in there temporarily (that smells familiar) and just let him have a play and explore in there. Add some treats in various places too. He may only want to do it for 10 minutes and then panic and want to come out again. Or he may do it for longer and explore things and enjoy an hour or so in there.

At that point people are sometimes tempted to just leave the hamster in there if they seem to like it, but the idea is to then put them back in their old enclosure for another night. If you can do that for at least one night (if not two) I think it makes the move fairly seamless.

Then on moving day, pop him in a pet carrier (ideally in another room so he can 't hear and smell you messing with his enclosure - they know!). You'll already have some bedding and a few items in the new enclosure, so then just move all the old bedding across and other items and get everything set up.

I'd also recommend that before you put him in the new enclosure, you remove the old one from the room entirely and have a hoover up where it was - then put the new one there (assuming you're putting it in the same place).

If they can still smell their old enclosure in the room they can get quite upset and don't settle as well. Hamsters are really sensitive!

If you really can't manage both enclosures in the room for a couple of days, then the same as all the above without the transition day. It might just take a few more days for him to settle in fully Up to two weeks.

After an enclosure change it's basically like when you first bring them home - you need to leave them alone for 2 or 3 days generally and avoid any cleaning out or anything changing in the cage for at least two weeks

 

[Maz]

Ah I just realised you meant dig boxes! I was trying to imagine some innovative adaptation of some dog product ha ha.

 

[mealwormdevourer]

Dog boxes? Glad the wheel has arrived Yes Carefresh is fine. Hay isn't necessary. There was a time when some people mixed it in to help hold burrows but it's not necessary and might not make much difference. Hamsters don't actually need hay either. It would do no harm to add a bit of hay somewhere in the cage, but it needs to be really good and soft and not spikey (so they don't get their eyes poked). I wouldn't bother layering it in bedding though personally. A mix of two different substrates is sometimes recommended to help hold burrows but some substrates hold them perfectly well on their own - eg kaytee clean and cosy and fitch. I assume carefresh does as well but I'm not entirely sure.

It can be really stressful for them having an enclosure change, even if it's a much better upgrade. There are ways to make it virtually stress-free for them so they settle in a few days (and you don't want diarrhoea again!).

The key is to not clean anything before you move him over. Tempting though it is - it'll all be fine for another couple of weeks. Also keep all his old bedding and spread that on top of the new bedding. And it can really help to have items in the same location as before. Eg wheel back left, house front right or whatever - and other items in the same location where possible. If using new things, that isn't always possible but keeping some things the same really helps.

The other thing that really helps - if you have the space to have both enclosures in the room at the same time for a couple of days - is give the hamster a "transition day".

By setting up the new enclosure with new bedding, and any new items you intend to use - and maybe putting one item from his old enclosure in there temporarily (that smells familiar) and just let him have a play and explore in there. Add some treats in various places too. He may only want to do it for 10 minutes and then panic and want to come out again. Or he may do it for longer and explore things and enjoy an hour or so in there.

At that point people are sometimes tempted to just leave the hamster in there if they seem to like it, but the idea is to then put them back in their old enclosure for another night. If you can do that for at least one night (if not two) I think it makes the move fairly seamless.

Then on moving day, pop him in a pet carrier (ideally in another room so he can 't hear and smell you messing with his enclosure - they know!). You'll already have some bedding and a few items in the new enclosure, so then just move all the old bedding across and other items and get everything set up.

I'd also recommend that before you put him in the new enclosure, you remove the old one from the room entirely and have a hoover up where it was - then put the new one there (assuming you're putting it in the same place).

If they can still smell their old enclosure in the room they can get quite upset and don't settle as well. Hamsters are really sensitive!

If you really can't manage both enclosures in the room for a couple of days, then the same as all the above without the transition day. It might just take a few more days for him to settle in fully Up to two weeks.

After an enclosure change it's basically like when you first bring them home - you need to leave them alone for 2 or 3 days generally and avoid any cleaning out or anything changing in the cage for at least two weeks

Thank you! This is really useful information.

It was supposed to say dig box!

Unfortunately, I don’t have enough space to do that so I am going to have to do it all in one go. I intend on moving him to a carrier with some of his bedding, it might take a little while to get the enclosure set up so I’m hoping he will sleep. I will be moving literally everything (apart from the wheel) from his current enclosure into the new one. I know it’s not ideal, but I will try my best to keep things calm for him.

What I’m most concerned about is actually upsetting him by having to find him in there during the day! Sometimes if I open the enclosure up and talk he will emerge, otherwise I will have to dig and I know that is really stressful for them.

For the dig boxes, I’m going to put a different material in each one. He already has some coco fibre in his current setup but I’m wondering how dry/moist I should be keeping it? It’s currently completely dry but that means it is quite dusty. Should I be adding a little moisture?

 

[Maz]

Thank you! This is really useful information.

It was supposed to say dig box!

Unfortunately, I don’t have enough space to do that so I am going to have to do it all in one go. I intend on moving him to a carrier with some of his bedding, it might take a little while to get the enclosure set up so I’m hoping he will sleep. I will be moving literally everything (apart from the wheel) from his current enclosure into the new one. I know it’s not ideal, but I will try my best to keep things calm for him.

What I’m most concerned about is actually upsetting him by having to find him in there during the day! Sometimes if I open the enclosure up and talk he will emerge, otherwise I will have to dig and I know that is really stressful for them.

For the dig boxes, I’m going to put a different material in each one. He already has some coco fibre in his current setup but I’m wondering how dry/moist I should be keeping it? It’s currently completely dry but that means it is quite dusty. Should I be adding a little moisture?

That sounds fine. He'll be fine if you put him in his pet carrier. I do find it helps if you then put the pet carrier in a quiet room with something over it eg (a blanket or cushion cover). But bear in mind he might try to chew it through the pet carrier holes! So I tend to use a fleece blanket! Safer if chewed than cotton threads.

It's a one off disturbance and partly why they need to then be left alone for 2 or 3 days usually. Maybe just put some tasty treats, a bit of food and cucumber, lots of bedding and a small house in the pet carrier - that'll keep him cosy

I'm not that up on the dried blocks of coco fibre! You definitely don't want it too moist, to avoid mould spores - neither do you want it dry and dusty! Maybe someone else has used it? And can give some tips.