Xena female syrian

[Maz]

Aw that sounds good! To add a video you need to upload it to youtube and then paste the link on here and it embeds. You can set it to unlisted if you don't want it to be public, then it only appears where you paste the link I think it's normal for them to climb for the first night or two in a new cage as they're exploring everything. After that she should hopefully settle down. Did you save any of her old bedding to move across on top of the new bedding? That can help them settle quicker As it smells familiar.

 

[Tnoz]

Aw that sounds good! To add a video you need to upload it to youtube and then paste the link on here and it embeds. You can set it to unlisted if you don't want it to be public, then it only appears where you paste the link I think it's normal for them to climb for the first night or two in a new cage as they're exploring everything. After that she should hopefully settle down. Did you save any of her old bedding to move across on top of the new bedding? That can help them settle quicker As it smells familiar.

Hello, I do expect her to climb but she seems calm and has found her nest now. I put the majority of her bedding back in. I do with all my pets, add old bedding.

 

[Tnoz]

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[Maz]

I think she likes it . She has lots to do there and it’s nice she has done things part buried.

You could maybe do to add some more bedding. Eg fill the base so she has at least 6”. It can start to fall out through the bars unless you have something wrapped inside the bars - eg cardboard. Or you could just have one end with deeper bedding and cardboard inside the end opposite the wheel.

Not sure if you’re aware also but pine shavings (unless they’re chipsi ones) aren’t good for hammies. Sorry if you already know that!

A lot of people use paper based bedding - you could maybe add some on top and/or mix it in. They like it for their nests as well. But maybe give her a few days to settle in.

 

[Tnoz]

I think she likes it . She has lots to do there and it’s nice she has done things part buried.

You could maybe do to add some more bedding. Eg fill the base so she has at least 6”. It can start to fall out through the bars unless you have something wrapped inside the bars - eg cardboard. Or you could just have one end with deeper bedding and cardboard inside the end opposite the wheel.

Not sure if you’re aware also but pine shavings (unless they’re chipsi ones) aren’t good for hammies. Sorry if you already know that!

A lot of people use paper based bedding - you could maybe add some on top and/or mix it in. They like it for their nests as well. But maybe give her a few days to settle in.

Hiya. I only buy what's safe. I've shredded paper and tumble fresh mixed in. I've got a grass mat tied to the bars on one side. I've piled bedding onto of flexible tubes and wooden arches. She was filling her cheeks with paper earlier lol she looked like a puffed up bear ha

 

[Tnoz]

Xena cage.

 

[Maz]

Ooh I didn’t see that big pile at one end Did you decide not to use the green shelf it came with? They sometimes like a shelf as well as its overhead cover to sit under and somewhere else to go. I didn’t use it in mine as the ladder takes up a lot of space, so I added a platform instead.

 

[Tnoz]

Ooh I didn’t see that big pile at one end Did you decide not to use the green shelf it came with? They sometimes like a shelf as well as its overhead cover to sit under and somewhere else to go. I didn’t use it in mine as the ladder takes up a lot of space, so I added a platform instead.

I binned the shelf it came with but I have cover over the top of the cage. I'm gonna buy some shelves to attach to lower sides. I've lost her lol she keeps hiding in bendy tunnels lol. I've ordered more chipsi. Her beds are wood with the circles in them and her water bowl and toilet are up top of them. I'm trying to make her happy

 

[Maz]

I’m sure she’ll be much happier in there . Some people use these trixie shelves but you have to saw a little piece off the corner for it to fit that cage!

Trixie shelf Amazon (affiliate link)

Which is one reason I started using these cloud platforms instead. Most platforms won’t fit up to the edge because of the curved cage base but because these are cloud shaped, the legs are inset and they can go right to the edge of the cage - if you want them to! You also choose what length legs you want - the legs just screw in. So I get them about 2” higher than the substrate level wherever you’re intending to put it. They are nice platforms. Although I usually paint the top with plastikote but never had a hamster pee on one yet!

They cost a little bit more than the trixie shelf though

Hamster Cloud Platform 300mm x 200mm with Solid Birch Legs | Happy Henry’s Homes

Hamster Cloud Platform with Solid Birch Legs Description:Hamster Platform with 4 supporting legs. Legs come complete with brass threaded inserts for stainless steel screw fixings to fix the platform and legs to one another.

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

 

[Tnoz]

Interesting, I'll measure up and see what room I've got to play with. I'm not bothered about cost I just want to get this right. I've hamster books and researched online and still messed up. I'm sure it said that the cloud platform can be joined. I'm on it. Thank you very much

 

[Maz]

I got two of them with different length legs and have them similar to on that photo. Either slightly overlapping or next to each other across the back - I’ll see if I can find a photo.

 

[Maz]

Ok, so you can't see the platforms too well on this photo, but they're at the right-hand side, as you look at the photo. One is slightly above substrate level, and the one next to it, at the back, is about 2" higher. He can actually hop onto the lower one without needing a step. Between the lower and higher one I had a small cork bark step (I just glued two rounds of cork bark together, but any kind of small bridge would do). That's the one with the ceramic hide on top. He LOVES sitting under that taller shelf and goes under there for a wash. Although that might partly be because there is a long dark tunnel leading under it (his cork log). He also loves going inside the ceramic hide on that shelf and takes snacks in there And the platform supports the weight of it. It sort of helps use some of the height as well.

His cage is a bit cluttered But they seem to like a bit of clutter. It has sprays in there, which many hamsters love to nibble. Although mine don't seem that interested in nibbling them! But they also provide "cover" so they feel less exposed and happier to be out and about in the cage. He has a multiroom house on the left side, which he sleeps in and burrows down in, but some hamsters prefer to dig their own burrow.

 

[Tnoz]

Hey all. Hope your well. I've a wired playpen that my piggies use but not confident using the same style for xena. What's your suggestions or links to ones that are suitable for a climber and escape artist lol. Tia

 

[Maz]

A Syrian is likely to just climb out of a wired one There's a thread on here about playpens, but the most popular ones, I've linked below. The new Omlet playpen (large size) is brilliant - but expensive. If you decide to get the Omlet one or one from Amazon, and use these links, then the forum gets a small commission

Omlet Playpen

Songmics playpen - Amazon

Happy Henry Homes wood playpen

There's also a review of the Omlet playpen here It's the best one I've ever used as it's so easy to put up and take down, but I do have the Happy Henry Homes one as well (although one of the wood nibs snapped off that one putting up and taking it down but it still works).

https://www.thehamsterforum.com/threads/omlet-playpen-review.1770/#post-86084

 

[Tnoz]

Hey all, hope your all well. An update with Xena in her new 100x50 cage, it's done the trick, she is much more comfortable and settled and is no longer chewing the bars. Yippee I've bought a baby dwarf hamster and the cage he/she came with is way too small even with multiple levels and a hide at the top. I've seen a 80x50x50 and wondered if that would be more suitable? Picked baby up on Friday and is eating well. Im putting my hand in with food on, few nips but getting better as I'm going in regular so will know I'm not edible. Thanks in advance

 

[Maz]

Aw that is great Xena is happy and settled in her new cage 100cm is that sweet spot for hamsters IMO. Exciting you have a dwarf baby as well now! Actually the recommended size is the same for a dwarf hamster as it is for a syrian hamster! They are just as active, if not more so. So 80 x 50 would be a bit on the small side. However the Savic Plaza is a bit tall for a dwarf hamster (unless you partially turn it into a tank with perspex and have at least 10" of bedding as that effectively reduces the height).

So either a lower 100cm cage or a tank style enclosure would be better - and tank style enclosures can be quite expensive unless you make them.

There are two or three cages suitable. One is the Grosvenor XL which is 100cm but not too tall. However it means there's not a lot of room for deep bedding, so it would mean just having deep bedding at one end - eg by putting cardboard inside the bars at one end to hold the bedding in). The whole top roof opens up.

The other - possibly - is the Pets at home habitat which is the cheapest option at about £55. It's also a 100cm cage that isn't too tall, but it only has two really tiny doors, so it would be very difficult to get a shy hamster out of the cage and you'd be forever having to take the barred top off. So although it's inexpensive, it's really not that accessible. It's worth spending a bit more just for good access and ease of use.

And there's the Omlet cage - which is equivalent floorspace to a savic plaza even though not 100cm wide. It measures 88cm x 56cm. I actually think it's a really nice option for a dwarf hamster as it has scope for deep bedding as well with it's perspex sides. It is quite expensive though - but - there is a 20% off sale at the moment!

I'll link them all below. I've also linked the whole cages list. If you do end up buying a new cage, if you use one of the links from here, the forum gets a commission to help fund the site But it doesn't cost you any more. Or you might find a good used deal on a Grosvenor XL or Barney somewhere.

Grosvenor XL

Pets at Home Habitat 3

Omlet Hamster cage

The Omlet cage is 20% off at the moment for £135 (it's normally £169) in the sale. It's not cheap but - that price includes the wheel, which is silent. It's bigger than it looks from this photo - the height makes it look less long but it's also quite wide/deep. It has large front access and part perspex for deeper bedding. A couple of people on here have this cage (@Tulsi and @Socks' Mum ), so maybe they could post their photos to show you And I've seen one in the flesh. I think this or the Grosvenor XL would be good options. Unless you prefer the tank style enclosures like the Bucatstate - they are lovely too - but cost more. And actually they no longer seem to be available from Amazon! So hard to get hold of.

I reviewed it last year here

This is the Omlet cage








And this is the Grosvenor cage

 

[Socks' Mum]

I'm just wondering if the Omlet would meet the 5000cm square rescues ask for. The Omlet site gives the floor space as less than 5000cm, but it may actually be a bit more than 50000cm.
It's a well made cage and the wheel is excellent.

 

[Socks' Mum]

The cage does seem to meet the minimum size, but rescues might go by the manufacturer's estimate, which is only a few cm difference. It might not matter now, but if you wanted to adopt in the future, it would be good to find out if rescues accept the Omlet cage before buying one. They are a convenient size and shape and can be customised with platforms and tubes which needs to be bought separately, if you like them. The Plaza has better access doors and can be fitted out with Viking Lazer perspex panels, which are great.

 

[Maz]

I think she already has the hamster Rescues may vary with how they calculate floorspace, but technically it has more floorspace than the Savic Plaza, which is also under 5000 square centimetres (if comparing internal measurements between bars)

 

[Maz]

The cage does seem to meet the minimum size, but rescues might go by the manufacturer's estimate, which is only a few cm difference. It might not matter now, but if you wanted to adopt in the future, it would be good to find out if rescues accept the Omlet cage before buying one. They are a convenient size and shape and can be customised with platforms and tubes which needs to be bought separately, if you like them. The Plaza has better access doors and can be fitted out with Viking Lazer perspex panels, which are great.

I still think the plaza is risky for a dwarf and would end up costing more than the Omlet cage with the perspex panels - the door is lower at the front, so it's always hard to avoid the height in places. Rachels Got Hamsters has also recently given it the thumbs up and started using the Omlet cage for one of her dwarf hamsters.

I wouldn't worry about that to be honest, she also has a plaza cage for the future And I would think rescues would accept it anyway.

The Omlet really does need to be filled with bedding almost to the top of the perspex though, for a dwarf hamster, or it would still be too tall.

The Omlet is basically the same height as the plaza - except it isn't if you fill it with bedding for most of the perspex height, and the door sits above the perspex. With the plaza with perspex added, the door sits quite low at the front, so you can't really avoid the fall risks in part of the cage, unless you get very creative - what I did was use an extra piece of perspex wedged across the front inside the door (the ends were held in place behind the two side pieces of perspex) - so it was 10" of bedding all through the cage - and so it ends up the same as the Omlet cage then! And you have a shorter wider front door opening because the perspex half blocks the door (hence it ends up the same as the Omlet cage). The perspex all round for the Plaza costs about £80 plus an extra pieces for the front - so that doubles the cost of a plaza cage. And I have to say, it is a total pain screwing all the panels on - and particularly if it ever needs disinfecting and having to unscrew them all again, clean them all and screw them back again! I did put most of the perspex in the dishwasher last time but still had to disinfect all the nuts and bolts by hand and then they went a bit funny coloured on the outside.

There is the full perspex option for the plaza but that costs about £120 plus the cage and there is still the issue of the front door being low at the front and no creative solutions to block half the front door with the full perspex.

The easiest and cheapest option is the Grosvenor XL - it doesn't have the height issue - but then neither would it hold 10" of bedding and it would just be a case of having deep bedding at one end. It doesn't have a front door though ...........

Maybe the plaza front door is larger (which has it's issues for a dwarf hamster, but the Omlet barred top is easier to lift off, if necessary, as it's shorter.

I still can't believe Amazon isn't selling the Bucatstate cages any more! Maybe they just sold out during the Amazon Prime week sales though.

Edit - the Bucatstate 2 100cm seems to be available at Temu for £143 - but only in black. This is a popular option for dwarf hamsters if you have the space, but more expensive than the Omlet cage - which includes a good wheel in the price - or the grosvenor cage. But less expensive than a savic plaza with perspex. And it still has a front opening door.

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