What Is The Best Type Of Cage For A Hamster?

A custom-built wooden cage with mesh sides can be a terrific option. But you have to build it correctly, using a non-toxic wood glue, and birch or beech as the wood. Conifer wood and plywood are not suitable because hamsters will chew it up and ingest glue or the mildly poisonous resins that naturally occur in the conifer wood.

Keep in mind that a wooden cage will slowly get destroyed over time. You can try to design it with extra layers that can easily enough be replaced as they are chewed down.

Hamsters also chew on plastic, which is unfortunate as there are a lot of plastic hamster cages sold. These tend not to be well-ventilated, so the hamster ends up in a smelly and wet environment (due to its own urine deposits). This can lead to fungal infections, and encourage bacteria and mite growth.

So the most popular options are either a terranium (an aquarium converted for purpose with a mesh top), or a ready-made wire-sided cage. Either way, the cage should stand at least 40 cm tall, with at least a 15cm gap between the top and the highest point hammie can get to. Make sure it's easy to reach in and out of, and easy to clean. Each adult Syrian hamster needs a floor space of at least 40 x 60cm.

Store the cage away from direct heat or a fluctuating heat source (like a radiator). Also, store out of draughts. Cellulose pulp as litter is ideal, although wood chippings will suffice.

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