A hamster cage is an enclosure designed to house one hamster. It is recommended that the minimum size for a hamster cage is at least 100 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm tall for Syrian Hamsters and 100 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm tall for dwarf species of hamsters (approximately 775 square inches of floor space).. There is evidence that hamsters experience less stress if housed in larger cages. Commercially available enclosures are made of wire/metal bars with a plastic base, and also some made of metal and perspex. Some pet owners house their hamsters in aquarium tanks, and some make their own enclosures out of engineered wood and mesh or plexi. Laboratory hamsters, commonly known as laboratory Syrian hamsters, are housed in pens designed for scientific use. There are also special pens designed for hamster shows.
Hamster cage specifications
Cage size The recommended cage size for a hamster is a minimum of 100 cm long by 50cm deep by 50cm tall for Syrian Hamsters and 40cm tall for dwarf hamsters.
Flooring and bedding The ideal floor for a hamster is solid and covered with bedding. Safe bedding options include aspen shavings and unscented commercial paper pulp bedding marketed specifically for small animals, as well as spruce shavings and hemp shaving (All of these unscented). It's also recommended to use a bedding capable of holding burrows, as hamsters would do that in the wild. Hamsters whose cages have thick bedding experience greater health, so experts recommend aiming for 15cm (6 inches) or preferably more. Wire flooring can harm hamster paws, causing bumblefoot, so floors are typically covered with solid materials such as cardboard, ceramic, or specially designated mats. Wire cages that permit hamsters to throw bedding material through the wires as they burrow, dig, and play are common. Alternatively, pens with solid walls that contain all the bedding and prevent drafts of air from disturbing the hamster may also be used.Hamsters should have no fewer than 8 inches of bedding, although 12 or more inches of bedding is preferred.
Wire-top cages A wire-top cage is a plastic base with an overarching wire structure. Some wire-top cages come in varying shapes and sizes, and may contain one or more levels with tubes, stairs, and ladders connecting the levels. A wire cage with wired stairs may cause bumblefoot. Wire-top cages for hamsters are often marketed in two varieties: one version for larger Syrian hamsters, with approximately 12 mm (0.47 in) of space between the bars, and another version for Chinese or dwarf hamsters, with approximately 8 mm (0.31 in) of space between bars. Pens with smaller gaps are usually intended for mice, and are likely to be too small to provide adequate space for any species of hamster, although they may be used as temporary transport cages. Use of wire-top cages with external tubes is not recommended, as these can be an escape-route and confuse a hamster's natural instincts to burrow. The base is generally not deep enough to hold more than 6 inches of bedding, but these cages can be adapted by adding cardboard or plexi inside the bars to achieve more bedding depth. There are varying opinions on wire/barred cages. Some prefer them for good ventilation and closer interaction with the hamster. However it is important they are not too tall or there could be fall risks from a height. Hamsters are likely to chew bars if the cage is not large enough. Bar spacing should be no larger than 1cm. Narrower bar spacing for roborovski and dwarf hamsters is needed, or solid-sided tank style cage. There are now some very large wired top cages available in the UK and Europe up to 120cm x 60cm or larger, and some which hold 10" of bedding. Most colorful wire cages that are sold in pet shops don't meet both size and safety requirements and can cause stress for hamsters. Cages with more height than width or length are not recommended, as hamsters are burrowing animals and thus need more floor space.
Plastic tank cages Plastic tank cages range from simple boxes to elaborately designed structures with tubes, tunnels, and separate rooms to encourage exploration. Many plastic tank cages are designed to be expanded with additional modules that connect to the main pen with clamps or tunnels. These modules are generally sold separately. Due to the design of plastic cages, hamsters may be able to gnaw on parts of the interior. Pens are not designed to be chewed, however, if a cage is large enough, and if a hamster has other things to gnaw, then most hamsters will not chew on the cage. Syrian hamsters are more likely to chew small tubes and cages that are designed for smaller hamsters. Most plastic cages are too small for hamsters, causing them to become bored and display unwanted behaviors, such as obsessive bar-chewing, repetitive climbing, aggression, or attempting escape. Smaller modules may have poor ventilation, increasing the risk of respiratory disease for the hamster.
Bin setups Bin setups for hamsters are niche and one of the cheapest setup options, providing space and customization for hamsters. These setups are usually made from large plastic storage bins. A key advantages of bin setups is their affordability, as they can often be assembled using readily available materials at a fraction of the cost of traditional setups. Also, bin setups offer better ventilation compared to glass enclosures, promoting better air circulation and lowering the risk of respiratory issues for hamsters. Another benefit of bin setups is their flexibility, allowing for hamster owners to personalize their habitat with various decor and enrichment features to stimulate the hamster's natural behaviors and provide stimulation for such hamsters. Despite their basic setups, bin setups can provide a comfortable and enriching living space for hamsters when properly constructed and maintained.
Aquariums Aquariums can be modified to serve as hamster cages. Hamsters cannot chew glass aquariums because the walls are smooth and there are no projections. Glass aquariums can be heavy and difficult to move, however, and it may be challenging to find an appropriate top to contain the hamster, most people decide to make the lid themselves using nails, wooden planks cut to size and chicken wire.
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