Hamster habitats (also usable for mice and gerbils) are fun futuristic houses, with their colorful tubes, wheels and bubble compartments. However the wrong model can mean more work and even a lost or dead pet.
Examples of brands include Rotastak, Super Pet Crittertrails and Habitrail OVO. Depending on the number of elements, prices range from $15 to over $50.
Types of Hamster Cages and Houses
The simplest (and often best) home is a terrarium (land aquarium). A normal glass fish aquarium can be used. A wire cage is one alternative (as long as the pets are not small enough to squeeze between the bars).
Advantages
- Cheap.
- Spacious.
- Robust, long lasting.
- Easy to clean.
- Well ventilated.
- Flexible and expandable. Wheels and other toys can be easily added. However exercise wheels can be dangerous (see link at the bottom of this article). Old plastic pipes, discarded shoes: many objects can be hamster toys.
- Escape-proof and cat proof (with a ventilated cover).
- Easy to move.
Disadvantages
- More distance between the pet and the owner.
- Possibly not as fun or cute.
Plastic tubing habitats are popular. They just look like so much fun, with so many places for the pet to explore and run around in. Usually a basic home is purchased, then expanded with tubes (tunnels) to connect to mazes or other homes.
Advantages
- Fun.
- Endlessly expandable. No theoretical size limit.
Disadvantages
- More difficult to clean.
- Some components can leak pet urine and poo.
- Possible for pets to escape if doors are accidentally left unlatched.
- Possible for a determined cat or dog to break into and eat the hamsters inside.
- Sometimes made out of fragile, brittle plastic.
- Can be too small for some pets.
- Can be difficult to move especially if there are many extensions.
Some habitats are a combination of wire cage or plastic tank and fun tunnels and hideouts. All components should stay within the base of the unit so that urine and poo doesn't leak out. Exercise wheels are good poo flinging machines when turning at high speed. Exercise wheels located at the top or exposed at the side of the habitat, should be avoided.
How to Choose a Plastic Tubing Habitat Home
The big name brand habitats have more expansion options or components. However it is possible to link up habitats from different manufacturers with some glue, a sharp knife and some ingenuity.
The components should be easy to disassemble for cleaning (some designs allow the roof or base to be removed to expose the other components). Hard, brittle plastic snap-together components are difficult to disassemble and are prone to breakage. Door hinges are a common weak spot. Tubes with locking rings are easier to disassemble compared with snap-together tubes.
It is sometimes possible to avoid disassembly by dunking the entire unit into a bucket of water, or using a hose to flush the tubes.
Other features to look out for are:
- Good ventilation (pet owners can also drill their own holes).
- Rounded design, no exposed edges for pets to chew.
Basic components include:
- Water bottle. Some leak or are placed at an awkward angle for the pets to reach, and may have to be replaced with a generic water bottle (one with a ball bearing to prevent leaks). A wire cage allows a bottle to be clipped to the outside.
- Food dish. Should be locked in place to prevent the pet from flipping it over.
- Shaded sleeping area for stress-free relaxation.
- Exercise wheel (treadmill). Cooking oil on the axle can reduce squeaks, but the wheel can still make enough noise to be annoying, especially if placed in the bedroom.
Other components include:
- Petting zone.
- Removable travel carrier (often the sleeping area).
Smaller pets (Dwarf, Roborovski hamsters) might not be able to climb up large vertical tubes. Larger hamsters (such as Syrian, Teddy Bear) usually fare better.
The Best Hamster Cage or House
Cleaning up after pets is a pet owner's responsibility, as is keeping them safe from cats and other domestic predators. Anyone who isn't prepared to clean the cage at least once a week, shouldn't own hamsters. The whole family should discuss owning a pet and the responsibilities of each family member for looking after the animal.
A large glass tank is the best all round pet home. It is possible to combine a tank with a plastic tube habitat to get the best of both worlds. The tubes can be placed inside the tank for the animals to play with, without fear of them escaping or being eaten by cats. Any dirt leaks will be caught inside the tank. The various habitat components can be left partially disassembled for easy cleaning.
Though popular, exercise wheels can be dangerous. Pet owners should seriously consider removing any wheels that come with their hamster house.
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
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