Dwarf Hamster Cage - The Right Home For Your Tiny Pet
By Russ Fleederman
You can't imagine the variety of housing options you will find when searching for a dwarf hamster cage, and because there are so many possibilities there are also a lot of things to consider before making a final decision. A few factors to think about are - ease of cleaning, "escape-proof-ness", is it big enough, is it safe? Remember, this will be your pet's home every day, all day, so choose a place he will be comfortable and happy living in. Not every potential house you look at will meet even the minimum requirements.
Here are a few important dwarf hamster cage factors to take into account:
Type of Enclosure
There are a few different styles of enclosure you might consider, including a cage with metal or plastic bars, a regular glass or plastic aquarium (often with a wire mesh top), and modular plastic enclosures that come with climbing tubes and compartments. All of these have unique characteristics, pluses, and minuses.
Side-By-Side Comparison
You will find that the common metal wire cage with a tray-like removable plastic bottom will be the easiest type of cage to keep clean. the plastic house with tubes and compartments can be more difficult to do regular maintenance on. An aquarium is fairly simple to clean, but is also quite heavy and cumbersome. Keeping your hamster cage clean is never easy, but since it is a necessity you will want to choose a house that fits your lifestyle.
Yes But Can He Breathe?
No matter what type of house you pick, there a few basics it must have. First, it needs to be well ventilated so your dwarf hamster can breathe. Obviously, wire is best for this, and the plastic enclosures often do not allow for sufficient air to get inside. Similarly, aquariums often are poorly ventilated, which is why a mesh top is so important. The only downside to the wire cage in this regard is that it may also allow cold drafts to reach your pet, and you will need to guard against these.
Give Them Room
Second, your pet hamster may be a dwarf, but that doesn't mean he wants to live in a tiny, cramped space. He needs room to run, burrow, and play just like his larger cousins, and he also doesn't want to defecate right next to where he eats. So by all means buy him a big enough enclosure... the rule is, the larger you can afford and accommodate, the better, especially if you're going to be housing more than one hamster. Go big or go home!
Security and Safety
Last but not least, you need to ensure that your dwarf hamster can never escape from his cage. If you opt for a wire cage, make certain the bars are no more than 1/4" apart. Believe it or not, a dwarf hamster is able to squeeze between opening much larger than that!. Take a ruler with you to the pet shop and measure the gaps all around any enclosure you are considering, and also check the door. Dwarf hamsters can often open simple closing mechanisms! Also, check any climbing tubes that you plan to buy... if they are too wide, your dwarf hamster may not be able to use them. There are tubes made especially for these smaller varieties of hamster.
We have covered just a few of the basic things you need to think about when shopping for a dwarf hamster cage. Remember, the goal is to provide for a long-term home for your pet that is both safe and comfortable for him, and allows him maximum enjoyment.
Russ Fleederman is a dwarf hamster expert. For more great information on choosing a dwarf hamster cage and a FREE dwarf hamster mini-course, visit http://dwarf-hamster.com/.
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