i dunnno which cage to get!!!!!!!?

Question

ok so im getting a panda bear hamster from petsmart in a week but i have some cage options.


1. crittertrail z 32 bucks i like it alot it has a llok out and an excersize ball /wheel and some tubing but i know it won last very long.

2. bin cage i might make one its just i hear they are kinda hard to clean and i dunno if i have a big enough tub

3. ok this is the cage im REALLY considering its only 25 bucks its a wire cage and it has 2 stories that cacn be climbed up to by slanted ladders. i like it alot i think it comes with a wheel but i cant remember it comes with a private little house and it looks big enough the only bad thing is its wire and i cant get tubing through unless i cut the wire

any help with this decision is appreciated thx!

wow little bunny that was a pretty good answer Can anyone top that? so far best answer goes to you but i might buy the wire cage then later i big crittertrail and connect them using the door or something though

Answer 1

Hallelujah !!!! I was about to give you a big spill about the crittertrail cages, and then you said WIRE cage. Let me give you some up and downs about the cages you are considering. The crittertrail is hands down a bad idea. It is completely plastic. Your hamster is going to chew on it all the time. Which eventually can mean that your hamster will escape. Another thing is that it's plastic, I said that, but let me emphasize! You are going to spend a lot of money on this cage from replacing parts. They get worn out, the wheel starts squeeking and gets stuck, The tubes have to be replaced. It gets to become a hassle!!! They have BAD ventilation, which means you have to clean a lot more to make sure the ammonia does not build up in there habitat. You have to completely take these cages apart when you go to clean them. They are very difficult to clean, they have all the little hiding spaces which they defecate the most in and you have to take them apart to clean! The list goes on and on for why I hate these cages! I recommend the wire cage. This is the BEST choice. You don't have to keep replacing the cage, it's a lifer. You hamster has to have teeth of steel to chew through it. The ventilation is great. The only downside is that the floor can be wire as well which can be dangerous if your hamster gets his feet stuck on the wire. He could loose a toe. They do, however, provide plastic bottoms that you can provide to help prevent that from happening. You can add tubes and all that in his cage and not have to worry about him chewing out of it and escaping. You just want to make sure if you buy the wire cage that you get a wheel and a house for him. Its a necessity. You don't want to cut the wire on the house, there is no need to keep connecting your cage to other cages. If you want to give him something like that then buy a crittertrail, but only use it as a playground, not a habitat. But you will still encounter the cleaning, chewing, and ventilation problems. Like I said, just put the tubes in his cage and lock it up, it works, I PROMISE, and they will be just as happy as ever. Another choice to consider is buying bird toys to give to him so he wont get bored. Most bird toys are acceptable for rodents. Oh, and cleaning is EASY in these cages, just pop off the top, wipe down the bottom, change the bedding and your good to go. Go with the wire cage- I guarantee you'll be happy you did!

I really would advise against connecting the wire cage to the crittertrail!!! This is a bad idea, for one, because you will lose the security of the wire cage by cutting into it. You will have a high chance that you hamster will escape, if not by finding a way through the whole you cut, by chewing through the poorly made cage that you would connect to it. I worked with each and every critter trail cage and I can say, I'm not impressed by any of them. You best bet is to keep your wire cage together when you get it, and later on, if you decide, buy a crittertrail cage and use it as a play ground, not a habitat. They really shouldn't be left in these cages. I had many people come to the store after other employees allowed customers to take their pet home in these cages who have come back with loads of problems. I've gotten yelled at because the cages broke- fast, which is why I've always warned people about why these cages are crap. Which they are. They over charge you extremely so they can make a buck. The neat little hideouts, the wheels, the houses, all look very cool, but when you have to deal with it everyday, the stink, the hassle, the worn out parts, it gets very nerve racking, and the poor people who work at the petstores get the short end of the stick when people come back angry from making this investment. And most parts that you have to replace on these cages are not found in stores, you have to get them directly from the company. PLEASE, don't cut into the wire cage if you get one!!!!!

Answer 2

I had a Crittertrail cage for my hamster and it was awful! It would take me almost an hour to pull all the pieces apart, wash it, dry it all, and put it back together. And all the little plastic tabs begin to break after you take it apart and put it together a few times. So, I had to start taping the pieces together. And, the hamster chewed on it all the time. So, some of the parts started to wear through and break. The cage was cool to look at... before there was tape all over it holding it together! I had to eventually throw it out. I'd go with option #3. That sounds similar to the next cage I got... and that one lasted a lonnnnggg time. You really don't need all the tubing unless you're not going to be home in the evenings to let him out. Just get him one of those plastic balls to run around in. Or, build him some extra ramps in the cage out of cardboard. It'll give him something to chew on too.

Answer 3

Here is what I think of them:

1. Critter Trail Cage - Syrian hamsters (teddy bear, black bear, panda bear, honey bear) grow to be pretty large and the tubes in a Critter Trail cage will be to small for your hamster. They are also awfully air tight! But I agree, they do look delightful!

2. Bin Cage/ Aquarium - A bin is for laundry and an aquarium is for fish. Bins and Aquariums are cheeper and bigger but they spread disease easy and they are also very airtight. They are also very hard to clean. Need I say more?

3. Wire Cage - Wire cages are the best idea, and $25 is a pretty good deal! Wire cages let your hammie breathe! The only downside to a wire cage is your hamster's feet will slide through the wires on the second story. But don't worry, I have a quick fix for that. Take washcloths or dishtowels and cut them so they will fit as "hamster carpet" for the second story. But you can just use woodchips (NOT CEDAR! Cedar woodchips are bad for hammies) for the first story.

My opinion is buy the wired cage. That's the kind I have and my hamster loves it!

When buying a cage make sure you know what size your hammie is going to grow to. You don't want it to small. Make sure it is big enough for your hamster and lots of toys! My hammie looooves empty toilet paper rolls to hide in.

Good luck on buying a cage and getting a new hamster! You will love it!

P.S. If you get a syrian hamster, when it is an adult it won't fit through the tubes in a Critter Trail cage!

Answer 4

hey i have a hamster to! The kinda cage you get really depends on a few things. First, look at the size of your hamster. If its full grown get a cage that will be able to last. If its still gonna grow, get one big enough to fit her when shes older. dont go for the cheap ones just because there cheap.
some have the noisiest wheels in the WORLD!! make sure the house doesnt have a bottom or youll never get her out and shell mess in it. The wire cages are ok but you have to be careful. mine started chewing on the sides and she cut her nose by rubbing it on the wires. she also knocked down the different levels every night! So just be careful in choice and use your best judgement!! ( o ya and my awesome tips!!!) lata!!

Answer 5

You have some really good answers here.
The critter-trails are made to look pretty so they will sell.
They are not good for all the reasons that have been given.

I also heard about a hamster suffocating in one of those tubes. What an awful way to die!

Wire cages are the best. The little fur-kids need ventilation.

I have a suggestion hope you will consider before you get the hamster.

I've had hamsters, gerbils, mice and a guinea pig, and finally found the perfect small pet. So I hope you have an open mind.

The best rodents to have are rats.

They aren't grumpy and don't bite like hamsters usually are.

Rats have almost no odor. The girls smell like grape soda, Really!
Boys smell a bit like tortilla chips.

Rats can be litter trained, and they wash themselves more than cats do.

Rats are very smart and enjoy interacting with you. They are smart as dogs and love to ride around on your shoulder and hang out with you.

Ratties are social so 2 or more boys or girls like to live together and it's cute to watch them play together, groom each other and curl up to sleep.
Sometimes one will stand with their front feet on another rat, who usually doesn't seem to mind. Funny!

I've had escaped hamsters and they are hard to find.
My rat-kids will come when I call them, unless, like a cat, they are doing something and just aren't in the mood.
My Liilu wouldn't come out from under my bed one day, she had taken a piece of cantaloupe under there and was going to eat it in peace! After she finished it she came right out to me.

Rats will adapt their sleep schedule to yours. They are not nocturnal but,(if I can spell it) crepuscular. That means they are most active at dawn and dusk.

It's true that bedding like aspen shavings, Carefresh, or Lifemate brand hemp bedding are some of the best beddings.

Ok, maybe you will look into rats, maybe not.
Either way, I hope you have fun with your new little fur-kid. Enjoy the time spent with it/them. They are all precious little creatures.

Answer 6

I totally agree with Little bunny but they do have some nice wire cages with tubes on ebay. I have gotten one and it has so far lasted 1 1/2 years. that way they can have the good ventillation but still have teh tubes you also like/
I did tryto get a picture for you but i couldn't.
If you do go to ebay just put in hamster cages.

Answer 7

Best ones for hamsters are the plastic ones with tubes. They enjoy this more.

Wire cages are best for mice because they love to climb.

But I suggest the Critter Trail one wit lots of tubes

Answer 8

1. Don't get any tunnel cage unless you like to have hard times cleaning things.

2. I think this is EASIER to clean than the tunnel cage...

3. I like the bin idea better. It is probably more easier to clean and you can add stuff and make your own cage and stuff like that.

Answer 9

The crittertrail cages suck! Get a wire cage and put tubes in it like I said in your last question.
Here is the pic again...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x230/CesarNess/DSC01597.jpg

Answer 10

get the critter trail z because a bin could get too hot and th 3rd one the steps can b hard to climb for them