Have you just bought a new hamster? Are you excited to welcome them to your home and get them settled in? It’s an exciting time for everyone!
But what can be daunting is the cage. Have you bought a cage that’s too small? Are they too expensive or is the design not quite right for a Syrian hamster?
Studies have shown that bigger cages ensure more natural behavior from hamsters and they seem to show fewer signs of stress than those housed in smaller cages, so how big is big enough? Is there enough space for a wheel, after all – your hamster’s going to want to exercise right?
With so much to consider, finding the right cage can feel like a mammoth task by itself. Not only do you want it to be the perfect little home for your new best friend but you also want it to be safe and easy to clean. So where do you start?
Luckily, we’ve written this article to help you out. We’ve compiled a list of the best Syrian hamster cages and the pros and cons of each one, as well as a handy buyer’s guide so you know what to look out for, and a list of frequently asked questions in case there was still something you were unsure about. Here’s a sneak peek of our top 5:
- Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage
- Favola Hamster Cage
- Prevue Pet Products Universal Small Animal Home
- Rolife Syrian Hamster Cage
- Large Twin Tower 5-Levels Crossing Level Tube Habitat
So, let’s get started.
Best Syrian hamster cage
- Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage
The Savic Metro Hamster Cage is first on our list. This cage comes in two styles and includes a variety of accessories ranging from tunnels to tubes and an exercise wheel, ensuring that your hamster is never bored and gets plenty of exercise!
In its exterior tunnel, it also has two raised platforms, two feeding bowls, a drinking bottle, and ventilation holes. The penthouse on top, on the other hand, would have to be its ultimate selling point, making your hamster feel like the most important person in the world and providing them with a fantastic vantage point for looking outside.
In terms of size, this cage is adequate for a Syrian hamster. It measures 80cm x 50cm x 50cm and has 9.5 mm bar spacing. The larger surface area of the base ensures that your hamster has enough room for all of its accessories as well as to run and frolic all day. It also has a large enough door for your hamster to easily enter and exit.
The cage is also mobile and has two large handles, allowing you to move it easily between rooms and even different locations.
Pros:
- Large – Enough room for your Syrian hamster to frolic around and feel comfortable.
- Portable – Fitted with two large handles for easy maneuvering.
- Reliable – Strong and secure wire cage top.
- Customizable – Detachable accessories and removable penthouse.
Cons:
- Can be hard to set up – Directions are picture only.
- Favola Hamster Cage
This Favola hamster cage is our second best recommendation for your new Syrian hamster home because it has two very spacious floors that allow your hamster to move around freely, relax, and enjoy all the fun accessories.
The top level is usually reserved for food and drink, while the entire bottom floor is usually reserved for playing and exercising. This ground floor has a large enough surface area for a typical Syrian hamster and is extra deep, allowing you to fill it with enough bedding to allow your hamster to burrow to its heart’s content.
A large exercise wheel, a food dish, a water bottle, and play tubes are included in the cage to keep your hamster happy and healthy.
This cage is also simple to maintain, with a small door on the top for quick cleaning or food refilling. Pull up the side clips to easily separate the base and top if you need to clean the entire cage or change the litter. What more could you want?
Pros:
- Large – Two-story and thick base.
- Easy to maintain – Base and top separate easily.
- Visibility – You can keep an eye on your hamster at all times.
- Great for all ages – The floors and accessories are easy to navigate whether your hamster is a baby or elderly.
- Safe – Floor and ladders are small enough not to trap tiny paws.
Cons:
- Access limited – Only one small door which can restrict access to the cage. However, you need to simply pop the top part of the cage off to reach your hamster or refill its food.
- Prevue Pet Products Universal Small Animal Home
Prevue Pet Products’ universal cage is next on our list. This animal home measures 32.5 x 19 x 17.5 inches and has enough space for your Syrian hamster to move around freely.
The deep base and wide platform provide plenty of space for burrowing and any additional accessories you may need to keep your hamster entertained all day.
Your hamster will be able to enter the cage via two large entry points: its own front door and a door on top of the roof, both of which measure 12.75 inches long and 9.25 inches wide. With a knob closure and wire latch locking, your pet will be kept safe and will not be able to escape.
Furthermore, 6 clips keep the easy snap-on, snap-off mesh firmly in place. If this isn’t enough to convince you of the high safety standards associated with Prevue products, all Prevue cages are designed in the United States and subjected to independent lab testing to ensure the highest levels of customer safety.
Pros:
- Large – Deep base and wide platform.
- Portable – Lightweight design for easy handling with two handles on top.
- Reliable – Replacement platforms and ramps available.
- Safe and secure – Sturdy build and undergoes lab testing for safety purposes.
- Easy to assemble – Easy to follow instructions.
Cons
- Can be tricky to clean – Takes longer to clean than some cages due to having to take the clips and top parts of the bars off first before unscrewing the platform.
- Rolife Syrian Hamster Cage
Look no further than this Rolife Syrian Hamster Cage for an all-around ideal new home for your Syrian hamster. With two levels for your hamster to run up and down and dimensions of 22 inches x 12 inches x 17 inches, this spacious cage allows for plenty of exploration.
It also includes a sturdy 9-inch exercise wheel, a fun tunnel, and a platform with stairs, ensuring that your hamster gets enough exercise throughout the day.
The detachable sand bath, which allows you to change the bathing sand without entering the cage, the front door for easy access so that feeding and cleaning remain simple, the water bottle, and the food bowl are also worth mentioning.
The long-lasting plastic base provides a deep substrate bedding for burrowing and comfort, and the simple instructions ensure success.
Pros:
- Easy to clean – Front door and snap-off wire top with wide top access.
- Easy to assemble – Assembling the cage takes no longer than 15 minutes and comes with instructions. You can also use a hammer to help you.
- Aesthetic – Comes in a beautiful sky blue color.
- Safe – Large enough for a Syrian hamster and is built with a wireframe for excellent ventilation.
Cons:
- Smaller sized Syrian hamster cage – Might not be suitable for larger hamsters.
- Large Twin Tower 5-Levels Crossing Level Tube Habitat
This large twin tower crossing level tube habitat cage is the final item on our list. This spacious home for your Syrian hamster has five levels of solid plastic flooring and plenty of room to run, play, and frolic.
It measures 54cm x 36cm x 60cm and is large enough to relieve stress and make your hamster feel at ease in its surroundings. There is also a clear translucent cross-level tube tunnel for easy access between floors.
This cage, described as a ‘Deluxe Hamster Hotel,’ includes an exercise wheel to keep them active and happy, three mezzanine levels, and three ladders to go with them. The cage includes a feeding dish and a water bottle with an auto watering solution to keep your little furry friend hydrated throughout the day.
The base section of the cage clips off for easy cleaning, and there are three doors included for easy access in and out of the cage. The 14cm x 14cm doors are large enough to make this as easy as possible.
Pros:
- Large – Enough room for a Syrian hamster to move around freely.
- Easy to clean – Detachable base.
- Auto watering solution – Keep your hamster hydrated.
- Safe and secure – Binder clips included to secure the frame to the base and keep doors shut to stop hamsters from escaping.
Cons:
- Can be hard to assemble – Directions can be hard to follow.
Buyer’s guide
When it comes to buying a Syrian hamster cage, there are numerous factors to consider. They require happiness, health, and safety. So, what are the most important factors to consider?
- Size
The larger the better when it comes to the size of your Syrian hamster cage. Syrian hamsters require plenty of room to run around and play, as well as enough space to install an exercise wheel and other accessories.
The floor space and depth of the cage are important so that they have enough bedding for comfort and burrowing. Although an 80cm x 50cm Syrian hamster cage with a deep base substrate is what you should be looking for, many places that sell Syrian hamster cages do not meet this requirement.
Furthermore, the compartments, tubes, and built-in wheels of plastic models are insufficient for many Syrian hamsters. According to studies, the size of a Syrian hamster’s cage often determines their behavior, and if they feel trapped in a cage that is too small for them, they may exhibit signs of stress and other health issues.
This means that doing your research on the size of your new cage ahead of time is important for both your hamster’s happiness and health and wellbeing. Natural behavior is seen in larger cages because Syrian hamsters will run up to 9km per night on an exercise wheel, so having enough space to install one is required.
When deciding which wheel to install, choose one with a diameter of at least 28cm; otherwise, your hamster will struggle to run with a straight back, potentially leading to spinal problems in the future. See our best hamster wheels reviews for more information, advice, and recommended products.
- Material
With so many different materials used to construct a hamster cage, you must select the appropriate ones. Cages with a plastic base and metal bars are usually the best because they allow for easy cleaning while also being sturdy, strong, and reliable.
- Safety
You obviously want to keep your new little furry friend safe, don’t you? That is why we recommend that you check the safety standards and doing research on how and what materials were used to construct your new cage. Has it been thoroughly tested? Is the material too weak?
Making sure your hamster can breathe properly should be one of your top priorities, which is why, when it comes to safety, you should make sure the cage has adequate ventilation.
Wire cages have some of the best ventilation systems, but if you choose an enclosed cage, such as an aquarium, inspect the ventilation system before purchasing so you know what you’ll need to adjust to ensure adequate ventilation. You could always leave the top open and make your own lid out of metal mesh.
Furthermore, Syrian hamsters, who are often compared to animal escape artists, are excellent climbers but can be extremely clumsy.
If your cage is relatively tall, install safety measures such as hammocks or shelves to reduce the risk of injury if they fall. You should also double-check that the cage’s bar spacing is no more than 12mm to reduce the risk of escape.
- Easy to clean
You need to make sure that when you buy your new hamster cage, you’ll be able to clean it and keep it hygienic for your pet. A wire cage with a plastic tray is the most convenient way to do so because you can clean out the bedding by simply lifting the wire off the bottom and wiping down the wire as needed.
If you choose a cage with more compartments, tubes, and accessories, cleaning will be more difficult and time-consuming than with a simpler design, so keep this in mind if you don’t have a lot of free time.
Aquariums are the most difficult cages to clean, as well as the most difficult to move around the house if you wanted to clean it outside or in a different location. Cleaning your hamster’s cage, regardless of design, will not be fun, but it is necessary to do so on a regular basis to keep your hamster hygienic, healthy, and happy.
- Style
Choosing the style of your hamster cage can be a lot of fun! What color do you prefer? Will it have two stories? Will it come with any interesting detachable accessories?
However, one thing to keep in mind when selecting the style of the cage is that each design will have its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and by properly weighing these, you should end up with the ideal design for you.
Your main choice will be between a wire cage with a plastic base, a plastic modular cage, and an aquarium with a secure mesh lid. Which of the three cages would you prioritize based on their ventilation systems, security settings, and cleaning methods?
Working this out before you buy can save you a lot of money and hassle later on, so don’t take your cage’s style and design lightly, and as with any investment, do your research first!
- Chewing
One thing you may not have considered is how a hamster’s ability to chew can influence the type of cage you purchase. Wire cages can be a chewing playground, to the point where some hamsters may become obsessed, so providing plenty of chew toys is essential.
If they continue to chew the wires, it may be worth investing in a solid-sided cage instead. Furthermore, when purchasing your cage, make sure there are no sharp edges or ridges of wire that a hamster could injure themselves on while chewing.
Finally, if you want a chew-proof cage, an aquarium may be your best option, though it may be difficult to maneuver and clean.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is an average Syrian hamster?
An average Syrian hamster generally tends to be about 5.5 inches in length.
- How big should the cage for my Syrian hamster be?
The minimum size for a Syrian hamster cage is typically 80 cm x 50 cm, with a deep base substrate. However, many pet shops and online retailers do not meet this requirement, so make sure you double-check what will be comfortable for your own hamster.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cage for your Syrian hamster is important to its health and well-being, and we believe that these are the top 5 Syrian hamster cages on the market right now. If, on the other hand, your hamster has specific needs and requirements, consider building them their own cage.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on food, toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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