Cage question and chinese hamster question

[Veer]

Now that my Hammie passed away, i only have Ukkie left who is about 1,5 years old.
He is in a tank style cage in the living room, it is 80x40x50cm, he has always lived in this tank and seems happy with it.

I am thinking about giving him a bigger cage. This would only be possible if i place it in my bedroom.
Problem is the roomtemperature there.
During winter the lowest temperature is about 15c.
During summer it can get up to 28c.
Would that be too much for him?

Is it better to keep him in his tank in the living room, with the constant temperature (19c-21c), or could he be happier in a bigger cage in the bedroom, but with hot and cold temperatures?

Is a cage with bars safe for him? Here in the netherlands people prefer tank style cages because of climbing and fall risk, and tooth problems because of bar biting

(I would hate the sound of bar biting during the night too)

In the netherlands the dwarfhamsters are not allowed anymore (to breed and buy) since july 2024. The only dwarf hamster that is allowed is the chinese dwarf hamster.
With this in mind, i am not sure if i want to get another hamster after Ukkie, and if i do, it can only be a chinese dwarf hamster i think.
(There are still legal cases pending regarding this ban and the positive list)

I know the chinese dwarfhamsters prefer cages for climbing.
But how are these hamsters as a pet?
I have read that they are shy and only up and out during the night? Is this true?

I would buy a bigger cage if it is better dor Ukkie, but i also keep in mind the possibility that he could be my last hamster if the chinese dwarf hamsters are not the species for me.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I would keep Ukkie in the room with the stable climate rather than trade that for a 20cm increase. If you can go to a 40cm increase it might be worth it, but I think he would be happiest staying in his familiar tank and climate.

 

[Maz]

Hi - I can't believe Ukkie is 1.5 already! Here's hoping he has a long healthy life like your recent Hammie I haven't had a Chinese hamster but yes they do have a reputation for being shy. They can be tamed but it can take a very long time I think. @Daisy has had Chinese dwarf hamsters.

Are roborovski hamsters banned in the Netherlands as well? Or just Russian Dwarfs? Also have you considered having a Syrian? They are such characters

 

[Daisy]

I'd probably lean towards keeping Ukkie where he is at his age. Highs of 28C might be ok if it's just a few days a year, and I think 15C is ok for a dwarf hamster. But it depends on how much space he would actually gain.

I have a Chinese hamster, my first Chinese. He is very shy. He's not a "people hamster". When he was younger he was only up late at night. Now that he's older (3 years old) he's up more in the day. I believe some Chinese do become more interested in people as they get older as well.

Chinese do enjoy heights and climbing. Personally I prefer barred cages for a Chinese because it's easier to hang hammocks and ropes and things for them. Mine has never bar-chewed.

 

[Veer]

roborovski's are also banned.
I would likw to stick with the dwarf species, because of the space and all the stuff i have for their size.

Yes, Ukkie is from june 2024. Time flies!
THe high temperature can continue for the hottest time in summer, maybe about a week or two at most.

I think as long as he is happy in his tank, and doens't show any strees signs, he is okay, am i right?
A cannot fit a bigger cage in the living room, or only if i place it on the floor.
Not sure if that would be a good place.

 

[Maz]

What do you think about Chinese? I think they are very different to Russian Dwarf Hamsters. Those who have them love them - but they are very different And would a new hamster need to be in the bedroom then if needing a larger cage then? Where was Hammie's cage?

Edit - I think with time and patience you could tame a chinese hamster but as with all hamsters, their personalities vary

 

[Veer]

They both had a tank style cage.
If i would give Ukkie or a new hamster a bigger cage, it would need to be placed in the bedroom or on the floor in the livingroom too.

I had their tanks on a kabinet in the livingroom for a while, but the kabinet wasn't strong enough, so i placed both of them in the bedroom,until last summer,
it was too hot there.

Hammies tank got damaged and i didn't buy a new one, because of her age.
I had here in a bincage on the floor in the living room, and she was very happy with it in her old age:



Ukkie was and still is on a aquarium stand in the living room.
This is his tank right now. He is happy in it. But would a bigger cage be better, considering it would need to be placed in the bedroom or on the floor?

 

[Socks' Mum]

Ukkie's cage looks perfect ❤ I honestly wouldn't change a thing about it. I think he wouldn't either.