A
AnimalAddict
What's the black square? Were you just outlining the upper door? There are two doors: that one and one right below it.
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That still isn't safe unfortunately. If that top shelf is taken out there is a huge drop from the roof on that side. What I meant was something like this.
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If you do the layout like above (ie reduce the height of the cage by using the top two shelves level and a piece of wood covering the gap between them) then there isn't such a great need to have really deep bedding. But you can do the same thing as above with the top shelves and wood higher and the bedding higher.
For the wheel, on top of substrate, it can just stand on the substrate, but it can be an idea to tie the stand to the bars at the back, just in case the hamster tunnels under it - so it doesn't sink. Food bowl can go on the lower shelf.
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The top two shelves and the piece of wood make a lower roof for the cage. the third lower shelf can go between the substrate and the roof, with a ladder. So there's still a shelf to climb onto and a food bowl on there and maybe some other bits. At substrate level you'd have the wheel, a house and any floor toys. One shelf is quite important - she might decide to build a nest under it if she decides the house isn't big enough.
If you want to keep it simple for now just have the shelf/wood roof a bit lower and a normal level of substrate in the base. (ie fill the base).
Also a big pile of torn up strips of toilet paper in the cage - she'll use that to build a nest. Once she's built a nest she may settle down a bit.
If you want to keep it simple for now just have the shelf/wood roof a bit lower and a normal level of substrate in the base. (ie fill the base).
Also a big pile of torn up strips of toilet paper in the cage - she'll use that to build a nest. Once she's built a nest she may settle down a bit.
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If tying anything to the bars though, best not to use normal cotton string as if they chew that it can cause digestive blockages. Sisal string is ok but you might not have any. They chew fabric as well. Plastic cable ties are better. But the wheel might just stand on the substrate fine for now if you go with the normal level of substrate.
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Ideally what you'd have is a cage like this - about the size of a 75 gallon tank (4ft by 2ft by 20ins high) or a 40 gallon breeder tank (3ft x 2ft by 20ins high).
With a lot more length and depth and floor area for roaming, digging etc - still with a shelf, house and wheel and lots of floor toys, but more floor space to run around.
With a lot more length and depth and floor area for roaming, digging etc - still with a shelf, house and wheel and lots of floor toys, but more floor space to run around.
J
JaysBeans
yes, i was outlining the door
M
Member ID2
I still think that the 40 gallon tank she is in now is a much better option as long as the lid has been secured.
As an alternative option, if tools are available, you could cut the cage into parts and put the wire panels on top of the tank but weigh them down around the edges until a properly fitting, wooden framed, steel meshed lid can be made.
I think that any way you look at it, that cage doesn't work. Aside from being too high it does not have enough floorspace for a Syrian hamster.
As an alternative option, if tools are available, you could cut the cage into parts and put the wire panels on top of the tank but weigh them down around the edges until a properly fitting, wooden framed, steel meshed lid can be made.
I think that any way you look at it, that cage doesn't work. Aside from being too high it does not have enough floorspace for a Syrian hamster.
R
RainbowBrite
Perhaps there will be a second hand 75 gallon tank somewhere. That would be ideal for your hamster.
You will find lots if information about suitable wheels and enrichment on here. Hamster care has changed a lot in the last few years which is wonderful.
You will find lots if information about suitable wheels and enrichment on here. Hamster care has changed a lot in the last few years which is wonderful.
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The tank is still very narrow though. The 40 gallon long tank is only about 12" deep - so it's long and thin and I don't she'd be happy in that - it's much narrower than a detolf. Which is probably why she was trying to chew out. It's the 40 gallon breeder tank that's a better size 90 x 50 x 50 approx.
The cage suggestions were for emergency use last night! So the hamster had something secure and escape proof. I agree the cage floorspace is too small for long term use - for a female Syrian particularly. It's the equivalent of a standard Grosvenor in floorspace size.
Sorry Animal Addict. I hope all went ok last night. It seems this little lady is going to take up quite a bit of your time until you have a solution!
It does look like you'll need to look for another enclosure. I am pretty sure she would end up bar chewing in that cage if the floor area is not that large. But adjusted, it's a quick, escapeproof option until you can find something. Maybe there are some used 75 gallon tanks for sale. Or a used detolf that already has lids (ie been used for a hamster before).
How is your diy?!
M
Member ID2
Oh, i see. I didn't know there are two types of 40 gallon tanks.
Yes, i also hope that she stayed put in whichever enclosure she spent the night.
Yes, i also hope that she stayed put in whichever enclosure she spent the night.
A
AnimalAddict
Hi Folks.
The little lady explored a bit (in her tank!) last night, ate a little, listened intently while I softly talked to her, and then went back into her hideaway. This morning she's still snoozing, so no prison breaks last night!
I will most definitely be looking for a more appropriate cage/aquarium and will snatch one up as soon as I am more in tune with what she needs and what I want, but hopefully later today I can make the tall cage safe and somewhat pleasant for her. I don't want to rush out and buy something new and pricey on impulse only to find out later that there were better options available. I tend to be impulsive and hasty with purchases so I'm trying to be a little more patient and do more learning/research before investing. Otherwise, I'm going to need another shed for surplus pet supplies!
I appreciate all the help and concern, you guys are great!
The little lady explored a bit (in her tank!) last night, ate a little, listened intently while I softly talked to her, and then went back into her hideaway. This morning she's still snoozing, so no prison breaks last night!
I will most definitely be looking for a more appropriate cage/aquarium and will snatch one up as soon as I am more in tune with what she needs and what I want, but hopefully later today I can make the tall cage safe and somewhat pleasant for her. I don't want to rush out and buy something new and pricey on impulse only to find out later that there were better options available. I tend to be impulsive and hasty with purchases so I'm trying to be a little more patient and do more learning/research before investing. Otherwise, I'm going to need another shed for surplus pet supplies!
I appreciate all the help and concern, you guys are great!
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That is really good news Maybe she just needed a bit of time to settle into the tank. As a rule of thumb they need at least two or three days to settle into a new cage/tank and familiarise themselves with it and a good 10 days to two weeks to fully settle in. So if she settled a bit last night I would leave her in there and do what you can to make the lid escape proof. If you move her to the cage now, it will just set her off being stressed again as it's change again - and she is very likely to chew the bars if she can't escape and it feels a bit small to her.
I think many of us have learned the hard way with hamster purchases! Unfortunately, in terms of barred cages, there aren't really any suitable ones in the US, but your tanks are affordable where as in the Uk glass tanks are prohibitively expensive. You can get the Hamster Heaven at an overpriced price but that really isn't big enough for a female syrian and she'd bar chew again probably. The Prevue cage is the best size but I reckon she'd bar chew in that too as that's still not much bigger than your current cage.
So if you can keep her settled and escapeproof in the current tank while you look around, that would probably be best. A second hand tank may be the most affordable thing (but it's a pain if you have to make a lid. There is a place that makes metal and mesh lids for tanks though I think.
It's lovely you talked to her and she calmed down a bit She's learning to trust you.
I spent quite a few years on and off working out diagrams to make tall cages safer! When there was a shortage of larger cages in the Uk and the bigger ones were too tall. And I kind of gave up. But luckily there are better cages available now that aren't too tall - in the Uk anyway. The only way to make a tall cage safe is either reduce the height with a false roof, or make a full level with access up to it (but that then takes up the floor space underneath trying to create a long ladder eg) Or a combination of much deeper bedding and a false roof.
If that cage had a bigger floor area - eg 40 inches by 19 or 20" - it would be worth doing the adaptations.
Some people get a large guinea pig cage and mesh the entire cage (which can be a reasonably cheap option) but it's a major task meshing a whole cage and making sure there are no sharp edges. Because the meshing needs to be done inside. If it's on the outside the hamster climbs through the bars and gets trapped under the mesh.
Maybe she just needed a bit of time to settle into the tank. As a rule of thumb they need at least two or three days to settle into a new cage/tank and familiarise themselves with it and a good 10 days to two weeks to fully settle in. So if she settled a bit last night I would leave her in there and do what you can to make the lid escape proof. If you move her to the cage now, it will just set her off being stressed again as it's change again - and she is very likely to chew the bars if she can't escape and it feels a bit small to her.I think many of us have learned the hard way with hamster purchases! Unfortunately, in terms of barred cages, there aren't really any suitable ones in the US, but your tanks are affordable where as in the Uk glass tanks are prohibitively expensive. You can get the Hamster Heaven at an overpriced price but that really isn't big enough for a female syrian and she'd bar chew again probably. The Prevue cage is the best size but I reckon she'd bar chew in that too as that's still not much bigger than your current cage.
So if you can keep her settled and escapeproof in the current tank while you look around, that would probably be best. A second hand tank may be the most affordable thing (but it's a pain if you have to make a lid. There is a place that makes metal and mesh lids for tanks though I think.
It's lovely you talked to her and she calmed down a bit
She's learning to trust you.I spent quite a few years on and off working out diagrams to make tall cages safer! When there was a shortage of larger cages in the Uk and the bigger ones were too tall. And I kind of gave up. But luckily there are better cages available now that aren't too tall - in the Uk anyway. The only way to make a tall cage safe is either reduce the height with a false roof, or make a full level with access up to it (but that then takes up the floor space underneath trying to create a long ladder eg) Or a combination of much deeper bedding and a false roof.
If that cage had a bigger floor area - eg 40 inches by 19 or 20" - it would be worth doing the adaptations.
Some people get a large guinea pig cage and mesh the entire cage (which can be a reasonably cheap option) but it's a major task meshing a whole cage and making sure there are no sharp edges. Because the meshing needs to be done inside. If it's on the outside the hamster climbs through the bars and gets trapped under the mesh.
A
AnimalAddict
Well I always get pets/living things that are challenging and the more difficult, the better - I love a challenge and the thrill of victory. But I never dreamed when I got a hamster that she would be one of my challenges! 
I've raised seahorses, clown fish, octopus, cuttlefish, and taken in some very difficult dogs, but this little girl is going to give me a run for my money. Lucky thing I enjoy solving problems!
I've raised seahorses, clown fish, octopus, cuttlefish, and taken in some very difficult dogs, but this little girl is going to give me a run for my money. Lucky thing I enjoy solving problems!
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M
Member ID2
I'd get her a decent wheel asap. That should keep her calmer as well, hopefully.
You are lucky in the US to have nice wheels like the 12in Silent Runner and the Niteangel wheels readily available and reasonably priced.
You are lucky in the US to have nice wheels like the 12in Silent Runner and the Niteangel wheels readily available and reasonably priced.
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Yes of course - the silent runners are normal price in the US! Agree that would be a good idea as a first thing to do. It's this one. Actually not as cheap as it used to be. Don't get the sandy track for it though - that's bad for their feet too! She will love that wheel though - they all do.
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Silent Runner Wheel 12 in. Reg. (Orange) + Stand
Get it now...Fast, free shipping! Your small animal will love exercising on this Silent Runner Wheel 12". High quality, complete silence. Hundreds of exotic pet supplies.
www.exoticnutrition.com
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You can bet a hamster will be trouble at times ha ha. Especially female syrians for some reason. They come on heat every four days so you might want to keep a note if certain things happen on certain days - so you can prepare for a maverick day possibly! I'd love to see more about your other animals at some point.Well I always get pets/living things that are challenging and the more difficult, the better - I love a challenge and the thrill of victory. But I never dreamed when I got a hamster that she would be one of my challenges!
Sue
A
AnimalAddict
How big of a wheel do I need? Does it have to be 12" or can I use a 9" for a female Syrian?