Hello

[Thams14]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

I confess to leaving a cage door open once and then relied on the bulldog clip! I left it on the top on the cage when I took it off for any reason like feeding. I have also been known to use the back of an envelope to write in capitals ‘close the door’ and leave that on top of the cage. So reassure your daughter that we have all done it! Glad Zazu reappeared though as it is a heart stopping moment when you realise they are gone…

Haha, I'm laughing at your 'close the door' reminder! That's something I'd do, only I'd set a reminder on my phone

If you have time to look around the forum, try looking at the Caption Competition for December 2022.
You will see from the photo for which captions are invited, that we all know that look on a hamster’s face when the front door is open!

 

[Maz]

Hamsters are usually reported to be very happy in this cage!

 

[Thams14]

It depends on the hamster maybe Males have more of a reputation for being a bit lazy but he was also in a large cage so probably didn't think about climbing out of it! He was in a routine of coming out a few times a week when he felt like it.

I didn't realise they were such good climbers! I will let Zazu have a wander in the hall in which we have a three tier shoe rack. She can get to the second level no problem - with help from my Dr Martens boots - but it's all trainers on the second level and so she can't get to the third level. It's not for the want of trying, that's for sure!

I think that would be a good option. Apart from being taller than the Hamster Heaven, it's the same depth - so it would be 10cm extra width either side to fit in. You would ideally need another house as well as a wheel. But shoeboxes houses can be fun to make.

My daughter has made stuff from shoeboxes before, so she'd be up for that

Just to add - the Plaza does need plenty of substrate in because it's a fairly tall cage so it helps reduce the height a bit and cushion any falls.

Thanks!

 

[Thams14]

How is Zazu doing? It will be lovely getting to know her personality.

She is great, thank you. It's not great quality, but here she is chewing away at my now old slipper

 

[Thams14]

Hamsters are usually reported to be very happy in this cage!

That's good to know. That's the most important thing!

 

[Maz]

Lol - she looks rather cosy and cheeky in that slipper! I can hardly see her as she blends in Is she black and white?

 

[Thams14]

Lol - she looks rather cosy and cheeky in that slipper! I can hardly see her as she blends in Is she black and white?

Yeah, she's black and white. She loves that slipper - not that there will be much of it left soon enough

 

[Maz]

You might even get a refund on the other cage after you've got her moved into the new one. Worth a try! Some people have taken them back saying - not suitable - and got a refund. That might depend how long you've had it though.

 

[RainbowBrite]

She is great, thank you. It's not great quality, but here she is chewing away at my now old slipper

She is a lovely colour. You could remove your slipper and put out some chew toys for her just to encourage her to chew those. I do not know if you have heard of whimzees? They are actually dog chews but so popular with hamsters. You just need to ensure you buy the small ones and the ones without clove.

 

[Maz]

Plenty of things to chew and rip apart in a cage are good I have a couple of colourful things in mine - this flower basket (safe to chew) hung over a shelf - important to hang it over a shelf really or they can get a leg caught in the string. Our Syrian decided to jump on top of it!

And this other garland thing that's safe to chew as well. Apart from brightening things up a bit they provide useful screening around the cage so it doesn't feel too bare or open and exposed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Boredom-Breaker-Activity-Hanging/dp/B008RBFQWG/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_1/257-6413217-8554964?pd_rd_w=PVk8z&content-id=amzn1.sym.79b812bf-5c8b-4c0c-851c-784423adaff5&pf_rd_p=79b812bf-5c8b-4c0c-851c-784423adaff5&pf_rd_r=9X08WRKRG8M49BWFWN65&pd_rd_wg=UeX75&pd_rd_r=4f46f2f1-81f2-4f3c-9d2d-de60611b10af&pd_rd_i=B008RBFQWG&psc=1

I sometimes put treats on the flat bits of this one to keep them interested in exploring!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Boredom-Breaker-Loofa-Animals/dp/B00M2W3YU2/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3RL0Y4OY4W6OQ&keywords=rosewood+boredom+breakers&qid=1673276980&sprefix=rosewood+boredom+breake%2Caps%2C418&sr=8-9

 

[Thams14]

You might even get a refund on the other cage after you've got her moved into the new one. Worth a try! Some people have taken them back saying - not suitable - and got a refund. That might depend how long you've had it though.

Definitely worth a shot!

Plenty of things to chew and rip apart in a cage are good I have a couple of colourful things in mine - this flower basket (safe to chew) hung over a shelf - important to hang it over a shelf really or they can get a leg caught in the string. Our Syrian decided to jump on top of it!

And this other garland thing that's safe to chew as well. Apart from brightening things up a bit they provide useful screening around the cage so it doesn't feel too bare or open and exposed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Boredom-Breaker-Activity-Hanging/dp/B008RBFQWG/ref=pd_bxgy_sccl_1/257-6413217-8554964?pd_rd_w=PVk8z&content-id=amzn1.sym.79b812bf-5c8b-4c0c-851c-784423adaff5&pf_rd_p=79b812bf-5c8b-4c0c-851c-784423adaff5&pf_rd_r=9X08WRKRG8M49BWFWN65&pd_rd_wg=UeX75&pd_rd_r=4f46f2f1-81f2-4f3c-9d2d-de60611b10af&pd_rd_i=B008RBFQWG&psc=1

I sometimes put treats on the flat bits of this one to keep them interested in exploring!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Boredom-Breaker-Loofa-Animals/dp/B00M2W3YU2/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3RL0Y4OY4W6OQ&keywords=rosewood+boredom+breakers&qid=1673276980&sprefix=rosewood+boredom+breake%2Caps%2C418&sr=8-9

Thanks for those! My daughter and I love looking through all the different accessories available for hamsters

 

[Thams14]

She is a lovely colour. You could remove your slipper and put out some chew toys for her just to encourage her to chew those. I do not know if you have heard of whimzees? They are actually dog chews but so popular with hamsters. You just need to ensure you buy the small ones and the ones without clove.

Thank you She did indeed love whimzees and goes through them very quickly! I will try putting other things out, thanks

 

[Maz]

Definitely worth a shot!

Thanks for those! My daughter and I love looking through all the different accessories available for hamsters

Gets a bit addictive! This place helps for tips as some of us have wasted money on things that end up breaking or finding out they're dangerous! I spent a fortune on hamster toys the first time and most of them were totally unsuitable and ended up being binned!

 

[Thams14]

Gets a bit addictive! This place helps for tips as some of us have wasted money on things that end up breaking or finding out they're dangerous! I spent a fortune on hamster toys the first time and most of them were totally unsuitable and ended up being binned!

Yeah, it's great to visit places like this for advice so as to avoid dangerous toys!