IKEA pax cage?

[soaringtacocat123]

Hi guys! I haven’t been on the forum in a little bit of time since I’ve been busy, but I’m back with some more questions.

I’ve noticed that Yolandi hasn’t stopped climbing the sides of the cage constantly and I can tell she’s most definitely stressed. I’ve accepted this and I want to make things way better for her. I’m at the age where I’m able to get a job and I would like to save up for something huge for her. I have the funds to afford to fill a large cage, it’s just a matter of finding something for her. I was thinking I might be able to use my 20x40 for maybe a male dwarf or a male Syrian after I get Yolandi a new enclosure.

I’ve been struggling finding what I want, but after a bit of research I’ve noticed a lot of very large hamster cages are the IKEA Pax cages. I would really, really love to make her one and I should be able to order it quickly.. but that’s where the issue lies.

The only Pax cage tutorial I’ve been able to find was linked to another hamster video and it has gotten taken down. I’m crafty, but I’m not crafty enough to make something like that on my own. It’s really frustrating and I’m unsure what to do. Does anyone have any tutorial videos or can link what I might need? I live in America and I’d prefer to get one of the largest sizes. In a perfect world, I’d absolutely love to get her the 238 cm Pax. I need help knowing what mesh and stuff I need for the top of the cage. I would really appreciate it!

This is Yolandi’s updated set up for now. I feel awful knowing I probably should’ve gotten her a bigger cage to begin with since I was so determined to get a female Syrian. That’s my fault. But I do want to make things better for her.

 

[Socks' Mum]

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Is this any use?

 

[Maz]

The pax should be really easy! It is basically just buying the flatpack wardrobe frame - as a flatpack it has all the assembly instructions and bits needed - and probably just fixes together with a supplied allen key. The tricky bit is making a lid. Which would normally be strips of wood with mesh in between - how you get those to fit the top I don't know and maybe that's what the videos are for. But it does need a lid.

 

[Maz]

I'm not sure about the lid in that video unfortunately. The tricky bit is making a lid that fits securely and can't be knocked so it falls in on the hamster! It can't just sit on top. Most lids I've seen made for tanks or enclosures have a side part of wood as well at right angles to the top parts so it is literally unmovable once it sits on top. Do you know anyone good at diy who could help create something like that?

 

[soaringtacocat123]

I'm not sure about the lid in that video unfortunately. The tricky bit is making a lid that fits securely and can't be knocked so it falls in on the hamster! It can't just sit on top. Most lids I've seen made for tanks or enclosures have a side part of wood as well at right angles to the top parts so it is literally unmovable once it sits on top. Do you know anyone good at diy who could help create something like that?

My mom is half okay at diy stuff like that but I’m worried it’ll turn out choppy and I’ll end up wasting money on materials which I really can’t afford to do right now. I genuinely can’t find a single video that properly shows how to make the lid and I’m having such an issue even finding out what parts or thing I’d need. I’m not any good at assembling stuff like this I just can’t find another hamster cage nearly as big and I really want something giant for her. I’m willing to spend a lot of money I just can’t find anything online bigger than 48x20 which just really isn’t what I’m looking for.

 

[Maz]

I would be the same - worried I would mess it up! DIY doesn't always work out much cheaper either. How about a glass fish tank? 4 ft by 2 ft. But then you'd still need to make a lid - they don't usually come with a lid suitable for hamsters.

I've been googling and looking and I think what you have is the largest available and a good size. I'd suggest buying grass mats to put inside the bars so it is more sheltered and he can't access the bars. Not all round obviously or you wouldn't see him.

How often does he have out of cage time? He might be needing more to do or just wanting to explore daily? Sometimes it's not about having something bigger than 100cm cage but adjusting the layout with more enrichment, and having a routine of out of cage time for an hour or so.

 

[soaringtacocat123]

I would be the same - worried I would mess it up! DIY doesn't always work out much cheaper either. How about a glass fish tank? 4 ft by 2 ft. But then you'd still need to make a lid - they don't usually come with a lid suitable for hamsters.

I've been googling and looking and I think what you have is the largest available and a good size. I'd suggest buying grass mats to put inside the bars so it is more sheltered and he can't access the bars. Not all round obviously or you wouldn't see him.

How often does he have out of cage time? He might be needing more to do or just wanting to explore daily? Sometimes it's not about having something bigger than 100cm cage but adjusting the layout with more enrichment, and having a routine of out of cage time for an hour or so.

I’ve only had her for about three weeks and i have a playpen coming in for her so she hasn’t been able to have out of cage time which I think might be a contributor. She lets me pick her up and walks right into my hand and I can tell she’s eager to get out but I’m way too nervous to free roam her without a playpen since I have a sliding closet and a lot of places she could slip undernot to mention she’s very very quick.

The grass mat idea is a really good one as well, so I’ll have to look into that! My biggest issue is that I just want her to have more room and her current cage makes it hard to fit most things comfortably. I’m going to be moving houses in about a month and I will have to take everything out of her cage (and ruin her burrow which I’m very nervous about.) My bedroom is going to be bigger so I was just hoping I could get her a really big cage or setup and use her current cage to house another hamster like a male Syrian or a dwarf. I have the means and I think it would be really fun to own another breed!

I’m going to try and do more research on assembling a lid but I’m still very iffy. The ikea website is also entirely confusing to me and they use cm. but I use inches and im horrid at conversions.

Either way thank you for the suggestions and I will definitely keep trying to clutter things and make her happier! I’m going to get some wood and stuff to put in there at some point soon so I’m hoping that helps her too.

 

[Maz]

She's a female syrian - no space is big enough . Is there an area in the house or room you could section off so she could run around? Some people use a hallway with the doors closed but you might need to stuff something against or under the doors as well.

It sounds great if you'll have space for a bigger cage when you move though A lid for a diy cage is always tricky. Unless you pay a carpenter to have something custom made. Could that be an option? the pax itself isn't that expensive.

 

[soaringtacocat123]

She's a female syrian - no space is big enough . Is there an area in the house or room you could section off so she could run around? Some people use a hallway with the doors closed but you might need to stuff something against or under the doors as well.

It sounds great if you'll have space for a bigger cage when you move though A lid for a diy cage is always tricky. Unless you pay a carpenter to have something custom made. Could that be an option? the pax itself isn't that expensive.

I might be able to see if I can have a family friend or somebody more professional do it! I hadn’t really considered that before. I’ve been watching videos and stuff but it’s still soo tricky! I’ll definitely start free roaming her maybe tomorrow after I tidy my room up. The floor is a mess from making her boredom breakers and stuff. I’ll see if things improve when I start letting her have out time and I’ll hopefully upgrade her cage either way.

 

[Amy]

My mom is half okay at diy stuff like that but I’m worried it’ll turn out choppy and I’ll end up wasting money on materials which I really can’t afford to do right now. I genuinely can’t find a single video that properly shows how to make the lid and I’m having such an issue even finding out what parts or thing I’d need. I’m not any good at assembling stuff like this I just can’t find another hamster cage nearly as big and I really want something giant for her. I’m willing to spend a lot of money I just can’t find anything online bigger than 48x20 which just really isn’t what I’m looking for.

I do not want to sound awful, I hope you don’t get this wrong:
You mentioned that you don’t have much money, please consider if you build a cage that size it will cost an awful lot of money to change the bedding. I know the bedding doesn’t get completely changed weekly or monthly, but you could always run in into an issue where it has to be changed completely (moth invasion, or lice or mites).
I have just spent over 100.- euros just to fill up an enclosure which is 1 meter by 50 cm
It’s better to have a smaller enclosure (meaning at least 1 meter by 50 cm) with decent bedding and deep enough that the hamster can make burrows, than a large cage with cheap bedding and not efficient depth of bedding.
Wood shavings are cheaper but can make your hamster sick or start an allergy. Mine starter sneezing, that’s why I changed to paper bedding. It stopped immediately
I hope you find a good solution

 

[Maz]

As you say, free roaming is a big step! And you need to check everything is hamsterproof in the room. Floorboards can have holes in that heating pipes go down through, (bathrooms particularly), holes in skirting or wall. Long curtains that can be climbed (Just tie them up in a knot!), heavy wardrobes and chests of drawers they can get behind and get stuck. If it's a wardrobe I'd block access at the sides, a chest can be pulled away from the wall a bit further.

Or - you just know where the hamster is in the room and they refuse to come out! They can usually be tempted out from under something by a bit of cucumber in a large tube and they tend to just walk in,

If there is stuff all over the floor she would probably like that! Lots of things to rummage in So no need to clear up unless something is hazardous. But probably best to pick everything up off the floor initially, hoover or sweep it to make sure nothing the hamster shouldn't eat down there, then put some of it back down again . You have to be there and observe them all the time.

It can be easier to start in a smaller space when they're out of the cage, but I'm guessing you don't have a bathtub? I tend to start them in the bathtub or playpen until they are easily handleable or will walk into a large rat tube when offered (just habit - even without cucumber). But then I can't get down on my hands and knees any more! So am a bit more cautious.

 

[Amy]

I agree with Maz, it’s surprising how fast they are! I am very lucky with my kitchen, no where he can get into or hide. But it’s still very tiring, you have to watch them constantly. And please make sure no electric wires can be reached

 

[Maz]

I do not want to sound awful, I hope you don’t get this wrong:
You mentioned that you don’t have much money, please consider if you build a cage that size it will cost an awful lot of money to change the bedding. I know the bedding doesn’t get completely changed weekly or monthly, but you could always run in into an issue where it has to be changed completely (moth invasion, or lice or mites).
I have just spent over 100.- euros just to fill up an enclosure which is 1 meter by 50 cm
It’s better to have a smaller enclosure (meaning at least 1 meter by 50 cm) with decent bedding and deep enough that the hamster can make burrows, than a large cage with cheap bedding and not efficient depth of bedding.
Wood shavings are cheaper but can make your hamster sick or start an allergy. Mine starter sneezing, that’s why I changed to paper bedding. It stopped immediately
I hope you find a good solution

That is a good point about the cost of bedding (and availability). @soaringtacocat123 did say she had the funds to fill a large enclosure. But yes it can be expensive to replace all bedding if you did get an infestation (hopefully not ).

Which size pax were you looking at? I think the smallest is 120 x 60 x 60 and that would be good - it doesn't have to be one of the huge 6 foot ones.

 

[Amy]

That is a good point about the cost of bedding (and availability). @soaringtacocat123 did say she had the funds to fill a large enclosure. But yes it can be expensive to replace all bedding if you did get an infestation (hopefully not ).

Which size pax were you looking at? I think the smallest is 120 x 60 x 60 and that would be good - it doesn't have to be one of the huge 6 foot ones.

She said 238 cm in the first post