Is Mochi a girl?

[AmandaT]

You can get a second hand Savic Plaza 100 for about £30 or £40 on ebay There are quite a few second hand ones available. It would be a good upgrade and then you could see if it's enough or she needs bigger. The chill and chew mats are a great way of being able to add deeper bedding - you just tie them to the bars inside with sisal string. You could always sell it again if she needs bigger but Jas has settled in hers Mochi will probably always need a lot of out of cage time though.

The cage has 6 inches of bedding and she completely stopped burrowing anywhere in the cage when we got the three chamber house and dig box, so I think that’s ok.

 

[AmandaT]

I stopped feeding Socks treats through the bars, as well as upgrading his cage and he stopped bar biting. He did it alot when he first arrived and his cage had half chewed loo roll inners all over it for a few weeks.

Mochi’s cage is covered in half chewed loo rolls and Amazon boxes too

 

[AmandaT]

I prefer barred cages for better ventilation & air flow, especially in hot weather but also because they are less isolated from the surrounding environment & are more aware of scents etc around them, I think you can interact more easily & frequently with them without being restricted mainly to out of cage time, even just chatting to them while they do their own thing as you’re near the cage can add a kind of enrichment & help to reinforce & build the bond between you.
It’s also great for adding things to the cage, although having one main level is important adding smaller shelves or attaching things to the bars can really help add interest to the set up & gives you more options.
There are probably other things I can’t thnnk of right now but I would say that’s the main points.

That’s a really good point. Mochi does love interacting with us and she runs out of her house when we shake her food and she responds to the noise. I think that wouldn’t work as well if she was in a tank.

 

[AmandaT]

You'll get to see tanks and cage set ups on here Apologies as you clearly already know how to set up a cage and have a lot of enrichment but it shows different available larger cages and enclosures as well

Plus there is our cages list that lists all the suitable cages.

Show us your cages 2023 onwards

A new thread for 2023 to show cage set ups :) Some may have changed or be new but feel free to add your existing set up again. It's mainly so all current ones are viewable in the same place.

www.thehamsterforum.com

Cages 2025

Here is a list of suitable cages available for hamsters in 2025. Whether you prefer tank style or barred cages, front access or top access, there is, thankfully, plenty of choice in the Uk and Europe. Choice in the US is mainly tanks and tank style or diy. Both tank style and barred cages...

www.thehamsterforum.com

Really helpful, thanks!

 

[RainbowBrite]

Just to say, I have a tank style enclosure and I can interact really well with my hamster. He climbs on to his MCH when he wants to go in his playpen and I lift him out. What I like about this kind of enclosure is I can have 10 inches of bedding which is the recommended minimum. I also think it is easier to set up due to the shape. I have never had any issues with ventilation as there is a mesh lid. I adopted my hamster from a rescue and they have just posted they have a new female Syrian and will only accept a tank for her.

I just wanted to give you my point of view to give you a different opinion. I am sure whatever you choose to buy will be perfect for you and your hamster.

 

[AmandaT]

Just to say, I have a tank style enclosure and I can interact really well with my hamster. He climbs on to his MCH when he wants to go in his playpen and I lift him out. What I like about this kind of enclosure is I can have 10 inches of bedding which is the recommended minimum. I also think it is easier to set up due to the shape. I have never had any issues with ventilation as there is a mesh lid. I adopted my hamster from a rescue and they have just posted they have a new female Syrian and will only accept a tank for her.

I just wanted to give you my point of view to give you a different opinion. I am sure whatever you choose to buy will be perfect for you and your hamster.

That’s good to know thanks!! What size tank is it? That’s so cute that he lets you know when he wants to go into the playpen. We put food in a mug and the we move Mochi to the playpen and back into her cage as she is no way ready to be held yet. I hope we’ll be able to get to that stage eventually. I think you must be talking about India Hamster Rescue - I follow them on Instagram

 

[RainbowBrite]

That’s good to know thanks!! What size tank is it? That’s so cute that he lets you know when he wants to go into the playpen. We put food in a mug and the we move Mochi to the playpen and back into her cage as she is no way ready to be held yet. I hope we’ll be able to get to that stage eventually. I think you must be talking about India Hamster Rescue - I follow them on Instagram

Yes I am. They are a wonderful rescue. My set up is 150cm by 60cm.

 

[Maz]

It’s a wonderful set up Rainbow And so much space.

 

[AmandaT]

Wasn’t sure where to post this question, but can anyone tell me the best way to break up a coco coir brick? I got one for Mochi’s dig box. A few places have recommended soaking it in water, but I’m not sure that’s the best way. Thanks!

 

[Maz]

I think it's quite tricky, I seem to remember. I haven't done it myself. I think elusive knows about this. You don't want it too wet or too dry.

 

[AmandaT]

I think it's quite tricky, I seem to remember. I haven't done it myself. I think elusive knows about this. You don't want it too wet or too dry.

Thanks - do you have any easier alternatives for a dig box?

 

[RainbowBrite]

You an buy eco earth. I use it as it does not need any preparation. With the brick you have I think you just add water and then let it dry. It can take a few days to dry. Other things you could use in a dig box are aspen, beech chips, cork granules, paper pellets, cut up cardboard and coconut chips.

 

[elusive]

The easiest way is to just dampen it or soak a part of it then leave it for a while & as it all gets damp you can crumble it up but then you still need to dry it out again before use which takes a while.

 

[AmandaT]

You a buy eco earth. I use it as it does not need any preparation. With the brick you have I think you just add water and then let it dry. It can take a few days to dry. Other things you could use in a dig box are aspen, beech chips, cork granules, paper pellets, cut up cardboard and coconut chips.

Thanks, I think I’ll get some eco earth as it’s ready to use.

 

[AmandaT]

The easiest way is to just dampen it or soak a part of it then leave it for a while & as it all gets damp you can crumble it up but then you still need to dry it out again before use which takes a while.

Thanks, it seems like a faff. I really should research things more before I buy them

 

[Maz]

I use cork granules You’re not the first person to wonder what to do with it and decide it’s a faff!