research stage!

[lilbeanie]

hey! i'm lo and i'm from scotland.

i'm looking into getting a russian dwarf and i want to make sure my set up is as ethical as possible, as well as getting my baby from a good place. when it comes to enclosures, i'm looking into self build options but also open to buying pre-made, the wooden ones look best to me. any advice when it comes to enclosures and where to look to adopt/buy when the enclosure is ready is much appreciated!

apart from that, i like gaming (PC & PS5), coding, reading and petting dogs. nice to meet you x

 

[Maz]

Hello and welcome. Wood ones can be chewed out of, which is less likely for a russian dwarf, but you may want a Syrian in future DIY cages aren't often chewed out of as they are a type of board covered with a wipe clean surface usually - although it's important not to have any unsealed edges that could be chewed. I've added a couple of links below. One is to our cage list to show the options available and the other is to a thread about different options for diy cages

If you go the buying route, the Bucatstate is very popular and has a front opening door as well as top access - one reason it's popular as front access is good for interaction with the hamster as well as spot cleaning However, it is quite expensive. There are a few barred cages that would be suitable as well The Grosvenor XL is one option - it has really good floor space but is limited on height. On the one hand this means less fall risks - on the other hand you're limited with bedding depth - but could have a deep bedding end with cardboard inside the bars.

As for the best place to get a hamster in Scotland @Doodleham knows a few places - rescues and an NHC breeder.

Hamster 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

Large diy cage options

This thread is to show options for extra large diy cages. There are a few good cages big enough, as listed on our cages thread, but sometimes people want to go bigger and then it means making a cage. Ikea Hacks can be an easy way. DIY isn't always cheap. You need to have tools available (or...

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[lilbeanie]

Hello and welcome. Wood ones can be chewed out of, which is less likely for a russian dwarf, but you may want a Syrian in future DIY cages aren't often chewed out of as they are a type of board covered with a wipe clean surface usually - although it's important not to have any unsealed edges that could be chewed. I've added a couple of links below. One is to our cage list to show the options available and the other is to a thread about different options for diy cages

If you go the buying route, the Bucatstate is very popular and has a front opening door as well as top access - one reason it's popular as front access is good for interaction with the hamster as well as spot cleaning However, it is quite expensive. There are a few barred cages that would be suitable as well The Grosvenor XL is one option - it has really good floor space but is limited on height. On the one hand this means less fall risks - on the other hand you're limited with bedding depth - but could have a deep bedding end with cardboard inside the bars.

As for the best place to get a hamster in Scotland @Doodleham knows a few places - rescues and an NHC breeder.

Hamster 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

Large diy cage options

This thread is to show options for extra large diy cages. There are a few good cages big enough, as listed on our cages thread, but sometimes people want to go bigger and then it means making a cage. Ikea Hacks can be an easy way. DIY isn't always cheap. You need to have tools available (or...

www.thehamsterforum.com

That's great, thanks so much. The Bucatstate looks great, will be going for that!