Soon to be hamster mum :)

[conjure]

Hi everyone, hope you're all well.
I've been looking at adopting a hamster (likely a Syrian) for a few weeks now and feel pretty knowledgeable about what he/she needs. However, I just have a few questions about the setup, so please help if you can.

1) I'm advised to have about 10-12 inches of bedding (25- 30 cm), but the tallest platform I've ever found has only been 7 inches? If heavy stuff has to go on top, surely it would all just be buried? Google says that I can slope the bedding, but I'm not too sure how well that will work. Maybe it would help take about 1 inch off, but I don't think it would do much more!

2) I also find it odd how the bedding is about 30cm and so is the height of the hamster wheel? That means you need an enclosure of at least 60cm height. Yet, most enclosures are just 100x50x50. I'm sure there is a clear answer, and I'm just having a brain freeze moment, so please do give advice. I just want to get this exactly right the first time and create the most enjoyable enclosure for it, without having to keep changing the interior, as I wouldn't want to stress it out.

Also, please let me know which sprays were most favoured amongst your babies, thoughts on the BUCASTATE enclosures and anything else that may be of use; anything is appreciated. Thank you very much

 

[Maz]

Hello Pet charities recommend different bedding heights. Some say a minimum of 8" some say 10". I think 8 to 10" is fine in a cage that is 50cm tall. On here we have a bare minimum of 6" providing you have a multiroom house, but most people have more than that. Can I just ask if you';re in the Uk or Us? Or elsewhere? In the Uk it's easy to find platforms with legs you choose the length of - they just screw in. There is indeed quite a bit of maths involved! So if you had say 9" of bedding, you might want one platform with a height of 9" to stand the wheel on or other heavy items (eg bedding height) and another platform of say 11" so there is a 2" gap underneath. It's not recommended to have a platform more than 2" above bedding height. Perhaps to stand other items on. And you might want a third platform the same height as the bedding (or slightly lower) to support a large sand bath - it can be slightly lower if the sandbath has high enough sides so it's partly set into the bedding.

With an enclosure 50cm tall I personally would go with about 8" of bedding for a Syrian - as you say to fit the wheel in heightwise - but you could have it a bit deeper in some areas.

In one of my cages, I had 8 to 9" in most of the cage but a slightly lower bit just in front of the wheel as it was a 32cm wheel.

 

[Maz]

I'm guessing it's the 100cm Bucatstate you have? That is 52cm tall so gives you a little bit more playroom The 120cm version is actually taller at 62cm.

 

[Rescued One]

Hello Pet charities recommend different bedding heights. Some say a minimum of 8" some say 10". I think 8 to 10" is fine in a cage that is 50cm tall. On here we have a bare minimum of 6" providing you have a multiroom house, but most people have more than that. Can I just ask if you';re in the Uk or Us? Or elsewhere? In the Uk it's easy to find platforms with legs you choose the length of - they just screw in. There is indeed quite a bit of maths involved! So if you had say 9" of bedding, you might want one platform with a height of 9" to stand the wheel on or other heavy items (eg bedding height) and another platform of say 11" so there is a 2" gap underneath. It's not recommended to have a platform more than 2" above bedding height. Perhaps to stand other items on. And you might want a third platform the same height as the bedding (or slightly lower) to support a large sand bath - it can be slightly lower if the sandbath has high enough sides so it's partly set into the bedding.

With an enclosure 50cm tall I personally would go with about 8" of bedding for a Syrian - as you say to fit the wheel in heightwise - but you could have it a bit deeper in some areas.

In one of my cages, I had 8 to 9" in most of the cage but a slightly lower bit just in front of the wheel as it was a 32cm wheel.

As a US member - we can get Happy Henry's platforms, etc. through the Etsy website. They offer platforms with different height legs

 

[Maz]

As a US member - we can get Happy Henry's platforms, etc. through the Etsy website. They offer platforms with different height legs

Oh thank you, I didn't know that!