WARNING: Savic Hamster Sky Metro Latch Creates 2cm Escape Gap

[TYWYN]

Please be warned: this cage has a catastrophic design defect that directly resulted in the escape and subsequent death of our juvenile Syrian hamster.

While the main bar spacing is a safe 1cm, the front door latching mechanism suffers from a dangerous visual flaw. The door latch can easily be clipped onto a lower horizontal bar by accident. When this happens, the cage door looks shut and secure from the front, bar a small 1cm gap that is incredibly easy to miss. However, it secretly creates a hidden, massive 2cm vertical gap right next to the latch mechanism at the top of the cage. This is highly dangerous and very difficult to spot, especially if you have the cage at eye height (e.g., on top of a chest of drawers or other furniture for security).

A 2cm gap provides absolutely zero resistance to a juvenile hamster, allowing them to walk straight out of the cage even while the door appears "locked." Because these cages are widely marketed to families, it is completely unacceptable that a product designed for children to use allows a "false close" that actively masks a deadly hazard.

If you already have this cage, please be mindful of this flaw and double-check the bars every single time. If you haven't yet bought this cage, I strongly suggest researching alternative "escape-proof" glass or solid-tank options, especially if you have cats. I am hoping the tragic loss of our little guy will at least spare other families from the heartbreak that my children and I have faced.

I have emailed both the manufacturer, Savic, and the major UK retailer I purchased this from. The retailer has formally acknowledged the issue, escalated it to their supplier, and provided a full refund. I am yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The latch design fundamentally needs to be modified, as it is currently not fit for the purpose of securely housing a hamster.

 

[Maz]

Hello. Firstly so sorry for the loss of your hamster. That is absolutely heartbreaking. Did he escape via the gap, or get trapped in it? If he has escaped then maybe he is still to be found? Do let us know in case we can help with tips to find him (eg bucket trap).

It's a well-known cage that has been around for many years, and it should maybe come with clearer instructions about fastening the door. It's the same barred top that comes on the Hamster Heaven. I have an old one that is virtually the same barred top but with narrower bar spacing (the Savic Mickey 2XL). It's intended to close tight on the second rung back, but it can be left partially open like that, latched onto the first bar, and that can be a risk.

It's incredibly sad and hamsters are such escape artists.

I am sure the manufacturers will take note and make the instructions clear how to close the door tight.

I think you have had very bad luck here as well as this is the first I've heard of it happening with this cage - that doesn't make it any easier. It has a lovely big front door but it does have an unusual way of having to be pulled tight to close it fully.

I hope this doesn't put you and your family off having another hamster. If you do get another one, and want a barred cage, the Savic Plaza 100 is a very popular option, and these days a 100cm x 50cm cage is recommended. Syrians need a lot of space, although the 80 x 50 one you have was seen as suitable for many years, providing the hamster had plenty of out of cage time. I've linked it below with some pictures as I have one. It still has a nice large front door, which is good for interaction with the hamster from the front, and for cleaning out without having to take the top off, but the door is flat to the front and can only close one way and securely. It's available from a large national pet store, but sometimes only online. Also, avoid any cages with external tubes, as those can be pushed apart by a hamster and are also an escape route, plus some hamsters have got stuck in the tubes before. Cages with plastic tubes are a bad idea - you can have large tunnels inside a cage instead.

There are also bar-less enclosures available (but be aware some of these are too small), although these can be quite expensive. People have had escapes from wood cages as well, with hamsters chewing a hole through them.

It must have been such a distress and shock for you and your family. Please don't blame yourselves for this - many of us have had near escapes (ie forgetting to close the cage door at all at bedtime).

Let us know if and when you decide to get another hammy and we can give some tips for setting up a cage or enclosure so the hamster is safe and can have normal behaviours like digging and burrowing

Bar-less enclosures are popular as well, particularly the Bucatstate perspex ones (which also have a front door) but you'll need to pay a bit more for something like that and I can't think of any other bar-less ones that are big enough that cost less. But I'll link that below as well.

Savic Plaza 100 - Pets at Home £100 (NOTE! The wheel that comes with the Plaza cage is too small for a Syrian Hamster - it needs an 11" wheel buying separately).




Bucatstate 2 100cm £149.99 (Doesn't come with any contents - also needs an 11" wheel buying separately)




This is an older photo of the Plaza 100 - it has my own contents in rather than the green shelf it comes with but it gives an idea.



Here's another one - this one that shows you can put cardboard inside the bars to have the bedding deeper and to stop the bedding falling out This is also an older photo and I wouldn't recommend having hammocks in it! These were just intended to provide overhead cover at the time for a little roborovski hamster.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Very sorry about this sad loss Yes, the Hamster Heaven has this flaw. The penthouse in the HH has a wobbly plastic wall and a hamster could squeeze between the plastic penthouse wall and the gate. Run free over the bridge little one

 

[Tulsi]

So very sorry for your loss. I had the hamster heaven with this same closing issue for many years. I often had to double check to see if it was properly shut and I really sympathise.