Dwarf Hamster Blog

The Dwarf Hamster Guide

  • Dwarf Hamster ♥
    • Robo Dwarf Hamster
    • Russian Dwarf Hamster
    • Siberian Hamster
    • Chinese Dwarf Hamster
    • Fancy Russian Dwarf Hamster
  • Syrian Hamster
  • Hamster Care Articles
  • Hamster Supplies Checklist
  • About Us
    • Contact Us ♥
    • Submissions
  • Hamster Cage Finder ♥
    • Hamster Cage Finder UK
Home » Hamster Care » Types of Hamster Cages and Their Pros and Cons

Types of Hamster Cages and Their Pros and Cons

March 12, 2013 By Sarah Yee 7 Comments

A good hamster cage is well-ventilated, easy to clean, is safe and comfortable for your dwarf hamster, and prevents it from escaping. Whether you are getting a hamster cage for the first time or looking to upgrade your existing one, learning about the types of hamster cages available and their pros and cons will help you make a better decision. This article explores the various hamster cages you can get and so you can make the best choice for your dwarf hamster.

Wire-Top Hamster Cages

Wire-top Hamster Cages - Prevue Hendryx Deluxe Hamster and Gerbil CageWire-top hamster cages are made up of a plastic bottom tray and a wire-based top. Wire-top cages usually come in 0.5 inches (12 mm) or 0.3 inches (8 mm) gaps between the bars. For dwarf hamsters, a cage with 0.3 inches gaps such as the Prevue Hendryx Deluxe Hamster and Gerbil Cage is more suitable as the smaller gap prevents them from squeezing through the bars. When buying a wire-top hamster cage, you should inspect the cage for the appropriate gap size, any exposed wire that may injure your hamster, and whether it is securely attached to the bottom tray.

Pros of wire-top hamster cages

  • Easy access to your hamster
  • Good ventilation
  • Easy to clean
  • Usually comes with accessories like water bottle and wheel

Cons of wire-top hamster cages

  • Hamster tends to kick bedding out of cage
  • Opening or shutting cage doors may produce loud sounds
  • Your hamster may chew on the bars

Glass Tanks or Aquariums

Glass tanks come in a variety of sizes and with or without covers. Some have ventilation holes and others are simply aquariums that have been converted into a hamster tank.

Pros of glass tanks

  • Easy access to your dwarf hamster
  • No chance of hamster escaping through bars
  • Able to see your hamster clearly through the glass
  • You can have a thicker layer of bedding for your hamster to burrow
  • Chew-proof

Cons of glass tanks

  • May be too heavy to move around
  • May not be easy to clean due to weight

Plastic Hamster Cages

Plastic hamster cages such as the Super Pet CritterTrail Extreme Challenge Habitat usually come with tubes and attachments and can be easily expanded.

Pros of plastic hamster cages

  • Expandable
  • Usually comes with accessories such as wheel and bottle
  • Can usually have a thicker layer of bedding for your hamster to burrow

Cons of plastic hamster cages

  • Ventilation may not be as good as wire-top or glass tanks (with open tops)
  • Harder to clean with all the tubes and various attachments
  • Poor access to hamster if it hides in a tube
  • Hamster may chew and destroy plastic components

DIY Hamster Cages

DIY cages come in many shapes and sizes. There are the smaller ones made out of plastic bins and larger ones made from re-purposed bookshelves. The variety of DIY cages available is too large for me to make an accurate list of pros and cons. I may include a separate page in the future to do that but if you’re interested in such cages, take a look at an awesome one made from a coffee table below:

Related Posts:

  • Chinese Dwarf Hamster 101Chinese Dwarf Hamster 101
  • Dwarf Hamster Care – How to Take Care of a Dwarf HamsterDwarf Hamster Care – How to Take Care of a…
  • How to Clean a Hamster CageHow to Clean a Hamster Cage
  • DIY Hamster PlatformDIY Hamster Platform

Filed Under: Hamster Care, Hamster Help

  • Taylor

    Is a critter trail cage okay? I bought one for my hamster and I want to make sure that he can’t get out. He is a dwarf.

    • alisha

      Critter trails are way to small for any hamster the maximum of a hamster cage is 360 square inches so DIY cages are the best as you can make sure it is the right size and and it can cost cheaper than an old pet store cage

  • SammehTheHammeh

    Another pro of wire cages is that hamsters can climb on the bars, which is fun for most hams.

    • fallon

      but the cons of that is the hamster can fall and get hurt 🙁

  • Guest

    How can i know is my hamster female or male?Week ago i have accidently hit my hamster but i have not hit my hamster hard and my hamster started to biting me and my sister,can you help me?I have forgot to tell you,we bought hamster two weeks ago.What kind of dwarf hamster is my hamster?Here is a photo of my hamster and me.

  • Jana Milenković

    How can i know is my hamster female or male?Week ago i have accidently hit my hamster but i have not hit my hamster hard and my hamster started to biting me and my sister,can you help me?I have forgot to tell you,we bought hamster two weeks ago.What kind of dwarf hamster is my hamster?Here is a photo of my hamster.

  • Potato

    I think I will go cage seeing as I would not have the time, strength and energy to clean out an aquariam. The plastic one would just seem a bit too complex for me seeing as it is my first hamster (if im allowed one in the first place) and omfg diy one is cool af but maybe a project for when i am more confident so i am going with the wire top. Does anyone have any good ones for someone who lives in ireland. The one suggested in this post is SUUPER EXPNESIVE IN IRELAND so no bueno to that. Thanks baii

Search our site

Featured Post

Russian Dwarf Hamster – Campbell’s, Winter White & Hybrids

Russian Dwarf Hamster – Campbell’s, Winter White & Hybrids

The term “Russian dwarf hamster” is a common term for two species of hamster – the Campbell’s dwarf … [Read More...]

Newsletter

Our Newest Post

  • Best Hamster-Themed Gifts

Hamster Topics

  • Hamster Care
  • Hamster Help
  • Hamster Facts
  • DIY Hamster Stuff
  • Product Reviews
  • Just For Fun
  • Dwarf Hamster Videos
  • Types of Hamsters

Our Featured Video

Polls

Do you have a bin cage?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on YouTube

Home | Contact Us | Privacy | Copyright 2013 DwarfHamsterBlog.com