Cage sizes for a Djungarian hamster: standards and norms
Individuals of the Djungarian breed are characterized by increased playfulness, activity, and restlessness, so they need a spacious and free cage. The optimal area for one hamster according to standards is 1500 sq.cm. The corresponding cage dimensions are 50x30 cm.
Other requirements for a “hamster” house:
- height not less than 30 cm;
- the maximum distance between the rods is 1 cm;
- pallet - 35x55 cm.
In cramped cages, Djungarian hamsters rapidly gain weight. Due to a lack of physical activity, they develop obesity. The animal looks apathetic and sleepy. Health problems begin and life expectancy decreases.
Therefore, it is extremely important that the cage allows the dwarf to move freely.
Single-story or multi-story: what to choose?
The classic option is a one-story metal cage. It is easy to disassemble, convenient and quick to clean. This design can be additionally equipped with a tunnel or pen: the dwarf will have more room to run.
The second option is a cage of several floors. For such a house there are a number of additional requirements.
Cparks/Pixabay
The distance between floors is from 17 to 25 cm. If the height is more than 30 cm, the level of injury risk increases.
The floor should be solid plastic, since food, bedding and the rodent’s paws will fall through the grate when running. Please note that the cages have height-adjustable tiers.
So which option is better? It is recommended that Djungarian hamsters choose single-story cages with a large area. Individuals love jogging and free space. This is much more interesting for them than climbing or climbing up bars.
Requirements
The main criteria when choosing a cage are its comfort and safety for your pet. In addition, the future home of a furry friend should be comfortable for its owner. The owner needs to select in advance the place where the new home will be located, and also select a product for a certain size, no less than the minimum recommended for a dzhungarik.
The materials from which the cage is made must not only be durable and strong, but also safe. Rodents taste everything they see, so the grill bars they try should not be harmful to the health of the animal.
Choose a cage that is easier to clean. It is more convenient to buy a product with a pallet. Be sure to check that the door closes well.
Djungarians are very curious creatures, prone to escape, and a weak locking device may not withstand its sharp teeth. Try to buy a home with built-in attributes in advance. This will be a more economical option, and in the future you won’t have to think about where and how best to install all the additional devices.
Materials
Pet stores offer several options for hamster cages.
- Made of metal rods. A good ventilated home in which the rodent feels quite comfortable. The inconvenience is that the noise the hamster makes can be clearly heard through the bars, and dirt always forms around. Filler and debris easily penetrate through the bars. The grill itself should be made of high-quality solid metal.
Do not take products made of copper or aluminum - the animal gnaws everything, so it will quickly render such rods unusable.
- Plastic or glass aquarium. In such a closed home, the noise level is significantly reduced, and there is almost no garbage. In addition, this is the safest option for a home where there are cats - it is unlikely that a predator will get to the rodent, which is kept in an aquarium under a breathable mesh. However, the hamster himself will be uncomfortable in such a home, since it does not allow air to pass through well.
The inconvenience for the owner is that the aquarium is difficult to clean.
- Lattice cage with plastic tray. This is the most preferred option. This cage is easy to clean. If the home is two-level, and the “floor” of the second floor is made in the form of a lattice, then check whether the pet is injured by getting its paws or abdomen stuck between the bars. If the risk of injury is high, cover the second level with cardboard.
The right pallet: what is it?
This is a structural element, a kind of “latrine pit” of the cell. Garbage and crumbs are poured here, and waste flows out. There are several types of pallets.
The division occurs on the basis of the mechanism of action (retractable), material of manufacture, size.
Housing for a Djungarian hamster must be equipped with a deep tray. During their games, individuals scatter the filler, and the high walls of the tray will not allow debris to fly out of the cage.
Recommendations for selection
The stores offer simple and multi-level cages. A simple one-story option is suitable for one pet and for a slightly lazy owner. A small cage is easier to clean. But if the owner is responsible and puts the comfort of his pet above his laziness, he will buy a multi-level cage. It is easier to place all the necessary paraphernalia in it, and the hamster himself will have more space to live in such a home.
Usually, on the first floor, animals prefer to engage in active activities, and on the second - to relax, although, naturally, each pet has its own preferences.
How to make a cage for a dwarf with your own hands
First you need to choose the material. Only non-toxic and durable elements are allowed to be used. A house for the animal can be built from unpainted boards or plywood, plastic, coconut shells and even thick cardboard. It is important to remember that homemade cages made from natural elements are short-lived, since the hamster will constantly sharpen their upholstery and walls with his teeth.
How to make a reliable and safe cage: step by step processes.
The chosen material is plywood and boards. You will also need a metal mesh and plexiglass.
The necessary tools are a marker or felt-tip pen for markings, hot-melt adhesive and hot-melt gun, and a cutter.
We cut and sand 3 boards of the same size.
We drill a 5-6 cm hole in one of the boards.
We connect the resulting elements together. Coat it well with glue, keep it pressed tightly for 3-5 minutes.
We attach a metal mesh to the resulting sides from above.
Cover the remaining side with plexiglass (with hot-melt adhesive).
The fastening of parts and mesh is done strictly from the outside so that the dzhungarik does not get hurt on the protruding edges.
The design features of such a cage will allow you to freely observe your pet, and the mesh will provide a constant flow of fresh air.
Where is the best place to put a hamster cage?
A person’s apartment or house is a noisy and stressful place for such a miniature animal as a hamster. To limit the animal from constant stress, the cage must be placed in a suitable place.
It should be a quiet, secluded corner, protected from drafts, open sun and loud sounds. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation or wind will negatively affect the hamster’s condition (colds, overheating).
Memo for owners of Djungarian hamsters
- The furry's home should be at a distance from the music center, TV and other noisy devices.
- Temperature stability. Suitable indicators are 18-21C. When the mark drops below 10 degrees, individuals hibernate.
- Protection from cats. Djungarians are an easy target for mustachioed pets; cages should be placed out of their reach.
Owner reviews
According to experts, it is not recommended to keep more than one hamster in one cage, although many owners practice keeping “married couples” in one cage. Moreover, such content does not have any negative consequences. Domestic rodents quickly get used to the hands of their owner. With a lack of attention, on the contrary, the animal quickly loses the habit, which leads to aggression towards its owner. If a Djungarian hamster appears in the house, then it will not be superfluous to make sure that it pleases all family members for as long as possible. To do this, you will have to direct all efforts to ensure that the animal always remains healthy and cheerful. It is very important that the animal eats exclusively what is healthy for it and does not eat junk food in the form of sweet, salty and other unhealthy foods. If signs of illness appear, you should not determine the type of illness yourself. In this case, only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis.
Disadvantages of keeping a hamster. The whole truth about Djungarian hamsters
How to set up a cage for a Djungarian hamster
The spacious cage can accommodate additional attributes. Some of them are mandatory, others are installed at the request of the owners.
Similar products are available in any pet store, some of them are easy to make with your own hands.
An important attribute for the comfortable existence of Djungarian hamsters is bedding. This is the substrate with which the bottom is covered. You cannot take cotton wool, bandages and other materials consisting of threads for these purposes (so that the animals do not get entangled in them).
Sawdust from pine and cedar is also prohibited, as they are sources of the development of respiratory diseases in rodents.
The traditional option is sawdust from deciduous trees. Layer - at least 6 cm. An alternative is to buy ready-made litter. These are special fillers, silica gels, granular mixtures.
Other necessary “interior” elements for dzhungariks
A house is a secluded place in which the animal will store its supplies and sleep. Mandatory elements are a wide entrance and a strong roof.
Feeder - small size, spacious, sides 1-1.5 cm.
Drinking bowl - it is better to buy special products, since the hamster will turn over ordinary bowls/lids. The optimal solution is a nipple drinker attached to the outside of the cage.
A running wheel is a necessary element for the dwarf to get daily exercise, stretch his paws and train his cardiovascular system.
Requirements:
- diameter – not less than 20 cm;
- non-slippery surface;
- fastening to rods.
- Wheels with crossbars and mesh are prohibited.
Mineral salt stone - needed for natural needs (grinding teeth), it will also enrich the animal’s body with useful microelements.
Important points
Cages for dwarfs must be well ventilated, otherwise the toxic odor of ammonia will accumulate in them. It is important that the home is comfortable, and that you can clean your pet at any time without spending a lot of time.
Cage for dzhungarika with proper ventilation
You can choose a plastic cage for your Djungarian hamster. Such models have several levels, tunnels, pipes and other places for games. They feature an original design.
The plastic home should not have protruding parts that the baby can chew.
Important: make sure that the doors close tightly - jungarians are smart and they will quickly understand the principle of opening doors, which may lead to repeated attempts to escape.
Remember that the best cage is one in which your pet is comfortable. You will see this in his behavior.
join the discussion
Share with your friends
The Djungarian hamster is an interesting and funny animal that can often be found in apartments as a pet. It is believed that these animals do not live long, but their lifespan depends on the conditions of their detention. The main factor in ensuring a full and comfortable life for your furry pet is purchasing a quality cage.
How often should the cage be washed?
Regular cleaning guarantees a healthy atmosphere inside the cage and the absence of extraneous unpleasant odors. Contaminated litter in the tray is cleaned daily.
The time for “general” cleaning is once every 2 weeks. Major cleaning consists of successive stages.
- Place the dwarf in a temporary home.
- Discard all filler from the tray. Leave a small handful of the contents so that the hamster's smell does not disappear.
- Throw away rotten food from your hamster's supplies. It is impossible to clean out the entire “pantry”, since the loss of savings will result in severe stress for the dzhungarik.
- Wash the tray with warm water. Use baby soap and animal shampoos as detergent. Do not use cleaning products with an aggressive composition (white, powder).
- Use a sponge soaked in soapy water to treat the rods. Wipe all attributes and accessories with a dry cloth.
- Wait until completely dry. Pour in new filler and mix it with a handful of old.
- Letting the dwarf into his clean home.
