Hamsters make good pets for a number of reasons, being rather easy to look after and not taking up quite as much space inside your house as a larger pet might. But since hamsters are small and can’t have run of the place like dogs and cats can, you’ll need to get your new hamster a cage to live in.
But what size hamster cage is best? The answer is, what cage is best depends on the material the cage is made of, and the size of your hamster.
This article will take a look at the different size recommendations for certain breeds of hamsters, as well as the role that cage material plays in how much space your hamster actually has to move around.
Cage Size by Hamster Size
It may seem obvious, but bigger hamsters will require bigger cages, and smaller hamsters will be able to make do with slightly less space.
Syrian Hamsters
The recommended cage size for a Syrian hamster – the largest of the hamster breeds – is at least 150 square inches (1,000 square centimeters) of moveable floor space, with a total cage height of roughly 18 inches. It is also recommended that if you should have more than one Syrian hamster, you should keep them in separate cages, as they have the tendency to be combative toward one another, even unto the death. And no one wants that.
Dwarf Hamsters
The recommended cage size for Dwarf hamster breeds is at least 120 square inches (750 square centimeters) of moveable floor space with a total cage height of 7 inches. While Dwarf hamsters are more sociable than Syrian hamsters, you may want to keep them in separate cages, as well, so as to avoid any unnecessary squabbles.
Cage Size by Material
The material that the cage is made of can also have an impact on the size of the cage.
Wire Cages
One thing that hamsters need is adequate ability and space to climb. A wired cage allows for the space to do that, which means that the cage can be on the smaller end of the recommended size spectrum because no climbing toys are needed, only appropriately spaced cage wire. But if you have a wire cage, you’ll want to make sure there is plenty of padding on the floor of the cage, both to protect hamster feet and to cushion any hamster falls.
Plastic Cages
Plastic cages are the opposite of the wire cages insofar as needing to have things like climbing apparatuses inside for your hamster to use. Thus, your hamster’s plastic cage will need to be on the larger end of the recommended size spectrum.
Best Hamster Cage Size – Final Thoughts
The ideal cage for your hamster is one in which your hamster can freely move around. Finding the best sized cage for your hamster demands that you consider the breed of your hamster as different sized hamsters need different sized cages. And the material of your cage will influence the cage size due to what you’ll need to include in it. If you take all of the above into account, your furry friend will undoubtedly adjust well in their new home.
