Hamster Cage Ideas

Hamsters can be excellent pets. They are relatively easy to keep and are not as noisy as dogs can be. However, a hamster does need a cage where it can live safely. Choosing the right cage for your hamster is important, and it depends on both you and your pet.

  1. Plastic Cages

    • A number of plastic cages are on the market. Their main advantage is their expandability: by buying tunnels, tubes and other accessories, you can create a veritable hamster wonderland. The attachments give your hamster plenty of places to explore, so your pet will get lots of exercise. They have slots or holes through which you insert a watering device and food container.
      Plastic cages are also easy to clean. Just take them apart and wash them in hot, soapy water, and rinse well.
      The downside of plastic cages is that they are easily destroyed. Being rodents, hamsters need to chew constantly to keep their teeth healthy. If your hamster prefers to chew on, say, the plastic door that closes its cage, you'll face frequent escapes.
      A basic version of a plastic cage, including a climbing tower, observation pod, exercise wheel and food and water containers, costs about $40. Add-ons are sold separately, at between $5 and $20 apiece.

    Wire Cages

    • Cages made of wire are chew-proof. However, you'll need to add an exercise wheel to the cage to provide your hamster with a chance to exercise and amuse itself.
      The cage can be cleaned with hot water and soap, just like a plastic cage. Wiping down the individual wires may be more of a nuisance than you're prepared for, though.
      You'll need to purchase a waterer that can be hung from the cage, as well as a wood or cardboard "house" for your hamster, since there are no hiding places in this kind of cage.
      A basic wire cage costs about $30.
      You might look for a cage that includes metal and plastic, so it has the interest and expandability of an all-plastic habitat with the security of a metal cage. These cages cost about $40. Like the all-plastic kinds, there are lots of attachments available, ranging from $5 to $20.

    Glass Cages

    • A third option is the glass cage. This is much like an aquarium, only it isn't watertight. Like a plastic cage, it is very easy to clean thoroughly. Like a metal cage, it's practically escape-proof because it can't be chewed on. A 10-gallon size, suitable for a single hamster, will run you about $35, which includes a sliding top with metal mesh that resists chewing
      As with the metal cage, you'll need to add an exercise wheel and some kind of hideaway, so your hamster can have peace and quiet while it sleeps.