Problems With the CritterTrail Petting Zone Cap

With the rise in popularity of small animals as pets, such as mice, hamsters and gerbils, pet supply stores have answered the demand by stocking colorfully appealing yet low quality small pet supplies, including cages. The problem with many of these overpriced cages comes from their easily breakable parts, such as the petting zone cap, and insufficient space for the animal. These types of cages are not ideal for the owner or the animal and are better replaced with alternative cages.

CritterTrail Issues
- An unsafe cage is an unreliable cage.
  
  The plastic bars of the CritterTrail cage leave spaces for the bedding to easily escape, creating a mess for the owner. The bars provide an unsafe chewing and climbing source for the small animal. As reported in Petsmart customer reviews, the small cage is difficult to set up, and the plastic tubes, which should act as tunnels connecting different levels, are too small for some animals. Without a tunnel, the pet is unable to get to the petting zone. Components of the cage, such as the water bottle, running wheel and petting zone cap have broken so often that even the Super Pet website includes a specific section for replacements.
Price for Space
- Make sure there is enough room for the occupant(s) of the cage.
  
  Typically you would pay a higher rent for more apartment space. Although CritterTrail can be more expensive for larger sizes, there is still not enough horizontal room for the small animal to run around as it would in its natural environment, especially if more than one animal occupies the cage. It's no wonder that the animals start chewing the bars to escape what seems to them like a prison.
Alternative Cages
- Look outside the box for cage alternatives.
  
  Although it seems unconventional, tanks in the fish and reptile sections can provide a cheaper, sturdier alternative. Many small animal breeders use 10- and 20-gallon glass tanks, with a screened top for air flow, as suggested by the Hamster Zone website, to house the critters. It may not be as attractive to some as the multi-colored CritterTrail, but the additional space it provides is much more appealing to the animals and allows for a variety of toys to be placed inside.
Animal Interactions
- A small animal relaxes when it can trust its owner.
  
  It's a great idea for the owner to responsibly play with the animal. While the CritterTrail provides a petting zone area and side cage door, these actually restrict the ability of the owner to interact with the small animal. The cap converts the petting zone to a carrying compartment, which will be unsafe if it does not function properly. The design also assumes that, should the animal reach the petting zone, it will stay there as the area is lifted and not run quickly back down the adjoining tunnel. The fish tank's large top opening gives you unlimited access to the small animal, allowing for a more positive hand training experience, as the animal is less threatened by the invading hand in a larger area, rather than being tricked into a small "petting zone."