Glass tank or Metal hamster cage?
I am getting a couple of those little white mice from the pet store, I don’t wanna use a glass aquarium if I don’t have to, I really wanna get a hamster cage, but I know they can chew through plastic, what should I get?
CrispApple
on February 6th, 2012
The metal cages work best.. tanks tend to make breathing more difficult for them.. (due to the bedding most often used).. The metal cages are nice, can be found in many different sizes, and give you oppurtunities to hang things around the cage for them to play with..
Warning though, if you get the metal cage make sure there is a secure lock on the door… Mine was pretty good at escaping by opening the simple lever type locks.. (Same thing with a tank though, make sure you can get the top on there securely.. and always check for signs your hamster is chewing on the metal.. took 5 minutes for one of mine to destroy the metal mesh top of his tank.. causing me to buy the metal cage)
Another alternative is to make one.. using an old dresser or something.. similar to this.. (this one is pretty fancy, they don’t have to be THAT elaborate)http://bayimages.net/images/5k/bay004891...
Sunflower
on February 6th, 2012
you can get metal barred cages. if your pets shop dosnt do them look on ebay some good deals on there.
Seashells
on February 6th, 2012
if you want to get a plastic cage but know that they could chew through the plastic then get a metal cage.
FunnyFish
on February 6th, 2012
The glass aquarium is the best way to go. Mice can slip right through the bars of a cage and plastic cages don’t give enough ventilation. Plus with an aquarium depending on the size you get, you can put all sorts of cool little things for them to chew on and play with.
ChickenLicken
on February 6th, 2012
You can get Hamster cages with metal bars, and that will stop them chewing through it.
MorningAfter
on February 6th, 2012
what i find works the best is actually metal bar or wire cages, its better for the rodents respitory system they on average live longer due to this, the only tricky part is finding a good cage with the pr0oper distance between the wires, if you find this tricky let me give you and hint and tell you mice are bery easy to lose for they can fit through anything theyre head can fit through, so get one that has small spaces they cant fit through, ask your local pet store for some help in selecting a good sized cage. also the wire cages are light like a plastic cage and strong and durable like a aquarium, many wire cages come with a little hom and a running weel and some even food dishes
good luck with your little friends and i hope i have helped you!
Fantasies
on February 6th, 2012
I have a gerbil and i keep it in a metal cage. They are easier to see when they are in a metal cage. i am not 100% sure of this but the metal cage i think are easier to clean.
Kiss
on February 6th, 2012
if you’re fairly sure they can chew through the plastic on those cages, get one with metal bars (which they can chew on but not through – it keeps their teeth short but to avoid the noise from that, get them other things to chew on).
they have metal cages with plastic tops which you can put tubes on, also which the hamsters would have fun running through and i don’t think they’d be able to chew through the tubes (except maybe at the entrances – but mine don’t).
Flutterby
on February 6th, 2012
i have 2 gerbils and i have a glass aquarium. i used to have a hamster with a metal wire cage.
in my experience, aquariums are easier to clean, you can see them much better, and they can’t escape as easily.
Horsewisperer
on February 6th, 2012
It’s not the chewing you need to worry about, it’s them slipping through the bars! Mice are able to squeeze through tiny little spaces and the spacing on the bars on hamster cages just isn’t small enough to hold them in. If you want to use a cage, there are special mouse-sized cages that will work better.
Tanks are fine as well, as long as you keep them clean! Mice have very sensitive noses and can develop respiratory illnesses if their tanks are left dirty.
They each have their advantages and disadvantages. So you’ll really just have to decide for yourself which is better for you and your lifestyle.
Good luck!
BlindPoet
on February 6th, 2012
Ok,I know this experience heh.You can get a metal barred hamster cage,or a plastic tub.I use plastic tubs,aquariums,and metal barred cages for my hamsters,(since their teeth are basically alike!)your best bet would be a metal barred cage.With the bars no farther apart than 1cm. or 1/2 of a cm.I hope this helps!Good luck with your furry little friends!P.S.Or you can buy special cages for mice!!!
NoName
on February 6th, 2012
¬Metal!!! its easier for the animal to breathe, and odors from ammonia wont build up like they do in glass cages. The ammonia can cause it to get sick.
DawnsAwaken
on February 6th, 2012
USE MICE CAGES BECAUSE MOST HAMSTER CAGES HAVE TOO MUCH SPACE BETWEEN THE BARS FOR MICE!!!
Bluberry
on February 6th, 2012
I’d highly recommend a metal cage. Glass aquariums don’t breathe very well and it can get hot and stuffy.
Also, be sure to provide plenty of chew sticks and hard treats/foods so they’ll be more likely to chew on those than the cage.
If that doesn’t work, there’s always other animal deterants like Bitter Apple, but those don’t always work and it depends on the individual animal.
CoffeeCup
on February 6th, 2012
if they can climb they tend not to want to stay down on the bottom. aquariums are best for young mice that can fit through the bars and breeder tanks.
WellBalanced
on February 6th, 2012
plastic cages have little ventilation and are harder to clean.