Should i get a tank or cage for a hamster

Question

so ive been reading (still reading, want to get a hamster) and i originally wanted a cage but ive been reading on how they chew on it and it can cause misaligned of the teeth that goes up to the brain and that worries me, but i also read if you give it lots of toys, chew toys a wheel and let it out it wont be as bored and can stop. i just like how cages have more room for a hamster. so do u think i should i just get a tank

Answer 1

I started my hamster out in a wire cage, but she constantly chewed on the bars and tried climbing up the side of the cage and ended up falling down all the time.  I did not want to risk her getting injured so I bought a 10 gallon glass tank with a screen top lid.  It is so much easier to clean and my hamster loves it.  Lots of room to play, plenty of room for a house for her to sleep in, an exercise wheel, food dishes, water bottle, and toys.  

I had my other hamster in a plastic cage with tubes which I DO NOT recommend to anyone.  They are very difficult to take apart and clean, I broke it the very first time I tried getting it apart to clean, and my hamster decided she was going to sleep upside down inside the tubes.  I threw that cage away 4 days later and bought a 2nd glass tank.  

Answer 2

free the poor thing !

Answer 3

i would get a cage

Answer 4

I would say that a cage is better for the hamster. all of the hamster that I have had lived in cages and they all seemed to be of normal brain status and all lived at least 3 1/2 years. the tank doesn't provide adequate ventilation/air flow. like you said, cages are more roomy and can be set up in a much more efficient manor. I had little chew stick to put in the cages. If you have a tree in the back yard that is not pine nor cedar, get a little chunk of a branch and stick it in there.

*Edit*

You don't have to worry about the hamster escaping. there are cages with bars that the hamster can escape through but you should not have to worry if you get a cage specifically for a hamster, its bars will be perfect for an escape proof environment. here is a good model

http://www.petdiscounters.com/c7/c5/c140...

people say that it does not give the hamster enough room but, i think it is fine. i have seen hamsters in them and they lived a happy long life.

Answer 5

A tank is much less messy than a cage.  That's big factor.  And a tip, they love to chew toilet paper and toweling cardboard rolls. And, they're free.

Answer 6

Get a cage for your hamster so it can breathe and wont have so much gunk in it's cage.

Answer 7

Do not get a cage. Hamsters escape through the bars no matter how fat they are. Tanks are much better. They are even easier to clean.

I had a gerbil in a tank for a long time. Then those cute little hamster cages got to the best of me. I went out and got a forty dollar pink one that was just too cute and put my gerbil Hillary in it. In less than a week my cats knocked down the cage and the cheaply made thing fell apart and I bet you can guess what happened to dear Hillary. I'll NEVER ever buy a hamster cage again. They are not safe. My cats wont be able to knock down a tank.

A ten gallon tank is the minimum requirement and you can go larger than that if you choose. Make sure to provide you hamster with a water bottle, wheel, igloo(or other place to sleep), and lots of toys. Also do NOT give it cedar bedding because it is very bad for hamsters.

Best of luck. Enjoy your hamster and ask any questions you need about it even if they do feel dumb because knowing beforehand is better than finding out before it is too late.

Take care.

-Jean

Answer 8

If the hamster is very young or a dwarf, I would suggest a tank. But, if its a Syrian, black bear, or teddy, a cage will be fine. We've had both sizes (dwarf and regular) in both tanks and cages. We've found that the larger hamsters really like the open air of a cage, and that little and young hamsters don't like the open feeling as much and that some cages have the spaces in the bars too big. We've never had a problem with any of them chewing on the cage. (But, when I had rats they liked to chew) We give them plenty of wood and seed-like treats and they're fine with that. Good luck.

Answer 9

tanks are unhealthy as the hamsters urine is bacteria and needs air flowing thru a cage.  I have had 5 Syrians over the years, and they all lived in crittertrail cages I bought at pet Smart.  Give then small dog biscuits to keep their teeth in check.  If you let your hamster out at night to play, he won't be bored and chewing on the cage. Get an exercise ball.

Answer 10

i would suggest a tank.

hamster tend to chew on the bars.

and that can be really harmful.

Answer 11

Dwarf: Tank

Syrian: Cage

And my hamster has chewed the wire on her cage for 3 years now and she's still going strong! =]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28045320@N0...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28045320@N0...

I also have a glass tank with chinchilla sand in it so she can dig and clean herself! =]

Answer 12

well idealy they should be in  a cage but a rotastack cage works just aswell and does not have many bars they are also good as they will stop hamster from making a mess outside their cages they are resonably easy to clean and quite low priced for their value or if u hav a smaller hamster pods are designed for their  pupose , the argos book has lovely ones and u can make them any design you can even buy more than one and join them together to make a hamster palace . good luck . look on www.google.com and go on images and look at sum rotastak -x-stephany-x-