My baby dwarf hamster and her DIY cage.

[Ann333]

Hi all. As some of you know I just lost a dwarf hamster to diabetes complications. But I wanted to share my baby dwarf and her DIY hamster mansion. This is my second hamster ever so I am learning as I go. I picked her because at the store she was the least skittish and let me pet her and pick her up. She is very sweet. Also she still doesn't have a name if anyone has a suggestion.

This cage was $18 at Wal-Mart. The recommended cage size is 350 square inches and this cage is 900!

 

[Ann333]

Isn't she cute?!

 

[Doublete]

Yes she is!! I had hamsters when I was younger and loved them! But then I got kitties...

 

[Terry57]

She is such a sweetie!
Does your cage have 3 levels she can go through? It looks awesome!

 

[Ann333]

Yes she has access to all three levels by ladders that lead up to small cut-outs in the next drawer up. I originally wanted rats , but it turns out I am really allergic to them. Luckly I'm not allergic to hamsters.

 

[Terry57]

I love that idea, you did a great job thinking outside the box!

 

[Ann333]

Thanks. DIY bin cages are very common but I have not seen any like this. I found this at Wal-Mart and had a light bulb turn on in my head. It is working very well so far. I wish I had put the ventilation on the side though I don't like the way it looks... It's hard to melt plastic in a straight line. Lol

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh she is beyond cute!! I've never had a hamster, but I love looking at them at the store, as they are absolutely adorable! Great habitat too, she has so many things to do, places to go lol. Sugar or Cream come to mind for names .

What sort of diet do they need to be on in order to keep them from getting the diabetes they're prone to?

 

[Ann333]

I have her on Oxbow hamster pellets. But I have to add protein and fat in the form of dried mealworms and a seed mix. I also have urine glucose and ketone strips to test her urine glucose levels. If the levels do spike I have fenugreek capsules to bring it back down I can sprinkle the powder over her food. I love the name Sugar I have been considering it for a while now. She's so sweet.

I try to give her a lot to do while still giving her room to move around freely.

 

[gracebowen]

I am so stealing this idea for my daughters hamster.

 

[Flboy]

Almost makes me wanna get one--almost!

 

[Ann333]

It's a lot of fun. I like the dwarfs because everything is so small and so so so cheap. I'm used to buying $$$ bird toys haha.

 

[Ann333]

Please do use this idea! I hope to see pics of you do!!

 

[RatAtaT2693]

I'm in love (with the cage - I've never gotten much out of hansters.) Shame on the rats. They're the best. (But I might be just a little bit biased, lol.)

As I'm sure you know, though, you'll need to check the cage daily for chewing. That's the downside of plastic. But she's got plenty of things in cage to knaw on, so she should be okay.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Thanks for the pics and love the stately home, well done.