Cages for Dzungarian hamsters: what are they and how to clean them?

The Dzungarian hamster is an interesting and funny animal that can often be found in apartments as a pet. It is believed that these animals live very shortly, but their lifespan depends on the conditions of detention. The main factor for ensuring a full and comfortable life for a fluffy pet is the acquisition of a high-quality cage.

The main criteria for choosing a cage are its comfort and safety for a pet. In addition, the future home of a furry friend should be convenient for his owner. The owner needs to choose in advance the place where the new dwelling will be located, as well as select the product for a certain size, not less than the minimum recommended for the dzungarik.

The materials from which the cage is made must be not only durable and strong, but also safe. Rodents taste everything they see, so the bars of the lattice they have tested should not be harmful to the animal's health.

Dzungariki are very curious creatures, prone to escapes, and a weak locking device may not withstand his sharp teeth. Try to buy a home with built-in attributes in advance. This will be a more economical option, besides, in the future, you will not have to think about where and how best to install all the additional devices.

Pet shops offer several options for hamster cages.

• Made of metal rods. A good ventilated home in which the rodent feels quite comfortable. The inconvenience is that through the bars you can clearly hear the noise that the hamster makes, and dirt always forms around. Filler and debris can easily penetrate the rods. The grill itself should be made of high quality solid metal.

• Plastic or glass aquarium. In such a closed dwelling, the noise level is significantly reduced, and there is also almost no debris. In addition, it is the safest option for a home with cats - it is unlikely that a predator will get to a rodent that is kept in an aquarium under a breathable mesh. However, the hamster himself in such a dwelling will be uncomfortable, since it does not allow air to pass through well.

• Lattice cage with plastic tray. This is the preferred option. Such a cage is easy to clean up. If the dwelling is two-level, and the "floor" of the second floor is made in the form of a lattice, then check if the pet is injured by getting stuck with its legs or abdomen between the bars. If the risk of injury is high, then cover the second level with cardboard.

It is recommended to buy cages in which the second floor is made of plastic and high-quality reinforced. Try to avoid wooden elements in the cage, as wood absorbs unpleasant odors and also becomes a favorite material for grinding down the rodent's incisors.

The length of the cage for one dzhungarik should be at least 50 cm. This is even more than for the Syrian hamster. And although the Syrian is larger than the Dzungarik in size, nevertheless, a miniature pet must run a greater distance per day, so he needs a more spacious cage. If the cage is purchased without additional equipment, then do not forget that the area will be reduced due to the established mandatory attributes.

Give preference to a cage with horizontal rods - rodents like this shape more, besides, it is much easier to attach additional devices to the horizontal lattice for a comfortable life of the rodent.

If the distance between the rods is greater, then the hamster will definitely try to escape. And even if the cell contains a fairly well-fed individual, this factor does not deprive it of its plasticity.

However, if the owner contains several hamsters at once and plans to breed them, then it is better to opt for a large cage. Separately, it should be said about the bottom of the dwelling. It can be with a pull-out mechanism or high. A retractable bottom is much more convenient for cleaning, but a high-bottom cage is suitable for breeders, as the high sides will prevent curious little hamsters from falling out of the cage.

The shops offer simple and tiered cages. A simple one-story option is suitable for one pet and a slightly lazy owner. A small cage is easier to clean. But if the owner is responsible and puts the comfort of his pet above his laziness, then he will buy a multi-level cage. It is easier to place all the necessary paraphernalia in it, and it will be more spacious for the hamster to live in such a dwelling.

Usually, on the first floor, the animals prefer to be active, and on the second - to have a rest, although, naturally, each pet has its own preferences.

If the house contains other pets, namely cats and dogs, then it is recommended to place the cage with the hamster so that predators cannot get to such a tasty prey.

And also when choosing a place for a dwelling, pay attention to such points as:

• no drafts - hamsters are prone to colds, so keep your pet away from drafts;
• lack of direct sunlight - overheating for a hamster is just as dangerous as hypothermia, so do not leave the animal in the sun or near a window; do not allow location near electrical and heating devices;
• no noise - do not place the cage near loudly operating equipment, such as a TV set or music speakers; the cage should be in a quiet, cozy place so that nothing will disturb the pet.

Then you don't have to clean up the garbage around the cage every day, you just have to shake out the box and put it back under the cage.

To provide a furry pet with a full life, it is not enough for him to offer content in an empty cage. It must have a house in which the hamster will rest and hide its supplies. Place the house somewhere in the corner. Mandatory attributes are a drinking bowl and a feeder. They usually come with the cage, but are sold separately.

Every day the hamster must run several kilometers. The treadmill will help ensure this activity. Try to set it not very low. If the cage contains more than one individual, then one pet can injure its neighbor, who climbed under the low-lying wheel.

For dental health, place a chalk or mineral stone in your home. In its absence, the hamster will begin to gnaw on the rods in order to grind off its fast-growing teeth. By the way, if even in the presence of a stone, the animal does not stop gnawing on the cage, then, most likely, he is simply bored, in this case, equip his dwelling with tunnels, pipes, podiums.

These items attract not only hamsters, but also their owners. It is very interesting to watch how the pet studies the objects of its interior, runs through the pipes, drags various things that are interesting to it. It is recommended to buy a spacious cage to accommodate all these important items.

Regular cleaning of the cage affects not only the health and comfort of the pet itself, but also the atmosphere in the owner's home. Dzungariki are small animals, but their waste products quickly begin to emit unpleasant odors if they are not removed in time.

The following steps should be followed when cleaning your pet's home:

1. put the hamster in a temporary dwelling, even a regular bank will do;
2. discard the litter from the pallet, but leave a handful of old contents;
3. remove only rotten foods from the hamster's stocks that can poison him; do not touch his "pantry" completely, as he tried very hard to accumulate a large supply, and will be under stress upon discovering the loss;
4. thoroughly rinse the pan with warm water using a sponge, you can use baby shampoos;
5. wipe all interior items in the cage and twigs with a damp cloth;
6. wipe the tray and rods dry, put all the attributes in place, mix the fresh filler with the left handful of the old and pour it into the cage.

Dzungarian hamsters do not have a long life expectancy. One cage is enough for one hamster. If the owner breeds dzungariks, then the cage needs to be replaced when rust is visible on the rods, and the pallet is cracked.

The cage must be replaced if one of the fluffy residents at least once escaped through the bars - his relatives are guaranteed to repeat the feat. And also the cage should definitely be changed if the previous pet has experienced some kind of infectious disease. Often, even a thorough disinfection does not help to completely eliminate the remnants of bacteria on the twigs, which is very dangerous for a new fluffy tenant.

In the next video, see an overview of the cage for the Dzungarian hamster.