If you’re preparing to welcome an adorable dwarf hamster as your newest furry family member, you’ll need to stock up on a few essential products first. A good-quality hamster cage should be right at the top of your shopping list.
But with so many different cage designs, sizes and features to choose from, how do you know which one will be right for your pet? This guide includes reviews of a range of leading cages, as well as advice on how to choose the best dwarf hamster cage for your needs.
Best Cages for Dwarf Hamsters — 5 Top Products
1. Ferplast Favola Hamster Cage
With two floors and a host of practical features, the Favola Hamster Cage is a popular choice for dwarf hamster owners. Measuring 23.6in (length) x 14.4in (width) x 11.8in (height), this low-maintenance cage features two floors for your pet to explore.
There’s a hamster-friendly ramp between floors to ensure easy access, while the wire top mesh is ¼-inch wide. The base is almost 5 inches deep to allow for plenty of bedding, while the top floor is where you’ll find a food dish, water bottle, hideaway spot and exercise wheel. There’s also a connecting port so you can link this cage to other cages.
Best of all, it’s simple to disconnect the wire and plastic sections to allow easy cleaning.
- Easy to clean
- Also features an exercise wheel and other accessories
- Deep base
- Only one access door at the top of the cage
- Some customers complain about the quality of accessories
2. Savic Mickey 2 XL
Next on our list of the best cages for dwarf hamsters is this extra-large Savic cage. Measuring 31. 5in x 20in x 20in and boasting narrow bar spacing, it’s designed to suit dwarf hamsters.
There’s a large base so your pet can burrow and nest, while it also comes with a water bottle, feeding bowl, house, exercise wheel, wire platform and tunnels. Two handles are included to make the cage easy to move, while you can also purchase additional tubes to help provide more play areas for your pet.
- Large cage with plenty of space
- Lots of accessories your pet will love
- Carry handles
- May take a while to clean
- Not the cheapest option
3. Habitrail OVO Dwarf Hamster Habitat
If you’re searching for a modular plastic habitat for your dwarf hamster, the Habitrail OVO boasts a lot of handy features. This clear habitat ensures easy viewing and offers plenty of tunnels and play space for your pet to explore.
You can change the design whenever you feel like your pet could use a change of scenery, while this habitat is also compatible with all other Habitrail items. You can also easily open the habitat to access your pet or offer them a treat whenever you want.
- Allows you to create a huge environment for your pet to explore
- Compatible with other Habitrail items
- Not a big enough living space on its own
- Fiddly to clean
4. Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage
If you’re looking for a large dwarf hamster cage with a host of pet-friendly features, the Savic Hamster Heaven Metro Cage is definitely worth a look.
Measuring 31.5in x 20in x 20in, this cage offers plenty of space for your furry friend to play and exercise. It features tunnels, platforms, slides, two houses, an exercise wheel and lots of other accessories, while the bars are spaced 9.5mm apart — make sure you check whether this is suitable for your pet.
The Hamster Heaven Metro Cage also comes with two carry handles that make it easy to move, plus a deep base to allow plenty of space for bedding.
- Large dwarf hamster cage
- Lots of accessories your pet will love
- Deep base
- Will take a while to clean
- Some complaints about the quality of accessories
5. Kaytee CritterTrail Two-level Habitat
If you’re looking for a fun and interactive space for your dwarf hamster to explore, there’s a lot to like about the Crittertrail Two-level Habitat from Kaytee.
Measuring 20in x 11.5in x 16in, this colorful cage features an exercise wheel, petting zone, food dish and water bottle. The front door provides easy access to your pet, while the bars are spaced ¼-inch apart. The habitat can also be connected to other CritterTrail habitats to expand your dwarf hamster’s play and living space.
- Two levels for your pet to explore
- Lots of accessories
- Easy expansion options
- May be too small on its own
- Will take longer to keep clean than some other options
Hamster Cage Buying Guide
Now that you’ve seen our picks, it’s time to start shopping around to find the best cage for your dwarf hamster. But as you’ll see below, there are lots of factors to take into account before you buy.
Dwarf Hamster Cages Vs Syrian Hamster Cages
One common trap first-time dwarf hamster owners fall into is thinking that any old cage will do. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Many cages on the market are designed to suit the larger and more popular Syrian hamster. As a result, they may not be safe for a dwarf hamster and may be difficult for your cuddly little critter to navigate. For example, their bars may be wide enough for a dwarf hamster to get stuck, or they may not be able to explore all tubing in the cage.
That’s why it’s important to check that any cage you choose is completely safe for your dwarf hamster to use before letting your pet make it his home.
Types of Dwarf Hamster Cages
There are a few different types of hamster cages available, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Wire Cages
The most common option for dwarf hamsters is a wire cage with a plastic bottom. They’re affordable, lightweight enough to easily move around the house, and quite simple to keep clean.
These cages provide plenty of ventilation for dwarf hamsters, but keep in mind that you’ll need to keep the cage away from drafts and make sure the bars aren’t wide enough for your pet to squeeze through. The plastic bottom is also important because it’s easy to clean and will ensure that your pet doesn’t have to stand (and potentially injure themselves) on wire.
Finally, wire cages are also handy if you want to attach any accessories for your pet.
Modular Plastic Cages
These clever cages are specifically designed to provide safe, comfortable and interesting habitats for small animals.
Their main advantage is that they allow you to create a fun environment in which your dwarf hamster can play, run and explore. With many different modules, tunnels and nesting boxes, you can create a habitat your pet will love.
But modular plastic cages also have their downsides. With all their different modules and attachments, they can be difficult to keep clean, and ventilation can be an issue. Most are also designed for Syrian rather than dwarf hamsters, and they can be quite expensive.
Glass Tanks/Aquariums
For some owners, the best part about one of these cages is that you always get a clear view of your gorgeous pet.
While they’re not as open as wire cages, they feature a mesh lid to ensure adequate ventilation. Some options with taller walls don’t even need a lid. Aquariums are also great if your pet is a problem chewer and if you want to pop down a thick layer of bedding for your hamster.
However, they’re quite heavy, making them difficult to move, and may not be the right fit for all homes.
What to Look for When Buying a Cage for a Dwarf Hamster
There’s plenty to think about whether you’re looking for Russian dwarf hamster cages or Robo dwarf hamster cages. Make sure to consider the following factors when choosing a new cage for your dwarf hamster.
Size
How big should a dwarf hamster cage be? Is there a minimum cage size for dwarf hamsters?
The main thing to remember is that you shouldn’t assume that small hamsters need small cages. The more space your dwarf hamster has to exercise and explore, the happier they’ll be. And the more hamsters you have, the more space you’ll need.
A commonly quoted rule of thumb is to have 1 square foot of space per hamster. As a guide, cage measurements of around 24in (length) x 12in (width) x 12in (height) are common. You’ll need to make sure that there’s plenty of floor space for your dwarf hamster to run, play and explore, and of course, that you have sufficient space in your home for the cage.
When thinking in terms of size, it’s also important to consider the depth of a cage. This will determine how much bedding you can place in the bottom without it falling out the side of the cage. A minimum of a couple of inches of bedding will provide comfort and satisfy your hamster’s natural burrowing instincts.
Security and Safety
Your dwarf hamster’s safety is your number-one priority, so any cage you choose must tick several important boxes. You should be able to securely lock it every time, with no danger of the door being knocked open. There shouldn’t be any gaps large enough for a dwarf hamster to squeeze out of, so pay special attention to bar width.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that the cage provides ample ventilation for your furry friend. Finally, check for any sharp edges or unsafe materials that could potentially cause injury to your precious pet.
Ease of Cleaning
The less time cleaning up after your pet, the better, so look for a cage that’s quick and easy to clean. Wire cages with plastic bottoms are typically pretty low maintenance, while cages with complex adventure playgrounds and accessories can be a chore to keep in optimum condition.
Accessories and Attachments
Dwarf hamsters love to play and explore, so you’ll need to provide plenty of environmental enrichment. Some hamster cages come with accessories included; others require you to buy them separately—these range from exercise equipment like the humble hamster wheel to elaborate adventure tubing for pets to explore.
Consider the ease of cleaning of any attachments and whether they’ll be safe for your pet to use. For example, some play areas may need “ladder steps” inside the tubing to make them easier for your hamster to navigate.
Chew-proof
If you’ve never owned a dwarf hamster before, there’s one important thing to know: they love to chew. Keep this fact in mind when choosing a cage for your pet.
If you choose a plastic cage, watch out for any edges or corners that your pet may sink their teeth into and potentially create a hole through which they can escape. If you choose a wire cage, the sound of your dwarf hamster chewing on the bars might be enough to drive you to distraction.
For those dwarf hamsters that are particularly passionate about chewing, an aquarium-style cage might be the safest option.
Price
Like many other purchases, you generally get what you pay for when buying a hamster cage. But don’t assume that a more expensive cage will be the best choice for your pet — make sure it’s safe, practical and comfortable for your dwarf hamster before you buy.
You might also be surprised by how much you can save if you’re willing to hunt for a better deal, so compare your options and shop around.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a dwarf hamster cage is a lot more complicated than you might think. But, for our money, it’s hard to go past the Ferplast Favola Hamster Cage for practicality and simplicity. If you’d rather a modular option, start with the Habitrail OVO Dwarf Hamster Habitat and build from there.
Ultimately, the final decision is up to you, so compare a range of options before deciding on the best cage for your dwarf hamster.
