26 replies to this topic

[ohjosimpson]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I truly was just curious why levels dont count. I'm in the process of building and setting up my hamster cage (for the hamster I dont even own yet lol) and it measures 26.75"x 25" which to me seems quite small from just looking at it. So i was thinking of adding a level somehow

[ohjosimpson]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I truly was just curious why levels dont count. I'm in the process of building and setting up my hamster cage (for the hamster I dont even own yet lol) and it measures 26.75"x 25" which to me seems quite small from just looking at it. So i was thinking of adding a level somehow

[PumpkinSpiceLucy]

First off, welcome to the forum!
 
You'll actually find that the minimums people frequently quote (288 sq.in, 360 sq.in, 450 sq.in, 620 sq.in, etc..) aren't really based in anything concrete. They ultimately come down to a mixture of the truth that Bigger Is Better when it comes to the space in a typical hamster's enclosure, and the semi-arbitrary reference point someone picks for an acceptable cage.
 
(For instance, the 450 sq.in 'minimum' currently popular in the US & Canada is based off the floor-space you can get from a 110 qt Sterilite latch box bin cage. The 360 sq.in 'minimum' that used to be most popular was based on the dimensions of a 20 Gallon Long tank. I'm not so sure about the 288 sq.in / 2 sq.ft and 620 sq.in / 4000 sq.cm minimums..)
 
But the question you haven't isn't specifically about that, so that's kind of a tangent..
 
Generally speaking, "levels / connected spaces don't count towards floorspace" is something people started saying as a quick way to explain why Crittertrail setups and those super tall cages with small footprints are not acceptable options. You can't just connect up a bunch of 'closets' and call it equal to a room, even if the combined spaces are technically equal.
 
But when you get to more meaningfully large spaces being added on as levels or seperate spaces attached by tubes / separated by dividers, it gets more complicated.
 
It's ultimately down to opinion on what counts as 'meaningfully large' here, because we can pretty much all agree that a tiny shelf in a Crittertrail cage is not significant; and a 600 sq.in space attached to the main cage is significant; but where would- say- a 200 sq.in shelf or added space fit in?
 
This is where I would put in a big ol' shrug emoji, but this forum shamefully doesn't have those.
 
When I first read your post, I was reminded of this topic & thought it may well be helpful to you: The Complications of Cage Size
 
(This is a really messy way to conclude a response, but I've said all I can really say for now. )

This is great information and exactly where I sit on the “unbroken” floor space conversation.

The problem is different people will have varying ideas, as Rosemary says, of what would count as a space large enough worth adding. I think as a general rule though, if you are adding a space large enough to provide a significant amount of enrichment then, regardless of whether others tell you they wouldn’t “count” the space, you can pretty safely assume this will be beneficial to your ham. For example if you have a bin cage and you add a 360 square inch *extra* space on top of having a decent sized base cage, then that’s great. If you however have a barred cage and you get for example a few those little screw on wooden platforms designed for birds that measure a few Cm x Cm, then that’s not going to be providing species appropriate enrichment.

[Robin~]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I truly was just curious why levels dont count. I'm in the process of building and setting up my hamster cage (for the hamster I dont even own yet lol) and it measures 26.75"x 25" which to me seems quite small from just looking at it. So i was thinking of adding a level somehow

I don't think we're saying you shouldn't add a level. Levels are great; there's more opportunities for enrichment! I think the point simply is that, if you have a small cage, platforms will not make that situation much better.
Your cage size is already fine, so your point in adding the platform is simply supplementary, which is great!

[top tier hippo]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I truly was just curious why levels dont count. I'm in the process of building and setting up my hamster cage (for the hamster I dont even own yet lol) and it measures 26.75"x 25" which to me seems quite small from just looking at it. So i was thinking of adding a level somehow

That's close to 2000 sq.in., so for sure add a level! In this case, the level would be added enrichment. If you had a small cage to begin with, however, and added a level, calling it more space, that's where you can go wrong. Levels are mostly just enrichment. It's like a house. A bungalow is nice, if it's a good square footage. Then any more stories are awesome!

[Robin~]

That's close to 2000 sq.in., so for sure add a level! In this case, the level would be added enrichment. If you had a small cage to begin with, however, and added a level, calling it more space, that's where you can go wrong. Levels are mostly just enrichment. It's like a house. A bungalow is nice, if it's a good square footage. Then any more stories are awesome!

I think you've got your math wrong lol... idk but for me it came out to be ~670sq in.

I don't think I could see how OP would think that's a dash small unless they're used to HoppingHammy-sized cages lol

[top tier hippo]

I think you've got your math wrong lol... idk but for me it came out to be ~670sq in.

I don't think I could see how OP would think that's a dash small unless they're used to HoppingHammy-sized cages lol

Oh, my gosh, I'm sorry. I read 26.75"x 25" as 26" x 75" Sorry about that to you and OP!

[Lillias]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I truly was just curious why levels dont count. I'm in the process of building and setting up my hamster cage (for the hamster I dont even own yet lol) and it measures 26.75"x 25" which to me seems quite small from just looking at it. So i was thinking of adding a level somehow

 

Levels can be quite useful for keeping the wheel out of the bedding, and that sort of thing. They serve a purpose, but the main area should be a suitable size to begin with. That size should be fine for a dwarf. If you are getting an RC/WW/robo, the level shouldn't be too high because they are terrible climbers.

[Freakshow]

I would think levels would be good.

[ohjosimpson]

Levels can be quite useful for keeping the wheel out of the bedding, and that sort of thing. They serve a purpose, but the main area should be a suitable size to begin with. That size should be fine for a dwarf. If you are getting an RC/WW/robo, the level shouldn't be too high because they are terrible climbers.

Thanks! I didnt know that

[Rapha689Pro]

450 sq inches it’s not the exact minimum,it can be 430 sq inches and be as good as a 450 sq inch cage,just that this is because aviable,a 110 qt bin cage it’s very used for hamsters and mice,and it’s 450 sq inches from the base

[ForgetfulBreeze]

450 sq inches it’s not the exact minimum,it can be 430 sq inches and be as good as a 450 sq inch cage,just that this is because aviable,a 110 qt bin cage it’s very used for hamsters and mice,and it’s 450 sq inches from the base

Hi! We usually try not to respond to posts that are older. This post was from 2019, almost 4 years old. Thanks