Some considerations while choosing small animal cages for rabbits and hamsters.
There are a vast variety of small animals which you can keep as pets. They are easy to care for and provide both entertainment and companionship. You can keep rabbits, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils and even ferrets. However, once you get a pet, you are totally responsible for its welfare.
One of the most important considerations is the small animal cage that you are going to require in order to house your little friend. Before you purchase the small animal cage, you should understand the requirements of your pet and read user reviews so that you can make the best choice.
How to choose small animal cages?
There are many factors to consider while choosing small animal cages. These are:
• The size of the cage is important. You can find separate hamster cages, mice cages, gerbil cages and ferret cages in the market. Adult hamsters live alone; so hamster cages need not be too big. However, the best hamster cages have enough space to accommodate the various hamster cage accessories which your pet will love. On the other hand, mice are social animals. So, mice cages should be big enough to accommodate at least two or more mice. Guinea pig cages and gerbil cages should be big enough to contain the climbing ramp and the wheel that you will need to put in.
• The size of the wire mesh is another consideration while choosing small animal cages. Mice cages obviously require much smaller wire mesh than ferret cages or rabbit cages.
• Small animal cages are made of many different materials like wire, plastic, glass or even acrylic. Just make sure it is sturdy and durable. It should be well ventilated. For example, if mice cages are not well ventilated, your pets can die from ammonia buildup. Similarly, rabbits and gerbils also fall sick.
• Another major consideration in buying small animal cages is the ease of cleaning. Most of these cages require weekly cleaning or you may have to clean them twice a week. For mice cages, the bedding material will have to be replaced weekly. You should make sure that all these can be done easily.
• Finally, make sure that the cage is safe for your pet and there are no escape hatches. Hamsters sometimes jump from high. Best hamster cages are so designed that they do not hurt themselves in the process. Similarly gerbils can leap high. So, the top mesh of the gerbil cages should fit tightly.
A few further considerations
• The best hamster cages come with hamster cage accessories. Make sure to get wooden houses for your hamster or gerbil to play in and the silent wheel to ride on.
• Get indoor guinea pig cages and place your rabbit cages indoors also. But do not place them in the busiest area of the house. Your pets will appreciate both the attention and the peace and quiet.
• Finally, make sure that the small animal cages are well supplied with food, water and entertainment. Mice, rats and guinea pigs will love climbing a ramp while rabbits prefer cave like structures.
