Choosing the right cage is essential in keeping your little pet safe and happy. But it’s not just the kind and quality of the cage that hamster owners should be concerned about, but where these cages are placed as well. So is it okay to put a hamster cage on the floor?
It’s okay to put a hamster cage on the floor as long as the area has a flat, even surface, gets very little traffic, and has no loud sounds or distracting lights nearby. Also, ensure that there’s no draft coming in. Hamsters are incredibly sensitive animals that prefer quiet and dim environments.
How do we know which parts of the house are ideal for putting a hamster cage in? We’ll learn about that and more in the rest of this article, so read on!
Where Should a Hamster Cage Be Placed?
Their minuscule size makes hamsters the ultimate prey animal. They are practically defenseless when sighted by a larger, more powerful predator. Because of this, they are extremely sensitive and prefer to stay where they are safely hidden away, such as in tiny holes or dark tunnels.
So when selecting a spot to place your hamster’s cage in, it’s helpful to put yourself in their shoes and figure out where they will feel safe. Here are a few areas that are surely hamster-approved.
A Quiet Spot in the House
Hamsters are very sensitive to sound. In fact, they have such a keen sense of hearing that they can catch sounds beyond human ears’ detection. One example of these sounds is so-called ultrasonic sounds with frequencies that are too high for human ears to hear.
Examples of these sounds are those emitted by electronic household appliances, such as refrigerators. Sometimes, we can hear a slight humming sound from these items, but they are way too low to be bothersome to our ears. Often, we don’t even notice that they exist. But to hamsters, these sounds can be way too loud for comfort.
So an ideal spot for a hamster cage is away from such electronic devices or appliances. You should also ensure their cage is well away from loud music, boisterous talks at the dinner table, and any loud noise that can startle your little pet.
A Dry, Warm Place
Hamsters are also sensitive to changes in temperature. They are prone to feeling too cold and even overheating.
So when choosing a spot for your pet’s home, make sure that it’s nowhere near a window, door, or any opening where a draft can come in. It has to be a dry, warm place–but not too hot, or your hamster will be uncomfortable and even get sick.
A good example of a dry, warm spot ideal for your pet is in the corner of your bedroom. Just ensure that you don’t keep the air conditioning on to freezing levels and turn the lights on and off at regular times of the day.
When placing your hamster’s cage on a table in a quiet corner of your bedroom, remember to keep it at a level that will allow you to see it easily. You don’t want to accidentally trip over the cage while trying to get to the bathroom at night.
Out of Reach of Other Animals
The presence of other animals, particularly larger ones like dogs, can stress a hamster out. Aside from the presence of these animals can trigger a hamster’s fear of becoming a target prey, dogs and cats can also knock your hamster’s cage off. Other pets can also potentially cause injury to your tiny pet.
If you don’t have much space at home, you can gate off your other pets’ area, so your hamster’s space is off-limits to them.
Somewhere With Little Traffic
You wouldn’t want to put your hamster’s cage in a spot that gets a lot of traffic, such as a hallway or a room that many people spend a lot of time in or pass by. The activity can startle and stress out your hamster.
And there is always the possibility that people could trip over the cage if you leave it on the floor.
These areas are a no-no for a hamster cage because hamsters sleep when humans are awake, which means your pet will not have time to relax long enough to have that much-needed shut-eye. And when your hamster is constantly distracted or disturbed, it is more susceptible to stress-related health issues, like anxiety and wet tail.
Conclusion
It may sound like such a small detail, but the location of your hamster’s cage can greatly impact its happiness and overall health. Using the recommendations above, make sure to select a spot in your home where your pocket-sized pet can feel safest and most content.