When choosing the cage for your hamster, your main priority should be ensuring your pet has enough space to run, dig, and live a happy and active life. But how much space do you need, exactly? Would 10 gallons (37.85 L) be enough?
A Syrian hamster cannot live in a 10-gallon tank (37.85 L). It won’t be spacious enough for your pet to run, dig, and explore. Hamsters also need dedicated places for various daily activities. A proper Syrian hamster cage must be at least 20 gallons (75.7 L).
In this article, I will discuss why a 10-gallon (37.85-L) tank is unsuitable for a Syrian hamster and provide recommendations on picking the perfect cage for your pet. Stick around for more info!
Is a 10 Gallon Tank Too Small For a Syrian Hamster?
The short answer is yes, it is. Ten-gallon (37.85-L) tanks cannot support a hamster’s needs and are unsuitable for a Syrian hamster (or any home-kept hamster breed, for that matter).
Many people are looking for smaller hamster cages, and it’s entirely understandable. Maybe you don’t have much space at home and can’t figure out how to fit an entire aquarium in your living space. Or perhaps you’re on a tight budget and looking for the best offer, which happens to be the smallest cage available.
Whatever the case, I strongly advise you not to purchase a 10-gallon (37.85-L) tank for a Syrian hamster. You want your pet to be comfortable, healthy, and happy, which is impossible if their living area isn’t spacious enough.
Hamsters are active and inquisitorial creatures. They need movement and exercise, as well as places to explore. Despite Syrian hamsters being tiny creatures, 10 gallons (37.85 L) of space won’t provide enough room for them to roam freely.
They also won’t hold everything required for the hamster’s vital activity. For instance, your pet will need a hamster wheel to exercise and keep themselves healthy. However, the wheel must be big enough to fit the hamster without bending its spine, or the rodent will suffer from painful health conditions. A 10-gallon (37.85-L) tank won’t hold a wheel of the proper size.
Another essential condition that often gets overlooked is plenty of digging space. Hamsters, like many other rodents, love digging: it’s a natural part of their behavior, and you must provide the conditions in which they can freely realize it.
However, a 10-gallon (37.85-L) tank is small enough as it is. Dedicating even a third of its space to the digging area won’t leave any room for the ground level (and that still won’t be enough for sufficient digging!).
Finally, hamsters like their space organized and create a special area for each of their daily activities. They’ll arrange a place to eat, a separate one to sleep in, and, most importantly, create a miniature scrapyard.
Syrian hamsters have a habit of keeping their trash in one particular place. The entire area division won’t work correctly if their tank isn’t spacious enough. The ‘scrapyard’ will be near their sleeping place and close to their food, which can be potentially dangerous and uncomfortable for your pet.
The bottom line is 10 gallons (37.85 L) is criminally little space for a Syrian hamster. Such small cages shouldn’t be considered: they will not allow your pet to have a healthy and full life.
Can a Syrian Hamster Live in a 20 Gallon Tank?
A 20-gallon (75.7-L) tank is suitable for a Syrian hamster. However, 20 gallons is the minimum recommended size; if possible, go for a bigger hamster cage to ensure more comfort for your pet.
It’s hard to provide a specific recommendation for the minimum required hamster tank size. As hamsters enjoy spacious enclosures, determining how much room would be enough to ensure their well-being is tricky.
Today, the consensus is a 20-gallon (75.7-L) tank is sufficient for Syrian hamsters. It can support your pet’s basic needs and has enough room to provide the necessary conditions for its daily activity.
So, if you need the smallest tank you can get, the recommended size is at least 20 gallons (75.7 L). The measurements will be approximately 24 inches (61 cm) in length, 12 inches (30.5 cm) in width, and 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height.
The Ideal Size for a Syrian Hamster Cage
So, how much space is required for a Syrian hamster to be happy and comfortable? The general answer is the more, the better.
The more spacious a hamster tank is, the better it can imitate your pet’s natural habitat and provide the necessary conditions for its activity. You will also be able to fit more into the cage, including more digging space, intriguing places to investigate, and toys to play with.
If you’d like to save room at home, 20 gallons (75.7 L) would be sufficient. Still, if possible, consider more spacious options as well: your pet will be much happier with more room available.
It’s also essential to consider the measurements. Some manufacturers make 20-gallon (75.7-L) tanks with little floor space, compensating by adding more height. While multi-floored cages may look exciting, hamsters don’t run up and down as much as they roam around the ground level.
Always give preference to cages with more floor space: ideally, it should be 900 square inches (0.58 sq m) or more.
Also, don’t fall for the looks. Focus on the practical side of things instead. It’s better to get a more spacious tank made of unchewable material than purchase a smaller one crammed with accessories.
You can get toys and other extras for relatively cheap, and they will be of better quality. Plus, you’ll be able to optimize the space for your pet’s needs. Most importantly, don’t consider an included hamster wheel a big plus: the wheels that come with cages are practically always tiny and unsuitable for Syrian hamsters to run in safely.
Conclusion
A 10-gallon (37.85-L) tank is way too small for a Syrian hamster. Its daily needs include digging, running, exploring, and being able to divide the areas for various activities. Most experts recommend purchasing a cage with at least 20 gallons (75.7 L) of space; however, the bigger is always better for your pet’s comfort.