Like all living things, hamsters thrive when their habitat meets their needs. A cramped space creates a stressful environment because they need to move and burrow. So which enclosure type works best for a hamster: a tank or a cage?
A glass or plastic tank is better for a hamster than a wire cage because tanks keep drafts and noises at bay, are more durable and last longer, and are more secure than wire cages. Tanks are also easier to clean and are more customizable, allowing you to make your hamster more comfortable and safe.
In this article, I’ll show you why wire cages are not the best option for hamsters and why glass or plastic tanks are the superior choices for security and reliability.
Why Tanks Are Better for Hamsters
There are several reasons why it’s better to put your hamster in a tank rather than a cage, from avoiding unwanted intruders to allowing you to customize your hamster’s living space.
Let’s look at the reasons why you should use a tank instead of a cage.
Tanks Provide a Draft-Free Zone
Hamsters don’t usually pick up human illnesses from people. However, they certainly can pick up harmful bacteria and infections from us. The tank’s solid walls can shield the hamsters from airborne particulates.
Wire cages are replete with spaces for air to flow, which hardly filters out anything and invites drafts to chill your hamster. Tanks eliminate the potential for a draft to chill your hamster or direct allergens or other particles into your hamster’s enclosure.
Tanks Prevent Hamsters From Escaping
Wire cage spacing has to be compatible with the species of hamster that you’re housing. A wire cage suited for a 7-inch (17.78 cm) Syrian won’t work for a 2-inch (5.08 cm) Roborovski because the latter will be able to squeeze through wider-spaced bars easily.
A tank is much harder to escape from, provided it doesn’t have peripheral entry points that specifically compromise security. If the lid is secure on the tank, your hamster cannot fit through the sides or bottom.
Tanks Protect Hamsters From Outside Intruders
Wire cages present outside threats to the hamster since the spacing between bars offers only a little barrier between them and saliva coming from a person talking to them, for example.
If different species of hamsters are close, and one can escape into the other’s enclosure, this presents a safety risk.
Hamsters can also attract fleas and mites like a dog or cat can. While fleas can clear the side of a tank, it offers more protection than a cage from fleas and any pests that can spread disease to your hamster.
Tanks Are Easier To Clean
Basic tank enclosures have solid surfaces and larger access ports than wire cages, making them easier to clean. Wire cages gather buildup between the bars that takes more time and effort to clean.
Furthermore, tanks keep bedding and food contained better than cages. Debris is easily pushed out or falls out of wire cages, creating additional messes.
Tanks Eliminate Enclosure Chewing
Hamsters like to chew on their surroundings and are known to gnaw off the protective coating from their cage wire. They may ingest tiny flecks of coating, which may contain inedible ingredients that can make your hamster sick.
Washing a cage with exposed wire leads to rust, which hamsters should not chew on because they could ingest or inhale heavy metal dust. A rusty cage is also structurally compromised and can become a liability, causing your pet to try and escape.
Glass and plastic tanks don’t pose a chewing risk because there usually aren’t any angles or gaps to grab with their teeth. That said, a hamster regularly chewing on their cage may be under duress, which often happens if the enclosure is too small or they have nothing to do.
Tanks Can Block Sound
Hamsters frighten easily and, like most animals, dislike loud sounds. Wire cages have no natural sound protection because they’re totally open to outside sounds on all sides. If you put the hamster enclosure in a noisy environment, your pet could become very stressed.
Tanks, especially glass ones, offer superior sound protection to wire cages because they present a solid obstruction to sound waves. This makes a big difference if you need to keep the hamster in a noisier area of the home or if people interact with your pet frequently.
Tanks Offer Greater Customization
Hamsters come from dryer areas where they dig burrows to sleep in and scavenge for food. They’re used to regular activity and having to scurry long distances. They not only need room, but they also need it to be interesting.
Glass tanks provide solid walls to make elevation changes and varied terrain, allowing you endless possibilities to make your hamster’s ideal habitat. Wheels and tunnels go wherever you decide to put them.
Plastic tanks usually come pre-formed with ports to attach equipment or compatible tanks to expand your hamster’s usable space. This lets you add as many accessories as you want, whether in a chain-like setup or connecting tanks separated by shelves.
Hamsters live in dry areas in the wild, so you need to keep tank humidity to a minimum. You can improve ventilation in plastic tanks by drilling new air holes.
Keep in mind that if your tank has any wood construction, urine, water, and feces can seep into the wood and become an air quality and wood rot problem. Whatever the tank material, use a liner for the bottom to protect it from fluids.
Conclusion
Wire cages are a popular option for your hamster because they’re inexpensive and light. However, they don’t offer the flexibility, durability, or safety of glass and plastic tanks.
Choose a spacious and customizable tank to maximize the longevity and safety of your hamster and its enclosure.