A few months ago I bought my son his first hamster (not his first pet since we have an aquarium and we had a Siamese cat before) and I couldn’t help but relive my childhood days when I had my own pair and I remember them filling up their cheeks with grains, climbing up & down their tubes, and running around their cage.
It was when my son lost his first hamster due to Wet Tail that I stumbled upon this hamster group on Facebook — the Philippine Hamster Keepers — and I realized the many mistakes I did and I’ve been doing as a hamster owner.
The group promotes proper Hamster Keeping and DOES NOT support breeding. The admins teach newbies proper care, because these small creatures called hamsters, just like the more popular pets dogs and cats, also deserve the best care possible.
And talking about quality of life, aside from giving your pet hamsters enough food and water on a daily basis, you also need to provide ample space for them to run and play. So if you think that a small hamster will only need a small cage, you’re WRONG. 🙂
Hamster Bin Cages
Did you know that there is a recommended cage size for each hamster specie? For example, a Syrian hamster will need a minimum cage size of 1300 sqcm. When choosing a hamster cage, always remember, “The Bigger, The Better.”
I’ve seen a variety of hamster cages online and there are other options to choose from aside from plastic and wire cages. In the US, glass tanks and IKEA’s Detolf cabinet are popular choices. Here in the Philippines, hamster bins are becoming the trend when it comes to hamster keeping.
Our Junkrat has a plastic wire cage at first, but I worried na kulang yung floor space so I bought a hamster fence (for the hamster park) and now the cage is connected to a 100L bin (we used a smaller bin before this). I’m happy that our Syrian has enough space to play and explore.
Watch Junkrat’s stories here: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17922380665233049
I’m showcasing here bin cages from PHK members. Level up kung level up yung mga cages/bins nila. Competitive ako but I can’t keep up hahaha. 🙂
Hamster Bin by Broccoli
Hamster bins are more affordable than hamster cages from the pet store. Plus, they’re easier to clean pa.
This hamster bin has a lot going on — and I love it! There’s a bendy bridge (wala pa rin ako nito hanggang ngayon grr), DIY hamster wheels, and in one corner, an installment that looks like a fort.
Currently, the best hamster bin size is the Megabox 58L.
Hamster Cage by Yane
This custom cage is very promising. Natuwa rin ako sa pringles tube! 🙂 To prevent bumblefoot, Yane covered the wheel with a cardboard/paper.
Hamster Bins by The Hamster Guy
The Hamster Guy aka Kuya BG in the group, is one of the PHK’s pioneers. Super sipag lang mag-asikaso sa group, especially in answering queries from members. He also created digital Hamster Care Sheets and Hamster FYIs to guide new hamster keepers.
What’s so special about The Hamster Guy? He makes bad-ass looking hamster bin cages. His latest 155L custom bin has an underground digging area. Me and my hamster is dying of envy, LOL. Here are the rest of his custom bins with acrylic front panels for better viewing. 🙂
Get updates from The Hamster Guy on Facebook: theHamsterGuy and YouTube: the HamsterGuy
Buy your custom hamster bins & hamster supplies here:
https://shp.ee/qvrut3f
Hamster Bin by Mitchykoten
Hamsters need toys so they don’t get bored. With not enough toys, hamsters in wire cages may resort to cage biting. So this is an advantage for hamster bins — no wires to bite on.
Wooden toys for kids can also be used as hamster [chew] toys. Just make sure that they’re non-toxic. 🙂
Hamster Bin by Jobelyn
Such a lovely bin oozing with femininity! I haven’t tried using paper bedding and I’m so tempted to run to Pet Lovers Center and grab a CritterCare right now.
To save more space, attach the tubes outside the bin or work around hamster wheels and other large installments.
Hamster Bin by Pat V
It’s fun to change your hamster bin’s theme every now and then. Pat V’s Halloween-inspired bin is so cute and Wonder Woman is a fun add-on. I also did the Halloween cage theme but I haven’t shared it here yet.
An all-natural cage theme aka Hamsterrarium may look neat and refreshing, but I still prefer plastic and ceramic additions to make my hamster home look more colorful and fun. I like how Pat V changes up/moves the toys around to keep things interesting.
Hamster Bin by Arya
Arya took her creativity up a notch using paper cups and tissue roll tubes to create a hamster playground. It’s true that when you decide to keep a hamster, you need to shell out some money but you can still save a lot when you make DIY projects.
Hamster Bin by Chelle
The first thing is noticed here is the swing. Seriously, mas maganda pa ang buhay ng mga hamsters na ito kaysa sakin! 🙂 And that bridge made from popsicle sticks is genius!
FYI, dwarf hamsters can live in colonies but Syrian hamsters are solitary creatures so the hamster to bin ratio is 1:1.
Hamster Bin by Maria T.
Such a fun bin cage by Maria T. 🙂 The overhead tube connecting two mezzanines is both functional and decorative. Na-maximize talaga yung space at na-showcase yung beauty ng symmetry. If I’m not mistaken this bin was custom-made by theHamsterGuy.
Custom Hamster Cage by Happy Hamster Hamham
This is by far the closest cage similar to a Detolf. I’m sure her hamster is super happy with the unbroken floor space! This kind of setup is also perfect for cage themes kasi clear na clear mong makikita yung design sa buong area. I can’t wait for the Sweets cage theme!
If you want more adventures of Sushi the Syrian hamster, follow Happy Hamster Hamham on Facebook.
Hamster House by Collin
Just a few improvements and this custom hamster house can turn into a shabby-chic hammie home. I definitely dig this because it looks like a furniture that would easily fit and blend inside the house.
Pwedeng lagyan ng bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, waaaaah the possibilities are endless! I’m currently loving the staircases that connect rooms and floor levels.
Hamster Bin by Kristal
I love the idea of adding a different “texture” by using different bedding types or in this case, a DIY floral flooring for the mezzanine. Kristal also repurposed a ceramic oil burner as a hide. 🙂
Hamster Homes by Jude
Jude likes to connect his Habitrail setups with bins, tanks, and cages for extra fun (and floor space!) We’re similar when it comes to the idea of connecting different kinds of cages since I don’t want to just stick with one. Parang for me, mas okay kapag mas complicated at mas maraming toys. Marami nga lang lilinisin, LOL.
Habitrail products look really good, I mean they’re eye candies.. but I think they’re best used as add-ons. You should still have a main cage.
The Robo Princess Castle (the wire cage on the left) is a themed cage fit for Roborovskis. There’s a tube slide pa on the other cage/tank. 🙂
Hamster House by Kenneth G
I can’t get over how pretty this is. Fit for a queen talaga. 🙂 And I thought I’ve seen enough amazing cages hahaha. This is definitely UP THERE and even the hammie inside looks regal. The highlight for me is the Crystal Bath Tub.
Hamster Bin by Nyze
I remember Nyze showing her color-coded bins and they all look amazing. Each bin is complete with hamster necessities — from tunnels and space wheels to hides and smooth rocks to serve as cooling pads. Nasa wishlist ko rin yang coconut hut (parang Pokemon lang, gotta catch ’em all [toys] ang drama ko lately.. bye money!) 🙂
Hamster Bin by Mervs
I love how simple this looks and yet it’s a complete package perfect for hamster keeping — bedding, water bottle, hideout (or simply hide), food dish, bathtub with bathing sand, mineral stone, hamster wheel, tubes — everything in this bin is what a hamster needs to stay healthy and happy. 🙂
Hamster Bin by Bronte
I really find it cute that tiny houses are placed inside hamster houses. Old boxes can serve as hides, nesting places, or digging boxes for your hammies. I love the idea na naka-section yung different beddings, giving us an illusion of varying depth and scenery.
Hamster Bin by Dusty
This cute bin reminds me of our Junkrat’s first bin. 🙂 The glass jar is a popular choice for hides and bath tubs. I haven’t seen one in kitchenware sections inside malls pero sana I can find one because it’s a versatile and functional piece.
You may also experiment with tubes and put the ones that will work with the rest of your hamster accessories, just like in the photo below.
Hamster Bin by Katsume
Katsume adopted 3 hamsters that were rescued during a house fire. The bins were connected and the one on the side looks like a terrace of some sort. With the help of PHK’s growing community of responsible hamster keepers, this bin will look awesome in no time.
I hope my post inspired you to give the best care for your hammie (if you’re a keeper) 🙂 If you’re planning to adopt a hamster, please join Philippine Hamster Keepers (PHK) to get started with your hamster journey. 🙂
Happy Hamster Keeping!
Buy your custom hamster bins & hamster supplies here:
https://shp.ee/qvrut3f
Published: 2018-11-25 20:14:00
the minimum size for a syrian hamster is not 1300 square cm, it is 4000 square cm (80cm x 50cm). The minimum size for a dwarf hamster is 2800 square cm (70cm x 40cm). Cages should not be joined in order to have enough space, the size I mentioned is minimum UNBROKEN floor space. Syrian wheel size needs to be a minimum of 27 cm while dwarfs need at least 21cm. Bedding also needs to have a minimum height of 15 cm. Other than that, good job! The cage set ups are very aesthetic 🙂 I will use those pics as an inspo for my hamster’s cage.