Tanks VS. Cages

DING DING GO!There is a HUGE debate about rather glass tanks or wire cages are better for hamsters. Below I will list some pro’s and con’s and let you decide for yourself!

GLASS TANK 

Pro’s                                     
-Simple to clean
-No assembly required
-Affordable
-Harder to escape from
-Chew proof
-No bedding/mess can fall out
-Many sizes available
-Easy to fit things in
CON’S
-Heavy/hard to move
-Hard to expand
-Will break if dropped
-Not visually appealing by itself
-Some hamsters fear hands above them
-Have to buy parts to attach things to glass walls
-Free standing wheel may tilt/fall over

WIRED CAGEPRO’S
-Fun and colorful design
-Many options to chose from
-Easy to expand
-Tubes to satisfy borrowing needs
-Some come with accessories
-Climbing opportunities
-Easy access to your hamster
-Can attach things to wire walls
Con’s-Heavy/hard to move
-Hard to expand
-Will break if dropped
-Not visually appealing by itself
-Some hamsters fear hands above them
-Have to buy parts to attach things to glass walls
-Free standing wheel may tilt/fall over
-Complicated assembly/cleaning
-Expensive
-Hamster may be able to escape
-Hamster can chew/get stuck on bars/plastic parts
-Bedding/mess can fall through wires
-Replacement parts may not be available
-Hamster may reach/chew things outside cage

I did a lot of digging and asking. I must of visited over 50 internet sites talking about this debate. These are the pro’s and cons of the hamster community, not just me.

The “ Tanks Have Poor Ventilation” mythThere was, however, one reoccurring concern that I did not add to mu Pro/Con list, as it is not true! The “Tanks Have Poor Ventilation” myth. For some reason, many people think that since a glass aquarium is solid on five of it’s six sides, air can not flow through and a hamster kept in this tank will die. This is untrue! I’m sorry if this offends anyone but it is a myth. GLASS TANKS DO NOT KILL HAMSTERS. As long as you don’t cover the top with something that is solid, plenty of air can flow in to the tank. A glass tank should have a wire top on it. That is the only acceptable cover. In my experience, of everyone I personally know, and through all of my research, I never found a single person say they actually had a hamster die from suffocation due to a glass tank. If you prefer wired cages that’s great! (No sarcasm. No offense. Seriously)

Still can’t decide on tank or wired? WHY NOT BOTH?!

Glass Tank With Wire High RiseIf you think both are a good option (Or your still that afraid of suffocation) why not combine the options? A glass tank can easily have a wire high rise added to it. With that, you get to have a environment where bedding won’t be as likely to fall out, and your hamster still gets plenty of tubes to run through! (BTDubbs, this is the perfect option for a gerbil)

My Personal ChoicePersonally, my favorite choice is the tank option. It’s a close race. VERY CLOSE. But I like to put a lot of toys and houses in the cage and I find a tank works best for this. And I don’t loose the tubing accessories that I have a LOT of money invested into because I connect them to the puzzle playground accessories and put them in the tank. But everyone is different and to each their own! :))