There are many cages available for hamsters, but there are many factors to consider when choosing a cage for your dwarf hamster. Most importantly, you want to pick a cage that is a good size, escape-proof, safe, and easy to clean. Unfortunately, many cages you will find at the pet store do not meet all these requirements when it comes to dwarf hamsters.
Note: the information here would also apply to choosing a cage for Chinese hamsters.
Style of Cage
Your main choices will be between a wire cage (usually on a plastic base), a plastic modular cage (the kind with many compartments and tubes), or an aquarium (with a secure mesh lid). Each style of cage has advantages and disadvantages.Ease of Cleaning
In general, a wire cage with a plastic tray is the easiest to clean; just lift the wire off the bottom, clean out the bedding, and wipe down the wire part as necessary. The more complex the cage, the more difficult it will be to clean, which is very important if you are looking a plastic cage with multiple compartments and tubes. These cages can become a real chore to clean. Aquariums are not terribly difficult to clean but can be heavy and awkward to handle at cleaning time. Let's face it, cleaning cages is not a fun task, so keeping it easy will make owning a hamster more fun.Ventilation
A wire cage is easily the best option here. The tubes and enclosed compartments of plastic modular cages can pose real problems with ventilation, so air quality and condensation can become problems. Likewise, aquariums can also have inadequate ventilation. Keep in mind that the openness of wire cages gives them great ventilation but means you must keep the cage out of drafts. Plastic cages and aquariums do offer better protection from drafts.Size
Despite their small size, dwarf hamsters need ample space to run and play, and the actual floor space of the cage is important for this (many modular cages seem quite large but actually have little free floor space). In general, many cages marketed for hamsters are too small. Aim for a minimum of 24 inches by 12 inches, and at least 12 inches tall. However to keep your hamster active and happy, try to get a bigger cage -- when it comes to hamster cages, bigger is always better!Cage Security and Safety
The space between the bars on a dwarf hamster cage should be no more than 1/4 inch apart - a dimension that is really difficult to find on wire cages that are large enough. Check the doors on any cage to make sure they are secure, as hamsters can become quite expert at opening doors (on wire doors, and clip can be used to "lock" doors for an extra level of security). If you choose a cage with multiple levels or tubes, make sure there is no place where your hamster could fall a long distance.Dwarf Hamster Cages and Chewing
The drive and ability of hamsters to chew can affect the type of cage they are suited for. On plastic cages, make sure there are no exposed edges or ridges of plastic where a hamster can start chewing the cage, or your hamster is likely to escape at some point. Hamster are usually unable to chew their way out of a wire cage (they usually can't find a way to chew the smooth plastic trays) but some hamsters become almost obsessive about chewing the bars. Aquariums are advantageous on this point as there is usually nothing that can be chewed (just make sure the top is secure!).Wheels
Hamsters should have wheels, and wheels should be large enough that the hamsters don't have to arch their backs to run on the wheel. Wheels should have a solid surface and no cross bars for support, so no limbs or other body parts can get caught. For more on wheels, see "Hamster Wheels and Run Abouts."
Bedding Depth
No matter what style of cage you use, make sure you can provide a nice deep layer of bedding for burrowing. This is most important for wire cages -- choose one with a nice deep tray to allows a nice deep layer of bedding, and also to reduce the amount of bedding your hamsters will push or kick out of the cage. For more on types of bedding, see Alternatives to Cedar and Pine Shavings.
