how big a cage for breeding dwarves?

[pixibubbles]

I'm not planning on breeding... but it may be that clover is pregnant and i'm trying to prepare by assuming the worst. She's a 10 week old chinese dwarf and was housed with her brothers until a week or so ago. :( with luck she isnt pregnant as they dont USUALLY bbreed until 12 weeks... but she is putting on weight and getting a bit moody.

she's currently in a savic spelos which measures 37 cm x 42.5 cm x 24 cm http://www.amazinganimal.co.uk/savic-spelos-tunnel-cage-p-17683.html

Is this going to be big enough? i have the option of swapping her into a rody cage (55cm x 39cm x 26cm) http://www.amazinganimal.co.uk/savic-rody-hamster-warm-55x39x26cm-p-11632.html

which is a lot bigger... but its currently her brothers (would the smell of him upset her and make her attack babies?)

Also i have to take away her snuggly bedding and should use shredded paper only with babies right?

TY for any help
pixie and the oh so cute clover!
PS piccies will arive when they hold still long enough for them lol)

[Ky86]

clean out the bigger one really well (and rinse really well) so the smell of the other hamster is no longer there.

[CookieDough24]

You would need to use the bigger cage, because you don't know how many pups she'll have, so the bigger the better! Make sure you wash the cage well, if you do, there shouldn't be a problem with smell. Definitely take out the "fluffy" bedding, use Care Fresh (what I use with my Campbell babies) or shavings. You could also use shredded paper.

Good luck and I hope she isn't pregnant! But even if she is, I know they'll be in good hands! :)

[Moosley]

The cage she is in isn't *really* suitable for chinese, Chinese hams love to climb and race about.

As for if she has a litter, she will need a lot more space (the Rody would be fine) and the tunnels in her cage wouldnt be good really incase she had her babies in them.

If you mean Fluffy Bedding (cotton wool type) when you say snuggly bedding, no hamsters should have this as it is unsafe.

The best bedding for your hamsre (and babies!) would be a layer of whatever substrate you use (shavings, carefresh, megazorb etc) and a big deep nest in the corner of torn up strips of plain white loo roll. I buy the cheapest local brand for next to nothing and so i can give my hamsters loads so they can make the biggest nest they want, this would be ideal for her babies too.

[CookieDough24]

Also take out the wheel if she has the pups. Don't want a baby getting caught in it! But don't worry, the new mama wont miss it, she'll have her paws full!

[pixibubbles]

i know the spelos isnt ideal... but there isnt much choice at 8 at night... it will probably be extended come pay day... and to be honest neither hamster spends that much time in their cage. its more balls or laundry hampers or the bed or bathroom or just running riot lol. to be honest i liked he spelos coz it has got lots of tubes (more than the photo now lol)

I've used the fluffy bedding stuff for years... the hams seem to prefer it to paper...(if you give them both they just seperate it and sleep in the fluff) whats wrong with it? i know you can't use it for babies but i've forgotten why.

i know about stealing her wheel (that's how she will she it) but at the moment i've left it as she's still really active and will go running in it even after the evening out the cage. i put her back for rest and food and she heads straight for the wheel lol.

I;ve still got my fingers crossed that the weight gain is just coz she's seperated from her brother (more food) and growing up.