Hamster cages that have built in hamster toys can be very entertaining--Critter Trail

Hamster cages that have a lot of built in hamster toys can be a real advantage, especially if they are designed well to let you see your hamster in action. Super Pet Critter Trail has pioneered a lot of unique features in the realm of built-in hamster toys, and they seem to get more interesting every year.

Several of the most popular items this year have some wonderful hamster toy inclusions. My favorite is the X Habitat which has a rotating pet powered activity wheel on top with a spiral slide to exit down into the main cage. This also has a removable petting compartment on top which can serve as temporary housing during cleaning. At 13 x 21 x 18 high the price on this one is excellent. The Two Habitat, which is the same size, has the same petting/cleaning compartment on top but has an interior exercise wheel and two mid-level platforms inside the hamster cage. The Three Habitat has a slightly smaller footprint but is 4 inches higher. It also has the interior hamster wheel, removable petting/cleaning zone but has more interior levels. Click on an item to get more information and return here by closing that view box.


In the Dazzle Habitat you can use the observatory tower top as a temporary home when cleaning this 10 x 16 x 22 high hamster cage. The huge pet powered rotating hamster toy wheel on the top can be accessed from the cage and is bound to be very entertaining for both you and your hamster. The Y Home has the same footprint but is 4 inches shorter with a removable wild and wavy workout wheel on the top and 6 add on ports. The Z Habitat is the same size but has a removable hamster exercise ball on the top. When I have actually looked at this model it seems like the mounting for the ball on this one might be a little too easy for the escape artist to use, but we haven’t actually seen this happen.


For ease of cleaning without taking the hamster cage apart you have the Discovery Habitat at 15 x 20 x 11 high with an oversize front access door. It features an exterior hamster toy wheel, and interior platform level and an upper level which can be removed and used as a carrier. The Discovery Deluxe Habitat has the same features but is slightly larger at 16 x 23 x 13. Speaking of carriers there is the Off to School Bus which is considered a temporary living environment but can also be added on to any other cage as expansion space when not in use as hamster transport.


If you want to start with a basic hamster cage and add on your own wild and wacky hamster toy devices you can begin with the One Habitat at 10 x 16 x 11. The same sized Primary Habitat has a wire roof and a hanging nest for naps. With a similar footprint but 17 inches high the Double Decker has a whole second level for you hamster’s exploring pleasure.


Especially for the dwarf hamster, although many of the other cages will work, are the Mini One at 8 x 13 x 8 high and the Mini Two which is the same size. Both are portable and can be added on to with the usual hamster accessories. Speaking of accessories don’t forget the Hamster Potty.

Hamster's First Cage

Hamster cages come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. The bare essentials in equipment are a drinking water tube, a hamster exercise wheel, and maybe a food dish. Some people like to put food in different areas so it is more like foraging in the wild. Hamsters use different corners of their cages for different purposes like eating, excreting, napping, and also as points of reference. For this reason round cages are less suitable. If you are just starting out you can buy a starter hamster cage kit which will usually include a small equipped hamster cage, bedding, food and some treats as in the following examples.   Click on an item to get more information and return here by closing that view box.  My apologies if any of the displays below are flashing, but that generally means an item is temporarily not available

Hamsters are generally kept one per cage, although dwarf hamsters can sometimes share a hamster cage if bought together and raised together. Generally if you are going to keep a hamster for a long time, you will want a larger or more complex hamster cage to more fully enjoy the antics of your hamster. Good ventilation is an issue, which makes aquariums and entirely plastic enclosures less suitable for permanent homes, although these can sometimes be used for other occasional play activities. Hamster cages that are part plastic and part wire seem to work the best. A deep bottom tray is helpful in keeping the bedding shavings contained as these are used both for nesting and bathroom purposes.

Keep in mind that you will be cleaning the hamster cage once or twice a week so the ease of taking the cage apart to fully access the plastic bottom tray is important. You will probably want an exercise ball to house your hamster while you are cleaning the hamster cage so you don’t have an escape artist on your hands. If you did buy a small hamster cage to begin with you can use it when cleaning the larger hamster cage and also to take ‘hammy’ to visit grandma.