Study shows hamsters prefer smaller houses

May 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The study aimed to identify the amount of space preferred by the hamsters and how they used it in their everyday lives. Two types of cages were used in the study: a traditional rectangular wire design; and a new modular type, the Habitrail OVO manufactured by Rolf C. Hagen. Ten Syrian hamsters, all under the age of one, were chosen as the subjects for the research.

The hamsters were videoed over a period of four weeks and their behaviour recorded and analysed to compare the effects of both housing systems. Sarah noted that the hamsters in the traditional cage were prone to gnawing the bars of the cage and moving around its extremities rather than using all the space available; this kind of behaviour is indicative of anxiety and stress.  

On the other hand, the hamsters in the modular Habitrail cage used all the available space, particularly the open areas and the area containing the exercise wheel. The hamsters were also much less prone to gnawing items in the cage, indicating lower anxiety and stress levels.

The results showed that although smaller in overall area, the hamsters preferred the modular cage to the traditional wire design and were happy to use all the available space rather than just the periphery.

Sarah’s findings suggest that modular cages improve the welfare of Syrian hamsters and that traditional cages affect them detrimentally by increasing the amount of anxiety-related behaviour.

The results of this study has implications for the pet housing industry and shows that as far as Syrian hamsters are concerned, a bigger house does not mean a better more interesting environment.

More information about Hagen’s Habitrail modular hamster cages is available at www.habitrail.com.