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Bin Cage Setup for a Syrian Hamster
Updated 11/21/2025: Personal hamster owning experiences are always being featured via online platforms for everyone to learn from. As those of us who have struggled over cage size can attest to, what once was acceptable in the proper hamster care world, is now being considered as not enough. Bin cage setups for a Syrian hamster falls into that category and I want to use this space to share some of my rescue history and thoughts on bin cages specifically for the largest species of hamsters and focus on how things have changed for the better. Also, how I've incorporated those changes into my rescue husbandry.
Back in 2020 leading suppliers sold poorly made accessories for hamsters without a great large sized cage option. Many hamster owners, including myself, took what we could get and did our best creating cages out of 200 quart storage bins and using bucket wheels sold on Etsy shops. In 2021 my husband began building his first custom made wooden cage that measured approximately 1200 square inches, and it was a huge success for the male Syrian I owned at the time. So, he built me a 2nd large cage. He would have kept building these big DIY cages for me, but I limited it because at the time my rescue was expanding from one room to all of the rooms in our downstairs and his custom cages required a lot of space, plus they could not be easily moved around. After each of my own Syrian hamsters passed away, I utilized my husband's creations for Syrians coming into my rescue and developed a unique method of adoption for them to avoid stress. This can be found on the Requirements page if anyone is interested.
When the Niteangel company in China manufactured their large cages, excellent accessories for hamsters and high quality wheels, Amazon made it possible for hamster enthusiasts to easily obtain these items. Things began to change for the better when it came to providing a home where Syrian hamsters could thrive but now a lot of people mistakenly believe it was always this way.
My rescue was started the year right before the pandemic and I clearly remember squeezing into a bin cage Syrian hamster sized furnishings which were available at that time and making it work because there were no other options. Back then I had weekly conversations with adopters about not using store bought cages and convincing them to go the bin cage route. Of course, 40 gallon tanks and larger were options and the Ikea Detolf was commonly converted into a hamster habitat, but many families could not make either of those work in their space, so a bin cage was a lifesaver for several Syrian hamsters who were living out their lives in tiny wire cages with small tubes and undersized wheels. Sadly, a lot of people who reach out to adopt today still utilize those pet store cages and are unaware of the mass production and availability of bigger and better habitats for our hamsters. Until they speak with me that is! Just like back then, I still converse several times weekly with people who reach out, but now I can steer them towards a much larger market of appropriately sized hamster cages and accessories. And I do!
So with all of these opportunities for better, should a Syrian hamster live in a bin cage? The answer depends on many factors. In my rescue I no longer utilize bin cages for Syrians unless one enters who is already advanced in age and navigating one of my large custom built cages would be difficult. The original 2 DIY cages are reserved for any young Syrians who come into my rescue, and I have another one someone donated which my husband modified so I can accommodate 3 Syrians comfortably. If more than 3 Syrians are admitted and I ever had to use one of my bins as a Syrian hamster cage... I will. Many rescue operators have to make this choice in order to help a greater number. It is for this reason I've been developing better set ups in a bin cage to meet all of a Syrian hamster's needs and am happy to share.
I do have to state here that bin cages for Syrians are tricky because their furniture and accessories are created in larger sizes now and they take up more space. If at any time a Syrian hamster shows signs of cage stress and boredom in a bin cage, a larger more enriched cage must be provided. A few stress behaviors include, but are not limited to, constant wall scaling (when the hamster stands on rear legs and scrapes at the side of the cage with front feet over and over), continuously climbing taller items with intent to reach the top, actually reaching the top and attempting to chew out or climb across the meshed lid, or chewing on bin cage side corners relentlessly. Stress behaviors should be addressed immediately.
If anyone reading this needs to utilize a 200 qt bin as a habitat for their Syrian, the following set up pictures are for you but if you need to purchase a larger cage, I have a page dedicated to larger cage setups which you can access HERE
If anyone has questions at any time while setting up your cage, send a message and I'll respond ASAP
Furnishings go in first to
ensure everything fits well
Tunnel is placed as a
burrow starter lined up with hole
With platform removed, a small amount of bedding is
placed under tunnel so it lines up with peepshed hole tightly then covered
Bedding in place, a cork sheet adhered to one side of the platform, everything is ready for enrichment
Enrichment items placed on platforms with nice sized burrowing area underneath
Finished Result after added enrichment
made one change, replaced terra cotta saucer with a rock
Note: This webpage contains Affiliate Links. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive a tiny commission which will be used exclusively for the rescue. Thank you in advance!
Items used to set up this particular cage are linked below. Everything can be found on Amazon with the exception of the bin cage itself which is sold at Home Depot and the bendy bridge which was purchased at Petco. The terracotta tunnel is no longer being manufactured but a cardboard tunnel works just as well in its place.
Cardboard Tunnels *They come in a pack of 10; okay if chewed and are big enough for a Syrian hamster, just replace once soiled or chewed up (pop off plastic ends and discard first)
Note On Bedding:
I mix a few different brands and consistencies together to achieve the best balance for the hamster to burrow. I am NOT a fan of adding in aspen wood or hay to stabilize the burrows, this does not work and furthermore creates sharp and coarse substances for the hamster to navigate through when attempting to burrow. I have had a surrendered hamster arrive with a piece of hay sticking out of the center of his eye and a sanctuary mouse here in foster care scraped the side of his face on some sharp aspen shavings. Both resulted in expensive veterinarian care, so I no longer use those in the hamster cages.
Cage Maintenance Tips:
*Water bottles can be hung with industrial strength velcro. Sometimes they leak or stop dispensing water, so always provide a water dish too, which also gives the hamster a choice. A little ceramic bowl under a hanging water bottle can catch any minor drips that are normal; this bowl is also an excellent place to serve fresh veggies (bowl may need to be rinsed out first).
*Hanging toys can be hung using a small command hook attached to the cage and some safe sisal string attached to the toy. Never use duct tape in a hamster cage due to the fiber threads inside being hazardous if ingested; if tape must be used choose clear packing tape but try not to use tape at all. Remember anything placed in a hamster cage can be chewed and or eaten.
*Wheels can sometimes get clogged up underneath with bedding, so always ensure it freely spins.
*Hamsters move bedding all over the cage no matter how strategically you place it all in and try to create barriers for it to stay in place, it won't. Let them put it where they want it and just fill in areas on top with fresh bedding, but don't disturb their burrows or nesting spots if possible.
*Spot cleaning is easy if the hamster pees in their sandbath, just strain it as needed. If the hamster pees elsewhere on the bedding that's okay, just remove it carefully without disruption. Most hamsters pee on their wheels and Niteangel wheels, as well as many others on the market, can be removed from base to clean so the base can stay in place.
Final Reminder
The goal in setting up a cage for any hamster species should be to create a home with a balance of activities and places to hide as well as easy access to all areas. We want the hamster to utilize every square inch, be comfortable and thrive.
*Final Note: Female Syrians go into heat every 4 nights and are more likely to display stress and boredom. One way to provide an outlet is to set up a well-designed play pen for out of the cage time each night. This works well for either gender showing stress behavior and boredom signs but may not be a long term solution if a cage upgrade is what is needed.