Review of CritterTrail Begin N Connect Cage

I got a gift card for Pet Supplies "PLUS" and decided to spend some of the money on an extension cage for Mickey, my dwarf hamster. The average price is $19.98 at the pet store, but online it was many different prices. The actual size is 14-1/2-inch long, 11-inch wide and 11-1/4-inch high.

This is what it looks like out of the box, after I assembled it.

Amazon.com states, "Critter Trail Begin N Connect Habitat is an ideal starter home for your new hamster, gerbil or mouse."  ( I don't agree with this, as the cage is too small, even for a "starter cage".)

The first thing I noticed was that the cage is called, "Begin N Connect", and I hope that a new hamster owner does not get this as a stand-alone cage for their pet. The thing with CritterTrail is that you really have to get at least two large cages to connect to make a decent-sized hammie habitat. Luckily I have two other cages connected to this, the CritterTrail Burrowing Maze and the Two Level Habitat. Both are connected with elaborate tubes and accessories. The cage itself, the one I got, is cube-shaped and small, and I cannot stress how terrible that would be for a hamster to live inside without extensions.

As far as assembly went, the cage was more difficult to put together. I would have preferred a clamp on each side, similar to the other cages by the same company. Instead there were strange plastic things that linked the top and bottom together. 

As you might be able to tell in the picture, the one green plastic thing still popped out, no matter how hard I pushed on it.

Other than that, everything was in pretty good condition. It is safe for a hamster, perhaps not a gerbil or mouse though. The base was shorter than the other cages, which meant an agile mouse could hang on the door latch and pull it, which was secured by a small spring. My one concern is that the roof does not actually clamp onto anything. It lifts on and off and you have to take extra care to place it correctly over the sides or it may not line up correctly (allowing a potential escape). I do not have to worry about hamster escapes with my Mickey, as he does not like to climb cage bars.

The top of the cage had two openings closed by thin plastic that could be punched out. The CritterTrail line has accessories that fit in these holes, such as the Treat Dispenser.

The top of the cage was also a blue glittery color, the sparkles molded into the plastic.

There was a solid plastic wheel included as well. It was very sturdy and did not seem to make a squeaky noise when Mickey ran on it.

The base is purple. As I said before, it is shorter than the other cages, but Mickey, being chubby and a non-climbing type of hamster, didn't seem to notice the difference. 

The cage also came with extra caps, both of which I did not use. These ones are red, the other ones I have are green, yellow, and blue.

I don't mind the extra cleaning, but I am unsure if I can get away with just unclipping the part on the green piece that connects to the base. 

I don't know if the smaller rubber pieces on the green plastic will fall off during the process or not, so it may be wise to just assemble and take it apart every time I clean the cage.(every week)

I did read this customer review, and this is what they said about the assembly issue.

"Cute looking and colorful, appeals to kids but it is a HORRIBLE design. Every week I dread cleaning it because the poorly constucted cage literally falls to pieces as soon as you remove the bottom. Cheap plastic tabs are all that holds the separate peices of the wire cage together and it falls apart even when you are trying to be very careful with it. I would never buy this again even if it was half the price I paid. It is not worth it. Bought another cage for the same price and I LOVE it (it is called Tube Time and is larger and has more features) the wire part iteself is all one peice so it is a breeze to clean in a fraction of the time that ths awful one takes. I would only recommend this cage to someone who wants to be instantly aggravated when trying to assemble it."

I was able to assemble it pretty easily without too much trouble. You just need to put it in the right holes on the base, then slide in the green pieces. With just a little patience it will work out fine. I do agree about the cleaning bit, therefore I will just use a wipe or safe-for-pets spray solutions and a paper towel instead of dumping the entire tray into a trash bag.

I think the cage is a nice add-on that a CritterTrail cage user will appreciate in their setup. Of course, is Mickey happy with it? 

Let's ask him.

Sniff sniff.... What an interesting cage...

I've never seen the wall from this side!

All this searching makes me thirsty!

I think I'm done here.

Or maybe I could give the wheel a try.

Mickey gives it 4 stars, and I give it 4 1/2. I think it's great and gives him more room to roam.

Mini-Post: Litter-training pet hamsters....Can it be done?

As many hamster owners know, a hamster's cage can get dirty very quickly and require frequent cleaning. What many hamster owners don't know, however, is that a hamster can be easily trained to use a small litter box that is placed in his or her cage. When you train your hamster to use a litter box, you just have to clean the litter box regularly and you don't have to clean the whole hamster cage as often. This will save you a lot of time, frustration, and money on fresh bedding. Plus, the less hamster bedding you use the better it is for the environment. Luckily, because hamsters have a natural instinct to always go to the bathroom in the same spot, it is easy to train them to use a litter box.

To get started, you will need to head to the pet store and buy a small plastic dish to hold the litter, along with a box of special "hamster litter" pellets. It is very important that you don't use cat litter as it contains fine particles that will irritate your hamster's respiratory system. Major pet store chains like Petco and PetSmart carry the special hamster litter, or you can find it online at websites like Amazon. Once you have the litter dish and hamster litter, you are ready to go. Just put about an inch of hamster litter in the plastic dish, and use a spoon or scoop to place a small amount of soiled bedding from your hamster's cage into the litter. Now, place the litter dish in the exact same corner of the cage that your hamster currently uses to go to the bathroom. Make sure to "bury" it a little bit so it is the same level as the rest of the bedding in the cage.

Almost immediately, you will notice that your hamster smells his new bathroom spot and begins using it for elimination. While most hamsters will begin using the litter box immediately, other hamsters may take a few days to adjust. Adding more soiled bedding to the hamster litter box can make the scent stronger, encouraging your hamster to go to the bathroom there. Don't be alarmed if your hamster eats a few of the litter pellets. They are non-toxic and will not harm your hamster. Your hamster will quickly learn that the litter pellets are not food. By litter training your hamster, you'll create a cleaner and healthier cage for them and a lot less cleaning for yourself!

Critter Q&A: Dwarf Hamster Bonding?

Q: I have a baby dwarf hamster, and I am looking for another to stick in the same cage. Is this a good idea?

A: Dwarf hamsters often enjoy the company of another dwarf hamster, so it’s a reasonable question to ask. This is not an option with Syrian hamsters, as they are very territorial and will fight and possibly kill other hamsters in their vicinity.

In general, when pairing same-sex dwarf hamsters the younger the better. Same-sex adults aren't always so easy to pair. Most adult dwarf hamsters will accept a youngster as a cagemate. A gentle, male, adult dwarf hamster is particularly likely to bond with a male, dwarf hamster youngster.

Here are some guidelines for doing the introduction:
1. Never plop a dwarf hamster into another hamster's cage. They both must be moved to a clean, neutral area with no other scents on the cage, bedding or accessories.

2. It's best if the dwarf hamsters meet on neutral turf outside a cage so you have quick access if there's danger. Possible neutral areas include the bathtub, a big box, your bed or a blocked-off area of the floor. Set out some tubes and toys and treats, but nothing that allows one hamster to corner and trap another; no boxes with only one end open, for example. The hamsters can explore and play, and eventually they'll check out one another. Petting them and talking to them is fine, but handle both of the hamsters equally.

3. Expect to let the hamsters scuffle. Once you put them together, you won't separate them again unless it's for real. No play dates or visits in advance. After the hamsters have played together outside the cage, eaten together, and you've seen no violence, move them to the cage. Make sure you have at least two of everything in their shared cage: two nest houses, two wheels, two food dishes, two water bowls. This helps reduce the chance of bullying.

4. The hamsters may bat at each other or roll and tussle. This is normal, but watch for lengthy tussles, squealing or any actual wounds. Guard against cornering in toys, and watch that neither hamster keeps the other from food, water or rest.

5. The only time to separate a newly formed pair is when they get exercise ball time, and even then it’s best to put them in their balls at the same time in the same area. Don't handle one hamster without handling both. Keeping their scents consistent is really important. If they’re females, be very careful not to leave any trace of scent of a male on them during handling.

Things to avoid:
• Pairing hamsters when you won't be around to observe them closely for a few days.
• The smell of the opposite sex on anything the hamsters encounter, especially you.
• Any spots where one hamster can corner the other.
• Starts and stops in the hamster pairing. No "visits" beforehand.
• Handling one hamster without the other as they begin to bond.

It’s wonderful that you’re thinking of getting your dwarf hamster a friend. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll have a good chance at success. Be prepared for the possibility that it won’t work out, however, and have an extra cage handy. You’ll already have all the accessories!

My Favorite Article in SmallAnimalChannel.com's magazine Critters USA

My favorite article in the 2013 Critters USA magazine is definitely Handle with Care. I feel that it is very important to learn how to handle your small pet to avoid any injury. As an owner of two pet rabbits and a hamster I agree they are both delicate species that should be handled with extreme caution. Caroline Charland certainly explained this well along with her wonderful photos. A lot of critters die from falls because they were being held improperly, therefore, the boxes below that list ways NOT to hold your pet are vital to any inexperienced pet owner. I use this article frequently when someone asks me about handling their critter and it has been a reference during those times.

 As for my pets, Mickey, a fancy Russian dwarf hamster, probably enjoys the article called Clean Hamster, Happy Hamster. Not only has it provided his owner(me) with lots of helpful info about cage cleaning, I'm sure MIckey appreciates it as well. 

Mickey looks a lot like one of the hamsters in the article which is obviously the same type!

One of our buns, Daisy, certainly loves this magazine as well. Her favorite article is Don't You Want Some Bunny To Love?, mainly because it has helped us bond over the years.

My loveable bun-girl grooming me while I stroke her.

Nibbling on some hay

Our other rabbit, Lily, is being bonded with Daisy, and this article has been giving us some pointers on bonding them safely and effectively.

The other magazine, Rabbits USA, has also helped me in creating a better environment for our house rabbits and led me to choose pens over cages. 

Thanks to Small Animal Channel's Critters USA (and Rabbits USA), our pets are living a healthy and happy life and I, as their pet owner, am satisfied with the magazine's articles and fun games, tips, and more! I will miss Critters USA issue publications, but I certainly give credit to them for guiding me in pet ownership with reliable and detailed information I really needed over these years. My pets and I thank Critters USA and the website for making their safe and happy lives possible! (:

The Chronicles Of Mickey Hamster

Hi guys! it's Mickey! Mickey hamster, that is. Check out my Hamster hideout on this blog for more hamster chronicles!

Today looked like a fun day full of adventures and excitement.

 My owner doesn't know this, but I can escape from my cage easily when she's not looking. I opened my cage door and hopped out. 

My mission: To get the hamster treat bag out and dig in! Yum! I scanned the room, looking for any danger. Nope. I was good to go. 

As I scurried across the floor, I noticed something. It seemed to be a book on the floor. I walked across it to see what was on the cover. EEK! A cat! 

The book was one of the many books in the Warriors series. How could my owner like such terrible books filled with cats? 

They probably even hunted rodents like myself in the book. I shuddered and set my mind back to treats. I took a deep sniff. Yes! I could smell YOGURT DROPS! 

I ran faster, eager to get my treats. Then, I stopped. Sigh. What other obstacle was in my way? I peered at it. Aha! A backpack. 

What a great place to hide if I hear danger, I thought. 

Once I passed the backpack, I looked up. On a high, high, HIGH shelf, my little bag of treats sat on a book.

 Well. My owner sure was good about keeping treats away from me. I looked around the shelf attached to the wall. 

Yes! I thought happily as I lay my eyes on a memo board with notes and a calendar tacked to it. 

A ribbon tied decoratively around the memo board hung low for me to climb up. 

I dug my little claws into it and climbed it like a rope. Once I got to the top, I dug my front paws and claws around a blue tack and dug my back paws and claws into the memo board.

I kept climbing until the shelf was within paw's reach. I jumped onto the shelf and gasped for breath. Once I looked up, I nearly fell off the shelf! 

A huge owl-shaped bank was staring back at me! I squealed. My owner was a great person, but really, did she have to keep so many scary "predators" in the room I stay in? It was enough to give me goosebumps! (If hamsters do get goosebumps)

I saw my treats and ignored the owl. I stuffed the treats, one by one, into my cheeks. I felt like an oversized beanbag! 

Speaking of beanbags, I saw a lime green beanbag just under the shelf. I took a deep breath(or the deepest breath anyone could take with food stuffed in their cheeks). Then, I jumped.

THUD! I was alive! I jumped off the beanbag, happy to be safe and scurried across the floor. Suddenly, I heard pawsteps. Who was it this time? A human? A big bird of prey? A huge scary, real-life CAT? I was so scared I ran for my backpack hiding spot.

 "Hey, hey hey!" A warm voice welcomed me. 

"Daisy!" I said happily. 

She gave me a furry hug. "I could of got those for you!" She said. " Easy Peasy! Just jump high with these big muscular paws, and you've got yourself an easy treat raid!" She displayed her strong legs for me. "S'okay Daisy!" I told her. " I wanted to get these myself!" Daisy nosed my back into the cage. 

"Take care, Mickey!" She said. "Our owner needs me to taste test some peppers for a dish tonight!" I grinned. As you know, Daisy means she's going to steal some peppers, but that's only between the two of us. Anyways, I need to take a nice long nap. I'm exhausted from my treat raid.

 "Hey Daisy!" "What?" "If you want, you can have some yogurt treats with your peppers!"

CC Cooking Show: Hamster Peanut-Banana Crunch

A short video showing how to make this incredibly easy hamster treat that is a mini variation of the human version of bananas and peanut butter on toast!

TOP TIP: This hamster delight is yummy for humans too, and you may find yourself licking your fingers. But remember, before and after handling any food, wash your hands. You have most likely touched your hamster and/or his items and to avoid getting sick, good hygiene is a must to keep you and your hammie healthy and happy.

QUIZ: What Kind of Small Pet Is Best For You?

Enjoy Critter Corner's FIRST Critter Quiz! Friday's fun quiz is about the best small pet for you! Print out the page or use paper to keep track of your score. Have fun!

1. Do you have a lot of time to care for a pet?

A) No, I go to work or school.

B) I have plenty of time.

C) Yes, I have a lot of time, but I spend it doing other activities.

2. How big is your house?

A) Very small.
B) Average.
C) Gigantic!!

3. How many kids/siblings do you have?

A) Many.

B) 2-4 kids.

C) 0-1 kids.

4. Are you squeamish when it comes to smell?

A) Yes.

B) Not really.

C) Not at all.

5. Are you squeamish when it comes to type of pet?

A) No.

B) Not really.

C) Yes.

6. What pet-wanting personality do you have?

A) Affectionate

B) Active/Hilarious

C)Cuddly/Friendly

7. How much maintenance are you willing to have to be responsible for?

A) Hopefully not a lot.

B) I don't mind how much.

C) As much as I need to.

8. Are you a first time pet owner?

A) Yes.

B) I have had a few pets in my lifetime.

C) No, I have lots of experience.

9. How long do you want your pet to live?

A) Not a very long time.

B) Average.

C) Long.

10. Do you really promise to love and care for your pet?

A) I will try.

B) Yes.

C) YES!!

RESULTS: (see below the post and click on the tags or use the search box to learn more about each animal.)

Mostly A's: A gerbil, hamster or mouse. 

Mostly B's: A ferret, guinea pig, or rat.

Mostly C's: A rabbit, chinchilla, or hedgehog. 

Your Pet and Grooming

Although baths are not a good idea for your small pets(See the post "Wet N' Wild"), grooming using a brush and comb is something your pet needs to have done at least once a week. Most pet owners have enough time to do this every other day, but everyone has a different schedule so it's hard to commit to something like that.


Grooming Benefits

Grooming pets not only creates soft, glossy fur, but it can also have other benefits too. For instance, when you groom your pet, he can trust and bond with you better. Petting or brushing an animal releases a substance that calms you and makes you happy, closely related to the effects of chocolate. Best of all, sitting down with your pet and grooming him is another way of spending time with him, and only then can you really enjoy your pet and your surroundings.
Like I said before, grooming also helps your pet's well-being and immunity. Animals involved in neglect and abuse have very dirty, mangled fur because their owner didn't care or had no time to take care of them. Of course, anyone who reads this blog probably doesn't need to worry about that happening, because they surely treat their pets with love.


When It Isn't an Option

Animals with long fur need grooming attention often, likely every day. Most people prefer short-haired animals rather than ones with long fur because it is hard to promise to always care for their fur. That's why people are always rescuing long-haired dogs like Maltese and poodles because they have been running around for months, letting their fur get outgrown and getting moss, leaves, branches, and even live animals live in their fur. A dog held an accidental world record because he had 4 1/2 foot tall, twenty-five pound fur and he couldn't get up! They found mice and bugs in the fur after they removed it. Him and hundreds of others of dogs get outgrown fur just because nobody wanted to take care of the dog and left him.
So hopefully you groom your pet's fur well, especially if his coat is long.


How To Groom Small Pets

Once a week, have a pet "mini-spa." You will need an assortment of brushes: a flea comb, a bristle brush, a curved brush, and a clean bottle-brush or tooth-brush if you have a very small pet like a hamster. You will also need a dry washcloth, a mirror, animal nail clippers, a few baby wipes, a clean nail file, and some cotton swabs.

A Rabbit: For a pet rabbit, put a hand towel on a card table or counter-top, then place your bunny on top. Run your hand over his whole body, feeling for bumps or tangles. Separate every area of fur and look for mites or fleas. Pinch each tuft of fur between your middle and pointer finger, then brush the flea comb through the tuft. Next, use the curved brush to comb down his back, neck, and sides, then take your bristle brush and do the same. Gently take the clean tooth-brush and brush his head, being extra careful around the bump at the very edge of the back of his head between his ears. Now examine his face and use the baby wipe to wipe away any discharge under his eyes.(Brownish-yellow dry crusty stuff under his eyes is normal, like what humans have in the morning, but green liquidy snot stuff in his nose, eyes or ears is bad!) Look in his mouth for a normal pink tongue, gums and cheeks, and good teeth. If not, get a non-scented nail file and file down his teeth. If it is so long that it has cut into his gums, then consult a vet at once. Turn him over and look at his belly and check for bloating. Then examine his tail to see whether it is broken or not. Set him back down and cut his nails, avoiding the white/pink quick. Now he is done!

Any Small Rodent: Put your pet rodent in a plastic Tupperware container without the lid. Do all the yellow highlighted things above. Now, use the tooth-brush or bottle brush to brush his whole body. If you can, cut his nails, but be extra careful not to remove a toe. Look at his teeth and if they are ingrown, file them with a clean nail file. Use the dry washcloth to gently rub his underbelly. Do not use the bottle brush or tooth-brush, because they are very sensitive there.


Chinchillas: Use a chinchilla or pumice-stone brush to brush his fur. Check his teeth and nails.



Thanks for reading Critter Corner! Please comment if you have any questions or other things to say!

Can Hamsters be Trained?

So, can you train your pet hamster? The answer is yes. From the time you bring hammie home to the day you've entered your pet in an agility contest, your hamster has learned a lot.

Humphrey Bit Me!!

I remember when I got Peanut and brought her home. I set up her cage all nice, then I opened up her chewed carry-home box. There she was, sleeping in the corner of her little box, when I probably scared her half to death by opening it up. She refused to go in the cage at all. I had to scoop her up, despite her wiggling and shrieking, and place her in the cage. Every hamster-owner remembers this time too, and they've probably gotten to know the hamster better since then. There is a certain way to introduce your pet to you and your family, and it takes at least a month.


Day 1:

Leave hamster alone.  Allow her to explore the cage but don't let her out of it.

3 days later:

Slowly feed the hamster a few treats. Drop them near the hamster, but don't shove them in her face.


In a week: 

Put some treats in your hand and put your hand in the cage. Lay out your palm close to the hamster.(Tip: If your hammie seems scared of your hand, rub the bedding from the sleeping area all over your hands. They will not smell your scent very strongly, that way, he may come to sniff you.)

In about 2 weeks:

Your hamster should be starting to show interest and coming into your hand. Do this everyday, and be sure to do it in the cage(because if the hamster feels the need to run, he won't fall far).


In a month:

By now, your hamster will be staying in your cupped palm. He'll feel less timid, and he will be eating the treats you offer him. Try stroking your hamster while he is in your hand. If he shrieks or tries to bite your finger, stop. Put him back in the cage gently. This shows him that biting is not allowed.


In around 1/2 a year:

Great! You've achieved your goal! Now you can train your hamster to do the following things!!!

• Spin in a circle
• Go through a maze you make
• Stand on two legs
• EVEN MORE!!!

Gradually train your hamster these tricks. If you do it all at once, he'll get confused and most likely walk off.
Train once a day for 10 minutes a day. Animals like hamsters love a challenge especially when it involves treats, so challenge your hamster but at the same time, let him have fun!

Choosing a Hammie Habitat

Here's another video explaining the basics of hamster housing--feel free to comment if you have any questions!