Guest Author - Denise Lacazette

Would you stick a 5 year old child in a washing machine box for a third or all of his life with a bowl of food, water, and a toy? What do you think would happen if you did? Would he become neurotic? Would his muscles atrophy? When you buy a cage or housing for an animal these are some things you should think about.

Many articles, books, and websites (my own included) offer minimum cage sizes for various animals. Minimum is the smallest cage you can buy for an animal that does not immediately physically impair it. (In other words, its head is not bent to fit in or it can stand up instead of sitting full-time.) Minimum, quite frankly, is the washing machine box. Of course you will also be told to provide toys, nest boxes, hay racks, or other things. The minimum size cage gets very cramped if you add the extras in. And what if you fall in love again and want to add a second critter? No more deep breaths for Polly because Peter is moving in.

A cage is the single most expensive (one time) purchase you will have in most cases other than the animal itself. Buying a cage that is too small or outgrown can be frustrating and costly. Ensure that the cage you purchase is right the first time. Consider carefully the following:

1. How many hours per day will my animal be in this cage?
a. If the answer is only at night, a minimum size cage might do.
b. If the answer is 23-24 hours a day, then a serious size adjustment is in order.
2. What types of activities does my animal enjoy in the wild? Foraging? Tunneling? Climbing? Swimming? Running? Flying?
a. There should be adequate space to accommodate at least 1 or 2 activities they would normally do in the wild. A betta fish, for example, can be kept in a small cup because it can take oxygen from air, but if you give it a 20 gallon tank to swim in with hidey holes, it is going to thrive much better. If it is a bird that flies, a minimum cage with toys and extra perches will not allow it to exercise its wings -- let alone fly.
3. Can my animal exercise in the cage if it wants to?
a. Even hermit crabs need “running” room. If there is not enough room left over once you put all the other things in (hiding spots, food dishes, shells) for it to run, a bigger cage is needed.
b. Once the “honeymoon” phase of new pet ownership is over, many owners reduce the number of hours they take the animal out of the cage. Plan ahead by realizing that good intentions do not always work out.
4. What toys, boxes, bedding, dishes, etc. need to be in the cage?
a. Many cages look big until you start filling them up with the necessities and fun stuff. Measure and plan as if it were your house to live in.
b. Elimination areas and food/water should be far apart. There should be room to tunnel or play with toys without turning around into either one.
5. Is it a social animal? Will I fall in love and want 2 critters?
a. Social animals are just that – social – but that does not mean everyone will always like each other nor does it mean they want to spend every moment together. There needs to be enough room for each to retreat from the other and have their “space”. (Stick 2 five year olds in that washing machine box and fur will fly eventually - despite them not having fur!)

Plan ahead, be realistic, and be more than humane. These animals live their whole lives in your care. They may not have to struggle to survive, but their need to be productive and have room to roam is still important to their well-being.