Mesh wire is something that many hamster owners will have to use at some point. A mesh wire is put together in a series of wires and creates a grid with specific spacing between the wires. It can be made of metal, plastic, or vinyl.
Mesh wires are used for many things, such as barricades and ventilation. You can buy it from any hardware or DIY store. You should even be able to find it in big grocery stores such as Walmart and Aldi.
In this article, we’ll dive into mesh wire for hamster cages. We’ll discuss its purpose in setting up a hamster’s cage, where to buy them, what size you should get, and which mesh wire you can buy online.
RELATED POST: Types of hamster cages and species of hamsters
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MESH WIRE
Mesh wire has two purposes in a hamster’s cage. The most common is to create better ventilation. This is very vital if you are creating a DIY hamster cage which includes using a plastic bin box, glass tank, or bookcase cage. Those cages don’t have excellent ventilation since you must remove the lid.
The other reason is closing the gaps between metal bars. When you choose a store-bought hamster enclosure, it usually has metal bars around it. While those provide amazing ventilation, unfortunately, the spaces or gaps between the metal bars are too wide. This allows your hamster to squeeze through and escape.
By adding a mesh wire over, there’s less chance for your hamster to escape and get lost.
ITEMS NEEDED WHEN USING A MESH WIRE
When you decide that you need to use a mesh wire, whether for ventilation or closing the metal bar gaps, the materials you will need are pretty much the same.
Make sure that you have the following:
- mesh wire – spaces or holes of the mesh wire should be around 1/2 (10 mm) for Syrian hamsters or 1/4 inch for Dwarf hamsters (6 mm) and not bigger
- steel cutter
- zip ties or metal bolts and screws – hamsters can chew through zip ties, metal bolts and screws will do a better job
ALSO READ: How to find a missing hamster and why is my hamster trying to escape
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A MESH WIRE
Before I give you the list of mesh wires you can get online, let’s discuss choosing the mesh wire a bit further. I’m hoping that you are looking into something durable and a permanent solution, so you don’t have to redo it again in the future.
Size of the holes
As mentioned before, the gaps in the mesh wire should not be bigger than 1/2 in (10 mm) for Syrian hamsters but not smaller than 1/4 in (6 mm) for Dwarf hamsters. If you get a bigger one, your hamster can easily poke their cute little nose in and chew on the mesh wire.
Not only this is a problem in terms of breaking it, but the force they apply to be able to chew and push through a tiny hole will cause injury to their mouth and nose.
If you use a mesh wire that is too small, it won’t do a good job when it comes to ventilation, especially in the summer season.
Material
There are two common materials a mesh wire is made of. The metal mesh wire is a great choice because it’s pretty much chew-proof. However, most of them are made of cheap metal that will rust eventually. It’s better to spend a bit more and get a stainless or high-quality metal mesh wire.
The other type is vinyl-like or PVC, which is also plastic. Those are usually thick but still carry the risk of getting chewed through. They do look much better than the metal mesh wire though.
Metal Bolts and screws vs zip ties
It’s pretty easy to use zip ties when you have to attach the mesh wire, but hamsters who love to chew on everything can break it in just a few weeks. It’s best to use metal bolts and screws.
You can do this by attaching the bolt and screws to the cage itself and then looping the mesh wipe to attach. But remember to point or mount the bolt outside the cage to avoid accidents like poking your hamster’s face on it. Remember, hamsters don’t have good eyesight and run fast toward anything without thinking.
Can I hot glue the mesh wire?
Well, yes, but it’s not a durable solution plus, if you are using a wood or plastic enclosure, it will really ruin the cage and most likely melt the plastic cage.
BEST MESH WIRE FOR HAMSTER CAGE VENTILATION
Below is a list of mesh wire for hamster cages to help you secure the house without compromising the ventilation.
Origin Point Hardwear Cloth 1/4 inch
This mesh wire is more than you will be needed, but it doesn’t hurt o have extra in case you mess up on the first try. It has a 1/4 inch aperture which is perfect for Dwarf and still suitable for Syrian hamsters. It also doesn’t rust.
Fencer Wire Mesh 1/4 inch
Where else should you get your mesh wire hamster cage but Fencer? They offer different sizes for 1/4-inch holes, so you don’t need to buy too much and save a bit of money. It’s price than the other on the list but for a reason. This mesh wire is rust-proof and heavy-duty. You know it will last for a long time.
MAPORCH Plastic Netting 1/2 in
Remember that this one is suitable for Syrian hamsters. The holes are too big for a Dwarf, especially for a baby Dwarf. Compared to metal mesh wire, this looks much better but is chewable. It’s not too much or too little, so you have plenty of time to re-do the meshing in case you get it wrong the first time.
I think this is an ideal mesh write for hamster cage if you don’t mind it having a vinyl cover rather than raw metal.
Best Choice Products Metal Mesh 1/2 in
The last is a metal mesh with a 1/2-inch opening, which must be used for Syrian hamsters. It comes in a big bundle, so be mindful before buying it. But you can also choose between getting a 3 ft or 4 ft one. You can get the longer option if you want to double mesh or need it for the playpen.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Adding a mesh wire is a good idea. It only benefits your hamster and ensures they are comfortable in their enclosure. It might take you a while to set it up, but it’s for the best. Make sure that your hamster is not inside the cage when you attach the mesh write, especially if you are using sharp tools such as metal wire and scissors.
I hope you found this article about mesh wire for hamster cages helpful. If you have questions or tips, leave us a comment below.
TO READ THI LATER, SAVE THIS IMAGE ON YOUR PINTEREST:
