caging a hamster

Question
hi!
I'm not sure if you're the right person to be asking this to but I noticed you were good with caging advice for small animals.

I'm looking to buy a hamster but the problem is I have two cats. First of all, would having two cats be a problem and secondly, what type of cage would be best to keep the hamster safe? Alot of people I know have cats and hamsters without any problems and they have the cages with the metal bars so would this be the best choice?

Please write back soon.

Regards,

Sian

Answer
Well, Sian, as long as your hamster cages are in a place where they cannot be knocked off into the floor by the cats, and as long as they have a secure lid that the cats cannot get off or break if they sit on top of it, then you should be just fine. I recommend getting a 10 gallon fish aquarium instead of the kind with bars. Get the hard, plastic type of lid (made for small animals) and you will not have to worry about the cats sitting on top of the lid and breaking it in.
Do not use cedar shavings as bedding. It can cause allergies and even death in some small animals. Aspen or recycled cardboard bedding is the best, but if you can't afford that, you may use corncob bedding or plain pine shavings.

Anything else? I'll be glad to help!

Kristen