Hamsters are not quite known for resting somewhere for the whole day, are they? They need a huge space for all the running and digging. So settling with a shoe box or 10 gallons glass tank might not be the wisest decision.
Is a 30 gallon tank big enough for a hamster? For dwarf breeds like Roborovsky, it’s pretty spacious. Hamsters, on average, need more than 320-330 square inches to carry out their shenanigans, which might lead up to 30 gallons if we’re considering the base.
How exactly are the gallons measured for the hamster habitat? Let’s find that out, which will also explain if a 30-gallon tank is big enough for a hamster.
Is A 30 Gallon Tank Big Enough For A Hamster?
You’ll find people saying things like,
- 30 gallons are too expensive,
- takes up too much space in the room,
- 20-gallon tanks are more than enough.
But that assumption is just simply not accurate. As we said earlier, the demand might vary according to the breed one has as a pet. First, you have to understand why the rodent needs excessive space.
Why A Large Tank Is Required
If we know anything about hamsters, is that they’re restless and always sprinting from here to there without stopping for a minute. That’s how they’re wired, and this is why they need a vast amount of space.
- Enough Leg Room: Sure, you can trap a hamster in a shoe box, but will it have enough room to stretch those arms and legs? And a small space would be too suffocating for its critter mind.
- Escaping Tendency: Hamsters are famous for their escaping tendency. They are always trying to find a way out of the playpen.
If the tank isn’t spacious enough, you’ll notice that the hamster is trying harder to escape the tank by climbing up, scratching the lid, or chewing things more than usual. So that’s your cue on how seriously they crave a more extensive habitat.
On a more serious note, if your hamster is desperately trying to escape, you should pay more attention to find the reason and take needed measures.
- The Height: The height has to be pretty long, given the hamster’s escaping tendency. Lower the lid has a higher possibility for the hamster to chew its way out of the tank.
- Room For A Topper: Larger tanks have enough room for a topper and bedding below. As we said earlier, hamsters need plenty of space for running around. The topper helps with that, and there’s enough room in a large tank even after all the setups.
How Large The Tank Should Be
As we mentioned before, a 20-gallon tank is enough for a Dwarf breed as they’re really small.
With similar concern, is a 30-gallon tank good for a dwarf hamster? It’s better than good! More area means more fun! Although this might vary for different breeds of dwarf ones.
However, since you might have to keep two given the social nature of the breed, even 20 gallons seems like too small of a tank. 10 gallons is definitely out of the question. And with breeds like Syrians and Chinese, we have to always think bigger.
This brings us to the usual question, is a 30-gallon tank big enough for a hamster?
It all comes down to the base. 450-500 square inches is the ideal area for giving any hamster breed the amount of space they need for their active body. And a 30-gallon tank has a base that offers exactly that.
Are you aiming for more space? Good for you. A bigger base always means more running space for the little buddy. In such cases, go for 40 or 50+ gallon tanks.
The minimum space requirement is around 350-400 square inches. Don’t go below that if you don’t want your pet to suffer.
Measuring 30 Gallon Tanks For A Hamster
Yes, the height is important for keeping the hamster from escaping, but it’s not the measurement you should be focusing on while picking a tank.
The tank should be chosen on the basis of the base area, as this decides how much running space the hamster will be getting.
Although our main discussion is centered around the question “Can a hamster live in a 30 gallon tank?“, 30 gallons is not the ultimate size you have to settle for. It’s only the ideal average unit. And the measurement for the different sizes should be something like this –
- 20 Gallon Tanks: 24 inches in length, 12 inches in width. The bare minimum for running around.
- 30 Gallon Tanks: Around 35-36 inches in length, 22-23 inches in width. The average area.
- 40 Gallon Tanks: Around 46-47 inches in length, while the width might stay around 20-24 inches. Perfect for big toppers and toys.
- 50+ Gallon Tanks: Should exceed 45 inches in length. Plenty of base space for the hamster to explore.
So you see, you should focus on the area and then the dimension. Height isn’t going to help much if the base is too small.
Is A 30 Gallon Fish Tank Big Enough For A Hamster?
If you want to DIY, or run short on a budget, you might consider turning a fish tank into a hamster tank.
What is the right size in that case? Is a 30 gallon fish tank big enough for a hamster?
It is. Just make sure the base area meets the space requirement for the pet.
Benefits Of Using Fish Tanks
Fish tanks are made of transparent glass, so you can always keep an eye on the pet and track its movement. There are no bars for them to escape through, and it’s impossible for the hamster to damage the glass.
Frankly speaking, glass tanks do offer better benefits than disadvantages.
Cautionary Measures That Should Be Taken
A fish tank is designed for marine habitat, so it’s obvious that the environment is not exactly rodent-friendly. You have to make the tank habitable for your pet.
Related Questions
If you’re still picking your brain about the space in a 30-gallon tank and the right structure, our answers to some related questions might help you decide better.
1. Is a 30 gallon tank big enough for a Syrian hamster?
Answer: Syrian hamsters are pretty large in size, and that’s why they need a bigger area for proper habitation. Base-wise, 30-gallon tank offers an area suitable for any hamster regardless of the size or social habits, even the Syrian ones.
2. How is a 30-gallon tank big enough for a hamster, and a 10-gallon tank is not?
Answer: A 10-gallon tank is too small for a hamster, even the dwarf breeds. They need plenty of room for their daily activities, and a 10-gallon tank can’t provide that. You have to go 20 gallons minimum even if you’re on a tight budget, and a 30-gallon tank is an ideal size.
Are glass tanks better for hamsters than wire cages?
Answer: Glass tanks and wire cages – both have their fair share of benefits and disadvantages. Glass tanks are most popular these days as it’s harder for the hamster to escape from them. And they conceal the noises.
However, wire cages offer far better ventilation and are easier to keep clean.
Outro
So now you have the answer. Is a 30-gallon tank big enough for a hamster? Yes, it is.
Whether it’s Roborovski Dwarf hamster or a big Golden hamster, you can easily place them into a 30-gallon tank. They’ll manage as long as the base area is about 400 square inches. But it shouldn’t be any smaller. Not for the golden ones in particular.
However, if you can, and the budget allows you, aim bigger. Your hamsters will be happier and healthier with as much space as they can get.
While using fish tanks, don’t neglect the health factors. With a pet, you’re responsible for a life. Handle them with proper love and care. And if you have more questions, check out our other articles.
