Suitable plastic type for animal enclosure?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the selection of suitable plastic types for constructing a hamster enclosure, focusing on the walls and floor materials while ensuring proper ventilation through metal mesh. Participants explore various plastic options and their properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the specific concerns regarding plastic choice, questioning whether it relates to potential allergies for the hamster or structural integrity.
  • Another participant references a product page indicating that the plastic accessories used in a similar enclosure are made from polypropylene.
  • Some participants suggest that polyethylene or polypropylene could be suitable choices, noting that polypropylene is less transparent and more expensive to form but may be more durable over time compared to polyethylene, which can be more susceptible to damage from cleaning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the suitability of various plastics, with no consensus reached on the best option for the enclosure.

Contextual Notes

Considerations regarding the hamster's potential allergies to certain plastics and the structural implications of different materials remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Pet owners interested in constructing enclosures for small animals, particularly hamsters, may find this discussion relevant.

TechTree
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Hello, So I've got a pet hamster which I'm trying to build an enclosure for. And so I was wondering what would be the most suitable type of plastic to use for the walls and floor. Obviously it's going to have the appropriate ventilation as the top and the front will be made entirely out of metal mesh.

An example image from https://www.petworld.ie/bernard-deluxe-hamster-cage-2levels-56cm.html
logo_31_42.jpg


What types of plastics (Polyethylene, Acrylic ect...) would be ideal for this enclosure?

Thanks! :wink:
 

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It's not clear why you are asking. Are you concerned that your hamster might be allergic to some forms of plastic or is it structural considerations?
 
A quote from the Petworld page you linked to (https://www.petworld.ie/bernard-deluxe-hamster-cage-2levels-56cm.html)

"All plastic accessories are made with polypropylene material,"
 
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Polyethylene or polypropylene are a good choice. Polypropylene is less transparent and more expensive to form, but cheaper in long term because it does not take as much damage from cleaning as polyethylene do.