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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2015 13:58:01 GMT -5
Being from the UK originally and now Belgium, I know how hard it can be to find a Ferret Nation cage! (I looked for aaaages, and they were either too far, too expensive to ship or didn't ship at all). After lots of searching I finally found a great alternative. The Savic Royal Suite Double is the best cage I've managed to find, they are almost the same as the FN, same layout, good deep pans (although plastic, they are hard and durable), same door lock mechanism, and the best part is the rim around the bottom of each level that keeps accidents etc inside the cage. I've had one for a month now, and i love it. Super easy to clean, set up, loads of space and my little one loves it! They can be expensive (about €300 new) but no more than a new FN I think, and i managed to find a second hand one in great condition for €150, so they are more available then the FN. I didnt know if there were any similar posts so I thought I would post this just in case it helps anyone who is looking for and can't get hold of a FN where they live! If you go on Google you can find pictures, dimensions etc. It really is a lovely cage  |
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Post by bitbyter on Jan 5, 2015 15:03:37 GMT -5
Yeah, it is basically the U.K / European version of the Ferret Nation.
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Post by RedSky on Jan 5, 2015 15:15:09 GMT -5
I'm in the UK and managed to find both the critter nation (which I ordered at about £230) and later a ferret nation that was priced at £199, so similar prices to this cage.
Is it the same in that the sides can be removed to add another cage or an addition level on top?
I'm keep thinking of saving up to buy another critter nation (since that's what I already have) to make their floor space bigger but mainly planning on sticking to my original plan of having a shed linking to an aviary and indoors, which we will build spring/summer.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2015 6:40:52 GMT -5
You can add a third level which you can buy separate, but I'm not sure about adding to the sides, I will have to have a look. It may involve cutting a hole for access between them, rather than simply removing a side panel. But upwards is def possible  |
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Post by RedSky on Jan 6, 2015 6:50:15 GMT -5
Sorry, I posted rather than looking into it myself and then found the answer. Yes, you can buy another cage and remove the side panels to attach them together to make one big cage.
And with the doors having litter guards it means they are less likely to kick out the litter from the litter tray (which I'm struggling with at the moment).
I also noticed that you can get an x-large version, but not sure if it comes with the storage section at the base as it wasn't in the pictures but it was in the description. It also has 2 addition half shelves.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2015 9:24:37 GMT -5
No worries, That's great to know! Although now I want a second one! I find that the litter boxes take up a lot of room so it would be great to double it up sideways rather than upwards! (I'm really short) With the XL cage I don't think it does comes with the storage shelf. On zooplus.com it gives a list of dimensions and what's included. I could be wrong though! |
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Post by RedSky on Jan 6, 2015 10:13:07 GMT -5
I think you are right, no storage shelf. The dimensions in width and length are bigger, but the overall height is the same. The shelf height is where the cage gains the head room for 2 additional half shelves. I think it's a good idea, while I like the storage underneath the cage for blankets and such, I would rather my fuzzies have the extra room. That said I'm not sure the extra room is worth £100 more...
I too hate how much room the litter tray takes up, with my 3 ferrets in a 2 level critter nation I have 2 litter trays (and they still poo everywhere else too!). They take up about 1/3 of the floor space on the full levels and I don't want to put it on the top smaller shelf as that so far (touch wood) is the only place they haven't yet gone to the toilet.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2015 11:01:59 GMT -5
Up until recently mine only used her litter box, but then she came into heat for the first time and stated going everywhere. Even next to her food area. I'm hoping now she's been to the vet and has the implant she will go back to using it again! She really wasn't herself bless her. I don't really use the shelf to be honest. Kaiju can open most storage boxes so bedding doesn't stay clean unless its out of reach. but it is a good place to set up tunnels! I liked Sherry's idea of using separate litter boxes attached by a tunnel but I can't bring myself to cut a hole in my cage! I might start looking for a second Savic now though. Depending on how Kaiju reacts during introductions, I want to adopt another fuzzy or 2 this year, so the extra space would be awesome! |
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Post by RedSky on Jan 6, 2015 11:10:15 GMT -5
I've not looked into the actual size difference between the savic and the critter nation (or ferret nation) but I got lots of go aheads on having 3 in 1 double critter nation. And even having 2 in a single storey (so half of the cage), so it could be possible get her some friends and just pull up the connecting ladder while they are bonding (if need be). But yeah, definitely the bigger the better. As for the external litter box or food box or any box idea, you can buy perspex or even a wooden board and bolt it on to the cage and use that to cut a whole into rather than damaging the cage side panel, I'm sure it's has been discussed before. Quick google search. @splash89 (tagged you as I've edited and didn't want you to miss this bit) holisticferret.proboards.com/thread/350/make-remote-litter-boxFirst bit is about cutting into the cage but further down it has a wooden/mesh side panel someone made to replace the ferret nation side panel. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2015 12:53:24 GMT -5
Wow they think of everything here! Thankyou I'm going to have to give that a go! (By me I actually mean my other half ) I have the lift up ladder which sperates the two halves, and remote litter boxes would definitely help with space! Especially as it will probably take a while to find another bargain Savic cage I don't know if I will be able to attach a different type of cage, but they all look very similar. Might have a look and compare sizes. Although I guess half won't have the litter guard if I used something else. |
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Post by RedSky on Jan 6, 2015 14:15:07 GMT -5
Haha they sure do think of everything! It is a very helpful forum with brilliant people. I'm not sure about attaching a different type of cage, as if they sides don't match up you (or your OH  ) might struggle to make it safe and escape proof and still look pretty. But you can keep searching 2nd hand sites for cheap savics. I'm still hoping to have mine outside... Although I do love having them so close and being able to access them so easily. They will have an indoor section but I will have to go out and walk around the side of the house (thinking of UK climate here) to get them if one is in a deep sleep or something. Sounds like your OH is similar to mine, I come up with wacky ideas and he has to try to make them work. He used to come up with wackier ideas but has stopped voicing them when I started wanting him to make them... hehe |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2015 14:37:03 GMT -5
Yeah it would bit a lot easier with another Savic i'll start searching  I have too many plans in my head now! we started off converting a big wardrobe into a cage. It looked amazing but was so impossible to clean we had to scrap it after a few months. (I had never had a ferret before otherwise i woukd have bought a proper cage straight away)! Haha they do sound very similar. I'm still waiting for him to make his tunnel idea around the house. He wanted it leading up to our bedroom with a sleepbox above our bed so she can visit lol. I would do things myself but honestly if you put me anywhere near power tools I'm just a total disaster waiting to happen! |
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Post by RedSky on Jan 6, 2015 18:22:20 GMT -5
Haha mine wanted to do tunnels everywhere when we bought our rodents and he's thought about it more with every new one (as they have just been a more suitable species for it). He talked about it loads before we got the ferrets but then realised how much work it would be to implement so hasn't mentioned it again since. I still think it would be a really cool idea but I can't think of a way to make it look tidy and pretty.
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