This cage is very cute and appealing to the eye, but cleaning it is strenuous. Assembly is simple because everything snaps tightly together, but for this same reason, disassembling it to clean it is difficult. I haven't broken the pieces just yet, but I have broken several fingernails instead.Also, the wheel attachment does not seem very well thought out. As the hamster runs in it and goes to the bathroom in it (because all hamsters do), it gets very dirty but does not come apart enough for thorough cleaning. That, and the sound of hamster droppings clinking in it is enough to drive a person insane.Perhaps other Crittertrail cages would be a better choice, because I do understand the allure of the expansion kits and universal connectors for future renovation.