Russian dwarf hamsters are a very friendly breed of hamsters. It's easy to get attached to these little creatures, and it's not hard to care for them at all.
Steps
Step 1. Find a dwarf Russian hamster you like
Ask to be able to touch and hold the hamster. He might try to bite because he doesn't know you - don't worry, that's normal - it doesn't mean the hamster is particularly grumpy. Dwarf Russian hamsters only live for a couple of years, so spend as much time as possible with your pet. Ask the shopkeeper for same-sex specimens if you want more than one. It might be a good idea to ask your veterinarian to determine the sex of the hamsters as well, as they reproduce very quickly. If you keep male and female together, they will have puppies approximately every 20-36 days. Remember that many Russian dwarf hamsters prefer to live alone rather than in the company of other hamsters; it is completely normal.
Step 2. Your hamster will need toys
One wheel is not enough to keep the hamster active and healthy. Tunnels, pipes, gnawing sticks, ladders, multiple floors and platforms, nests and houses, toilet roll tubes are great toys for hamsters. One good thing is that many toys can be made at home.
Step 3. Buy a cage that is spacious enough
Remember: hamsters are very active at night and need space to run, not just the wheel. When cleaning the cage (at least once a week) use a non-toxic pet cleaner and rinse everything thoroughly, then dry until there is not even a drop of water left. Hamsters can easily end up in hypothermia if they get wet.
Step 4. Russian dwarf hamsters must eat a diet consisting mainly of pellets or blocks
In this way, the small rodent has all the necessary nutrients available for a complete and balanced diet. Seed mixes don't do as well as a main food because, even if all the ingredients together make up a sufficient diet, most, if not all, hamsters will only choose the tastiest elements, which are the ones with the highest fat content. and leftover the healthiest ingredients. As a result, the hamster will become overweight. You can give the seed mixture as a supplement to the pellet and / or block diet, but only after the hamster has ingested a healthy dose of the pellets or blocks.
Step 5. Buy a compact wheel, not the one with pegs
Many hamsters can get stuck and severely damage their paws in peg wheels.
Step 6. The top of the cage and doors must be very secure
Hamsters are escape artists!
Advice
- It is good to pet the hamster at least once a day. Unlike golden (or Syrian) hamsters, dwarf hamsters return to the wild if they don't interact with humans for 2-3 weeks. At that point it will be necessary to start all over again to tame them.
- Make sure you provide your hamster with fresh food and water every day.
- Spend some time with the hamster every day to keep him company.
- You can put cardboard tubes of toilet paper in the cage for the hamster to play with.
- The best thing when adopting a new animal is to take it from a shelter. Animals in shelters are often cheaper and, more importantly, save their lives.
- Oil the wheel, so that it does not become difficult to run and does not rust.
Warnings
- Dwarf Russian hamsters, like all hamsters, are very prone to gnawing! Be careful if you put plastic items in the cage! They could swallow them and die or choke!
- Monitor the hamster carefully when out of the cage. It takes a second to escape and hide in the most impossible places.
- Also be sure to keep dwarf hamsters away from other hamsters - they will fight!
