Russian dwarf hamsters are related to the Syrian hamster.Russian dwarf hamsters are relatively inexpensive to care for and are becoming a popular pet.Learning how to care for your dwarf hamster will help him live a happy and healthy life and help you become friends with him.
Step 1: A cage that is easy to clean is a good choice.
It is easy to clean a good cage for your hamster.Solid flooring is the best choice for a wire hamster cage.The wire cage should have a bar spacing of less than one-half inch.The wires should be covered with a substance that won't rust.The cage flooring needs to be smooth.One of your dwarf hamster's leg bones could be broken if he gets his feet stuck in wire flooring.If you have a cage with wire flooring, cover it with a smooth material, such as cardboard or laminate flooring.Colorful plastic tubes and tunnels are fun to look at, but can be hard to clean.Your dwarf hamster could chew through the plastic.You can clean your hamster's cage with hot water.His bedding needs to be replaced with each cleaning.A high level of ammonia in the cage can be toxic to your hamster, because glass aquariums don't circulate fresh air very well.The aquarium should be cleaned regularly to prevent ammonia build up.If placed in direct sunlight, glass aquariums may heat up quickly.
Step 2: You can choose a large cage.
The fact that your dwarf hamster is small doesn't mean you should put him in a small cage.The larger the cage, the better.The cage of your dwarf hamster needs to be at least 24 inches long and 40 inches deep.A bigger cage won't get dirty quickly.A large cage will make your dwarf hamster less likely to get bored.When your dwarf hamster is happy, he's less likely to chew on things that are bad for him.A large cage will keep dwarf hamsters from being aggressive towards each other.If you want to house a dwarf hamster in a glass aquarium, it should be at least 10 gallons.
Step 3: The cage floor should be covered with bedding.
There are benefits to cage bedding.It helps keep the cage clean.Your hamster feels more at home with cage bedding.He will be able to burrow as much as he likes.The bedding for your hamster would be made of pine shavings.cedar bedding can be used.Cedar oil can cause your hamster's hair to fall out.He can become very sick if his skin cracks.
Step 4: There is a good location for your dwarf hamster.
The temperature stays constant and there are no drafts when you place your hamster's cage in a comfortable room.The cage should not be placed near a heat source within the room, especially if it is a glass aquarium.A room that is too cold could make your hamster very sleepy.hamsters like to play at night so your bedroom is not a good place for their cage.You might not get a good night's sleep because of the noise of his activity.
Step 5: Pick a commercial food for your dwarf hamster.
Russian dwarf hamsters eat the same as other animals.Hamster food can be pelleted or as seed mixes.If you want your dwarf hamster to eat a lot of food, you need to give him either one or two scoops of seed mix per day.Give your dwarf hamster something to chew on and it will be healthy.Your hamster keeps his teeth filed down by chewing on pellets.If you feed a seed mix to your dwarf hamster, be careful as he may pick out the tastiest seeds and miss out on important vitamins and minerals.Seed mixes can be high in fat.A good quality hamster food should contain at least 15 to 20% of the animal's body mass.You can read the ingredient label to see how much is in the food.
Step 6: Add fresh vegetables to your dwarf hamster diet.
A dwarf hamster needs to eat more than pellet and seed mixes.He should add fresh vegetables to his diet.The vegetables should be washed thoroughly to remove pesticides.Make sure to give him fresh vegetables every day and keep the old ones out of the cage.Add leafy greens to your dwarf hamster's diet.You can feed your dwarf hamster with broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumbers.Once or twice a week, add a small piece of vegetable to your hamster's diet.This will prevent him from getting sick.Feed a piece of a vegetable once a day.
Step 7: Your dwarf hamster has a diet.
Your dwarf hamster has a balanced diet.boiled chicken or turkey, hardboiled egg whites, and canned and drained tuna are good sources of protein.Tofu, flaxseed, and roasted soybeans are vegetarian sources of meat.It is a good idea to give your dwarf hamster a little extra nutrition once a week.Feed it to your dwarf hamster in one small piece at a time.
Step 8: Feed your dwarf hamsters.
You can make healthy snacks out of whole grains for your dwarf hamster.Before feeding rice or pasta to him, make sure it's completely cooled down.Your dwarf hamster can chew on toast and cereals.Feed the grains in small bits to your dwarf hamster.
Step 9: Treat your dwarf hamster.
It's a good idea to add treats to what your dwarf hamster eats.You can find hamster treats at your local pet store.Yogurt drops can be found in your pet store.Your hamster shouldn't eat them very often because they are very fat.
Step 10: Don't feed your dwarf hamster certain foods.
Russian dwarf hamsters are prone to developing diabetes, so high-sugar foods should be avoided.Corn, white bread, and white rice are high in sugar.Some foods are toxic to dwarf hamsters and should be avoided.
Step 11: Provide your dwarf hamster with some water.
The Russian dwarf hamster needs fresh water.Put a water bottle with a stem and ball bearing in your hamster's cage and replace it every day.He can easily reach the stem with his mouth if the bottle is attached to a side of his cage.The water should not be put in a bowl.Your hamster would turn his cage into a mess by drinking water from a bowl.
Step 12: The dwarf hamster's cage has toys in it.
Keeping your Russian dwarf hamster mentally and physically active is an important part of environmental enrichment.It will be easier to tame and handle him if his environment is enriched.Paper towel tubes and empty toilet paper are examples of toys.Your dwarf hamster will love playing with plastic portable tubes.You can buy them at the store.When he chews through the plastic, he can replace it with a new tube.You can make your own hamster toys.Ladders, hamster houses, and obstacle courses are examples of homemade toys.
Step 13: He should hide his food.
When it is time to feed your dwarf hamster, hide or sprinkle some of the food in his bedding or cage.He will be encouraged to wander like he would in the wild.Your dwarf hamster will put food in different areas of his cage as a snack.
Step 14: Give your dwarf hamster something to chew on.
Your dwarf hamster is kept busy and his teeth are filed down by chewing.The dwarf hamster loves chewing on wooden cubes.He can crawl through the holes on multiple sides of the cubes.The bendable wooden toy is made from rounded pieces of wood that are banded together.You can turn this toy type into different shapes to make walls, platforms, and houses for your hamster to play in.Give your dwarf hamster chews.Mineral blocks can last a long time and dwarf hamsters like to chew on them.At your local pet store, you can find chewing materials.
Step 15: Give your dwarf hamster some exercise equipment.
Your dwarf hamster is in shape because of exercise.He will be able to get a lot of exercise in his cage with an exercise wheel.If your dwarf hamster gets his feet stuck in wires or breaks a leg, make sure the exercise wheel is solid.Grease the exercise wheel if it starts to sound bad.Your dwarf hamster can exercise outside of his cage with an exercise ball.If you allow your hamster to play in the ball for up to 30 minutes, he will need a rest and may need some fresh air.Allow your dwarf hamster to run in the hamster ball in different rooms, but near a pool or stairs.It's good for your hamster to have plastic flying saucers.He can run on them like he runs on an exercise wheel.
Step 16: You should wash your hands.
Your dwarf hamster will not bite you when you pick him up if you have clean hands.He will see your hand as food and bite it to get a taste.Before handling a dwarf hamster, wash your hands with soap.
Step 17: You can make a scoop with your hands.
You can keep your dwarf hamster supported as you lift him up by creating a scoop with your hands.He will probably walk onto them if you put your hands under your dwarf hamster.Don't reach down into your dwarf hamster's cage to pick him up.Your hand reminds him of a large bird of prey swooping down to grab him.When putting your hands in his cage, use slow and gentle movements.Speak to your dwarf hamster before you put your hands in his cage.As you go to pick him up, your voice will calm him down.If you want your dwarf hamster to step onto your hands, do not chase him around his cage.You can let him come to you.
Step 18: Determine if he nibbles or bites.
When you pick up your dwarf hamster, there are differences between nibbling and biting.His nibbles are friendly and allow him to explore your hand.Nibbles do not hurt.Bite are not usually friendly.They are your dwarf hamsters way of telling you that he is stressed, scared, or upset.Hamster bites are very fast and accompanied by a sound of distress.There are bites that can be painful.If your dwarf hamster nibbles, don't jerk your hand away.This could make him wary of you.He should blow in his face and say "no" to the biting behavior.
Step 19: You should handle your dwarf hamster every day.
Russian dwarf hamsters have short memories, so if you held him the day before, he might not remember.He won't become distressed or upset with not being held enough if he is handled each day.The dwarf hamsters like being handled.When you hold your dwarf hamster, do not let him fall out of your hands.When you lift him out of his cage, keep him close to you.