Dwarf hamsters are fun-loving, fast, and adorable miniature creatures that grow to be four to six centimeters in length.They like to eat and sleep but are active too.They have a reputation for being more active than other hamsters.Their average lifespan is slightly longer at around three years with the occasional fellow reaching four years.If you want to own a dwarf hamster, you should first learn how to care for it.
Step 1: Purchase a place to live.
The minimum cage size is 450 square inches.Before buying a hamster, you should set up a home.If you have a solid bottom and a small mesh, you can use a wire cage for your hamster.If you want to use a 20-gallon aquarium, make sure it has a wire mesh cover.Roborovski hamsters can live in pairs.If the pair doesn't work out, you should have a separate cage.If they fight, you should separate them immediately.Purchase them from the same litter if you plan to have two.If they grow up together, there will be less problems.To avoid breeding and producing large litters, you should make sure that the hamsters are the same sex.Even hamsters raised together from a young age can fall out and fight.You should avoid large-scale hamster colonies.Roborovski hamsters will become territorial and fight if they are housed with other species of hamster.
Step 2: The bedding should be placed into the habitat.
Make sure you put plenty of bedding into the habitat because Roborovski hamsters love to burrow, hide, and dig.A layer of three inches is fine.A generous layer of four to five inches will be appreciated.There are two suitable choices for your hamster.If you choose pine or cedar, don't use them as they can cause a number of health problems and contain harmful oils that are toxic to hamsters.Avoid bedding that has long fibers.Synthetic forms of bedding are notorious for cutting off circulation.
Step 3: There is a litter tray.
There are trays with a hood available.The corner of the hamster cage is where they were designed to fit.You put a special hamster litter inside.hamsters will use these happily instead of soiling their cagesThis is not mandatory.If the litter pan is dirty, your hamster will not use it.
Step 4: Food and water should be provided.
A steady diet of high quality hamster food and greens is what your hamster will thrive on.Hamster food is just one type of food.You should feed hamsters eggs and food that has a lot of protein in it because some hamster foods lack in that.You can give seed mixes with grains, seeds, and dried vegetables.If you give seed mixes alone, your hamster will eat around the tasty bits and lead to an unbalanced diet.A hamster should have about 1.5 ounces of food.You can give your hamster fresh fruit and vegetables twice a week.Consider apples, carrots, and lettuce.Your hamster will be able to find them if you scatter them around the cage.Junk food can be toxic to an animal so don't feed it to your hamster.Provide fresh water daily in an inverted bottle with a sipping tube that is attached to the cage low enough for your dwarf hamster to reach it.If your hamster gets sick from accidentally soiling his or her water supply, this will prevent it.
Step 5: There are toys and an exercise wheel in the habitat.
Since wired wheels can hurt your hamster's feet, choose a wheel with a solid outer tread plate.When the hamster is in the wheel, make sure his back is straight and that he doesn't have to bend it backwards in order to fit under the central axle as this leads to back problems.Allow your hamster to exercise in the wheel daily, but remove it from the habitat when you aren't supervising to prevent the chance of injury.Tubes, tunnels, hideouts, toilet paper rolls, wooden chews and bridges are some of the toys for a Roborovski hamster.Soft plastic can create a choking hazard.The fluff in any pet store toy is harmful to a hamster's system and can cause a choking hazard.It is safe for your hamster to use toilet paper.It's a good idea to remove toys from the habitat every few days.You can help keep your hamster interested in the toys by rotating them.
Step 6: Purchase enrichment items for outside the habitat.
Roborovski hamsters like to leave their enclosures to explore what lies beyond their habitats.An exercise ball is a great way to let your hamster run all over the house.It's a good idea to keep the ball on the ground floor of multilevel homes.There is plenty of space for toys and treats in the hamster playpens.A very large storage bin is an alternative.hamsters can chew holes in cardboard boxes, so don't use them.If you allow your pet to explore a room, make sure the room is inescapable and remove all dangerous items.Roborovskis hamsters can fit through small gaps.When your hamster is out of the habitat, always supervise him or her.No matter what type of play area you use for your pet, fill it with toys, hiding places, and tasty treats.Your hamster needs playing areas to be active.
Step 7: Purchase bathing materials.
hamsters love rolling around in a container full of bathing sandChinchilla dust is very harmful and you should purchase chin chilla sand.Pick a long dish or bowl and fill it up before allowing your hamster to roll around in it.If you want your hamster to enjoy a sand bath, don't give it a water bath.
Step 8: If you plan to buy a pair of hamsters, buy two of everything.
You will need two of everything if you are going to keep two Roborovski hamsters together.The risks of fighting will be reduced.Upper levels, platforms, and extra cages connected with tubes in the habitat will cause territorial issues and fights.
Step 9: It's a good idea to clean the habitat once a week.
Clean the habitat using hot water once a week.It's possible to use a small amount of vinegar on smelly areas, but make sure you rinse the area thoroughly after using it.As you put the cage back together, fill it with fresh bedding.When you clean the habitat, make sure to give your hamster's toys and exercise wheel a scrub as well.
Step 10: Don't purchase online.
You are ready to bring the hamster home once you have set up your habitat.It's important to purchase your pet from a store in person.Since you want to take a good look at your hamster, don't buy online.hamsters are given a second chance at life if they are adopted.
Step 11: Go to the store in the afternoon or evening.
If you go to the pet store before the store closes, you will get the best look at your hamster.The hamster is likely to sleep if you go during the day.
Step 12: You can choose a hamster.
A young hamster should be four to six weeks old.Pick a kid that is less than two inches long for an adult hamster.
Step 13: There are signs of a healthy hamster.
The hamster should be active and alert.The fur should be dry and the eyes clear.If a hamster has wet fur around its rump, don't buy it at a pet shop.If you see it in one of the hamsters, it's probably a sign of a disease called wet tail.Don't buy hamsters from that store if the fur is wet.
Step 14: The pet store needs to separate male and female hamsters.
Male and female hamsters will be separated in a shop.You don't want to bring a hamster home and have her give birth to a litter a week later.Shops that areReputable should guarantee the sex of their hamsters, so that you don't have to worry about breeding.
Step 15: Put your hand in the hamster enclosure.
You want to test the behavior of the hamsters in the enclosure.A hamster that peeks out and sniffs at your hand after the initial hiding is a good choice.Hamsters will be less scared of you when they display this behavior.Roborovski hamsters are flighty and nervous so you need to give them some time to get used to you.
Step 16: Purchase a pet.
You are ready to pick the best candidate once you have taken all of these steps.Purchase a hamster that displays these qualities.
Step 17: A small traveling kit is needed.
You may be able to get a traveling kit from the pet store.If not, be prepared to bring something from home with some bedding, food, and toys.The goal is to make the journey stress free for the hamster.The hamster can chew through cardboard and escape.
Step 18: Bring your pet home quickly and safely.
After being handled and removed from its enclosure, your new hamster will be very stressed.Place your new pet into the already set up habitat slowly and gently.
Step 19: For the first few days, leave the Roborovski hamster alone.
Before you attempt to tame or handle your new hamster, you need to let him or her adapt to his new surroundings.hamsters might need more time to adjust to their new homeYou should have enough food, water, and toys for the first few days, but you will need to change them daily.To allow your new pet to adjust to its new environment, cover the aquarium with a light cloth.It will take longer if you disturb the hamster.If there are people in the house, make sure they don't go near the hamster's enclosure.If you want to watch your hamster explore it's new home, but Roborovski hamsters are very nervous and will hide and become very stressed, so resist the temptation for the first few days.
Step 20: Before entering the habitat, make sure your hamster is awake.
Make sure your hamster is awake before you attempt to tame him or her.If you feel grumpy or annoyed, a sleepy hamster may nip.If you want to tame a hamster, give it a treat.Try again if it runs away.After a few days of taking treats, put your hamster in your palm.He/she is going to eat it in your hand.Lift him up a few inches and put him back down if he is comfortable sitting in your hand.He needs a few days to get used to the feeling of lifting.Lift him for longer periods of time, then higher and out of the cage.It might take a while to tame him because he is very timid.It's very difficult to tame them, so don't be surprised if it goes wrong.Before reaching into the habitat or handling your hamster, you should wash your hands.Poor eyesight and smelling food on your fingers can lead to an accidental nip.
Step 21: Your hamster will be accommodated to your daily habitat chores.
You can start working on your hamster's habitat after a few days.Speak softly and let your Roborovski hamster know that you're here.Place in new food and a bunch of new toys and begin the daily chores.The water bottle should be changed as well.You can get your hamster used to being in the habitat by doing the daily chores.Slow and careful movements are used first.
Step 22: Allow your hamster to sniff your hand.
It is normal for your new hamster to sniff your hand and then run away again.Don't try to handle the hamster just because he or she will sniff your hand.Allow the hamster to set the pace and try to offer treats as well.Don't try to change the behavior.If you want to help tame your hamster, you can scoop him or her up in a small box that the hamster can't escape from.The hamster will sniff at you if you place your hand in the box.The hamster will be more likely to approach you if he or she can hide.If your hamster runs away and hides, if you try to touch it, or if it rolls on its back and/or bares its teeth, then the pet is only feeling stressed, and you should try again with the taming techniques later.
Step 23: Understand your hamster's personality.
hamsters have different personalityIt is great if your hamster is interested in you after a few days.If your hamster doesn't show any affection to you after a month of training, you need to respect this, as he may never develop a liking for humans.Watching your hamster play in its playpens and exercise ball is still enjoyable.
Step 24: Play with your pet.
You can put your hamster in a play area if you no longer fear it.Roborovski hamsters love playing outside of their habitats, so you can keep it stimulated by letting it run around.If your hamster is allowed to explore a room, make sure you supervise it.Your hamster should spend at least an hour or two outside of the habitat daily, whether in an exercise ball, a playpen, or running around under your supervision.You should always switch the toys in the play areas.
Step 25: When handling a pet, sit down.
If your hamster begins to show signs of comfort around you, you can begin handling and playing with it.Your hamster may jump from your hands at times because they have poor eyesight.The hamster doesn't fall from a dangerous height if you sit down.When handling your hamster, you should always use two cupped hands.
Step 26: Pets like cats and dogs should be kept away from your hamster.
Even if your hamster is safe in its habitat, it will still see them as a threat and become stressed.The stress opens the door to illness.Keep other household pets away from the hamster room.