New unplanned addition, need advice about dwarf hamsters.

[KittyGurl]

Congrats on your new hammy!

[My Peanuts]

thanks guys!

So here's what I've got for him, tell me what else I need please.

I have...
-A 2 story cage w/wheel
-food dish
-water bottle
-non treated bedding
-chew stick attatched to a toy with a bell
-mineral block
-exercise ball (the kind he goes inside)
-wooden house for inside the cage
-food (seed, corn etc fortified mix)

I'm getting after work
-Oasis vita drops for hamsters (vitamins for in the water)
-salt lick
-extra food dish for veggies and fruit.


Do I need hay or anything else?

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Congratulations! I can't wait to see pictures once he's settled in.

I think you have everything you need? I haven't had hamsters is a very long time and I've never had a dwarf hamster. I really don't know how necessary the vitamin drops are. He may be turned off by the taste/smell of them at first. I'd suggest weaning him onto them- maybe start with 1/4 the recommended dose and work up to the full amount.

One of my best friends has the most wonderful dwarf hamster named Bill. I know they can be nippy (I believe they are known to be even more nippy than "regular" hamsters), but if you handle him as often as possible then you shouldn't have a problem with that. I know my friend usually gives her hamster at least 3 hours out of his cage each day. He's the most gentle little guy I've ever seen.

[SunsetRose]

Yep, you have everything you need and your set to go!

Critter trails are awesome, but they can be difficult to keep clean because hammies will sometimes urinate in them. The best way I've found to clean them is to take them apart, fill the sink with hot water with some Dawn and let them soak for about 5 to 10 minuts. Then just scrub with a bottle brush, rinse and set out to air dry.

I used to breed dwarf hamsters and many of the worst tempered ones were the albinos and ones that were predominantly white with red eyes along with pure creams with red eyes. I'm not sure if this was just a quirk in my breeding with genetics, or if this is a general trait of those colors. I would love to know what kind of temperment your hammy has once you start to get to know her. I'll also mention that males are typically more docile than females regardless of color, although I did have one white and grey pied hamster with black eyes that was super sweet.

[Kalei]

Yay! I am so glad you saved the little guy! Now he has a grand future with you I can't wait to see pictures