As the title of this thread says, this is the first time I've owned russian dwarfs (winter whites), although when I was about 10 I had a syrian. They were a birthday present as I turned 21 today. I've called them Ivan the Terrible and Vlad Dracul.

I've been reading up on what they need to be happy and healthy - no one likes a depressed hamster - and I wondered if anyone had any useful advice. Most literature seems to be aimed at syrian owners. My main sources are the 'Pets at Home Hamster' booklet and http://netvet.wustl.edu/species/hamsters/phodopus.txt

I've got the basics -

- A Rotastak cage (I'll have to make sure it's dwarf proof so as not to repeat the experiences some of you have had with smaller rodets and I've had to adjust it so it's mainly on one level because they seemed to have trouble with the vertical tubes and the mouse ladders didn't help)

- Two 12cm diametre rodent balls

- A wheel (Which Ivan seems to LOVE)

- Wood to gnaw on

- Various tubey things and a ball to play with

- Two water bottles and a food dish

- A nesting box


This is only a start, but is there anything that should be a major priority? Also is there anything I should be wary of? Food that I shouldn't give them that would otherwise be fine etc.

There is a few members here that maybe able to help you but they are not on here tonight yet, but I would check your post now and then. You seem to be doing the right thing, thus far, have you googled it yet, it is daunting at first but just dig deeper,okay, good luck !

I googled earlier this evening and the best it came up with is http://netvet.wustl.edu/species/hamsters/phodopus.txt which is useful. I just wondered is there was anything else I needed to know.

I'm a firm believer in knowing what is good/bad for my pets so I don't end up killing them with kindness or ignorence.

Amen to that, I am the same way. Before I got my guinea pig, and I had asked many that knew something and purchased some books on line for Guinea pigs health and diet! I agree with you, good going!

I'm a little disapointed that most books seem to be geared towards syrian hamsters. It's good that there is so much out there but they only mention the other breeds in passing. My boyfriend and I are most impressed with your guinea pig. Andrew had a whole heard of them when he was younger and they used to chase each other around the garden. The neighbourhood cats didn't dare chase them because the guinea pigs would gang up on them.

Apparently you would see a cat chase a guinea pig past the livingroom window, then a few seconds later the cat would run passed again followed by it's intended victim and the rest of the clan.The cats learned to leave them alone, except one which grew up next door. She was adopted by them and they used to play "tag-you're-it"

you seem to know abit already, i have 5 dwarfs so fireaway any Questions
xx

__________________
My Zoo!
Hamters - Millie & Princess.Gerbil-Drexel Mice-Salazar, Chocolate-drop, Snowflake, Monty, The Twins. Rat-Walter Goldfish-Orange Horses- Sinbad, Pinkie & Jasper Dogs- Freddie, Charlie, Suzie & Tacco 60+ CockRoaches, 13 Giant african land snails and 22 Stick insects! R.I.P TO ALL MY BABIES OVER RAINBOW BRIDGE <3

You cna feed them treats wich consist of:
Alfalfa
Apple (seedless)
Asparagus
Avocado (skinned and seedless)
Banana
Basil
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts - small amounts occasionally - not all hamsters like the strong taste
Calabrese
Cabbage - should only be fed in small amounts occasionally as too much can cause health problems
Carrots
Cauliflower leaves and stalks
Celery
Cherries - stones should be removed as they can be dangerous if gnawed
Chestnuts
Chicory
Chinese Leaves
Coriander
Corn-on-the-Cob
Corn Salad
Courgette
Cranberries
Cress
Cucumber
Curly Kale
Dates
Endive
Fenugreek
Feijoa
Figs
Grapes
Green beans
Kale - should only be fed in small amounts occasionally as too much can cause health problems
Kidney Beans (cooked)
Kiwi Fruit
Kumquat
Lettuce - small amounts occasionally - in excess it can cause liver problems
Logan Berries
Lychee
Mange Tout
Mango
Marrow
Melon
Mint
Mung
Okra
Pak Choy
Papaya
Parsley - a good tonic
Peach
Pear
Peas
Plums - stones should be removed as can be dangerous when gnawed
Potato (cooked)
Raspberries
Raspberry Plant leaves - beneficial for diarrhoea
Rhubarb (cooked)
Rocket Chard
Sage
Sorrel
Squash
Star Fruit
Strawberries
Sugar Cane - small amounts
Sweet Potato
Soybean Sprouts
Swede
Sweetcorn
Sweet Peppers
Ugli Fruit
Turnip
Water Chestnuts
Watermelon
Water Spinach
Acorns
Almonds (sweet almonds, shelled)
Beechnuts
Biscuits
Boiled Potatoes
Brazil Nuts
Bread (fresh or stale)
Breakfast Cereals
Cake - but not chocolate cake
Cashew Nuts
Chicken (cooked)
Cheese
Coconuts
Crickets
Currents
Dog Biscuits
Egg (scrambled or boiled)
Fish (cooked)
Hazel Nuts
Mealworms
Meat (cooked)
Nuts
Pecan Nuts
Peanuts (shelled or unshelled)
Pistachio Nuts
Prunes
Raisins
Sweet Chestnuts
Sultanas
Toast
Walnuts
Alyssum
Asters
Bramble leaves
Blackberry leaves
Burnet
Chickweed
Clover
Coltsfoot
Cornflowers
Cow Parsley
Crosswort
Dandelion leaves and flower
Dock
Groundsel
Hawthorn leaves
Hedge Parsley
Knot Grass
Mallow
Marigolds
Michaelmas Daisies
Nasturtiums
Nipplewort
Phlox
Plaintain
Roses
Salvias
Shepherds Purse
Sow Thistle
Sweetpeas
Trefoil
Vetch
Wallflowers
Watercress
Young grass

Give them small amounts of one thing each day , or every other day at first.

Dont Grab them they will bite, and resent you.

if they fight and blood is drawn you will need to seperate them
xx

__________________
My Zoo!
Hamters - Millie & Princess.Gerbil-Drexel Mice-Salazar, Chocolate-drop, Snowflake, Monty, The Twins. Rat-Walter Goldfish-Orange Horses- Sinbad, Pinkie & Jasper Dogs- Freddie, Charlie, Suzie & Tacco 60+ CockRoaches, 13 Giant african land snails and 22 Stick insects! R.I.P TO ALL MY BABIES OVER RAINBOW BRIDGE <3

That is just to funny! lol!

I'm glad you liked it They just had the run of the garden, no run or any thing, they stayed there because they didn't like the feel of the pavement and they had plenty to do where they were. Except once, Lulu ran away for about a month. They thought that a fox had got her, then one of the neighbours said that they had seen her in their garden but couldn't catch her. Andrew went into the garden, called her and she came right over. She didn't sqeak for about three months though, they think that's how she evaded the preditors.

u-look-like-a-hamster: thanks for the list of treats, it means I can lay off the chocolate-drops that I was given. They occasionaly have a boxing match with no blood, but I think Ivan is definatly the dominant one.

haa your welcome

if you want any other info just ask...


Oh and i have just rrealised i have 6 dwarfs not five lol
xx

__________________
My Zoo!
Hamters - Millie & Princess.Gerbil-Drexel Mice-Salazar, Chocolate-drop, Snowflake, Monty, The Twins. Rat-Walter Goldfish-Orange Horses- Sinbad, Pinkie & Jasper Dogs- Freddie, Charlie, Suzie & Tacco 60+ CockRoaches, 13 Giant african land snails and 22 Stick insects! R.I.P TO ALL MY BABIES OVER RAINBOW BRIDGE <3