Hi normally Im in the cat section but I will soon be getting 2 Russian Dwarf Hamsters I have bought their home ready and some books to read up but would like any advice possible on the best bedding to get and any tips on looking after them - they are for my two step children but I will be mostly looking after them.

Thanks

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Ooh fantastic another hammy lover..

I use the safe bedding from pets at home which is like paper flakey stuff. It's £2.99 for a large bag. Are you getting two males or two females? Be aware that they might not live together once they hit maturity because they can be territorial. I've kept dwarf hamsters together in the past and it's never worked out but I know some people on here have had success but I would have a spare cage on standby just in case.

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Molly's birthday

what type of russian are you getting ?

where are you getting them from ?

glad to hear you are choosing to get hammies

and yes be aware as jazzy said you will need to have a spare cage ready just incase.

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animals are my life

i have:
2x dogs (rottweiler and a jug),
1x african grey parrot,
x1 baby budgie,
5x syrian hamsters (toupe, baby, mocha, peach and daisey),
4x winter white dwarfs (lucy, blossom, sunshine and harry),
3x leaf insects (dont have names - 1 male, 2 females),
9x snakes (at the moment 8 are babies and for sale),
and a male tarantula (spinner)

Also if you are getting them from pets at home be careful they have sexed them right cos a few years ago we got a pair of girls that turned out to be a girl and a boy and the first we knew about it was when my daughter heard little squeaks coming from the cage.

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Molly's birthday

Hi guys thanks for your replies....yeah we will be getting them from Pets@home...I was told that they will be fine living together as long as they are both male as the females can get a bit nippy with each other - but take your point jazzy and I will mention it when I go back there - I know Pets at home have a bit of a rep for not sexing them very well so will make sure I tell them to double check! that is my only fear at the mo Im not sure which Russion type it will be depends which the boys choose - do u think they are ideal? or would a different type be more suitable ...the boys do have their hearts set on the dwarf ones - thanks guys

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I think the Russians are the best of the dwarf hamsters for handling although they can still nip but don't hurt like the Syrian does. Well mine don't anyway. They are quite friendly little hamsters and not as quick as Chinese or Roborovski's.

Have you got them a little mini ball so they can run around the house?

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Molly's birthday

Yeah thats what the guy there said that they were quite lively and loved being handled so I thought they sounded ideal....oh yeah will be getting one of those! Ive bought a fab home for them from P@home its huge and got about 3 levels and a wheel and an obervatory and a huge tunnel coming out up to the top lol - im quite excited

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Ooh what cage is that, it sounds great. You might need two wheels if they are going to live together.

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Molly's birthday

Its called SpaceCommand and is a Rotostak one,,,,,,,the wheel is all part of it ,,,,can u buy ones to add on then?? sorry im a complete novice lol oh and also I wanted to ask about stuff for them to knaw on....do u just use cardboard? or do u buy the proper stuff thanks Jazzy u have been really helpful will rep u when it lets me xx

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there are three types of russian dwarf hamsters, the winter whites (i have 4 of these) the campells and the roborski

out of these three i would say that roboroskis are the fastest, and the cambells and winterwhites are very similar.

if you are getting from p@H then i would suggest that you research a little on sexing these hamsters so you have a little idea as to what looks like a male and what looks like a female.

things that they can knaw on include: cardboard, fruit tree branches, toilet tube rolls, and knawing objects that you can get in shops.

good luck with your new hammies

__________________
animals are my life

i have:
2x dogs (rottweiler and a jug),
1x african grey parrot,
x1 baby budgie,
5x syrian hamsters (toupe, baby, mocha, peach and daisey),
4x winter white dwarfs (lucy, blossom, sunshine and harry),
3x leaf insects (dont have names - 1 male, 2 females),
9x snakes (at the moment 8 are babies and for sale),
and a male tarantula (spinner)