M
Member ID2
What a lovely little dwarfie! 
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Frida
Thank you everyone 
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Frida
Would one these be okay for Albert or are they more for Syrian hamsters? https://www.jollyes.co.uk/savic-sputnik-hamster-house-hamster-cage.html
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Frida
Another quick question. I avoid fruit and treats with sugar in them because Albert is a russian dwarf. What about treats with honey in them? Also I've noticed some treats have salt in them too.
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RainbowBrite
I would avoid honey and salt. The only treats I buy are whimzees. Sprays are a nice and natural way of treating.
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Frida
Thank you
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Frida
Albert say hello
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R
RainbowBrite
Hello beautiful Albert. You look happy with your millet. 
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He is looking gorgeous and seems so friendly 
The Sputnik you linked above is supposed to be a hamster sized one (although is actually a bit small for Syrians to use). I use the bigger, rat sized ones - for both Syrians and also for our last tiny robo . Because they're bigger, they also hang a lot lower so there isn't as far to fall if they jump out. Although the rat sized ones might seem large inside for a dwarf hamster, I put bedding in them and our robo used to love going in his. I think the hamster heaven comes with one of the smaller ones and it does hang quite high up - making it hard to reach to get into and as well as a long way to fall from. However if it was hanging over a shelf it might be ok as not far to fall from. Providing the hamster could actually get into it.
I ended up using the small one upside down in the playpen like a kind of floor hide rather than a hanging hide.
Even with the large ones I think they need to hang either next to, or partly over, a shelf - for ease of getting in and out. And on the sides that are open over the substrate or elsewhere there needs to be nothing they can knock themselves on, on the way down (and for some reason they do decide to jump out sometimes!)
I tend to have one opening next to the bars (eg front or back of the cage), one opening over the shelf and the one on the far side either with open substrate under and no hard items, or with a tube leading out of it. Which is why I have a rat tube tied to the roof on my cage - one end is over the sputnik entrance - the other end can lead to a shelf (or another sputnik!). It makes a kind of roof run.
It's not necessary to have a roof run of course, but placement is important.
The reason I like the bigger ones as well - even though they seem really big - is not only do they hang lower, but they provide quite a good overhead cover so there isn't too much space above a hamster. Our first syrian was quite shy and loved to sit under his sputnik when out and about in the cage. I think they feel secure with some kind of protection above them. Other hamsters are more gregarious.
The Sputnik you linked above is supposed to be a hamster sized one (although is actually a bit small for Syrians to use). I use the bigger, rat sized ones - for both Syrians and also for our last tiny robo
. Because they're bigger, they also hang a lot lower so there isn't as far to fall if they jump out. Although the rat sized ones might seem large inside for a dwarf hamster, I put bedding in them and our robo used to love going in his. I think the hamster heaven comes with one of the smaller ones and it does hang quite high up - making it hard to reach to get into and as well as a long way to fall from. However if it was hanging over a shelf it might be ok as not far to fall from. Providing the hamster could actually get into it.I ended up using the small one upside down in the playpen like a kind of floor hide rather than a hanging hide.
Even with the large ones I think they need to hang either next to, or partly over, a shelf - for ease of getting in and out. And on the sides that are open over the substrate or elsewhere there needs to be nothing they can knock themselves on, on the way down (and for some reason they do decide to jump out sometimes!)
I tend to have one opening next to the bars (eg front or back of the cage), one opening over the shelf and the one on the far side either with open substrate under and no hard items, or with a tube leading out of it. Which is why I have a rat tube tied to the roof on my cage - one end is over the sputnik entrance - the other end can lead to a shelf (or another sputnik!). It makes a kind of roof run.
It's not necessary to have a roof run of course, but placement is important.
The reason I like the bigger ones as well - even though they seem really big - is not only do they hang lower, but they provide quite a good overhead cover so there isn't too much space above a hamster. Our first syrian was quite shy and loved to sit under his sputnik when out and about in the cage. I think they feel secure with some kind of protection above them. Other hamsters are more gregarious.
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I completely missed the bit about the sputnik, I used to use the smaller ones for both Russian & Chinese hams & provided the cage isn’t too high they’re fine, quite a nice size for them even with some bedding or a piece of hemp mat inside.
The bigger Syrian (or rat) size ones would be fine too if you have space enough in the cage.
The bigger Syrian (or rat) size ones would be fine too if you have space enough in the cage.
F
Frida
Thank you Maz and elusive I'm going to a jollyes pet store for the first time next week so I'll have a look at the hamster size one first and then make a decision. I'm hoping to buy Albert some nice things.
I'm going to a jollyes pet store for the first time next week so I'll have a look at the hamster size one first and then make a decision. I'm hoping to buy Albert some nice things.
M
Member ID2
I avoid honey for all species and can't stand the stuff myself, lol.
I do give the dwarfs the odd treat though like a yippee, sugar free yoghurt drop, a crock or prawn cookie. This may not be the best idea but i've lost so many dwarfs to illnesses other than diabetes that i am a bit more relaxed about treats now.
I do give the dwarfs the odd treat though like a yippee, sugar free yoghurt drop, a crock or prawn cookie. This may not be the best idea but i've lost so many dwarfs to illnesses other than diabetes that i am a bit more relaxed about treats now.
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I tend to mainly use pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds as treats, or the occasional walnut or half a plain cashew nut. Plus the occasional yippee. I think of the yippees and whimzees more as chew sticks for their teeth though, rather than treats exactly.
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F
Frida
I managed to get Albert a packet of sugar free yogurt drops the other day. He's very happy with them
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I give mine crock complete which I think are fairly healthy & don’t have sugar or other nasties, most hams seem to love thesse.
Another treat all mine love is sesame sticks, even the ones that don’t like sesame still love them, they’re really hard too so good for teeth, delivery is a bit expensive but there are a few other things on there like the crocks that might make it worth it.
Another treat all mine love is sesame sticks, even the ones that don’t like sesame still love them, they’re really hard too so good for teeth, delivery is a bit expensive but there are a few other things on there like the crocks that might make it worth it.
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