Rio

[Rio’s Mum]

Hi, I love reading about your little Russians and would love to have that bond with little Rio!
I’m a new owner and I brought baby Rio home two weeks today. He has settled in very well and quite a character. I’ve still not held him yet but he does take dried mealworms and broccoli from my fingers so that’s a start for us both. I’ve Hamsterscaped a Detolf for him which took me 3 weeks and plenty video watching and he has a beach area, play area and deep bed area with a HamCave and tunnel (he has also created 2 more of his own and added more bedding to his Cave) so plenty for him to do. He finally worked out how his wheel works on day 10 and that was hilarious.
Any tips on when I should introduce my hand for him to climb onto would be appreciated.

 

[Maz]

Wow Rio’s Mum! His detolf looks amazing! I can’t see anything to suggest adding or changing. Maybe you’d like to start a thread for Rio - there’s a kind of diary section for a hamster where you can update their progress and add photos etc

I’m sure Beryl will have some tips - she knows a lot more about Russian dwarfs than I do (and so does Elusive).

 

[RainbowBrite]

Hi, I love reading about your little Russians and would love to have that bond with little Rio!
I’m a new owner and I brought baby Rio home two weeks today. He has settled in very well and quite a character. I’ve still not held him yet but he does take dried mealworms and broccoli from my fingers so that’s a start for us both. I’ve Hamsterscaped a Detolf for him which took me 3 weeks and plenty video watching and he has a beach area, play area and deep bed area with a HamCave and tunnel (he has also created 2 more of his own and added more bedding to his Cave) so plenty for him to do. He finally worked out how his wheel works on day 10 and that was hilarious.
Any tips on when I should introduce my hand for him to climb onto would be appreciated.

Hello and welcome to the forum. Rio is gorgeous and I love the set up you have created. It would be lovely if you wanted to start a thread for him so we can get to know him and hear all his adventures.

I think it is wonderful you have made sure to do your research and you have created a beautiful home for Rio.

 

[elusive]

Hello Rio’s Mum, welcome to the forum.
It sounds as though you’re making good progress bonding with Rio already.
If he’s taking treats from your fingers it’s fine to go ahead & introduce your hand, it can be a bit scary for them when a hand comes in from above but with a detolf you have space to come in from the side so that should be ok. Just start slowly, put a treat on your hand & lay your hand fairly flat & keep it still, it may take a few goes before he will be comfortable with that which is fine but he may also be quick to come to your hand, just go at his pace.
Sometimes they’re more comfortable with hands & handling out of the cage, do you have a play pen or safe area where you could put some toys for him to explore then you could spend some time sitting with him & let him get used to your hand or climbing on you that way.
He does have lots to do in the detolf but I would suggest a larger area with deeper bedding, just keep a shallow area where you need space for the wheel, they do like to burrow & make tunnels so more of an area where he can do that would be good.

 

[Rio’s Mum]

Hello Rio’s Mum, welcome to the forum.
It sounds as though you’re making good progress bonding with Rio already.
If he’s taking treats from your fingers it’s fine to go ahead & introduce your hand, it can be a bit scary for them when a hand comes in from above but with a detolf you have space to come in from the side so that should be ok. Just start slowly, put a treat on your hand & lay your hand fairly flat & keep it still, it may take a few goes before he will be comfortable with that which is fine but he may also be quick to come to your hand, just go at his pace.
Sometimes they’re more comfortable with hands & handling out of the cage, do you have a play pen or safe area where you could put some toys for him to explore then you could spend some time sitting with him & let him get used to your hand or climbing on you that way.
He does have lots to do in the detolf but I would suggest a larger area with deeper bedding, just keep a shallow area where you need space for the wheel, they do like to burrow & make tunnels so more of an area where he can do that would be good

Thank you for your sound advice. I was planning on a deeper area where his cabin is (he sleeps there, in the HamCave, his own burrows and recently I found him on top of all the bedding on his back with his legs akimbo fast asleep. I am going to look into getting a play pen (any suggestions?) as I’d never catch him if he escaped and as I live alone, no one else to use as a barrier.
Also, I’ve no idea how to start my own thread!

 

[Rio’s Mum]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Rio is gorgeous and I love the set up you have created. It would be lovely if you wanted to start a thread for him so we can get to know him and hear all his adventures.

I think it is wonderful you have made sure to do your research and you have created a beautiful home for Rio.

Thank you, I loved making it all and Rio loves exploring … especially the sand area.

 

[elusive]

Forums can be a bit confusing until you get used to them.
If you go here, the section for Russian hams

Russian Dwarf Hamsters

www.thehamsterforum.com

Look at the top right & there’s a little red box that says post thread, click on that & you’ll see a place to post. Hope that’s clear enough to help.
As for play pens it’s so long since I bouught or made one I’m not sure what’s available now but the others will probably have some ideas for you.

 

[Maz]

I've moved your post about Rio and his cage, and the replies to a new thread in the introduction section . To start a new thread for Rio, you go to the main section heading (ie Russian dwarf hamsters). Click or tap on that, and when the page opens, there is an empty space/bar with "thread title" in faint letters. You put the title of your thread in there (eg Rio's thread) and after you type the title, a box opens underneath it for your post

 

[RainbowBrite]

Thank you for your sound advice. I was planning on a deeper area where his cabin is (he sleeps there, in the HamCave, his own burrows and recently I found him on top of all the bedding on his back with his legs akimbo fast asleep. I am going to look into getting a play pen (any suggestions?) as I’d never catch him if he escaped and as I live alone, no one else to use as a barrier.
Also, I’ve no idea how to start my own thread!

This is a thread about playpens.

 

[Maz]

I think Rainbow forgot the link to the playpen thread

Playpens and Playareas

This is a thread about playpen options :-)

www.thehamsterforum.com

Depending on how much you want to spend (because this one is expensive but very good and hamsterproof). I have one very similar to this. And it's big enough to sit inside. It's not entirely necessary to have something this high for a dwarf hamster - although I've used mine with a tiny robo as well. There are cheaper options. I like that I can take it apart easily and just store the panels behind the sofa!

Hamster Run Enclosure - Formaldehyde Free, Non Toxic, Wooden, Slot Together | Happy Henry’s Homes

Slot Together Wooden Hamster Run Enclosure - Available in 4 sizes- With or without 6mm floor bases- 9mm floor base version complete with grooves to retain the run in position and a hinge on reverse to allow the base to be folded for storage.- Made from pet safe poplar plywood, bonded with non...

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

The one I have is the Skyline Arizona one, mentioned in the playpen thread, which is very similar, but I wouldn't recommend it any more as the quality control is now terrible. I bought a second one and it was unusable it's so badly made and nothing fits - and it's the same price as the Happy Henry one. The Happy Henry items are top notch quality.

 

[Member ID2]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I am very impressed with your detolf set up and i'm sure that Rio is as well.

As for bonding, i think that a lot depends on the individual hamster's personality. They are all very different. Once you and Rio get to know each other, which will happen through time, you get an idea of what kind of lifestyle he choses and how much this will involve you.

They need us to care for them and for some that is all they need us for but others need us as their taxi as well to spend time outside their cages. Some hamsters enjoy and seek out human company to climb around on us, sit on our hands and snuggle up to us.

I have a dwarf (Eddie) who bonded with me instantly and a Robo (Finley) who will not come near me with various characters inbetween.

It will be very interesting to see what kind of personality Rio will grow into.
How old is he?

I use a hamster proof hall with toys and sit there with a hamster. I get them out with a hamster taxi and place them on my lap so they can get familiar with my scent and body. I don't really use my hands at first unless the hamster wants to. A bath tub with a blanket, toys and a dim light could also work as an introduction area. I keep sessions short and progress to stroking and picking up gradually.

Do whatever you feel comfortable with.
It takes a while to feel confident with handling a hamster because they are so small and can be quick.

 

[Rio’s Mum]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I am very impressed with your detolf set up and i'm sure that Rio is as well.

As for bonding, i think that a lot depends on the individual hamster's personality. They are all very different. Once you and Rio get to know each other, which will happen through time, you get an idea of what kind of lifestyle he choses and how much this will involve you.

They need us to care for them and for some that is all they need us for but others need us as their taxi as well to spend time outside their cages. Some hamsters enjoy and seek out human company to climb around on us, sit on our hands and snuggle up to us.

I have a dwarf (Eddie) who bonded with me instantly and a Robo (Finley) who will not come near me with various characters inbetween.

It will be very interesting to see what kind of personality Rio will grow into.
How old is he?

I use a hamster proof hall with toys and sit there with a hamster. I get them out with a hamster taxi and place them on my lap so they can get familiar with my scent and body. I don't really use my hands at first unless the hamster wants to. A bath tub with a blanket, toys and a dim light could also work as an introduction area. I keep sessions short and progress to stroking and picking up gradually.

Do whatever you feel comfortable with.
It takes a while to feel confident with handling a hamster because they are so small and can be quick.

Thank you for your very sound advice, it is appreciated. Little Rio was about 7 weeks when I got him so he will be 10 weeks old this Friday. He is such a confident wee ham and takes treats gently from my fingers daily and has done so since day 2. I hadn’t heard him today and thought he was in the deep bedding area so I lifted the lid off his log cabin to redo the bedding and woke him! He wasn’t grumpy at all and came out for a blueberry and walk about. I plucked up the courage, put a few seeds on my palm and he calmly walked right on to it, sniffed the seeds and walked off! He then had a nibble at my hoodie sleeve and swung himself around on it … nothing fazes him! I’m so delighted with his progress and will try a little more each day until I feel confident it bringing him out safely. Using the hallway sounds a great idea and I will keep you posted. Many thanks again, Regards Annette.

 

[Maz]

That is lovely to hear Rio's progress.

 

[Member ID2]

Lol, i have this picture in my head of Rio swinging off your hoodie sleeve.

My dwarf Clarissa used to do that but she tried to stop my hand from touching any of her belongings.

I'd try a pinch of brown linseeds or a couple of dried mealworms on your hand. He may not be able to resist and climb on your hand to get them.

Rio sounds quite confident already. I'm looking forward to see a photo of him.

 

[RainbowBrite]

That is wonderful process! The first time my hamster took a treat from me was the best moment ever. This only happened for me two weeks ago.

 

[Zara]

Hi there and welcome to the forum, Rio’s enclosure looks fantastic, you were so good researching well in advance, I wish I’d found out more regarding enclosures to start with. I’m sure you’ll find lots of other helpful info on here also. Sounds like taming is going really well, look forward to hearing more about Rio as he settles in.

 

[Rio’s Mum]

That is wonderful process! The first time my hamster took a treat from me was the best moment ever. This only happened for me two weeks ago.

It’s an amazing feeling, I was absolutely buzzing and just had to call my Auntie and text my friend about it

 

[Rio’s Mum]

Hi there and welcome to the forum, Rio’s enclosure looks fantastic, you were so good researching well in advance, I wish I’d found out more regarding enclosures to start with. I’m sure you’ll find lots of other helpful info on here also. Sounds like taming is going really well, look forward to hearing more about Rio as he settles in.

Thank you Zara, everyone has been so welcoming and I’m getting great tips and advice.

 

[Rio’s Mum]

Lol, i have this picture in my head of Rio swinging off your hoodie sleeve.

My dwarf Clarissa used to do that but she tried to stop my hand from touching any of her belongings.

I'd try a pinch of brown linseeds or a couple of dried mealworms on your hand. He may not be able to resist and climb on your hand to get them.

Rio sounds quite confident already. I'm looking forward to see a photo of him.

Hi Beryl, Rio loves his mealworms and starts sniffing the air when I remove the lid so he knows he is getting some and that’s what I use to hand feed him. He gets two different hamster food which is always there but I put out daily treats in a clear dish for him too. Any advice on treats that’s good for them? I gave him a tiny floret of raw broccoli which he loved (then read it should be cooked and only 2x per week as it can lead to wet tail ). He also likes a tiny cube of carrot and tiny piece of iceberg lettuce (hates rocket!)
Any advice is appreciated. Regards Annette.

 

[elusive]

Veggies don’t cause wet tail, if they really did eat to much it might give them diarrhoea but they rarely eat more than is good for them, wet tail is a disease not related to food.
You can give small amounts of veg daily, I wouldn’t give ice berg lettuce though as it’s not good for them, other types of lettuce in small amounts are fine, other things are red peppers, green beans, peas, courgette, cucumber, it’s best to avoid giving the sweeter veg like carrots, sweet potato etc too frequently although an occasional treat is fine. If they like broccoli I don’t have a problem with giving it daily but a variety of things is good.
Most veg are best raw, no need to cook them.
Other treats are things like monkey nuts, walnuts & other nuts, pine nuts are a favourite with mine, just small pieces once in a while.
Mine love sesame sticks, crock complete treats are a favourite too.
A little bit of porridge makes a great occasional treat too although you get the odd exception who doesn’t like it.
I can’t think of any others off the top of my head right now but I’m sure someone will mention more.