Would like a Robo, have questions

[Jasmine2016]

Hello everyone,

I have had Syrians and a Chinese hamster in the past, but have always really wanted a robo, and my dream may just be coming true!

At the moment I am researching and was hoping you could help.

1. I've read that robos need to live in pairs or groups to be happy, is this true? I had also read that they are hard to keep together so best to just have one - bit confused!

2. The cage I have has wooden shelves, if I get one robo I will be using a shelf so (s)he can use the glass tank part to dig and the shelf will house wheel, food, water and maybe a little house thing, I read somewhere that you can use a paint called plasti-kote to seal the wood, make it water proof......... is this safe for robos? Would it matter if they gnawed on the treated wood?

3. Is it OK to give robos straw?

4. I read they need meat in their diet, does the dried food mix (like Harry Hamster for example) provide enough 'meat' or do I need to give them something else to provide that? (I would have to get something special as I have no meat in the house) Would dried meal worms for birds be fine? Or a piece of my dogs kibble?

That's all I can think of for now.
Thank you in advance for your help.

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Jasmine2016

Hello everyone,

I have had Syrians and a Chinese hamster in the past, but have always really wanted a robo, and my dream may just be coming true!

At the moment I am researching and was hoping you could help.

1. I've read that robos need to live in pairs or groups to be happy, is this true? I had also read that they are hard to keep together so best to just have one - bit confused!

2. The cage I have has wooden shelves, if I get one robo I will be using a shelf so (s)he can use the glass tank part to dig and the shelf will house wheel, food, water and maybe a little house thing, I read somewhere that you can use a paint called plasti-kote to seal the wood, make it water proof......... is this safe for robos? Would it matter if they gnawed on the treated wood?

3. Is it OK to give robos straw?

4. I read they need meat in their diet, does the dried food mix (like Harry Hamster for example) provide enough 'meat' or do I need to give them something else to provide that? (I would have to get something special as I have no meat in the house) Would dried meal worms for birds be fine? Or a piece of my dogs kibble?

That's all I can think of for now.
Thank you in advance for your help.

1. Absolutely untrue!Robos honestly don't need to be kept together,in fact it is safer to have just a single robo.They do not pine for companionship like a lot of other rodents do,contrary to what you have probably been told.

2. Plastikote is completely fine for all hamsters,as far as I'm aware.Ask other UK members if you need more on that,kind of difficult being in the US to answer a question on something that is exclusive to the UK sorry

3. I'd say no.It's entirely unnecessary and they will prefer things like millet,seeds,mealworms,tiny bits of chicken(no seasoning etc),nuts,small bits of fruit,and other things instead of straw.

4. Hamsters are omnivores so this is correct Insects are great and there is never a bad time to give different (safe) insects as treats or even plain chicken or turkey.Broccoli is good for protein as well as tofu,but since they're omnivores it is good to have some animal protein for the most natural diet possible.Dried mealworms are great,but I'd advise against dog kibble as most dog kibbles are primarily plant based so there isn't much meat coming from them compared to a piece of chicken or some mealworms.

[cypher]

It is untrue that they need to live together, they can sometimes, with luck, live in pairs or groups but are very happy living alone without having any risks of bullying, fighting or injuries.
Plastikote is fine, my hams chew it a little bit with no harm.
Straw shouldn't be given, hay is ok but you do have to check it over for sharp bits & it's best put in the freezer for a week in case of mites! You don't need it though, a good substrate like fitch, carefresh or wood shavings with lots of shredded plain white toilet tissue for nests is all you need.
A good quality food mix should have enough protein including animal protein, I would go for a dwarf specific mix like Burgess dwarf, JR farms, or Bunny dream.
You can feed extra mealworms, not too many though, or some dried chicken cat treats (just plain chicken rather than kibble) if you don't have fresh.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I agree that your first time with a robo, you might want to get only one as pairs can be very stressful due to potential fighting and the needed watching and extra cage and 2 of everything to try to optimize the least chance of fall outs. Can be stressful for anybody.

I have 2 robos that each live separately and they are both absolutely fine with it. My new robo I've only had a couple weeks but she doesn't look lonely. I'd say to get a 6.5 in wheel minimum, watch the Silent Spinner to make sure you get one with zero resistance if you go this route. If you have room they like 2 wheels, the 8 in Wodent Wheel is a good choice as well as a flying saucer! Latte loves both wheels but I think she might even like the saucer a little more.

The only insect i'd recommend is the dried meal worms, the live ones can bite if head is not pinched off. My robos don't like dried crickets where the Russians hybrids like the dried crickets.

I wouldn't use straw or hay, paper bedding or aspen wood chips is recommended.

The like Greenies or Whimzee chews, cardboard tubes, deep substrate for making tunnels. They like papaya treats and most of all they need lots of patience. You can't be in any rush taming them as they each go at their own pace and usually it's painfully slow, but not always the case of course! Just more often than not

If you can try to get your hand in the tank and pick one that comes up to you and seems most curious about you. That one would make the best choice if there are more than one to pick from.

I don't know about the Plasikote either? They do tend to pee all over everything though so waterproofing would be a good idea.

Congratulations on getting your new robo soon!

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Cinnamon Bear

I agree that your first time with a robo, you might want to get only one as pairs can be very stressful due to potential fighting and the needed watching and extra cage and 2 of everything to try to optimize the least chance of fall outs. Can be stressful for anybody.

I have 2 robos that each live separately and they are both absolutely fine with it. My new robo I've only had a couple weeks but she doesn't look lonely. I'd say to get a 6.5 in wheel minimum, watch the Silent Spinner to make sure you get one with zero resistance if you go this route. If you have room they like 2 wheels, the 8 in Wodent Wheel is a good choice as well as a flying saucer! Latte loves both wheels but I think she might even like the saucer a little more.

The only insect i'd recommend is the dried meal worms, the live ones can bite if head is not pinched off. My robos don't like dried crickets where the Russians hybrids like the dried crickets.

I wouldn't use straw or hay, paper bedding or aspen wood chips is recommended.

The like Greenies or Whimzee chews, cardboard tubes, deep substrate for making tunnels. They like papaya treats and most of all they need lots of patience. You can't be in any rush taming them as they each go at their own pace and usually it's painfully slow, but not always the case of course! Just more often than not

If you can try to get your hand in the tank and pick one that comes up to you and seems most curious about you. That one would make the best choice if there are more than one to pick from.

I don't know about the Plasikote either? They do tend to pee all over everything though so waterproofing would be a good idea.

Congratulations on getting your new robo soon!

Greenies are a no.They're way less good quality compared to Whimzees,and have loads more added things that just aren't necessary.Always stick to Whimzees/Antos,no Greenies or anything else!

[cypher]

Greenies are fine if they don't like whimzees, I'd rather give whimzees but my Chinese don't like them so they get a greenie, lasts them ages & doesn't do them any harm, quite a few other people use them too.

[AmityvilleHams]

Whimzees have like 5 or less ingredients,Greenies probably have 20 or more.Some are on the questionable side last time I checked the ingredients.They are definitely not anywhere near being similar,to be honest.

[Cinnamon Bear]

There is a difference in quality! I prefer Greenies myself! I just bought a bag of Whimzees so I'll compare and see which they prefer? Whimzee. are mostly potato starch, yeast, annatto extract color, alfalfa extract

Greenies. Wheat flour, Wheat protein isolate, glycerin, oat fiber, water, natural poultry flavor, minerals & vitamins

[Jasmine2016]

Thank you everyone.

One Robo it will be! Makes things easier as well as I can use a shelf and don't have to worry about floor space being taken up by all the other stuff, (s)he has got a huge cage that was being used for gerbils so hopefully (s)he will be happy.

I'll get some plasti-kote then, make cleaning the shelf easier.

I'll add dried mealworms to my list.

And thank you cypher for the list of foods, I've heard of JRfarms so if I can find a stockist I'll get that.

I'm really excited

[Cinnamon Bear]

Look forward to hearing more about your new robo! I'm sure he/she will be one happy hammie with you! You'll have to post pics when you get your new baby!