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Old 03-08-2016, 04:13 PM   #1
Baby Grrr
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Smile I want a dwarf :/

Hey guys I have owned 2 hamsters (which were syrians) and I want a dwarf. Some people keep telling me they're just like gerbils, mean and aggresive, and others keep saying they are the nicest of all hamsters. Either way I have questions:

1) Are they aggresive?

2) if I get two then will i have to get two of everything?

3) are they prone to diabetis (I know I spelled that wrong)?

More to come most likely
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Old 03-08-2016, 04:20 PM   #2
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

I had one and he was so friendly, but I believe they all have their own personalities.

If you have two they will need two of everything and I would space them out so it is less likely that one can chase the other away.

It is advised to not have levels in the cage as it can cause aggression.

Unless you get a pure breed they are prone to diabetes and their diet should not contain fruit and sugary foods/treats. Pet shop dwarfs are usually hybrids and therefore prone to diabetes.
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Old 03-08-2016, 04:24 PM   #3
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Baby Grrr View Post
Hey guys I have owned 2 hamsters (which were syrians) and I want a dwarf. Some people keep telling me they're just like gerbils, mean and aggresive, and others keep saying they are the nicest of all hamsters. Either way I have questions:

1) Are they aggresive?

2) if I get two then will i have to get two of everything?

3) are they prone to diabetis (I know I spelled that wrong)?

More to come most likely
1) That all depends on individual personality.Some Syrians are not stereotypical,and some dwarf hamsters are not stereotypical.

2) Yes,you need two of every supply with pairs.

3) That all depends on species.If you get a winter white or a pet store "Russian dwarf" that is of unknown origin,there is a higher chance of them being diabetic.If you get a purebred hamster with good genes with several generations free from diabetes,it's not as likely.You could always go with a robo pair of the same gender and there would be almost no chance of diabetes!
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Old 03-08-2016, 04:46 PM   #4
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

All my hammies are dwarves I just like them being cute fuzzy balls of fur. In the case of robos, a speedy ball of fur.

True, Russians & Winter Whites are hybrids unless you have a pure bred which is very unlikely as they are very uncommon. All pet store hammies are hybrids & prone to diabetes except robos, as stated above.

I wouldn't attempt to keep 2 dwarves together unless you are experienced with dwarf hamsters, just my opinion
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Old 03-09-2016, 02:54 AM   #5
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

If you get two have a spare cage in case they fight and you need to separate them.
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Old 03-09-2016, 03:35 AM   #6
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

I haven't had a dwarf hamster - they are really tiny, and supposed to be very fast! Some can be tamed and some are difficult to tame I believe, but they give a different kind of pleasure maybe, and entertainment value.

If you are thinking of getting a dwarf hamster, then maybe one Robo might be good, then you don't have to worry about the diet so much or risk having to separate and keep two in separate cages. Robos are still very active so still need the same minimum cage size as a Syrian hamster really - as much floor space as possible and as much substrate as possible. The plus side is - smaller wheels and most hamster toys are the right size lol. You'd need a cage with smaller bar spacing or a tank as well. Syrian sized bar spacing might be too large.
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Old 03-09-2016, 04:45 AM   #7
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

Serendipity has a good suggestion in getting a single robo as they are the most entertaining dwarf in most cases, however it depends on what your looking for in a hamster? Robos are generally more hands off, mine likes to take treats and sometimes sits on my hand and is cute. But no cuddle time.

A Russian is more likely to let you pick them up. If you want more hands on time with your hammie I'd get a Russian. I just prefer Russians over Winter Whites but both of these species are nice. I have a Winter White too.

It seems usually that Russians and Winter Whites get more attached to their owners but my robo seems to want plenty of attention too but when I have her in a taming bin, 5 minutes later she wants to go back in her cage. Where the Russians will run around in exercise balls and are slower animals, easier to handle.

As far as them being aggressive you can pick one out at the pet store or wherever you are adopting from and I'd pick out the most energetic and the one who seems most interested in you to reduce the chances of a biter. But it all depends on the individuality of the hamster. Out of 4 of my dwarves, only 1 is a biter.
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Old 03-09-2016, 04:58 AM   #8
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

Cinnamon Bear knows about dwarf hamsters, so good info there! I don't suppose you could get a Russian dwarf from a breeder? Then you'd know about its genetics and less likely to get diabetes. Even if you can't, it isn't too difficult to keep them on a sugar free diet.
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Old 03-09-2016, 04:04 PM   #9
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Cinnamon Bear knows about dwarf hamsters, so good info there! I don't suppose you could get a Russian dwarf from a breeder? Then you'd know about its genetics and less likely to get diabetes. Even if you can't, it isn't too difficult to keep them on a sugar free diet.
Also sugar free doesn't necessarily mean complete avoidance of natural sugar!Definitely stay away from manufactured sugars and artificially sweetened things in general for all hamsters,especially diabetic ones.It's hard in the US,but in the UK it can be very easy.A common misconception is that all sugar is bad sugar,but really natural sugars found in fruits and certain vegetables are not bad in moderation.
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Old 03-19-2016, 11:43 AM   #10
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Default Re: I want a dwarf :/

I have three dwarfs and I've noticed that they all have their own personality. I have one in his own cage and two girlies in together. The girls have two separate beds but they happily sleep in one together at the moment. It's nice for them to be able to have somewhere to escape each other, just like humans! But I haven't noticed any aggressiveness.

They share a food bowl at the moment BUT I keep a close eye on them. At the first sign of any territorial behaviours I will add another one. They play fight and chatter away to each other at the moment and if I only pick up one it'll chatter and squeak until I pick the other up as well.

To be honest, I find I get on with them much more than Syrians. Syrians are lovely hamsters, but dwarfs in my experience are a lot more inquisitive and pleasing to watch. They keep you on your toes though so not ideal for young children.
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