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Old 11-13-2015, 12:55 PM   #1
Maverich21
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 21
Default New Dwarf Owner

I have a new 3-4month old Campell Russian Dwarf Hamster bought from PetSmart Nov 4th, and the Oxbow all-metal cage 16x13x13.

He appears to be doing well in that he runs around, eats, drinks, loves running through his paper-towel tube, and does not appear to fear my hand in the cage.
He has never tried to bite me, nor does he run away from my hand.

He does this thing at night 2:00AM where he starts this incessant constant running in circles just inside this hide-away door way, exposing the plastic bottom of the tray. I have about an inch of Carefresh bedding in the tray.
Is this constant running in circles for an hour or so just typical behavior?

He has gone on the all-solid plastic wheel but hasn't stayed on it for more than just a few seconds. I am wonder if/when he might take the wheel seriously as a means of exercise.
Is there something I can put on the wheel that would entice him to run on it?

I have food from both PetSmart and Heartland stores, and even tried mixing it a bit. He seems to be eating, and drinking regularly enough.

Cage does not smell at all! I am very impressed at the apparent lack of odor.

Photos and a Video can be found on my Instagram page.

Winter is coming here. I have him located at opposite end of the living room, far away from windows. There is a lamp next to his cage, but don't know if he'll get enough heat from that to be helpful? Is having a light on going to disturb his routine?

I even broke up a whimzees alligator into teeny-tiny peices, which apparently he tried some.

Any helpful advice, words of support appreciated.

I am also interested in a LARGER, WIDER wire-mesh cage for him. Even if he is a Dwarf that 16x13x13 is beginning to seem small. I want comments on that.

//maverich21//
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Old 11-13-2015, 04:54 PM   #2
velma
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 3,365
Default Re: New Dwarf Owner

Hello, welcome to to the forum!
you're right, your cage is a but small. I know it can be hard to find suitable sized cages in the States but there is a sticky thread on that in the housing section if you need some inspiration. And if you can't find anything, I'm pretty sure you get the dollar per gallon sale on fish tanks (I'm very jealous we don't get that here) and a lot of people use those - I think it's the 40 gallon breeder that is about the right dimensions but you might want to check that.
Also, they really like to dig so you'll want to add more than an inch of substrate. Carefresh is fine. And some plain unscented toilet paper is good for nesting but no fluffy bedding! Whimzees are good for the teeth so that's great - I don't bother to break mine up though, they manage that fine on their own if they're the small size. They're good for their teeth so you want to make them work for it.
Does your wheel turn freely? They won't like it if the wheel is too small or too stiff. And to be honest, while I'm not familiar with your cage, a lot of wheels that come with cages are a bit rubbish and often to small for all but a robo. And small cages are difficult to get a right sized wheel into. Again, there are threads in good and suitable wheels.
He sounds very friendly though, so you're doing well with that considering how new he is I look forward to learning more about him and his name. You're definitely in the right place though, you'll find everything you need in the forum somewhere
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Old 11-13-2015, 05:10 PM   #3
Scargirl
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Location: North America, USA
Posts: 539
Default Re: New Dwarf Owner

Quote:
Originally Posted by Maverich21 View Post
I have a new 3-4month old Campell Russian Dwarf Hamster bought from PetSmart Nov 4th, and the Oxbow all-metal cage 16x13x13.

He appears to be doing well in that he runs around, eats, drinks, loves running through his paper-towel tube, and does not appear to fear my hand in the cage.
He has never tried to bite me, nor does he run away from my hand.

He does this thing at night 2:00AM where he starts this incessant constant running in circles just inside this hide-away door way, exposing the plastic bottom of the tray. I have about an inch of Carefresh bedding in the tray.
Is this constant running in circles for an hour or so just typical behavior?

He has gone on the all-solid plastic wheel but hasn't stayed on it for more than just a few seconds. I am wonder if/when he might take the wheel seriously as a means of exercise.
Is there something I can put on the wheel that would entice him to run on it?

I have food from both PetSmart and Heartland stores, and even tried mixing it a bit. He seems to be eating, and drinking regularly enough.

Cage does not smell at all! I am very impressed at the apparent lack of odor.

Photos and a Video can be found on my Instagram page.

Winter is coming here. I have him located at opposite end of the living room, far away from windows. There is a lamp next to his cage, but don't know if he'll get enough heat from that to be helpful? Is having a light on going to disturb his routine?

I even broke up a whimzees alligator into teeny-tiny peices, which apparently he tried some.

Any helpful advice, words of support appreciated.

I am also interested in a LARGER, WIDER wire-mesh cage for him. Even if he is a Dwarf that 16x13x13 is beginning to seem small. I want comments on that.

//maverich21//
Welcome to HC Forums.
I don't know about his running around in circles problem but I would recommend looking on amazon for cages if you can't find what you are looking for at your local pet stores. Amazon is where I got scarlet her new cage about a week ago. It is the WARE 25 inch chew-proof critter cage. The only problem with that is probably the bar spacing. It is 1/2 an inch. I think it has to be like 1/4 inch for dwarfs. The running around might just be his lot of energy. If he is only 3-4 months than maybe he doesn't know how to use his wheel yet. I thought that with Scarlet when I first got her but it was actually to small! What is the size of his wheel?
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Old 11-13-2015, 06:11 PM   #4
Maverich21
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 21
Default Re: New Dwarf Owner

Oxbow 16x13x13 cage comes with a 6.5 diameter plastic solid wheel that mounts to cage opposite side of Hideaway & feeding shelf.

Is it AOK to use a very sturdy Sterilite plastic transparent bin 19 x 13 x 11 high for a habitat? It seems much roomier than Oxbow's clanging metal cage?

I find that in this new habitat, (it has been one full week he has been home & acclimated) that he now prefers to sleep burrowed in under substrate, and not the plastic igloo I made sure to have. He still runs through paper-towel tube, still sits on same food dish and drinks from identical tiny water dish he had in his metal cage. I made certain to share a generous portion of his existing metal-cage substrate to help him feel at home.

There is plenty of open air, and I will drill holes in lid tomorrow to make certain there's plenty of air ventilation. Personally, everyone likes this new habitate MUCH BETTER as everyone can now see him much clearer when he is out.

It will have to do until we can find something more appropriate as a glass tank, or preferred, larger wired frame cage of proper mesh size.

//maverich21//
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Old 11-14-2015, 11:49 PM   #5
Maverich21
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 21
Default Re: New Dwarf Owner

For what it may be worth NEW photos of Bartholomew and his New Home are now posted on Instagram. Enjoy. He appears to be doing quite well.

//maverich21//
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