Keeping cat/dog away from hamster?

[Crystalroborovski]

Hi there! I want to get a pair of robo dwarves. I've talked it over with my mom and dad. My dad is ok with it, but my mom is leaning towards no because she thinks that our cat and dog will cause a hamster massacre in my room and I'll be heartbroken. I've told her I'm going to buy a glass tank with a latching lid and keep the hamster cage in a high place so my dog can't get to it, but my mom is still not too convinced that I can keep the hamsters away from our other pets. I also told her that if I ever take them out of the cage, they will be in a playpen and my door will be closed at all times. And I'll also keep my door closed all the time, especially when I'm not at home.
I know it's a cat's natural instinct to hunt small vermon, but do you have any tips for me to be extra-sure that my hamsters don't end up in my cat or dogs mouth? Also, anything to reassure my mom from anyone who had/has cats AND hamsters? Thanks!

[velma]

I have cats and hamsters. My hamsters are in a room that my cats don't go in. They occasionally sneak in if the door isn't fully latched shut so I have my hams in tank style cages. One of them is a glass tank and it's really heavy so I'm not sure how well that would work high up. You'd really struggle to get your tank down and you'd have a job getting your robos out safely. They are very very speedy and often not really handling pets. More what I would call a furry goldfish - entertaining to watch but not a pet for cuddling. I think some hams can get very stressed out by the scent of dogs as hams are prey animals so you'd need to be careful of your dog even just popping his head in. And cats are a bit more devious and agile. when they know something is there.

You also need to be aware that Pairs can quite often fall out and need separating so you'll need to have money and space for a potential second cage. Robos can live alone just fine though so you don't have to get a pair if money/space will be an issue.theyre not like Guinea pigs or gerbils that should have a pal. They can have a pal from their litter to live with but they don't need one and they won't get lonely in their own. Rescues sometimes have lone dwarves who have been handed in because they have been split up and the owner couldn't keep both but you can also just a buy a single robo from a pet shop even if they try and sell you a pair.

[Crystalroborovski]

I'm not keeping the tank in a super-high up place, just on my dresser, which my dog can't get up on. And yes, if my robos don't get along I'll get a second cage. But please, all I asked is how to keep my dog and cat away from my robos, nothing more. I've been doing so much research on hamsters, so I know what I'm getting into/what I'm saying. I don't mean to be rude or anything, I just don't really appreciate it when I get a lecture on other topics just because I haven't even gotten my first hamster. Again, not trying to be disrespectful/snobby

[Crystalroborovski]

But thanks for the info! Luckily my dog doesn't sleep with me or hang out in my room all the time so her scent shouldn't be much of a problem.

[Aimeehammy]

As for the dog , i know you said you shouldnt have a problem with him, if you want to be extra cautious you could get a baby gate on your door? Dont think it would help much with a cat though as they cant jump high lol, what about a lock on each side of your door so you can lock it when youre inside and when youre not in your room? & my hamsters are around my dog often and his scent doesnt bother them, infact they come running up to him when he comes to visit. If your dog's scent does stress them out though perhaps light a candle with a window open not near their cage?

[Aimeehammy]

One thing i would be worried about with a cat is incase they sit ontop of the cage which may stress the little ones or the cat may even fall through, so id say go with the lock on each door !

The door locking could be a precaution incase the dog or cat tries extra hard to open your door because they can smell the hamsters, you'd be suprised how determined they can get!!