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Old 09-29-2020, 06:36 AM   #11
RolyRocks
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Default Re: The next step...

Thank you Luna and Cypher.
Do Russians tend to pee everywhere or do they use a litter tray? Would you say the silent runner is pretty quiet? I know none of them are completely silent and I actually really miss hearing Roly's pitter patter of tiny feet in the middle of the night..
I remember when I purchased some food from Pets Corner in the UK they did a food called Great&Small Dwarf Hamster food, I wonder how this compares to the one on Zooplus.
As to shelves in the cage, I guess things have to just be lower for dwarfs incase they fall off? Or do they like things high up?
I always used Kaytee Clean & Cosy (white) for Roly and still have lots left, is this safe for Russians?
Sorry for all the questions, if and when I decide to have one, I just like to know I'm hopefully doing everything I can to provide them with a safe and loving home.
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Old 09-29-2020, 07:04 AM   #12
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: The next step...

Silent runners are quiet except for the pitter patter of tiny feet.
I am very noise sensitive and I have 3 of these wheels, 2 12 inch ones and one 9 inch. yes, they are expensive but very well made and quiet. You do need to buy a cage attachment separately if attaching to a barred cage.
Not heard of that hamster food, someone else may be able to answer that question.

Yes, I would make sure you have deep bedding, low (ish) shelves and if barred cage, make sure that if they can climb the bars then there won't be a big drop. I guess you need to look at the overall picture, so if they climb up somewhere there is not a big drop to the shelf or the floor.

Kaytee clean and cozy is fine for all hamsters.
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Last edited by LunaTheHamster1; 09-29-2020 at 09:20 AM.
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Old 09-29-2020, 07:30 AM   #13
Ria P
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Default Re: The next step...

I have two russian dwarfs, a male and a female living in two cages of course.
They love Kaytee clean and cozy because its great to burrow in which is something they love to do.
I fill up with Kaytee right to where the bars begin and use a Ferplast guinea pig house as a house and platform.
They both love their sand bath and the long Trixie ladders to run across. They like nooks and hidey places to crawl into and shelves to sit under and climb on top.
Mine don't climb the bars or monkey bar across but there's not enough height to worry anyway.
Both have two wheels, an upright and a flying saucer.
Edwina uses both and Ozzy definitaly favours his flying saucer.
My dwarfs pee anywhere and don't use a litter tray and neither does my Robo but two out of my three Syrians pee in a litter tray or a corner.
I don't know the Pets Corner food and use the Rodipet one for my dwarfs because dwarfs are prone to diabetes. I don't give them fruit, fresh or dried but they get fresh food daily and they like cucumber, broccoli, kale etc and i don't give them sugary or honey based treats. They get treats and nibble sticks but i always read the ingredients list before buying.
I had a russian dwarf who was already ill with diabetes when i adopted him and sadly died at only 13 months old but that didn't put me off getting more dwarfs.
Their personalities vary a lot like with all creatures, animals or humans. My two dwarfs have very different personalities and look completely different as well. One is small, sleek and short haired and the other is a big fluff ball.

I couldn't recommend a certain species of hamster because i like them all! Show me a pair of whiskers and four paws and i'm happy.

Here's a photo of Ozzy's set up to give you an idea and example of a dwarf habitat. It works for Ozzy but may not work for another dwarf.
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Old 09-29-2020, 08:33 AM   #14
cypher
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Default Re: The next step...

Silent runners really are silent, all four of mine can be on the go without bothering me & I’m very sensitive to noise too, you do still get that patter of little paws though.
I use kaytee c&c for all of mine.
I use large houses for mine with two or three rooms (rodipet or getzoo) & find that all my Russians would use a litter tray if it was in the house otherwise they tend to pee on the substrate in the house but not usually where they actually sleep, they also pee in the wheel & sometimes the sand bath.
The food you mentioned doesn’t look too good tbh, I would avoid any food with pellets or anything that isn’t specific on ingredients telling you exactly what’s in it.
I don’t think the cage you have is too tall but you do have to be careful about high shelves or possible bar climbing, they are good at climbing up but not down & tend to just let go & fall.
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Old 09-29-2020, 11:13 AM   #15
RolyRocks
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Default Re: The next step...

Thank you so much guys for all the helpful info and for including a photo too Ria P, your setup looks great. I would love to see a photo of your two little ones, they sound so cute!
Do you all buy your Russian Dwarfs from pet shops or breeders?
Roly was a little star and always used his litter tray. Is it a lot harder to spot clean when dwarfs go in different places?
This might be a strange question.. but do dwarf hamsters have an odour? It was just something that come up when i was doing some research. I remember being told when i got Roly that Syrians can smell but i never noticed anything at all. He really was such a clean boy. X
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Old 09-29-2020, 11:40 AM   #16
cypher
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Default Re: The next step...

None of my Russians have been smelly or had an odour, I’ve never found mine to pee all over the place either except maybe like any species they may do the first week or so, I clean my wheels once a week which is plenty often enough even though they pee in them, sieve any pee clumps out of the sand & then just spot cleaning in the litter tray.
All mine have been from pet shops, various ones not just the big one, if you can get one from a breeder then you may find they are used to being handled & may possibly be less prone to any genetic or congenital illnesses, or the other option is to get one from a rescue, depending on where you live there are often Russian hams looking for a second chance & a good home.
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Old 09-29-2020, 11:45 AM   #17
sushi_78
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Default Re: The next step...

I have a Russian and she doesn't smell at all. Some people say the females smell when in heat but I haven't noticed that so far. The urine smells a bit, especially when she pees on the wheel but it's not bad at all. She's quite tidy and only pees in one room in her house and the wheel. She smells a lot less than my past Robo who had a very peculiar, musty smell.
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Old 09-30-2020, 01:38 AM   #18
RolyRocks
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Default Re: The next step...

I didn't think they would have an odour problem, i don't know why some websites say that because it could put people off wanting to have one. To be honest, i think animals are a lot cleaner than some humans!
I must take a look at where you can buy silent spinners as i guess they would be easier to clean than wood.
Roly's house only has one area but a removable lid to be able to check inside. My dad made it and it's so lovely. Do dwarfs prefer different compartments?
Thanks again for sharing so much helpful info. X
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Old 09-30-2020, 01:46 AM   #19
cypher
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Default Re: The next step...

Make sure you look for silent runners, not silent spinners which are rubbish! I think I got mine from the sugarglider shop but they’re out of stock atm, amazon are too but maybe have a google see what you might find.
Wooden wheels are ok to clean if you plastikote them before use.
I think if you have a house with only one room unless it’s plenty big enough you might (depending on the ham as their habits vary) have a problem with peeing in the nest.
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Old 09-30-2020, 07:28 AM   #20
RolyRocks
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Default Re: The next step...

Oops, meant silent runner!
Thanks for everyone's help and advice, you have given me lots to think about.

I've got lots of great photos of my darling Roly so I am going to frame one to keep in my room.
You will never be forgotten little one. xxx
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