The next step...

RolyRocks · 09-28-2020, 06:34 AM

Hello
As some of you know, I very sadly lost my beautiful little Syrian boy Roly. He was such a special little guy and I miss him so much.
On Saturday I finally felt able to clean his cage out. I took it out the spare room and put it back into mine and I have to say cleaning his nest out was particularly hard. There were half eaten bits of his favourite foods and it felt so sad he will never get to finish them off. I do take some comfort in knowing he was in his nest when he passed, surrounded by his favourite treats, even a small piece of unfinished broccoli which he loved.
I have left the cage in my room and it now just looks so empty. His homemade wooded house, steps, and shelves just look so bare and I'm starting to feel that maybe it would help with the healing process to possibly look after another little guy and to see them enjoying everything that Roly once did.
I am not yet sure whether it would be too hard seeing another Syrian in his cage or whether when the time is right, maybe I could think about adopting a little dwarf hamster.
I have a Ferplast Criceti 15 cage which I know some of you feel is a little on the small side for a Syrian. I made sure it had lots of enrichment though and after a few tweaks and an amazing handmade house from my Dad, it felt like I had made a lovely little home for him.
I don't really know much about dwarfs, I did lots of research before getting Roly but I thought a great place to get some advice is on here, from people who have owned both Syrians and Dwarfs.
I loved everything about Roly, he was cheeky, loving and so gentle, a very special and unique little man. I will never forget you my sweetest Roly Poly xxx

cypher · 09-28-2020, 06:50 AM

It is hard seeing an empty cage & does sound like the time may be right for you to have another little ham to love & give a good life too.
The cage you have isn’t a bad size for a dwarf hem, I haven’t kept Syrians but I do think you may find that the cage could be too small for another, some do seem to do ok in smaller cages but most need more space so getting a dwarf ham might well be your best option.
We never replace the hams we lose but I can see how having another Syrian might be hard for you & having another species could be a little easier.
Much is the same about keeping the different species but it’s nice to be able to use some of the smaller things that aren’t suitable for Syrians, diet is different though & you would need to get a dwarf specific food for them, none are available in the UK but a lot of people use the Rodipet food which is a good one.
I don’t know if you had a sand bath before, not all Syrians seem to use them so much but they are essential for dwarf hams.
If you have any questions or there’s anything you’re unsure about just ask.

LunaTheHamster1 · 09-28-2020, 07:18 AM

I totally get what you mean when it comes to cleaning the cages out after you have lost a hamster. Sometimes I have to clean mine out straight away, other times I have to wait a few days, It's seeing the untouched stuff in their nests isn't it. He sounds like he was very special and well loved.

I find that when the time is right and I am looking for a new hamster I like to make sure it doesn't remind me of any of my previous hamsters, especially if my most recent hamster has just passed. This just helps me, it could be different for everyone. Plus, I don't want to always find myself comparing my new hamster over a previous one, especially if they look similar.

I think you are right in saying that your cage is probably a little bit on the small size for a syrian, but it could work out well for a dwarf.

I have only had syrians but hoping to adopt some sort of dwarf soon.

Cypher, you can get bunnydreams hamster food from zooplus for dwarfs. I thought that was a good one?

cypher · 09-28-2020, 11:52 AM

Luna you’re right about the bunny dwarf hamsterdream expert, completely forgot that for some reason!

RolyRocks · 09-28-2020, 11:54 AM

Thank you both for your replies. It really does help talking to people who have been though the same thing. It's certainly the hardest part of having an animal, saying goodbye.

I don't know much about Dwarfs, but it's nice to hear you think the cage I have would be suitable for one. It's funny, when I first got my cage I thought it was huge and the Trixie wooden wheel looked like the London Eye! I'm guessing the 28cm wheel is too big for a dwarf, would the next size down be more suitable? As the cage is in my room, I really wanted a quiet one and after trialling a few I found the Trixie wooden one to be the quietest.
I did have a sand bath but Roly used it as a toilet so I ended up taking it out. I still have it though and also some unused sand.
Before making any decisions, I will do some research into the little guys, but if anyone has any info and advice they would like to share, please feel free to. Is there any difference between males and females, do they like to be handled, are their characteristics similar to Syrians..? I guess it all depends on the individual really...

xxx Love and Miss You Roly xxx

Ria P · 09-28-2020, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

Luna you’re right about the bunny dwarf hamsterdream expert, completely forgot that for some reason!

Is this food as good as the Rodipet one? I didn't know of it but just looked it up and Zooplus is more reasonably priced than Rodipet.

LunaTheHamster1 · 09-28-2020, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Is this food as good as the Rodipet one? I didn't know of it but just looked it up and Zooplus is more reasonably priced than Rodipet.

I think so Ria, when I looked into it, I checked all the contents and fibre/protein etc, and I decided to go with the dream bunny one first and see how it goes. I got Twinkle the syrian one too and he seems to like it. I think the rodipet one is organic and that may be why it is more pricey

cypher · 09-28-2020, 09:46 PM

I wouldn't say it's as good as Rodipet, the GA is ok, protein is a bit low but Rodipet is too, it has quite a lot of dried veg & plant stuff my hams didn't really bother with when I tried it & I don't think mung beans are a particularly good ingredient, it's still good compared to most though.

LunaTheHamster1 · 09-29-2020, 01:20 AM

RolyRocks, yes the next size down (20cm i think it is) is probably best for a dwarf. From what I have read on here, some dwarfs like to be handled, some don't.
Some have cage aggression but then are fine when you take them out the cage and can be handled.
Also they can be more prone to diabetes, so lay off sugary treats.
That sums up my knowledge of dwarfs

cypher · 09-29-2020, 03:52 AM

Sorry RolyRocks, I missed your last post, brain not working!
As Luna said a wheel around 20cm is about the best size, all mine have the silent runner which is 9”. I have a trixie wooden one that is quiet & I think they’re generally pretty good, wood does need to be painted with plastikote though as just about all dwarf hams pee in the wheel.
All my Russians have enjoyed being handled & having out of cage time, I’ve only had one female Russian & she really didn’t like hands in her cage & would bite but out of the cage she was absolutely fine, I do think this tends to be more of a female thing as by instinct they have more reason to protect their territory whereas the males aren’t so bothered.
When you say dwarf I’m guessing you’re thinking about a Russian?
Using sand as a toilet is normal too, you can just sieve out any clumps, they do love to roll around & dig in it too & it helps to keep their coats in good condition.