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Old 04-05-2021, 07:27 AM   #1
AlpineHammies
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Default New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

Hi there!
I am the new owner of a robo dwarf hamster. He is 2 months old and I have had him for 4 days. He is VERY timid, but I am hoping that with patience and a lot of treats he will warm to me soon
I think the cage that the pet shop sold me is way too small, so I am looking to get a bigger one. Would you recommend a RODY 3 three-level cage for a robo? My friend has one she can give to me, but I am clueless as to whether this would be suitable for him or not?
Thanks!
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Old 04-06-2021, 10:11 AM   #2
sushi_78
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

Hello and welcome to the forum!

The Rody 3 cage isn't suitable because the floor space is very small. It's also on 3 levels and Robos really need one large, flat space to run around in. They're not really built for climbing and the tunnels will be hard for him to use.

What country are you in? We could suggest some alternative cages.
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Old 04-06-2021, 10:32 AM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

Hello and welcome to HC!

The Rody 3 isn't suitable for any rodent.

My Robo lives in a second hand Hamster Heaven with the plastic shelves and tubes removed to free up space for a more natural set up.

Have a look at the thread "Let's see your cages" on the Forum under Housing for ideas.
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Old 04-06-2021, 11:49 AM   #4
AlpineHammies
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

Thank you so much for your helpful feedback!

I have collected the Rody 3 from my friend, but I will save that for the Syrian hammie I might be getting in due course. Following your feedback (and having done a little research online) it seems like a Syrian will be much happier in there than my robo.

I live in France, the options here are quite limited... Are robos happy climbing gentle-gradient wooden ramps?

Thanks a lot
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Old 04-06-2021, 11:59 AM   #5
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

No, not suitable in either size or the fact that it is on 3 levels, you are best off with something that is one continuous floor space, ideally 80 x 50cm min.
I recently did a thread for cages new and 2nd hand

UK Hamster Cages 2021

If you are in the UK, cages like the zoozone 2 (lid needs meshing) or ferplast duna multy would be good ones. I left links were to purchase on the cage thread.
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Old 04-06-2021, 05:06 PM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

It's really difficult at the moment - so few of the cheaper cages available and a lot less choice generally. My preference for a robo was a low barred cage with narrow 7mm bar spacing - the savic mickey 2XL but a) it's not available right now and b) it's expensive.

With a robo you do need something that is low - due to fall risk injury - they are so tiny. A barred cage also needs to have narrow enough bars or they can stuck. There are tank style cages available and if you're in the Uk the Duna Multy and maxi duna multy are good options.

The Duna Multy is available here

Cage Duna Multy | Welcome to Porton Garden Aquatic & Pets

If you're in the US, this is similar and a good option. It needs the hayrack taking out - that could be a hazard for a robo - the hayrack is meant for guinea pigs but the cage is far too small for a guinea pig. I'd take the big house out as well as it fills the cage up. Good size for a dwarf hamster though.

tamburino

OR you could make a bin cage. But tbh I think the Duna Multy is better value and a bin cage could cost as much to make.
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Old 04-06-2021, 05:54 PM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

Just to add - when you move him to a new cage it is best to wait at least 2 or 3 weeks as a cage change is stressful for them and it'll take him a couple of weeks to settle into the current one. But it'll also be an improvement so not too stressful. The key is to have everything set up and ready before putting him into the new cage, taking care to:

1) Don't clean anything before moving him.
2) Move all the old bedding across - spread it on top of the new bedding (new cage will take more bedding if bigger floor area).
3) Try and put things in a similar location so it's familiar - eg wheel back left, house front right etc.
4) A shelf or platform is really good to have, it's something they can sit under and climb onto and also a place to put heavier items like a sand bath or food bowl.
5) Plenty of hidey places and not too much open space at floor area - eg tissue box hide, egg box hide, cardboard tunnels.
6) A decent sized house for nesting. Robos sometimes ignore houses and tunnel under the substrate - but they still like to hide in them when moving around the cage.
7) Check there is nothing hard or sharp can be landed on if they happen to climb to the roof and monkey bar (they just drop). That is another good reason to have a shelf - harder toys can go under the shelf.
Plenty of substrate - they like to tunnel. At least 5 to 6" deep but more is fine too.
9) Water bottle - make sure they can reach it - they are tiny and if it's too high ....
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Old 04-06-2021, 10:40 PM   #8
AlpineHammies
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

I really appreciate the replies everyone! Lots of great advice. I will check out the links you all sent me. I am in France, the choices out here are super limited. I haven't found any good sized one-level cages at all.
Would he be OK with very low-gradient, solid-wood ramps?
Thank you Serendipity for the tips on how best to settle him into his new home, too
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Old 04-07-2021, 12:29 AM   #9
Ria P
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

Wooden ramps should be fine. I use the 50cm Trixie bendy ladders.

Another option would be to look for a fish tank and make a DIY meshed lid. Or a vivarium. I'd check on ebay and small ads websites.

Zooplus does a tank style cage like the Kerry Terrarium but i don't know what's currently available.

Our first Robo happily lived in a fish tank.
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Old 04-07-2021, 03:13 AM   #10
Dodo
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Default Re: New owner! Best cage for robo dwarf hamster

Hiya!

the ferplast duna multy is available on amazon.fr and is great (though expensive).
A second hand fish tank / vivarium, as long at it is 4000cm2 would work, maybe look on ebay, le bon coin, facebook marketplace etc.

Another option is to go for a guinea pig cage, they are much cheaper and bigger. You must mesh it entirely so your robo doesn't escape. I believe they are quite a few pics and tutorials available to see how it is done.

Also, make sure you buy an upright wheel that is minimum 18 cm. The wheels that come with the cages are almost always too small and horrible. Robos have so much energy, it is really important they have a proper wheel.

Good luck and well done finding the proper care for your robo hamster.

Last edited by Dodo; 04-07-2021 at 03:18 AM.
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