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Old 05-26-2017, 07:17 AM   #1
Drago
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Default Russian dwarf help

Hello everyone, hope you've been having a good day!

I am in need of some tips and guidance regarding to care of Russians. Wish I could say it's for a Russian I plan to get, but sadly it's not. A good friend of mine has decided to dive into the world of hamsters, and I immediately volunteered to help them start up and maintain. This will be their first pet and they're very excited for it, as am I to be honest! I've directed them to here, not sure if they'll join or not, but I've been helping them to get some supplies as with all newbies, there were a few things they planned to buy that wouldn't be suitable. Here is a list of things we've decided on, to all Russian owners, let me know if I missed something or suggest anything else

-40 gallon breeder with screen lid
-bathing sand
-decent sized wheel (9 inches I believe?)
-kaytee clean and cozy
-several chew toys
-Hazel hamster (I suggested Burgess but they did not want to order online)
-fresh not too sugary vegetables
-Water bottle
-wooden huts and shoeboxes with bottoms cut out
-nail trimmers (made for pets)
-bowl to hold sand
-whimzees
-food bowl (though we may skimp on this and choose to scatter feed)
-driftwood and grapevine (possibly cork bark too)
-designated play area
-other misc toys

All tips are appreciated. I have tried my best with instructing them, but I've never had a Russian so there will be things that can only be taught through experience so if there's any noteworthy things, don't forget to mention them.

I explained that personality wasn't typically based on gender (especially in non-Syrian species) but they wanted to know whether you'd recommend males or females? I said that a female might be better since (though it's quite an insignificant detail) male Russian scent glands can build up oils and if not maintained, this can cause infection so I figured it wasn't something they'd want to deal with.

Thanks all
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Old 05-26-2017, 07:38 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Russian dwarf help

That's quite a good list & most of it's fine.
Sand, they really do love this so as big a sand bath as possible, bowls may not be big enough but you can use something like a plastic food box or something for more space, they quite like it to be partially covered so a bendy bridge over just part of it works well.
8" or above is fine for the wheel.
I have yet to have a Russian bother with wooden chew toys or chew toys in general really, they do love whimzees, dandelion roots are often popular too, some like dog biscuits some don't.
If your friend is going to use Hazel hamster food it might be worth breaking some of the larger pieces up.
Their nails do grow fast so trimmers are good if your friend has the confidence to do it themselves, things like tiles (upside down wall tiles) or terracotta pots are good for helping to keep them down a bit, the pots make good little hideouts & places to hide away food & treats too.
I wouldn't bother with driftwood or grapevine for a Russian, it won't be any use to them as they can't climb on it with their furry feet & if they try are very good at falling off things!
Cork bark, tube or tunnel would be great & they could climb on that too.

I would recommend a male to begin with, scent glands aren't that much of an issue, infections don't happen that often & females can have much more complex problems, I've only had one female but I have found my males easier to tame & far less prone to being territorial so that might be something to consider.
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Old 05-26-2017, 07:43 AM   #3
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Default Re: Russian dwarf help

Sounds like you have everything covered Drago.

-9 inch wheel is fine.
-I think Hazel hamster is the same as Harry hamster, some of the biscuity bits in it are quite big so I tend to break them up with a pestle and mortar (I use burgess but give them some biscuity bits now and again for a treat (not sure they see it that way though lol)
-I always put a granite tile under their water bottles to help with their nails, a terracotta pot is always useful for nails to especially if you put a bit food in it for them to get.
-I have some wooden chew toys in their cages but I've never seen any of mine chewing them (apart from enjoying pulling the sissal bits out the top of the wooden carrots) but they will chew on applewood sticks or toys made out of willow now and again and loofa and sissal things
-Mine do love having small cardboard boxes to sit in with a for nibbling on a whimzee or walnut or grooming so might be an idea to keep some smaller boxes along with the shoeboxes.
-I know the cork is ok for them but I'm not sure about driftwood or grapevine but I'm sure Cypher will know
-Mine all have bowls and they get half in their bowls in the morning and half scatter at night. The bowl only gets topped up when the bowl is empty (or nearly empty). I don't think there is anything wrong with scattering feeding all the way though as it is more natural for them and does provide exercise. I just find with the bowl I can see how much and what they're eating

I've only got males so I can't comment on females. I think that mostly males are pretty good at keeping their scent gland clean especially if they have a sand bath (mine have 2 a smaller one for the toilet but they still seem to like sitting/grooming/eating etc in it and a bigger one so they can have a proper roll around and a dig). I've not had to deal with a blocked scent gland in my 11 months of having them so I'm not sure if I've just been lucky. Pasha's looked a bit yucky at one point but he'd sorted it out himself by the next day. Hopefully someone with a bit more experience will have more knowledge on this
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Old 05-26-2017, 08:28 AM   #4
cypher
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Default Re: Russian dwarf help

I forgot to say for treats & extra protein if needed mealworms are the way to a Russian's heart They make great taming treats!
If your friend is using the Hazel hamster then it might be an idea to offer a millet spray in the cage, it's a very natural food for them, good for diabetes prone hams & most really love it.
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Old 05-26-2017, 08:48 AM   #5
Drago
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Default Re: Russian dwarf help

Thank you BP & Cypher!

I forgot to mention mealworms, I'm giving an extra package of mine to them so they won't have to spend extra where they don't need to. I didn't know Russians loved mealworms so much though. I'll make sure to pass that info on! I'll also share the info on males. I think they're going to end up getting whichever hamster they fall in love with- can't say I'd be any different. As for the sandbath, bigger container it is! Would you say those empty Tupperware type ones would work? That is what I use for Kopi's sand and soil pits. I'll tell them about the driftwood too, and I'll suggest some terra cotta pots and tiles. As for the nail trimmings, I've volunteered to do it for them as I've trimmed ham nails before I've already suggested breaking the HH pieces so it's easier on their mouth, but Ill have to suggest the millet too. I guess it's a universal thing to dislike wooden chews. Only my one hamster chance has ever liked them. So I suppose we'll compensate with whimzees and other safe biscuits Thanks again to you both, my friend is super excited and will appreciate all this
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russian, things, sand, decided, bowl, toys, good, tips, misc, instructing, appreciated, scatter, pets, made, hold, whimzees, food, trimmers, nail, shoeboxes, huts, bottoms, cut, cork, possibly

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