Everyone meet Rocket! (and me)

[PocketRocket]

Hello everyone! I'm from South Yorkshire, England.

I joined this forum after doing many google searches and finding that you guys have so much helpful advice. So, I thought that I'd join in on the fun!

I currently own my newest addition Rocket, a Russian Campbell Dwarf who is the most inquisitive and loving hamster I have ever owned. He enjoys being handled and will run to the bars to come out whenever he hears my voice or the cracking open of his treat tub. I was so put off the thought of having a Dwarf as my first two hamsters (I think I was about eleven) were Roborovskis. Naively, they were housed together without having much knowledge about how territorial they can be. When they began fighting we separated them. However, they were never really tame and were so quick that after an escape (from handling) I was too afraid to try again..

After this I only ever owned Syrian hamsters but was overcome with love when I saw little Rocket, I just couldn't resist trying again. I'm so glad I did!

At the moment I'm also a mum to an eight month old Pug who is absolutely crackers, yet so loving.

Well, that's basically me. I look forward to getting to know some of you and sharing some tips on our little fury baby's.

[dreamtree1234]

PocketRocket and Rocket, welcome to Hamster Central! It is wonderful meeting you, and congrats on adding Rocket to your loving home. He sounds like such a loving and sweet furball! I am glad that he is tame and you can thoroughly interact with him. He is a gorgeous little fellow, and I look forward to hearing more about his adventures with you. Your pug is also absolutely adorable. I totally giggled at his silly expression; what a cutie!

Eros sends a furry-pawed handshake to Rocket!

[BorisPasha]

Hello and welcome to HC, your furry family look adorable Look forward to hearing more about them.

[cypher]

Hi & welcome to HC

Congrats on getting little Rocket, he looks & sounds adorable!

[PocketRocket]

Thank you everyone! Eros, Rocket returns your handshake! Don't be fooled by those puppy dog eyes guys, he's a mischevious little guy. Hard work but definitely worth it, puppy cuddles are the best

Rocket is settling into his new home brilliantly. I hate his cage though, so will be upgrading it in the next few months. He's loving playtime and using all the brilliant toys that won't fit in his cage.

Can anyone recommend any good treats for Dwarfs? I have mealworms and millet spray but would like to add something else for a variety.

(The hamster ball is just to transport him, I don't use it for any other purpose)

[cypher]

Aw he does look as though he's enjoying play time there

You can give a variety of seeds as treats (all in moderation) like sunflower & pumpkin (both preferably in the shell) hemp,sesame & flax are good too, others not so easy to find are things like perilla & safflower seeds, monkey nuts are great (one a week is plenty) if you make a tiny hole at the ends they have lots of fun getting the peanuts out.
A tiny piece of nut once in a while is ok, mine love walnuts & pine nuts the most.
Plain dry porridge oats are often liked & make a healthy treat too.
Not many bought treats are suitable but shrimp cookies are ok & the Rosewood naturals dandelion sticks are good too, they last a while.
Some but not all like a piece of dandelion root, apple or hazel wood to chew on.
Whimzees/antos dog chews are much loved, a piece of dog biscuit is enjoyed by some, I use Biscrok for mine.
For a protein boost you can also give plain dried chicken (sold as cat treats but check it is just meat with no additives) or a small piece of plain cooked chicken.
A tiny amount of scrambled egg as a rare treat might be enjoyed as well.
You can also give fresh veg (low sugar) as a treat too, I consider it more of a daily necessity rather than a treat but they don't know that

[PocketRocket]

Thank you for the advice! I've owned some of the Rosewood Natural treats before for my Syrians but wasn't sure how suitable they were for Dwarfs.

He's so funny to watch - When I first brought him home I put some bedding in his house but he decided to take it all out and make his own little nest. I bought another little house as an extra for his cage and stuffed it with bedding, thinking he might like it. He then transferred all of the new bedding into the original house and has decided to sleep in there instead

[PocketRocket]

He also has a Whimzee chew but on a whim I put in a Pets At Home wooden chew and he seems to prefer that. All of my other hamsters have never really even sniffed at wooden chews but have loved the Whimzees.

[Drago]

Hello and welcome to you and rocket!

Rocket is absolutely adorable! Looking forward to updates

[Burakki]

Welcome to HC! Your Rocket is very cute! And your pug is adorable! Looking forward to learning all about them!