Hello from NJ

[BellaFarnese]

Hi all, new to the forum. We are looking to get a dwarf hamster in the near future. I had dogs, fish, hamsters and guinea pigs as a child. We have a quiet home: 8 year old daughter, 6 yo whippet and large cichlid aquariums. Looking to research in advance. Have a great day!

[CMB]

Welcome. Hope you can find the information you need to help you prepare and look after your new hamster.

[BellaFarnese]

Originally Posted by CMB

Welcome. Hope you can find the information you need to help you prepare and look after your new hamster.

Thanks! I'm sure I'll have questions soon about list of items needed and plan to post list of what we have already. Going to read more threads first

[cypher]

Hi & welcome to HC

Look forward to hearing about your ham when you get him/her.

[Pebbles82]

Hello and welcome. Just to point out that dwarf hamsters from pet shops will almost certainly be hybrids. Even if they are sold as a Winter White or a Russian Campbell they are hybrids of both species - but may look like one or the other. The only way to get a pure bred dwarf hamster is from a breeder. Hybrids are just as adorable but they do have a predisposition to diabetes so need a sugar-free diet

Sounds like you have a nice tank ready Most people in the US find a 40 gallon breeder tank is a good size, but a 30 gallon may be ok too.

[BellaFarnese]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Hello and welcome. Just to point out that dwarf hamsters from pet shops will almost certainly be hybrids. Even if they are sold as a Winter White or a Russian Campbell they are hybrids of both species - but may look like one or the other. The only way to get a pure bred dwarf hamster is from a breeder. Hybrids are just as adorable but they do have a predisposition to diabetes so need a sugar-free diet

Sounds like you have a nice tank ready Most people in the US find a 40 gallon breeder tank is a good size, but a 30 gallon may be ok too.

That's great info. Thanks. I'll take a look for breeders in northern nj. I'm not really a fan of buying pets at chain stores. And a 30 or 40 gallon tank is possible. We have large cichlids and keep extras in case of fry or needing to separate fish due to aggression or illness.

[BorisPasha]

Hello and welcome to HC

[BellaFarnese]

Thank you!

[Josie]

Hello and welcome to HC loads of information and friendly people on this forum

[BellaFarnese]

Thank you, you're absolutely right. Great info and members. Everytone has been so helpful