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Old 04-19-2018, 02:57 AM   #1
Nadia
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Join Date: Apr 2018
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Talking Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

Hi there. My name is Nadia. Finally i am going to be purchasing my first hamster next week (fingers crossed)
I will be either purchasing or adopting a russian dwarf. I am aware its most likely to be a hybrid. So their diet will be different.
Im just confused as to what is available in the UK easily to purchase? Some foods i noticed are more common to buy over in the USA which i cant find in my local stores.
I have my top 3.
1. Burgess dwarf harvest mix
2. Supreme Harry hamster
3. Johnsons hamster & gerbil mix (is this ok for a dwarf?)

Which is best to buy for a dwarf?
Also i read about Lab blocks... whats the suitable one i can purchase instore at pets an home?


I have ordered my zoozone cage and all the toys and hideys including Fitch bedding. Hopefully they should all arrive by middle of next week so i can get things set up before getting the hamster.

By any chance does anyone know of a good breeder in London who sells Campbells or Winter White babies?

Sorry for the long thread. I shall stop babbling on... until next time!
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Old 04-19-2018, 04:52 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

Hi & welcome to the forum
Lovely to hear you are going to be getting your first ham soon!

The Burgess dwarf hamster harvest is fine but it doesn't have that much variety so they can get a bit bored with it, another good food with more variety is the Bunny Dwarf HamsterDream Expert from zooplus, I wouldn't feed Harry Hamster to a dwarf, the pieces are a bit big & it doesn't have the smaller seeds they love & need. Johnson's mix isn't good so I would avoid that one too.
I wouldn't bother with lab blocks you really don't need them if you have a good mix.
I have no idea about breeders in the London area sorry.
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Old 04-19-2018, 10:40 AM   #3
SimonandSyril
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

I have been using the Burgess dwarf hamster harvest for a while now without problems, I like to add pieces of pasta and dried mealworms occasionally to make the mix interesting
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Old 04-19-2018, 12:45 PM   #4
CMB
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

I us the Burgess dwarf hamster food . Both my hamsters have this. I also give the flax, linseed, pumpkin seeds, small sunflower seeds. Small pieces of nut occasionally and mealworms, chicken and vegetables.
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Old 04-19-2018, 03:37 PM   #5
Nadia
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

Thank you for replying! Feels like this research into hamsters is always bringing in new information.
How can i feed the chicken? Fried or boiled?
Should the paste be dry and hard?

Also another major question i forgot to ask, should i take the hamster to the vets as soon as i got it or only take it to the vets if its unwell? As i know they dont need any vaccinations.
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Old 04-19-2018, 04:29 PM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

I should just take it to the vets if there's a problem The Zoozone will need the lid meshing, if you didn't know, as the bar spacing is very wide. I think Burgess is fine - it's easily available (Pets at Home sell it) and is sugar free and has good ingredients and the right nutrients. Most people supplement any hamster mix with occasional fresh food. A very small piece of veg each day (broccoli, cucumber, carrot and cauliflower are all fine - or a parsley leaf). Small as in thumbnail sized. And maybe a couple of other supplements a week out of half a nut (brazil nuts, walnuts, unsalted cashew nuts, pecans). Monkey nuts in their shells. The occasional piece of plain cooked chicken or beef if you happen to have chicken one day or you can buy freeze dried chicken. Basically leftovers as long as there is no sauce or gravy or spices etc so just plain cooked things. The odd bit of cooked spaghetti goes down well if you're having spaghetti. They always love a bit of fresh food!

Chicken - if we have a roast chicken the hamsters get a bit sometimes. Fried wouldn't be good due to oil it's cooked in.

The other dwarf hamster mix Cypher mentioned is good too but needs ordering from Zooplus. Which is ok if you order more than one but there's the postage that adds to the cost. I currently use the Bunny Dwarf expert and the Rodipet dwarf hamster mix 50/50 and supplement the protein (the Rodipet one also comes from Germany). But the Burgess is fine and a good mix.
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Old 04-19-2018, 10:59 PM   #7
cypher
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

I agree that vet check ups aren't needed unless they are unwell, it just stresses them out for no reason really.
No fried chicken, if you had say roast chicken you can give a bit of that without any of the skin. I get freeze dried chicken from Zooplus.
I never give mine pasta, I don't think it adds anything beneficial to their diet tbh.
I give veg every da, just start slowly once every few days & gradually increase it to daily.
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Old 04-20-2018, 01:42 AM   #8
Nadia
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

Glad to know i wont have to add unecessary vet checks on my expenses. Well, Im now in a bit of a pickle.
I thought after dropping my daughter to school today i will pop into the pet shop and ask when they restock hamsters so i can have a wide range to choose from.
Unfortunately as soon as the lady saw i had my toddler with me she recommended me not to get a dwarf as i planned, but to get a syrian instead. ( need to restart my research again)
Which means i will have to return my silent spinner and opt for the flying saucer instead.
Foodwise is the Burgess dwarf mix still ok to buy for the syrian? I have already ordered it *face palm*.
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Old 04-20-2018, 03:00 AM   #9
Fluffagrams
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

Dwarfs can make nice pets even for children but hamsters from club breeders have usually had a head start on taming as breeders will usually start the taming process at about two weeks old. There is a list of breeders on the Southern Hamster Club's website: https://www.southernhamsterclub.co.u.../shc-breeders/

In terms of a wheel, most people choose to give an upright wheel as some hamsters don't seem to be able to get the hang of a flying saucer and end up ruinning in an awkward position. If you're looking for a reasonably priced wheel then a Trixie Wheel may be suitable: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/..._i=13755519031

Other popular choices for Syrians are the Wodent Wheel and the Silent Runner but the Silent Runner can only be purchased from one place and is rather pricey. It is a good wheel though and has a smooth running track and a sturdy stand.
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Old 04-20-2018, 05:37 AM   #10
Nadia
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Default Re: Hello! New here. I have a few questions please.

Thank you Fluffagrams. I have emailed the breeder from the list. Hopefully they reply back with good news.

I was hoping to get a standing wheel. But ufortunately the height of the cage wont allow it. So i will have to purchase the saucer for the syrian.

I have cancelled the Burgess dwarf food mix just in time, they were about to get the order ready.
Now im back to square one in what foods and treats to buy for the Syrian that is readily available at my local stores.
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