[Scargirl]

Originally Posted by Maverich21

I have a new 3-4month old Campell Russian Dwarf Hamster bought from PetSmart Nov 4th, and the Oxbow all-metal cage 16x13x13.

He appears to be doing well in that he runs around, eats, drinks, loves running through his paper-towel tube, and does not appear to fear my hand in the cage.
He has never tried to bite me, nor does he run away from my hand.

He does this thing at night 2:00AM where he starts this incessant constant running in circles just inside this hide-away door way, exposing the plastic bottom of the tray. I have about an inch of Carefresh bedding in the tray.
Is this constant running in circles for an hour or so just typical behavior?

He has gone on the all-solid plastic wheel but hasn't stayed on it for more than just a few seconds. I am wonder if/when he might take the wheel seriously as a means of exercise.
Is there something I can put on the wheel that would entice him to run on it?

I have food from both PetSmart and Heartland stores, and even tried mixing it a bit. He seems to be eating, and drinking regularly enough.

Cage does not smell at all! I am very impressed at the apparent lack of odor.

Photos and a Video can be found on my Instagram page.

Winter is coming here. I have him located at opposite end of the living room, far away from windows. There is a lamp next to his cage, but don't know if he'll get enough heat from that to be helpful? Is having a light on going to disturb his routine?

I even broke up a whimzees alligator into teeny-tiny peices, which apparently he tried some.

Any helpful advice, words of support appreciated.

I am also interested in a LARGER, WIDER wire-mesh cage for him. Even if he is a Dwarf that 16x13x13 is beginning to seem small. I want comments on that.

//maverich21//

Welcome to HC Forums.
I don't know about his running around in circles problem but I would recommend looking on amazon for cages if you can't find what you are looking for at your local pet stores. Amazon is where I got scarlet her new cage about a week ago. It is the WARE 25 inch chew-proof critter cage. The only problem with that is probably the bar spacing. It is 1/2 an inch. I think it has to be like 1/4 inch for dwarfs. The running around might just be his lot of energy. If he is only 3-4 months than maybe he doesn't know how to use his wheel yet. I thought that with Scarlet when I first got her but it was actually to small! What is the size of his wheel?