Advice? - Page 2

KatiePillow · 12-11-2011, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stranger

I'm really confused what bedding to get now. I don't really want to get anything like megazorb, as I'd prefer to get it from my local pet shop. I do know my friend (whom has a dwarf hamster) has the lavender scented woodshavings from pets at home. They're cheap and I did use them for my previous syrian hamster, so perhaps they're the way to go?

I didn't know that the flying saucer wheel was noisy - perhaps a silent spinner would be a better idea?

I also didn't know about the lettuce/salad - i read somewhere to only give them a little bit because it gives them bad poop

Markies would be no problem as I have a dog and he loves them!

Any scented woodshavings are the worst you could get, hamsters have very sensitive little noses.. they're made for the owner not the hamster (as in they smell good to the owner, but imagine living in that?)

I've found silent spinners to be very quiet, although if you have a hamster that is a bit 'mad' the wheel will rock anyway, I've found flying saucers to be noisy, but other people have said it's the other way round, so don't purely take my word for it, it's just based on my experience.

Watch out for the markies - I bought some for my hamsters and the dog broke into my room and ate the box T_T

TraceyH · 12-11-2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stranger

Firstly, I'd just like to say thank you to everyone whos helped, i really do appriciate it!

I'm afraid the cage will have to do, I hope I don't offend anybody by this choice! The hamster will be exercised daily, so I don't see the cage as a big problem.

I'm really confused what bedding to get now. I don't really want to get anything like megazorb, as I'd prefer to get it from my local pet shop. I do know my friend (whom has a dwarf hamster) has the lavender scented woodshavings from pets at home. They're cheap and I did use them for my previous syrian hamster, so perhaps they're the way to go?

Thanks for the ideas about the toys, I'm sorry kyrilliondaemon but I tried to find the 'yellow cube' at pets at home but I couldn't find it - do you have a link or a picture at all? I'll definitely use the toilet rolls, and stick with the log that I'm planning to get.

I didn't know that the flying saucer wheel was noisy - perhaps a silent spinner would be a better idea?

I also didn't know about the lettuce/salad - i read somewhere to only give them a little bit because it gives them bad poop

Markies would be no problem as I have a dog and he loves them!

That lavender stuff was the worst thing I ever bought last July. I only bought it 'cos that was all they sold. One of my hamsters started having breathing problems with it, that's when I googled info about it and somehow ended up on this forum and read how harmful it was, so switched to megazorb. Plus, megazorb works out cheaper in the long run. I paid £1.69 for 1L of the lavender stuff.

TheFeldhamster · 12-11-2011, 06:19 AM

Please don't buy any scented bedding, regardless what scent. Nose, whiskers, and ears are the main senses for a hamster (because their eyes are not very good) so having to live in something scented is really horrible for them.

Quote:

I also didn't know about the lettuce/salad - i read somewhere to only give them a little bit because it gives them bad poop

Of course you have to slowly intoduce your hamster to it. Please don't give a large amount of fresh food to a hamster that is not used to it. You have to start with small amounts and then increase it slowly so they can get used to it. And start with the less watery sorts like zucchini and then go to the more watery sorts like cucumber etc later.

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 12-11-2011, 06:21 AM

The mini Duna is fine for a lot of single dwarfs (I have one and its my smallest cage but its for a super lazy ham) but if you end up getting one that is super active it may become a problem. Though as long as your ham has a play space (ie a play pen or box) that he can go in once a day and has lots of toys in the cage then you shouldnt have too many problems

The other option you have is to get the duna fun, its the same width and length as the mini but it has a few more shelves and some tunnels and still room for a 6" wheel if your hammie doesnt get on with the saucer . This is down to what you feel would be best though

Duna Fun -

For toys I would say the yellow block is good but not the log with holes. My adult robos only just fit in them and they are half the size of adult Campbells.

Log swings, tubes/tunnels, bendy logs, hanging toys etc these are all great and in the end an empty cardboard box or jam jar will make them just as happy

Stranger · 12-11-2011, 08:00 AM

Thanks once again for all your help guys!

So, scented bedding = big no no - I'll tell my friend about this so hopefully she'll stop using it!
Doing some more research, Pets at home do carefresh small pet bedding 60L for £4.99 - which is good considering the coloured one costs £4.99 for just 10L - so I'll go with that if thats ok? Here it is!

I'll introduce the lettuce slowly asap, and I'll hold off buying the log with holes in.

But can somebody please, please, PLEASE give me a link/picture of this yellow block as I can't find it!

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 12-11-2011, 08:16 AM

Small Animal Hide and Seek Cube by Pets At Home | Pets at Home
And you're in luck as they are still doing the 2 for £6 deal!

Christmas_hamster · 12-11-2011, 08:40 AM

Even the rspca recommends more space than the duna mini provides. Looking at a few websites and they are calling for about 3000 square cm of floorspace. :/

Stranger · 12-11-2011, 08:48 AM

Thanks so much Erin!

Sorry Christmas_hamster, but the mini duna will have to be ok - Many are ok with it, and I'm getting a little play pen for him to roam in when I'm at home (and he's awake!) so I can't really budge on it - sorry

KatiePillow · 12-11-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christmas_hamster

Even the rspca recommends more space than the duna mini provides. Looking at a few websites and they are calling for about 3000 square cm of floorspace. :/

Although it is fairly small, it is usually this forums 'minimum' for a dwarf hamster, it is the only suitable cage sold in a very large chain pet store, so understanding needs to be in place..
I have had dwarves in these, and I am in the process of upgrading them all, because they really do need more space, ideally.
Part of the reason they're seen as acceptable is the usable shelf, and similar cages on the market, which have the same base size, are seen as unsuitable.

I'm not saying it's a good cage for a RD, I'm saying that people tend to be ok with it.

Edit: Stranger, many people who have this cage tend to upgrade to a larger one once they get to know their hamster, this is purely a warning, that they do need more space. I know you've said it'll have to be ok, but if you see your hamster wanting more space then it is possible that you'll need to upgrade them, if you only have space for a 50x40 cage as maximum they might not be an ideal pet for you.

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 12-11-2011, 08:59 AM

When you actually have the hamster in the cage its not as small as it sounds (or looks). You can fit so many toys in there as well as a load of substrate and I have personally seen that you can squeeze an 8" wheel in there (for larger dwarf hamsters).
Since I actually own this cage for the particular hamster that lives in it I do actually really like it. A single small dwarf or lazy dwarf (or even one who spends a lot of time free ranging) will be perfectly happy in it.
Here are examples of some lovely set ups in a mini duna to show you that they arent all that bad - If you have a Mini Duna, could you post pics???