Can't wait for Monday! (2nd May '16)

Jasmine2016 · 04-30-2016, 12:51 PM

I should be getting my robo on Monday!!!!

Just been doing some last minute reading and have a few questions (again)

1. How deep should I make the bedding? I know they like to dig but is there such a thing as too much bedding?

2. The cage is in the sitting room (can't go anywhere else sadly) so it's the busiest room though it is placed in the quietest area of the room, I also have a dog and so he is in the sitting room with me all day and he sleeps in there (though in a crate and is very quiet at night) Is there anything I can do to help make everything as stress free as possible? Everywhere I read says about quiet but while I plan to get the hamster then take the dog out for his walk to give the hamster some time to settle, obviously that'll only last for the time of the walk.

3. Can robos get wet tail? Some people say they can, some say they can not, so confused here.

4. I've bought some JR Farm dwarf hamster mix, can I start her/him on that straight away or should I get some of the food she/he has been eating and do a gradual change over?

AmityvilleHams · 04-30-2016, 01:21 PM

There is no such thing as too much bedding

I'd recommend at least 4 inches for a robo to dig well though,but up to 12 inches if not more is even better but with barred cages that's relatively impossible.

Not sure on this,but it really does seem like a disaster waiting to happen

Hopefully others have advice,but I don't see it working out at all.

I'd assume they can get wet tail,but not sure myself!

I'd definitely mix food.Hamsters are easily stressed,so you do want to try changing diets gradually instead of immediately.Not sure if they're going to react quite the same,but I know with cats and dogs immediate dietary change can cause illness and stress and stomach upsets.

pinkneon · 04-30-2016, 02:06 PM

Sorry, don't know much about Robos, but for the food I'd get whatever they are currently on, use that for a fae days then slowly mix it into the new food, each day adding a little more of the new food and less of the old. I usually transition over about a week, after leaving them on current food for a week (which is how long I tend to leave them completely alone to settle in) so that there is not too much change. But you may be able to start a little sooner, but someone else may know more. I was lucky with the boy I have now that he was already on the Harry Hamster which I wanted to put him on, so didn't need to transition him over

**Cinnamon Bear** · 04-30-2016, 05:25 PM

No robos cannot get wet tail, no worries. You also do not need to gradually change his diet from Pet store food to your food, not a bad idea but not necessary either. As much bedding as you can work your robo would appreciate. I'd say 4 in would be more than enough though. They love tubes & hideaways!

They like Wodent wheels & flying saucers too! Congratulations & look forward to hearing more about your new furry friend. Don't forget to take pics

Also, make sure not to disturb your new robo for a few days to even a week or longer, until he/she feels secure in their new home before interacting. Also, don't chase your robo to try and catch it ever! Always let them approach you (treats). You can use a cup to transport, when needed.

If you chase after them they will be terrified of you. Make sure to have lots of patience & you'll have a really nice pet.

Just saying to let the hamster come to you in case you didn't know?

AmityvilleHams · 04-30-2016, 05:31 PM

As an extra note,if you only want to purchase one wheel go with an upright wheel like the Wodent Wheel or Silent Spinner or Silent Runner etc.Flying Saucer wheels aren't great as the only wheel,because of things like side arching and taking up so much more space than an upright wheel would.

Luckily there are tons of toys for robos since they are so tiny and usually those marketed as hamster toys are actually a good size for robos

If you want any more advice on toys just ask for that as well and I'm sure others will be more than willing to help with that as well as I know that I personally would definitely be willing to help!

**Cinnamon Bear** · 04-30-2016, 05:45 PM

Regarding the wheels, I have a Wodent Wheel & a flying saucer in both my robos cages. I can't imagine Latte without her flying saucer as she makes me clean off pee on the sides of her cage from running on that flying saucer. If you can only provide one wheel go with a stand up wheel to start out.

Careful with Silent Spinners as they aren't being made well& dwarves can't move them unless they have zero resistance, then they are fine. Test it out in the store & make sure it keeps on spinning & spinning when you go to test it. If the Silent spinner stops after 3-4 turns it won't work.

I'd say to order a 8 in Wodent Wheel before ordering a Silent Runner 9 in. The Silent Runner has large entrance openings where the Wodent wheel has smaller holes, which of course the robos love to run in & out of. In the US, I think the Wodent Wheel is the best wheel for robos, just my experience. Again, if you can add a medium sized flying saucer that doesnt have too much resistance, robos like those alot too!

AmityvilleHams · 04-30-2016, 05:50 PM

I think both is definitely a good idea

The flying saucer type wheels make awesome cage toys,but they are on the expensive side.Silent Spinners are definitely something I'd never order online though,just because of how risky it could be.

**Cinnamon Bear** · 04-30-2016, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

I think both is definitely a good idea

The flying saucer type wheels make awesome cage toys,but they are on the expensive side.Silent Spinners are definitely something I'd never order online though,just because of how risky it could be.

I'm pretty sure your looking at around $10 for a flying saucer. Pet Smart is cheaper regarding the Silent spinners than Pet-Co. I can't remember exactly how much the saucer is. It's between $7.99 & $14.99.

Also, Pet -Co carries the saucers, Pet Smart does not

**Cinnamon Bear** · 04-30-2016, 06:07 PM

One last bit of advice is if you have a choice of which robo to pick, see if you can put your hand in the tank & take the one most curious about you. You can't go wrong selecting a pet that way in my experience, with one exception. Maddi, my white robo wasn't nippy at the store & was extremely curious & friendly, which she is now BUT she nips a little. Other than that, my last 4 pets I've chosen this way (except Izzy) & it has made for really nice pets. Of course you won't know for sure how they'll be until they are settled in. After you've had your robo for a month they will definitely be feeling at home

cypher · 04-30-2016, 08:52 PM

Generally the more substrate the better, I don't think you can have to much! The only problem with very deep substrate & a new ham is if s/he is a bit nervous to begin with they can just disappear into it making it hard to see or interact with them.

The dog would be my biggest concern as just the scent of a predator can be quite disturbing for them, I guess you'll just have to see how that works out if they must be in the same room. Other than trying to find space somewhere the dog doesn't go there's nothing you can do.
You do need to keep things fairly calm & quiet around them the first few days especially but I always think it's better if they have some normal noises around them, they just get used to it fairly quickly.
Other than that give the robo some time to settle in without too much interference, the time they need varies from on ham to another some may need a week while others are curious from day one so just let your new robo guide you really.

I'm pretty sure only syrians get wet tail.

Your robo will most likely be on a muesli type mix so changing to the JR farms won't be a problem at all.

Look forward to hearing all about the new arrival