Fostering a Robo

MCHamster · 07-03-2016, 11:01 PM

Yesterday, while I was online looking for secondhand cages, I stumbled upon an advert for a FTGH robo with a tiny cage. As someone involved in rescue, the "free" bit filled me with dread....so now the little robo is expected to come to me at the weekend to be fostered. I'll then be able to vet anybody who wants to offer him a home so that he goes to someone suitable.

I've been browsing the internet for info on robo care but have seen some conflicting recommendations, so I thought I'd come on here and ask my questions as well. Forums like this are often more up-to-date with info than websites anyway, IME.

So, my questions are:

1. What is the best food for a robo? I'm assuming dwarf hamster food but the websites suggest general hamster mix.

2. I'm planning, temporarily, to upgrade him from his tiny cage to a mini duna although ideally I'd get him something bigger. I generally need stackable cages so I prefer wire to plastic. I know bar spacing can be tricky, but I'm guessing that if it's safe for mice it should be okay for robos? Any suggestions?

3. Are robos prone to diabetes? Most sites say "dwarf hamsters" are but then mostly go on to talk about Campbell's or Winter Whites so I'm not sure if robos fall into the same category.

Thanks in advance.

cypher · 07-03-2016, 11:45 PM

I would recommend a dwarf ham mix as they do like the small seeds & mealworms they usually contain but a robo will do ok on Harry Hamster although I would have thought some of the biscuit bits might need breaking up a bit for tiny mouths!

If it's been in a tiny cage don't be in any rush to put it into a much larger cage, I love big cages but an upgrade can be very scary for a little ham like a robo that's been used to a very small space, you have to let them guide you by their behaviour really, barred cages are fine, fully grown anything no more than 1cm spacing should be fine.

Robos aren't prone to diabetes no, it's only Russian hybrids, Campbells russian & Chinese that have the tendency toward diabetes.

Good luck with the little one!

velma · 07-04-2016, 03:36 AM

Cypher has covered it all really. Until recently, I fed Hector Burgess dwarf hamster harvest and have on occasion chucked a bit of Harry hamster in for variety. He seems to quite like the HH so if that's what you have that's fine but some bits, as cypher said, are a bit big for him. Some manage fine though. He also really likes the millet and meal worm in the Burgess so if you wanted tinged him his own food, that's pretty good.
As far as the cage goes, as cypher said, don't rush to upgrade him to something massive. See how he is first. Hector lives permanently in a mini duna as he didn't cope well in anything bigger. With enough to do the mini duna can be fine for a robo that's not used to space so he may end up being better suited to a smaller style cage anyway and only need upgrading the once. Well done for taking him on. Robos are a bit addictive and I bet you want to keep him!

**Cinnamon Bear** · 07-04-2016, 03:36 AM

If you upgrade which sounds appropriate seeing he's in a tiny cage soon, be prepared for your hamster to hide.

This is normal till they get used to their new surroundings. Should take a couple weeks so just let him hide he will eventually be back to his normal self with a better home.

Also, fill his new cage (not massive) with lots of hidey spots & fun toys & treats & chews. They like papaya treats, millet & meal worms.

They love long paper towels tubes

Hope you fall in love with him & decide to keep him!

MCHamster · 07-04-2016, 08:32 AM

Thank you so much for your help.

I guess I'll keep him in the mini duna for awhile and see how he gets on.

Thin Lizzy · 07-04-2016, 08:01 PM

Good on you MCHamster on fostering this little robo, Cypher has covered it all in her post.

Kissa · 07-05-2016, 11:20 AM

Cypher's covered most of it, but I just wanted to add, if you prefer barred cages then the Pets At Home wired cages aren't too bad. If the Robo is an adult, the bar spacing shouldn't be an issue. I have the largest size for one of my Robos (about 60x40cm), and while you probably could get something cheaper if you shopped around online, they're convenient to get if you live near a Pets At Home.