A few WW questions

wofunny · 10-01-2010, 04:49 PM

I have a few questions about Winter Whites, just incase I am allowed to get one at the cleavedon show

Is a cambridge a good cage for a single or pair?

Is the 6.5inch Silent Spinner a good wheel?

*Is Harry hamster ok, do they need anything added?

Are they prone to diabetes, or is that just hybirds?

Do they enjoy ball time like syrians? What size ball would you get?

I think that is all...

Thanks in advance! =]

Sammy · 10-01-2010, 05:12 PM

I'm not about the the question of the cage (currently living in Canada makes me very not very knowledgeably when it comes to UK cages) but I can answer your other ones.

Is the 6.5inch Silent Spinner a good wheel?

A 6.5 inch Silent Spinner is a GREAT wheel. I've owned two dwarfs in the past and I've found that size Silent Spinner is their (and mine's!) favourite.

Is Harry hamster ok, do they need anything added?

I fed my two WWs Harry Hamster but picked out all the sunflower seeds and corn because they are very fatty and instead, fed them each two of each every night. After doing lots of research on a hamster's diet, I have found that some people beg to differ when it comes to removing sunflower seeds and corn --because they did originally come with he mix, after all. So, thus, they are part of the nutritional value -- but in my personal experiences I believe that removing those items is what's best.

Are they prone to diabetes, or is that just hybirds?

Yes, hybrid or not, they are unfortunately prone to diabetes.

Do they enjoy ball time like syrians? What size ball would you get?

In my personal experiences with my two Winter White girls I have found that neither of them enjoyed the ball. Every once in awhile one would tolerate it for about five minutes but that was a rare occasion. Of course, it could have just been my two girls and their dislike toward the run-around balls so I wouldn't totally go against purchasing a ball for your (hopefully!

) Winter Whites but I also can't guarantee their attitude toward it.

I apologize if my answers are rather brief and broad. I have only ever owned two Winter Whites and that was about a year or two ago so knowledge is a bit dusty on 'em. But if you do you have any other questions, I can hopefully be of your assistance.

RachK · 10-02-2010, 01:34 AM

Hi Mark,

I didn't think WW's could get diabetes?

We limit the Sunflower seeds too but ours get fed Beaphar Xtra Vital Dwarf food. But regular hamster mix is fine. We've tried all different sorts to be honest.

Huxley isn't keen on Ball Time but Horace & Gizmo love it. Of course yet to try Mabel. Again it must be just an individual thing.

They only get up to 5-10 mins though with being small. WE did use the small ball to start with but now they have the Medium Savic one.

I would think a Cambridge would be fine there is plenty of room. Of course two of everything but you know that already.

As for the wheel yep 6.5 inch is perfect.

annie81 · 10-02-2010, 05:01 AM

my first russian hybrid loved his exercise ball...the second one hates it...but he is lazy anyway. i dont think it depends on whether they are syrians, chinese, ww, campbells, hybrids,...it depends more on the personality of your hamster. you will find out soon if your hammie likes balls

i feed all my dwarfs on a dwarf hamster mix...there are only some sunflowerseeds in there and no peas at all...instead they have bird seeds in their mix. it might be worth looking in your pet shop if they have special dwarf hamster mix...or talk to the breeders where you are getting your hammie...they will tell you would they feed their dwarfs...

Gizmodo ^_^ · 10-02-2010, 07:27 AM

Is a cambridge a good cage for a single or pair?
Only for a single, a pair would fight over the levels and i dont think the base would be sufficient for 2 dwarves

Is the 6.5inch Silent Spinner a good wheel?
Its a perfect wheel for a dwarf.

*Is Harry hamster ok, do they need anything added?
Harry hamster is fine, though me and my mum use Xtravital Beaphar dwarf hamster mix is perfect

Are they prone to diabetes, or is that just hybirds?
Its only hybrids and campbells i think.

Do they enjoy ball time like syrians? What size ball would you get?
We have the Medium sized ball, Gizmo loves it shes always zooming around, it depends on the hamster though because Huxley doesnt really like it.

I think that is all...

Katty_Sheldon · 10-02-2010, 11:47 AM

I agree with others, just to say that Cambridge is not good for a pair

I have a single one in it

DeweyTheHammy · 10-02-2010, 11:55 AM

lolol Mark I think you have too many hamsters now xP hahaa kidding. you can never have too many :O well I guess you can, if you have like 20. That's sort of pushing it. I've got 3 now though and my dad says absolutely no more ):

I has a hybrid winter white and she's amazing though.

I don't know about the questions as I don't use hamster balls and I've never seen a cambridge cage, but I use the small silent spinner. the 4.5 inch, and she likes it. But she's still a small baby so eventually I suppose she'll get an upgrade. I had a bigger wheel in there but she never used it so I gave her the silent spinner and she loves it :P Soo yeah.

fluffymunchkins · 10-02-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wofunny

Are they prone to diabetes, or is that just hybirds?

Russian dwarfs in general are more prone to diabetes!
Campbells and hybrids are the most, much more than winterwhites.
But no hamster should have too much sugar so its something to be aware of anyway x

internet_nobody · 10-02-2010, 03:51 PM

The cambridge is a no-go for a pair, you don't want something with shelves. It would be fine for a single though.

WW "can" get diabetes in the same way any animal can, but they are not prone to it like some campbells & hybrids. I feed mine Harry Hamster (with nothing removed) but some millet added. I avoid any treats with sugar for all my dwarfs, as although i've never had a problem with my campbells it isn't worth risking.

Shmoo · 10-11-2010, 09:28 AM

If I catch Jasper in a certain, runny mood, he loves his ball. I don't put him in it every day, so it's a treat when I do.

It's funny because when he gets sick of it, he just lays on the bottom and looks really chubby and adorable. lol.

I'm not sure what size it is. I know it's not the smallest or the biggest that they had at petsmart. lol. It was the middle sized one.

I also have a silent spinner that Jasper loves. He has 3 wheels technically, and he runs on the silent one the most and sleeps in another one. lol. Again, it was the next size up from the smallest one I do believe.

and I feed him Hazel Hamster food and pick out the corn because I was advised to do so.