Russian up for adoption

[caro317]

Hi all,

I dropped by P@H today and in the adoption centre was this adorable fluff called Bumblebee who was described as being a Russian hamster. I've always had Syrians and to be honest I know pretty much zero about the other breeds, but after viewing some of your threads I'm fast becoming a convert and have fallen in love with the other breeds too

Bumblebee was up and about and having a great time, was so adorable and full of life that I really must have stood for half an hour deliberating whether to bring him home! However I realised I just don't know enough yet about his requirements so thought I'd come ask some advice first from you guys. I'll take a look on the Wiki as I'm hoping there's an everything-you-need-to-know section I can read, but first can you please tell me exactly what breed he is?? Yes I'm that clueless

Here's a snap I took:

[cowgirlskipper]

He looks like a little rusian dwarf, but if he's from p@h, then it is most likely he's a hybrid, a mix between a ww and a rusian. Because of this, be prepared for many possible scenarios. Some Ill bred hamsters have an issue with their brain that might make them a bit agressive, but don't let this put you off from getting him. Most problems like this are easily fixed, by using a glove to pick them up or taming it out of them, which may take a bit of time. I loved having my hybrid girls, and although they passed away a little after a year old to to medical issues, they were awesome little sweethearts. As far as care goes, hybrids shouldn't have any sugar, since they are more prone to diabetes than a robo or a syrian would be. A crushed up no flavor dog biscuit is a great alternitive though. I do thinkit would be great if you adopted him and l hope this helped.

[evel_lin]

He's so sweet! They don't need much different care, no sugary treats as cowgirlskipper said is about it. Some can develop diabetes or neurological problems but it's not a certainty

[POLAR WHITES]

aww sweet I have found my hybrid has a problem with any one or any thing new going into her cage she always goes for it, but once up she is just the same as my pedigrees and friendly little thing, She looks to be ageing faster than the others and at just 9 months old looks to be slowing down. she doesn't have diabetes but I always look for it with her as its known with hybrids, and she can eat for England she eats twice the amount the pedigrees eat.

[CreamSyrian]

Aww he's so sweet, it'd be great if you adopted him! The care is not too much different, they just can't have sugary treats such as yogurt drops and other pet store treats. Instead, millet, mealworms, monkey nuts, pumpkin seeds and cooked brown rice are good treats. Cage wise, I'd use anything which is 70x40cm or above. As others have said, they can develop behavioural problems being a hybrid, but this is not very likely. Some are cage territorial which means you'd have to take them out of the cage with something other than your hand and handle them outside the cage. Again, this is not with all hybrids. My hybrid has no problems, was tame within 3 days and loves being handled

[racinghamster]

Everyone is correct in what they have said already. He`s a Russian `hybrid` and has much the same requirements as a Syrian. A good cage, a good wheel and a suitable diet, which is basically one of the Burgess Supahamster food mixes or one of the other`s that have no added sugars. The Pets At Home mixes I would be wary of as people have suggested that they do have sugars added, so swerve those if this is correct.

So in a nutshell, a Zoozone 1 or equivellant cage size (although a mini Duna would suffice for the time being if that`s all you have handy!) and a Regular Silent Spinner wheel or any wheel that is 6.5" inches or larger and a good choice of seed mix. x