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Old 07-01-2021, 01:54 PM   #11
Petite
Senior Hamster
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Scotland
Posts: 501
Default Re: A New Hamster

Yes - I planned to use a glass shelf adhered to a piece of wood of some kind, or even a piece of wood sandwiched between two glass shelves. If either of them were True Gnawers like my Theo used to be, a piece of wood on its own would not be nearly enough to keep them apart! It's a good idea to keep the houses and burrowing areas at opposite ends. Oh - another question: I've read that robos don't bother with houses much and just snuggle down in the substrate. Is it worth buying him / her a house? I will buy a second coconut so they have one each; the coconut was a hit with Freya.

By the way, is it okay to give the robo a Whimzee? And is there anything else I should know about looking after a robo?

Interesting that it's only the Syrians that seem to react to the opposite gender. In that case, as long as I make the divider a snug fit, I may not need to seal it. I looked at a couple of videos today about dividing a detolf, and one of them did not use any kind of sealant. (That's a good thing, because the sealant recommended in the other video seems to be unobtainable just now.) It also means I can revert to using the whole enclosure in future if there were changes in my hamster family.

If I do end up buying two dwarfs as opposed to a dwarf and a robo, I will be sure to make check that they are the same gender.

I've had to order a new carrier as I only have the one, and will need another to bring home the other ham. As soon as that arrives, and as soon as we can get booked on the ferry, we'll be off to collect them!

Last edited by Petite; 07-01-2021 at 02:00 PM.
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Old 07-01-2021, 04:23 PM   #12
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: A New Hamster

Yes, Robos like whimzees too, even the ones bigger than themselves and they'll try to carry it off to their nests.

A Robo is still a proper hamster, just a very small version.

Regarding houses, depends on the Robo but i'd get one. Robo Kev sleeps in his and Robo Monty uses his like a porch to his underground nest.
I haven't met a hamster yet who doesn't like a coconut hide. They all seem to love them.
I'd also get a wooden log with the holes in it while you're in Ness, they're popular with Robos.

There isn't really any difference in the care of a Russian dwarf and a Robo. I find that Robos like to have two wheels, an upright one and a flying saucer, saying that, all our dwarfs have two wheels.
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Old 07-03-2021, 05:26 AM   #13
Petite
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Default Re: A New Hamster

Thanks, Ria, that's great. I think I have a holey log thing from when our other two were small enough to use it, and I also have a flying saucer and a 11 cm spare wheel - would that be big enough for a robo? If not, I will try and source another, along with a suitable house. Any recommendations for a robo house?
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Old 07-03-2021, 10:02 AM   #14
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
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Default Re: A New Hamster

The 11cm wheel is way too small for any hamster, even a Robo. I'd go for a 17cm minimum/20cm one. A plastic one would be better unless you plastikote a wooden one first because Robos run marathons and leave a combo of wee and sweaty paw prints as evidence.

I quite like houses with a removable roof that can also double as a platform like the Ferplast sin guinea pig house. Robo Gordon had one of those but prefered the little wooden cottage type Monty's inherited and likes as well.
Important is that they are bottomless so they can tunnel down if they want.

The Ferplast guinea pig houses need to have the holes covered because they are big enough for a dwarf to get their head stuck in which dwarf Clarissa did the day after i had rescued her. I use Elmer's school glue which is non toxic and a flat chew they sell at p@h.
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Old 07-04-2021, 05:48 AM   #15
Petite
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Default Re: A New Hamster

Thanks - I did wonder if the wheel would be a bit too small. It's useful to know about robos' wheel habits, so I will definitely buy a plastic one.

I've found a house that I think will be perfect (it looks pretty much like the one in your photo), and am now trying to source some shelf-type accessories to add interest to the cages. Some of these I have seen are described as pine, others as birch. Can you remind me please which woods it is safe to give to a hamster?

Also (sorry for so many questions!) are robos into sand baths?
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Old 07-04-2021, 08:48 AM   #16
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: A New Hamster

Robos love sand and roll around in it. They need it to keep their fur in condition as well.

As for wood, that's something i'd need to look up tbh. I'm a bit old fashioned and don't believe that wood shavings are harmful otherwise all my rescue hamsters of various ages would arrive with respiratory issues and they don't.

I don't even know what type of wood the houses are made of i use. I prefer smooth wood i can give a good scrub and plastikote if i want to and i avoid anything held together with nails or staples, woods that have a strong scent or anything scented really.

Sorry i can't be of any help with your question but i'm sure someone else will know.
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Old 07-06-2021, 02:52 AM   #17
Petite
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Default Re: A New Hamster

There seem to be some old threads on HC about which woods are safe to use.
I found this one, which is helpful:

What wood to use?
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