My Roborovski Dwarf Hamster prefers less space

[cloudy]

I would not use a flash. Maybe when she is relaxed one day you may find a suitable time to snap a picture on your phone. It is so hard to take pictures of fast animals.

[arnoldshirl]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I would not use a flash. Maybe when she is relaxed one day you may find a suitable time to snap a picture on your phone. It is so hard to take pictures of fast animals.

She is quick. I can vouch for that! Might only get lucky at getting a white blur

[Pebbles82]

I think sometimes when people post safety issues it isn't meant to sound like saying you're doing something wrong - it's passing on information - but we should all consider each others feelings .

I personally don't know much about ground walnut shells. Something to look into! It won't clean them like sand does but it's another interesting texture. You do want to avoid any kind of soils though as they can create damp and humidity. I did get some pieces of cork bark which our hamster seems to like, for a different texture. That's safe enough.

Re flash photos. Again I personally don't because I do find it startles them and it's not nice for them. Some people do. The problem without using flash is there needs to be enough light or they come out blurred. So a phone camera might not do it - then you need an actual camera.

Sometimes I've just adjusted the room lighting and that can be enough light for photos with a phone without flash. For example we have an anglepoise lamp in the room near the sofa so when the hamster was on the sofa I could take photos as that was a really good directional light (without actually pointing it at the hamster).

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I personally don't know much about ground walnut shells. Something to look into! It won't clean them like sand does but it's another interesting texture. You do want to avoid any kind of soils though as they can create damp and humidity. I did get some pieces of cork bark which our hamster seems to like, for a different texture. That's safe enough.

Cork bark is a great suggestion for something safe but fun. Grape vine(wood) is another good idea for more wood texture.

Ground walnut shells are widely known in the reptile community for being incredibly dangerous and a big part of that is the extremely high likelihood(basically guaranteed inevitably) of growing dangerous mold spores. There are other natural fibers that are also equally likely to cause mold spores that are dangerous for the same reason, for example corn cob. The other big danger known in reptiles is impaction(basically digestive blockage), though I'm not entirely certain that part translates to hamsters as well. The mold spores definitely do. I'd imagine the reason we don't seem to have that information being spread around in the hamster community is because people don't tend to consider things like that for hamsters!

Coconut fiber is an excellent alternative for that sort of thing though and is far safer, providing you keep it neither too moist nor too dry.

[Pebbles82]

I keep substrate simple just in case - paper based substrate, and a good brand of chinchilla bathing sand. I probably wouldn't even try coconut fibre personally as I'm so aware of their sensitive respiratory tracts and susceptibility to respiratory infection.

I just use things like cork bark and millet sprays for interesting textures - and a coconut hut. Or wood items. All our hamsters have loved their round coconut hides. I've been tempted to use interesting things but I really don't think the hamsters are bothered whether it's "natural" or not - it seems to be more a human thing to make it natural. In fact one thing a lot of hamsters like is cardboard! Which is good for making cheap toys and enrichment. I have a hammock made out of a cardboard egg box and robos also like things like toilet roll inner tubes or egg box hide outs (and other cardboard hides). Also safe for them to chew if they feel like it.

Robos are notorious for loving their sand baths and would probably bathe in anything that seemed sandy. Even Chinchilla bathing sand you have to be careful. It must say sand not "dust" on the packet.

I think enrichment for a hamster is plenty of places to go and things to do. Someone earlier mentioned robos like to have plenty of overhead cover and this is true. So sometimes it's not the extra space that's the issue but that they feel exposed from above. So the usual layout for a robo is the cage floor filled with tunnels and hideouts so they can dart from one to another and stay under cover.

Having a platform is almost essential (and you'd have space for that in a bigger tank). It's something they can sit under and surprisingly they like climbing onto. I guess they don't feel so exposed on a platform as it's higher up nearer the roof. It's also a good place to put heavier ceramic items. I have the sand bath on a platform in my cage.

I like the large cork logs as a floor toy in our robos cage as well. It may seem like a large tunnel for a tiny hamster, but what it does is provide overhead cover, and also something they can climb over safely if they're feeling bolder.

Our Robo Pip's set up is on this page (under "Savic Plaza set up for a Robo) in case that gives any ideas. He uses all of it! The first two or three weeks he hid away but he loves running up that ladder.

Let's see your cages - New thread - July 2017

I attached the big hammock to the roof so it was darker underneath for him. And he wasn't supposed to be able to get up there. But then I hung the egg box hammock next to/under it - to cover up things underneath - just in case he happened to climb to the roof and fall. And have now found he climbs into the egg box from the back shelf and into the hammock and gets off at the other end on the shelf!

[arnoldshirl]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I keep substrate simple just in case - paper based substrate, and a good brand of chinchilla bathing sand. I probably wouldn't even try coconut fibre personally as I'm so aware of their sensitive respiratory tracts and susceptibility to respiratory infection.

I just use things like cork bark and millet sprays for interesting textures - and a coconut hut. Or wood items. All our hamsters have loved their round coconut hides. I've been tempted to use interesting things but I really don't think the hamsters are bothered whether it's "natural" or not - it seems to be more a human thing to make it natural. In fact one thing a lot of hamsters like is cardboard! Which is good for making cheap toys and enrichment. I have a hammock made out of a cardboard egg box and robos also like things like toilet roll inner tubes or egg box hide outs (and other cardboard hides). Also safe for them to chew if they feel like it.

Robos are notorious for loving their sand baths and would probably bathe in anything that seemed sandy. Even Chinchilla bathing sand you have to be careful. It must say sand not "dust" on the packet.

I think enrichment for a hamster is plenty of places to go and things to do. Someone earlier mentioned robos like to have plenty of overhead cover and this is true. So sometimes it's not the extra space that's the issue but that they feel exposed from above. So the usual layout for a robo is the cage floor filled with tunnels and hideouts so they can dart from one to another and stay under cover.

Having a platform is almost essential (and you'd have space for that in a bigger tank). It's something they can sit under and surprisingly they like climbing onto. I guess they don't feel so exposed on a platform as it's higher up nearer the roof. It's also a good place to put heavier ceramic items. I have the sand bath on a platform in my cage.

I like the large cork logs as a floor toy in our robos cage as well. It may seem like a large tunnel for a tiny hamster, but what it does is provide overhead cover, and also something they can climb over safely if they're feeling bolder.

Our Robo Pip's set up is on this page (under "Savic Plaza set up for a Robo) in case that gives any ideas. He uses all of it! The first two or three weeks he hid away but he loves running up that ladder.

Let's see your cages - New thread - July 2017

I attached the big hammock to the roof so it was darker underneath for him. And he wasn't supposed to be able to get up there. But then I hung the egg box hammock next to/under it - to cover up things underneath - just in case he happened to climb to the roof and fall. And have now found he climbs into the egg box from the back shelf and into the hammock and gets off at the other end on the shelf!

I scrolled back in this thread and re read what you mentioned of what you use for substrate. I had a moment of DUH it was mentioned already! LOL

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by arnoldshirl

I scrolled back in this thread and re read what you mentioned of what you use for substrate. I had a moment of DUH it was mentioned already! LOL

I use Fitch which is only available in the Uk. It's very similar to Kaytee Clean and Cozy but only comes in white - I buy it in bulk. Kaytee clean and cozy is very good and hamsters like that too. Nice and soft. It's not too expensive if you get it in the biggest packs (it's compressed). I wouldn't use Carefresh though. Some people find it fine. I find it a has a kind of fine dust (or did when I tried it) and some hamsters have been allergic to it. If you wanted to try some you could add it and mix it in and change it over gradually. I think Amazon sells it online if not available locally.

[cloudy]

Hello arnoldshirl. I remember you saying it is difficult to buy hamster things were you live and thought I would recommend this site to you:
Etsy - Shop for handmade, vintage, custom, and unique gifts for everyone

I have found almost everything for hamsters on there. Spays (such as millet), sand, houses, chews. I just thought you may like to have a look.

Also, I just thought I would say, when researching hamsters I have found some people on youtube have taught me a lot. This is a link to somebody who I have learned such a lot from:
Victoria Raechel - YouTube

I understand these sites may not be your thing but just thought I would share them with you.

[arnoldshirl]

Originally Posted by cloudy

Hello arnoldshirl. I remember you saying it is difficult to buy hamster things were you live and thought I would recommend this site to you:
Etsy - Shop for handmade, vintage, custom, and unique gifts for everyone

I have found almost everything for hamsters on there. Spays (such as millet), sand, houses, chews. I just thought you may like to have a look.

Also, I just thought I would say, when researching hamsters I have found some people on youtube have taught me a lot. This is a link to somebody who I have learned such a lot from:
Victoria Raechel - YouTube

I understand these sites may not be your thing but just thought I would share them with you.

I think I viewed a few videos of Victoria Raechel on YouTube, along with another lady ErinsAnimals I think was the second video. thanks for reminded me of this site YouTube, it's been a while since i been there.
I'll check out Etsy too.
Being out in the middle of nowhere does have wonderful advantages as well as disadvantages too. But I try to see the disadvantages as challenges.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by arnoldshirl

I think I viewed a few videos of Victoria Raechel on YouTube, along with another lady ErinsAnimals I think was the second video. thanks for reminded me of this site YouTube, it's been a while since i been there.
I'll check out Etsy too.
Being out in the middle of nowhere does have wonderful advantages as well as disadvantages too. But I try to see the disadvantages as challenges.

You are welcome. I love Etsy. I have bought so many things from there. I buy all my greeting cards from there too.