My Roborovski Dwarf Hamster prefers less space

[arnoldshirl]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I understand that. I love your positive thoughts on ensuring you give cinnamon bun the best possible care and attention. I hope you post a picture of her some time. I would love to see her.

These are the only pictures I managed to capture of Cinnamon Bun.
Cinnamon Bun - Hamster Central Photo Gallery

[Pebbles82]

She looks lovely. I can't see how much substrate is in there but maybe it's a bit shallow? Just thinking if it's deeper, she could burrow down a bit rather than sitting in a corner. Robos are real diggers and tunnelers.

[arnoldshirl]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

She looks lovely. I can't see how much substrate is in there but maybe it's a bit shallow? Just thinking if it's deeper, she could burrow down a bit rather than sitting in a corner. Robos are real diggers and tunnelers.

I had three inches of substrate, she dug a hole to the depth of pffft. I finished moving the substrate, aspen bedding, so I can get her picture. She didn't remain in this tank though because she doesn't like it. She continues going to the corner and digging then scratching against the glass like she is trying to find a way out. So rest assure, there was a nice depth of bedding for her in there, I did research how they enjoy burrowing and always make sure she has enough to dig down as well as travel through some cardboard toilet tissue tubes that I have partially buried for her too. Only thing I have to do every other day is replace those tubes because she urinates in them. But then I read a thread where they mark their territory, so she may be doing that in them *shrugs* All I know right now, is she is calm and content in her peanut home after I removed her from that larger tank. I am going to try again, maybe use different substrate? Open for suggestions on what else to use.

[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

[cloudy]

Cinnamon Bun is so cute! It looks like she is comfortable with you as she was by your hand and did not run away.

[Pebbles82]

I agree - it's very good if a robo will stay near your hand or take food from you.

[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.

[Pebbles82]

Here you go. Be careful not to get one that's scented. Some are scented and some that say "extreme odour control" are scented too. They all say "odour control I think" but the extreme odour control is scented. So the plain ones are usually in white or natural (kind of brown). I didn't think I'd like white bedding but actually I do I have a few bits of card bedding sprinkled on top for a bit of a natural look but don't always bother.

The cardboard bedding on it's own isn't really very soft. (Finacard - also just Uk). There's also a paper/soft card bedding called Boxo in the US that's very good - I think it's only sold by Walmart and sold in big bags. Works out very cheap apparently. If they still make it.

Amazon.com

[Pebbles82]

Boxo - seems to be out of stock - maybe permanently - not sure.

Robot or human?

I don't know why the link says that! But it's just a link to Walmart web page.

[Lilafernim]

Hello, I am only just joining this thread and I too am still learning things so take what I say as suggestions and feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Firstly if you’re in the uk I just got a great offer of kaytee clean and cosy for £13 for 49l, which would do an entire cage or at least most of it. I made the mistake of getting the 24l one when I first ever bought it selling into the product advertisement saying “expands four times” what it doesn’t explain is it will come in a TINY packet. So I got the 49l one which is MUCH better. I think the price has increased to £16 now but still a good deal, there is always offers.

Kaytee Clean & Cozy Super Absorbent Paper Bedding for Cages, Hamster, Gerbil, Mice, Rabbit, Guinea Pig, 49.2 Litre, White https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007R6G8...CF1PRCD7?psc=1

Also I noticed you said you used three inches of aspen bedding? I may have misunderstood you as I think you were clarifying it’s depth in other areas but just wanted to quote this.
“ In most cases, it’s a good idea to provide your hamster with at least 4 to 6-inches of bedding

Scientific studies on hamster bedding have even found that a bedding depth of at least 15-inches can help improve a hamster’s overall health and well being. In that study, hamsters kept in cages with at least 15-inches of bedding had a healthier body weight, and they also exhibited less stress-induced destructive behaviors.”

Obviously 15inches is a lot but at least try and stick to 4-6inches for the entire cage. And I think you’d prefer paper bedding to aspen, it’s softer and can compact for them to make tunnels and burrow. I could be wrong but I believe it’s also more absorbent so spot cleaning becomes easier.

Also, I don’t know if it’s been covered but maybe the transfer into the bigger enclosure is stressful if you have the same number as enrichment from the smaller enclosure. It would leave a lot of open spaces and they like to have a lot of places to hide. It’s bizarre to show so much erratic behaviour because of a cage size increase. Also, again I haven’t read through the whole thread, but try to not switch between enclosures all the time as it can be stressful.

Hope I’ve helped and not repeated anything!