Dwarf hamster wanted

[Julie]

Looking for a Russian baby dwarf hamster a loving forever home awaits
Looking for a black or unusual colour rather than the normal colours.
Female if possible but male will be fine,

[Ren]

See if you can get a pair. Dwarfhamsters are often happier in pairs as they are social animals. I think it is unfair not to give them a chance to have a friend since they live naturally with others of their same species (remember to get the same sex though). Make sure they're siblings and already have been living together! Try and find a breeder as well.

[Silver]

Dwarfs are great on there own.

Where are you in the U.K?. Then we can see if anyone has any near you.

Silver xxx

[Ren]

They can be but if you research them, they are social animals-- like rats-- and need their own kind. It is advised everywhere to try and have them live as pairs or groups as it is better for them than living alone.

[Silver]

I've done loads of research & all say that yes they are social animals.

But only about a quarter of all pairs stay together past reaching adult hood when there hormones kick in.

This can be with horrible injuries or death to one or both of the dwarfs.

Also I asked where Julie is in the U.K because it's almost 0% chance of a pair of dwarfs staying together if brought from a pet shop. Because there are dwarfs around the same age in a cage they are not going to be related.

If Julie is near a National Hamster Council Breeder there is the quarter % chance of two staying together.

I have had three dwarf's all in there own home & have been totally happy & have lived long lives.

Silver xxx

[Ren]

Where did you get your information about only a quarter living happily together?

In my experience from knowing other breeders and being on a dwarf hamster forum separately, it is very very rare that they need to be separated. And I have had around 15 dwarf hamsters and needed only to separate one from the groups.

Rats will be content and live long lives alone too if you give them attention but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't be happier with a friend and it is considered cruel by many people to house them alone (which I agree with). Rats also have a chance of not getting along with each other.

[Silver]

Well I am not going to go any further with this conversation as it has gone off the point of Julie's question for advice.

So back to Julie.

I would advise not to buy a dwarf from a pet shop because they come from rodent farms & they breed two different species of dwarf hamster together Winter Whites & Campbell dwarfs which can lead to health problems.

A lot of people go to pets@home & look in there adoption section where there are some that no one has brought or brought back & adopt those because the money goes to a local animal charity, but still face the possible health problems.

Or you could look for a National Hamster Council Breeder. These dwarfs have been bred for temperment & health. You know of there back ground family history.

Silver xxx

[Call me Alison]

i had 2 dwarf Chinese males from a pet shop, i was assured that they would be fine, after 2 weeks they were ready to kill each other!!

i know there can be successful pairings if i was getting a pair i would still be cautious and have a spare cage ready if need be.

good luck with finding a ham xxx

[Call me Alison]

Originally Posted by Silver

Well I am not going to go any further with this conversation as it has gone off the point of Julie's question for advice.

So back to Julie.

I would advise not to buy a dwarf from a pet shop because they come from rodent farms & they breed two different species of dwarf hamster together Winter Whites & Campbell dwarfs which can lead to health problems.

A lot of people go to pets@home & look in there adoption section where there are some that no one has brought or brought back & adopt those because the money goes to a local animal charity, but still face the possible health problems.
Or you could look for a National Hamster Council Breeder. These dwarfs have been bred for temperment & health. You know of there back ground family history.

Silver xxx

great advise silver xx

[Ren]

Chinese are different and it is advised to house them alone.