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| • Care | Choosing your Roborovskis |
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Choosing your Roborovskis |
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There are a few
things you have to know and do before purchasing a Roborovski dwarf
hamster. It doesn't hurt to read something about Roborovskis first.
You'll
be spending 2-4 years with this bundle of fur so hasty decisions
are not advisable (not with any pet for that matter).
Also you could be able to identify
certain illnesses early. Though dwarf hamsters rarely get sick, when
they do, they are often almost impossible to treat.
Hamsters are nocturnal creatures so when you want to choose your
hamster, it's
best to do so in the evening, when it's wide-awake.
It should be noted that Roborovskis are not
suitable for young children, because they are so quick and tiny.
A few points to pay attention to when choosing a (Roborovski) hamster:
• Lively: The hamster should be lively and curious. Fear or
dullness can be signs of mistreatment or sickness. Be sure to visit your future hamster in the late afternoon.
• Clear eyes: It should have clear
shiny eyes.
Dull or watery eyes might be signs
of sickness, discharge or crusts around the eyes can be a sign of eye infections or a cold or general bad health.
• Clean ears: Flaky ears may be a sign of mites, torn ears may be a sign of fighting
• Thick, clean fur: Thinning fur or bald patches could be a sign of an parasite infestation. A thin fur can also mean the hamster is too young to be sold. Since hamsters are very clean on themselves, a dirty
fur means something is wrong, regardless of what the shop owner says. |
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Three Roborovskis in a pet store |
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Pet shop advise: |
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Since
not everyone has a reliable hamster breeder nearby, at least try to buy
your dwarf hamster in a reliable pet shop.
A few points to look out for when choosing a pet shop
to buy your hamster from:
• Hamsters should be separated by sex. Otherwiseyou
might wind up with a pregnant female.
• They
should have have access to fresh water and the food food
and bedding should be clean. ]
• It should not have to share a small cage
with too many others. One litter size is usually fine. (4-6) Too many cage mates can cause stress and fights.
• The hamster should not be too young. Dwarf hamsters in the pet shop should be at least 5-6 weeks old. Hamsters that are too young can develop
health or behavioral problems. |
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Unhealthy Roborovski (mites)
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Two is company? |
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Most dwarf hamsters types can be kept alone, it is actually preferred to avoid any problems. An exception is the Roborovski. This little fella seems to like company and seems to be much more lively with a cage mate. So if you are able to care for two Roborovskis, maybe you should.
It should be noted though that there is by no means a guarantee that they will always get along. Female Roborovski siblings have the best chance of making a good couple. Males are more often than not difficult to keep together and groups larger than the duos or trios mentioned are often unstable. So keep that in mind. A Robo's psyche is not always as straightforward as I used to think.
As a final note I would like to add a word of caution on buying a hamster because you feel sorry for them:
Sick or battered hamsters usually
do not make very good pets and it is possible that they stay sick or suffer from
behavioral disorders. That said, i know of experienced pet owners who have succeeded
in nursing mistreated pets back to health, but if you're not sure you are up
to the care and attention involved, it's best to not take the risk.
It is a good idea to bring your own travel container to transport the hamster as they do tend to gnaw themselves through the flimsy card board boxes the stores deliver your new pet in. To minimize stress for the hamster after your trip home, have your cage ready beforehand. That way your hamster has a place to explore right away
Check out the hamster care section to
find out what you need.
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