EXPERIENCE ROXY'S PET SHOP CARE SHEETS

• Cage Size: Dwarf hamsters are active and require a spacious environment to keep them entertained and healthy. The minimum cage size for a single dwarf hamster is about 12" x 24" (30 x 60 cm), but a larger cage is always better for providing more space to roam, exercise, and explore. If housing more than one hamster, increase the space accordingly to reduce territorial stress.
  • Recommended Cage Types:
    • Glass aquarium (10-20 gallon size), which allows deep bedding for burrowing and prevents bedding from spilling out.
    • Wire cage with a plastic base. Ensure the bar spacing is small enough (under 1/2 inch or 1 cm) to prevent escapes.
    • Modular cages with tubes and tunnels can be fun for Dwarf hamsters, but ensure the material is durable enough to prevent chewing through.
• Bedding: Dwarf hamsters love to dig and burrow, so deep bedding is essential. Use shredded paper bedding or paper-based bedding (e.g., Carefresh). You can also use aspen wood shavings, but avoid cedar or pine wood shavings as their strong oils can be harmful.
  • Make sure the bedding is 3-4 inches deep to allow for burrowing.
  • Avoid using clay-based or clumping cat litter, as it can be harmful if ingested.
• Cage Location: Place the cage in a quiet, temperature-controlled area. The room temperature should be between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Avoid placing the cage in direct sunlight or near heating vents, as it could cause stress or heat exhaustion.
• Cage Accessories:
  • Exercise Wheel: Dwarf hamsters are very active and need a solid surface exercise wheel. The wheel should be at least 6-8 inches in diameter for dwarf hamsters to run comfortably and safely. Avoid wire wheels, as they can cause injury to their feet.
  • Tunnels and Hideouts: Dwarf hamsters love to explore and hide in small spaces. Add cardboard tubes, plastic tunnels, or wooden hideouts to their cage to encourage natural burrowing and exploratory behavior.
  • Food Dish & Water Bottle: Use a heavy ceramic dish to prevent tipping, and provide fresh water in a bottle with a ball-bearing mechanism to keep the water clean and prevent spills.

• Dwarf Hamster Food Mix: A well-balanced diet is crucial to keep your dwarf hamster healthy. Provide a commercial hamster mix containing a blend of seeds, grains, and pellets. Avoid mixes that contain excessive dried fruits or sugary treats.
  • Make sure the mix includes sunflower seeds, oats, wheat, and pellets for balanced nutrition.
• Fresh Vegetables & Fruits: Dwarf hamsters can enjoy a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruits daily. Provide 1-2 teaspoons per day, offering a variety of options:
  • Carrots, cucumber, broccoli, spinach, dandelion greens.
  • Small pieces of apple, banana, or melon are good treats (in moderation).
  • Avoid citrus fruits, onions, or garlic, which are harmful to hamsters.
• Protein: Offer small amounts of protein a couple of times a week to meet their nutritional needs. You can give them:
  • Mealworms (live or dried)
  • Boiled egg
  • Small pieces of cooked chicken.
• Hay: Offer a small amount of timothy hay or meadow hay to provide fiber and encourage natural foraging behavior.
• Fresh Water: Always provide fresh water in a water bottle with a ball-bearing mechanism to ensure it stays clean and free of contaminants.

• Exercise Wheel: Dwarf hamsters need a solid-surfaced wheel for exercise. Ensure the wheel is at least 6-8 inches in diameter and that it has a solid running surface to prevent injury.
• Tunnels and Hideouts: Dwarf hamsters are natural burrowers, so providing tunnels, cardboard tubes, and plastic or wooden hideouts is essential for enrichment.
  • Add shredded paper or hay for nesting and burrowing materials.
• Climbing Toys: Dwarf hamsters enjoy climbing and exploring. You can add small wooden ladders, ropes, or branches to the cage for extra enrichment.
• Chew Toys: To help keep their teeth trimmed and healthy, provide chew toys like wooden blocks, cardboard, or chew sticks. This is important since hamsters' teeth grow continuously.
• Playtime Outside the Cage: Set up a gerbil-proofed play area or a hamster ball for your pet to explore outside the cage. Make sure the area is free from hazards like electrical cords, small objects they could swallow, or any possible escape routes.

• Gentle Handling: Dwarf hamsters are generally friendly, but they are small and fast, so it may take some patience to get them accustomed to handling. Always handle your hamster gently and avoid rough or sudden movements.
  • When picking them up, scoop them gently with both hands or place them in a small box and let them walk into your hands.
  • Start with short handling sessions to build trust, gradually increasing the length of time.
• Socialization: Dwarf hamsters are generally social animals and often enjoy the company of other hamsters of the same species, especially if introduced at a young age. However, some species (like Campbell's and **Winter White hamsters) may be more territorial and may fight if housed together as adults.
  • Introduce hamsters slowly and monitor for any signs of aggression, such as biting or chasing. If fighting occurs, it's best to house them separately.
• Vocalizations: Dwarf hamsters may make soft squeaks or chattering sounds, especially when excited or frightened. Pay attention to your hamster's body language to understand how they are feeling.

• Regular Grooming: Dwarf hamsters are typically clean animals and do not require much grooming. However, if your hamster has long fur (like a long-haired dwarf hamster), you may need to brush their fur occasionally to prevent tangles.
  • Use a soft toothbrush or small comb to groom long-haired hamsters gently.
• Teeth Care: Dwarf hamsters' teeth grow continuously, so it's important to provide chew toys and fiber-rich bedding to help keep their teeth worn down.
  • If their teeth become overgrown, it can cause health problems, so regular chewing is essential.
• Nail Trimming: Although dwarf hamsters' nails typically remain short, they may need occasional trimming if they get too long. Use small animal nail clippers or human nail clippers and trim carefully to avoid cutting into the quick.
• Signs of Illness: Keep an eye out for the following signs of illness:
  • Lethargy or loss of appetite
  • Discharge from the eyes or nose
  • Diarrhea or signs of wet tail (a sign of stress or infection)
  • Hair loss or excessive scratching
  • Labored breathing or wheezing
  • If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a veterinarian experienced with small animals.

• Breeding: Dwarf hamsters are capable of breeding at a young age, so it's important to separate males and females if you don't plan to breed them. The gestation period is around 18-21 days, and litters typically consist of 4-6 pups, although this can vary.
• Breeding Tips:
  • Introduce male and female hamsters at a young age (before 4 months) to reduce the likelihood of aggression.
  • Provide a separate nesting area for the female to give birth and care for her pups.
  • Once the pups are weaned (about 3-4 weeks), separate them by sex to avoid accidental breeding.

• Toxic Plants & Foods: Ensure that your hamster’s environment is free from toxic substances. Avoid giving them:
  • Citrus fruits, onions, garlic, or chocolate.
  • Toxic plants like poinsettias, lilies, or daffodils.
• Escape-Proofing: Dwarf hamsters are escape artists, so ensure that their cage is secure and there are no gaps or weak spots. Always check the cage thoroughly before allowing them out of the enclosure.

Dwarf hamsters are lively, curious, and charming pets that can bring joy to any household. With the right care—plenty of space, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and gentle handling—you can ensure your dwarf hamster leads a happy, healthy life. Whether you’re keeping a single hamster or a pair, providing them with appropriate socialization, enrichment, and a safe, comfortable habitat will help them thrive and become beloved companions for years to come.