Posts Tagged ‘Hamster balls’

Lots of people usually think that adopting a Dwarf Hamster for their children is better than having a dog or cat as a pet. They suppose that since Dwarf Hamsters are small and can be placed in a cage, in some way this means that they need less attention compared to the more usual pets people have.

If you also believe in this theory then you should not be considering adopting a Dwarf Hamster. The truth of the matter is, Dwarf Hamsters require the same amount of care as any cat or dog, and sometimes even more.

Because of their metabolism they need a lot of exercise while they are in their cage, a hamster can run up to five miles a night, remember they are nocturnal creatures, this is mimicking their behavior in the wild where they roam through the sand dunes looking for food all night. Aside from a lot of running on their wheel, they also require at least an hour everyday to roam around freely, and by this I mean in a secure area where they cannot escape or be attacked by a cat or any other pets that you may have. A hamster ball or your bathtub lined with towels and filled with lots of hamster toys is generally a good bet.

Dwarf Hamsters need to have their regular daily exercise and get out of their cage, otherwise your hamster’s health is at risk and they can get stressed and even die. So please do not underestimate the importance of their daily exercise routine, they need it even if you do not feel like it yourself.

You should also take note that Dwarf Hamsters are not always easy to handle. Particular breeds like the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster are very small and can escape from your hands very quickly. You need to teach your children and family the proper and safe methods to hold a hamster, otherwise you may lose your pet in an instant.

You may also think that caring for a Dwarf Hamster is the same as caring for other kinds of hamsters. Again, you have got the wrong idea. Although they require the same amount of food and exercise, Dwarf Hamsters need special and unique care since they are much smaller than their other relatives.

Owning a Dwarf Hamster is a rewarding experience, one I highly recommend, but some thought and preparation has to go into it first. Finding the correct information and then doing things right from the start will make your families lives and the life of your new pet a lot more pleasant and far more rewarding!

Russian Dwarf Hamster is the term commonly associated with a few rodent species such as the Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamster, Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamster, and the Roborovski Dwarf Hamster. Most of the time people think that the Russian Winter White and Campbell’s Russian are the same, considering their size (both species can grow up to 8 to 10 centimeters) and color. The Roborovski Hamster on the other hand is the smallest of the three, they usually only grow to about 4 or 5 centimeters long.

You seldom see the Winter White Dwarf Hamster in pet shops. If by chance you see them, they will be sold in pairs and be the same sex. They are very friendly creatures and you will love them for their camouflage ability. The Winter Whites were known to change their color in the wild from dark gray to white in order to protect themselves from predators in the snow. This ability is also possessed by household pet Winter White Hamsters. However, they do not change their color to escape from their enemies but by the amount of natural sunlight that they receive every day. When they are exposed to the daylight for a shorter period of time, they will change their color to white. Take note that artificial light will not persuade them to change their color.

Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamster or the Djungaria Hamster is from a region in Djungaria, Mongolia. This Dwarf Hamster species can be found in almost all local pet shops. As they became popular, they were also bred using different and more creative ways. They come in several color combinations such as black or even shades of blue or lilac with markings or spots.

Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters originated in the desert dunes of Western and Eastern regions of Mongolia and some parts of Northern China. Even though they are smaller compared to their other relatives, they have longer legs. Physically you see them in a sandy brown color with a slate grey undercoat. Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters are not easy to handle because they are very small, so small infact that they can squeeze themselves through the bars of a wire cage and escape. Despite this negative trait, they are exceptionally clean creatures due to the fact that they spend much of their time grooming or having a dust bath, so it is a good idea for you to provide them with a bowl of chinchilla sand to roll around in.

The three species of Russian Dwarf Hamster have different traits and abilities but they all need the same quality of care from their owners. To prevent Dwarf Hamsters from escaping when you take them out of their cage, it is beneficial to let them have their daily exercise using a hamster ball. Hamster balls are designed so the hamster can run around the floor without getting lost. Please note: Ensure that your hamster is away from stairs because they can easily fall while playing in the ball, and possibly be killed.