Campbell's Dwarf Hamster/Djungarian Hamster (Phodopus Campbelli/Phodopus Sungorus)

DWARF HAMSTER

 

(Phodopus Campbelli/Sungorus)

 

t

credits to Samantha Denney and Hamsterrific.com

 





The Dwarf Hamster is one of the most popular pet choices for first time pet owners, and it's easy to see why. Their activeness, small size and cute face makes many people want one, or 2, or 3. We'll go over on how to let your Dwarf live out his/her life happily and healthily.

 

Habitat: Coming from the deserts of Asia, these rodents have adapted to harsh environments, but that doesn't mean they should live as such in captivity. A habitat furbished with hides, wheels, chew toys, puzzle toys and climbing toys will keep your hamster occupied. Bedding in the form of Aspen wood shavings, Kaytee or CareFresh is recommended for them. Pine and Cedar emit toxic gases that damage the respiratory system of many animals, and some scented beddings can be irritatable to your hamster. Provide hay as a nesting material and also as a way to allow your hamster to have extra fibre.

 

Diet: Omnivorous. Many seed mixes are available for hamsters but pellets are also available. Perhaps the most healthy food type available for rodents are lab blocks, these contain all the nutrients a growing rodent needs to live healthily. Vary their diet by offering (not too much of these as they contain high levels of glucose, fats, etc) sunflower seeds, fruits, vegetables and insects.

 

Foods Unsafe For Dwarf Hamsters:

 

Anything with pesticides/insecticides on it

Anything sticky (will get stuck in their cheek pouches)

Anything sharp (will pierce their cheek pouches)

Processed food (canned food, candy, chocolate, snacks, etc)

Salted seeds and nuts

Citrus fruit (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc)

Onion and garlic

Kidney beans

Almond

Avocado

Potato

Tomato

Eggplant

Fruit seeds

Watermelon

When in doubt, don't feed it to them.

Minimum Cage Requirements: A 2ft long cage with 0.3 inch gap wires is required for a Dwarf Hamster, or a 10gal/2x1x1 ft aquarium is also suitable, bin or cabinet cages are also good if you are good in DIY.

Aggression Towards Conspecifics: Lest you have a large enough habitat, Dwarf Hamsters will fight. If you'd like to keep more than 1, ensure each hamster has 1ft of space to itself. Even then it depends on the hamster's personality so the safest way is to raise them from young.

Leave your comments, thoughts and experiences on this species below :)