Dwarf hamsters are the smallest hamsters out there. This made them a highly desirable pets and cute. Children love them, but adults prefer this species as well. In a nutshell, chances are high that you will have this species of a hamster at home. But, before you simply get one, there are some facts you should know.
Types of dwarf hamsters
It is mandatory to say that all types of Dwarf hamsters are smaller than Syrian hamsters. In general, these hamsters are 3-4 inches big when adult. The first type is Roborovski hamster. They are the smallest of them all and they can grow only 3 inches in length. These hamsters are native to Russia, Kazakhstan, and China. Most of them have gray or white fur.
Now we have two, Russian dwarf hamsters. Campbell’s and Winters White. Both of these hamster species are treated as extremely similar, and scientists classified them as the same species for a long period of time. They are 3-4 inches big and they are usually white, but there is gray color as well.
Hybrid dwarf hamsters are appealing as well. They are obtained from Campbell’s and Winter White hamsters. The main difference is in the color, which can be orange, red or brown. Most of these hamsters are extremely appealing and desirable, but they are a bit more difficult to find.
Chinese Dwarf hamsters are not members of the same species as the ones we have above. However, they are commonly mistaken for other dwarf hamsters due to their size and look. But, they have a darker coat, with a stripe in the center. They also have longer, yet thinner tails. This type of dwarf hamsters is not as appealing as other types we have mentioned here.
Dwarf hamsters are prone to wet tail diseases. In a case, you find a cage where just one hamster has this illness, do not purchase a single hamster.
Choosing the right dwarf hamster cage
Choosing one of these cages is a bit more demanding than when you choose a cage for Syrian hamsters. The bar size must be kept to 5/16 inch max! The floor space must be kept at 360 square inches, minimum, although more is always better. Overall, a larger cage is always a better idea. Just keep in mind the bar size and you won’t have any problems.
A good thing is that these hamsters can be held in the same cage. They are very social, which isn’t something we can say for Syrian hamsters. In general, you can keep as many of them as the cage size allows you. There are massive cages which are suitable for 5-10 dwarf hamsters. They are proficient in developing tunnels and playing all day long, so you will have an excellent source of fun.
These hamsters like tunnels, so you must provide them. Paired with glass cages, you will have an impressive pet to play with all day long. Keep in mind that adding an exercise wheel is mandatory as well. In the wild, dwarf hamsters usually travel a few miles per day, so they require a lot of exercises. In addition, an exercise wheel is a great addition to the cage.
A water bottle is mandatory as well. Adding a water dish isn’t a great choice, not in this case. A water bottle is much safer and it will ensure that your pet always has plenty of clean, drinking water available to him. Then we have the fact these additions to a cage are more than just appealing as a toy for dwarf hamsters.
A hamster’s house is more important than anything else. Do not use simple models which are plain to produce and which come without any features. In a nutshell, you should use a large, massive hamster’s house which is more appealing to hamsters than simple ones. Each owner can make a great hamster’s house all by himself, or he can purchase one of the interesting models.
Summary
Dwarf hamsters are your probable choice. They are cute, adorable and they are great pets. The main advantage is in the fact they can be kept in the same cage, while other hamster species can’t.
