Hamster Care? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**LauraBean** · #1 07-06-09, 08:17 pm

I promised a friend that I would "hamster sit" her Russian White Dwarf (does that sound right?) Pinky.
I don't really know much about hamsters though.
Where would Pinky prefer her cage to be? Would she like a nice quiet room, or would she like to be in an active room?
What are nice treats/snacks for hamsters, and how much and how often should she get them?
Does Pinky need hay?
Excercise wise, are balls safe for hamsters to use? How much out-of-the cage excercise should she get everyday? Would it be OK to allow her to have floor time with the pigs (if Pinky is in her ball, of course!)
Any other advice and suggestions would be welcome. These are just the first few questions that popped into my head!
Also...I'm sure my friend will give me a list of instructions, but I just wanted to be sure that I'm fully prepared.

**PiggieMom** · #2 07-06-09, 08:34 pm

I know nothing about hamsters, but I did a forum search and these two websites are the two I've found recommended most by several members:

Hamsterific

Hamster Hideout

**Ibbet** · #3 07-06-09, 08:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LauraBean

I promised a friend that I would "hamster sit" her Russian White Dwarf (does that sound right?) Pinky.
I don't really know much about hamsters though.
Where would Pinky prefer her cage to be? Would she like a nice quiet room, or would she like to be in an active room?
What are nice treats/snacks for hamsters, and how much and how often should she get them?
Does Pinky need hay?
Excercise wise, are balls safe for hamsters to use? How much out-of-the cage excercise should she get everyday? Would it be OK to allow her to have floor time with the pigs (if Pinky is in her ball, of course!)
Any other advice and suggestions would be welcome. These are just the first few questions that popped into my head!
Also...I'm sure my friend will give me a list of instructions, but I just wanted to be sure that I'm fully prepared.

A quite room is best as they sleep during the day.
I give my brother's vegetables and occasionally a cheerio.
No she doesn't need hay although they can burrow in it.
Some hamsters like balls some don't. Some think they make it hard for the hamster to see, mine always had them and loved them but my brother's hates his. I wouldn't do floor time with the pigs.

Good luck.

**CavyLuver516** · #4 07-07-09, 12:17 pm

As far as balls go, 1 hour a day in the ball is plenty. I wouldn't let Pinky run in the ball with the pigs, some hamsters going exteremely fast and my hurt a piggy by running in to it (ya - my hammy runs into walls going 60 mph! = D) Piny doesn't need hay but you can feed her a few peices a day (only the hay leaves, stems might poke through their pouches!) She can have a small peice of fruit/veggie a day, not a lot of dark greens, though. (causes diarrhea) Pasta (cooked and uncooked), low sugar cereal, and bread are fine snacks, too. Place the cage in a place thats quiet during the day (nocturnal) and has no drafts or direct light. I hope hamster sitting goes great!! (if you have any questions, feel free to pm me because I have had lots of experience with hamsters!) = )

**CavyLuver516** · #5 07-07-09, 01:26 pm

Ok...above I meant 'might hurt a piggy' not 'my hurt a piggy'. It kinda sounded like my hamster ran into a guinea pig and hurt it. I didn't want anyone to think my hamster, Pumpkin, is a maniac! (she kinda is, actually, but in a good way!) = ) Sorry for the typo...= /

**willow2** · #6 07-07-09, 03:35 pm

I wouldn't leave her in the ball for longer then 20 mins at a time, Russian hamsters are so tiny and can get dehydrated if in there for too long. A minimum of 40 mins of play per day. A great place to let her play is in the bath (cover the plug hole and make sure taps don't leak) its really safe in there!

**CavyLuver516** · #7 07-11-09, 07:26 pm

True, willow2. I'm thinking Syrian hamster - they aren't as active...plus, my hammy (a syrian) doesn't drink often. 20 minute "ball sessions" 2-4 times a day is fine for a russian.

**sophistacavy** · #8 07-11-09, 08:42 pm

If you give Pinky treats, avoid giving her anything with much more sugar than a vegetable would have in it.

So if you give a piece of cereal, make it unsweetened cereal, and maybe avoid fruit, giving a low sugar veggie instead (you can determine which veggies are lowest in sugar by using the piggy charts here).

The reason for all this is because dwarf hamsters are quite prone to diabetes, which can be harder to handle in such a teeny tiny creature. A lot of them get diabetes from their daily hammie food ration, which is commonly from the brands we avoid giving our piggies. Those brands sweeten their food to make it palatable to the hamster. But if you give them sugary treats, you can also increase their risk for diabetes.
And you can give her a sliver of dark greens (anything you'd normally use for your piggies), and that won't give her diarrhea as long as you don't give more than a sliver.

Have fun!

"Thank you, willow2, for this useful post," says:
sophistacavy (07-11-09)