Origin

·          The name hamster comes from the German hamstern meaning to hoard.

·          The main types of dwarf hamster, are the Chinese and the Russian, there are only a few differences between the two. However the dwarf hamster is often more commonly referred to as the Russian Hamster.

Life expectancy

·      1½ - 2 years.

Temperament / Behaviour

·          Russian hamsters are very active and energetic creatures.

·          Most Russian Hamsters will nip. They can become hand tame but they always have a tendency to nip.

·          If they get cold they can hibernate.

Company

·          Russian Hamsters should be kept in same sex pairs or groups.

Mixing / Introducing

·           They can only be mixed when young. Although it can sometimes work adult Russian Hamsters will not normally mix.

Diet

• What we feed: A complete hamster food e.g. Harry Hamster.

• Treats: Fresh fruit and vegetables. Tiny amounts of biscuit.

• Do not feed:  Chocolate as they may put it in their pouches and it will melt and get stuck. Oak leaves, buttercups or hemlock.

Accommodation

·          Russian Hamsters can be kept in tanks or cages. It must be a cage with very narrow bars as they can squeeze though the smallest of gaps. For this reason tanks are generally better than cages.

·          They need wood to gnaw on.

·          In the wild they would run up to five miles a night in search of food so a solid exercise wheel should be in the accommodation. They also

           love to investigate and will use toys and tubes.

·          It is possible to keep them on a deep litter as they will burrow.

·            Minimum tank size: 60cm x 30cm.

            Cage with 2 levels: 30cm x 30cm. Obviously the larger the accommodation the better it normally is.

Maintenance

·          Food and water must be changed daily.

·          Cages will need cleaning weekly, if several are kept they may need cleaning more frequently.  Bedding should be checked daily for any uneaten food or faeces.

·          A weekly health check by an adult is required.

IN CASES OF CRUELTY, NEGLECT OR IN AN EMERGENCY TEL: 0300 1234 999 (24 HOUR)