Cage matter

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I am thinking of getting an albino dwarf campbells hamster, the cage i am looking at is a S.A.M. it has tubing i have heard that dwarfs can not climb tubing, is this true and do i have to them in pairs (2 females).

Thank You,
Scott

ANSWER: Hi Scott,

I have heard that dwarf hamsters find it difficult to climb tubes - i think it is because they are so small and the tubes are quite big.

I think syrian hamsters use their backs to help them climb the tubes by pushing back against it but dwarfs cant do that because of how small they are.

Also, Russian Dwarfs have furry feet so this might be another reason why they find it hard the climb up tubes.

I have never had trouble with my Campbells climbing tubes but i only had them in cages with tubes for a few weeks - i dont know if it would be more difficult as they got older?

It is best to get Dwarf hamsters in pairs because they are usually social animals but make sure you get a same sex pair from the same litter to prevent fights and stop babies!

The cage i had was a S.A.M cage - i think they are very good cages but they do require a lot of cleaning - especially if your hamster decides to use the tubes as a toilet!

In my opinion, the best cage to get is a 'Savic Rody' cage - they are very colourful to look at, very easy to clean, have plenty of room and also come with everything your hamster needs - wheel, food dish, water bottle, and then you can in some cardboard tubes and extra toys if you want to!

Just search for them on ebay - they are usually quite cheap.

Let me know what you think.

Kind Regards,

Tammy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey,

Thanks but would it be ok just to have one not a pair?
The cage i am wanting to get is a SAM Here

ANSWER: Have you included a link? - i cant see it?

It is best to get two of them because one will get very lonely on its own and it could cause to become very depressed too!

If you only want one hamster then it would be best to get a Syrian hamster, not a dwarf.

Syrian Hamsters can only live on their own and they can become very tame if you spend enough time with them.

Syrians will learn to know you and come to the cage door waiting to be let out when you walk in the room - they are very rewarding pets.

If you do still want to get dwarfs then please get two of them so they have enough company.

Kind Regards,

Tammy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, i will get two dwarfs, but i am getting them at a pet shop so i cant get them of the same litter. is this okay
the link for the cage is
http://www.petco.com/product/100111/SAM-Here-and-There-2-Home-and-Traveler.aspx

Answer
Hi Scott,

the cage looks ok but you will have to make sure you watch the hamsters to make sure they can get to the water bottle and can get up the tubes.

If you buy them from a pet shop make sure you get two which are already in the same cage - then they should be from the same litter - ask the person at the petstore to make sure they are from the same litter and watch two before you buy them to make sure they are not fighting with each other.

Kind Regards,

Tammy