new fancy dwarf female

Question
So I just bought a new fancy dwarf female hamster from petco about a week ago, but i still have a few questions that i haven't been able to find an answer for.

One of my questions involves her diet. When I bought her cage, a wired one, it came with a free bag of hamster food,it was one of does "My first Home" sort of thing, but i'm getting the feeling she doesn't like it since she just kick the food out of her bowl. Oh yeah, the food contains sunflower seed, dried corn, fortified pellets and trapper peas. But as i said before i don't think she really enjoys it. So what can I give her to eat instead? And can you give me some ideas on treats i can give her?

Another topic which concerns me is her cage. Like i said before i got her a basic wired cage with a small ramp on it so she can climb to a little platform. But i think it's kind of small, so i was wondering if i should buy a larger cage and if i do what kind?

I know that hamster are nocturnal but is it normal for a hamster to sleep like the majority of the day, as in getting up for about 4-5 hours tops? I mean i still go to school so i'm not exactly sure if she get up during that time, but whenever i come home, which is around 5-5:30 pm she seems to be sleeping. but she comes out of her nest from time to time to either get water, eat or explore a little for a minute or two. I just wanna know if it's normal.

I don't wanna seem like i'm neglecting her cause I'm not. I talk to her everyday, when i wake up, before i leave, every time i enter the room, and whenever i see her. I even read her a story. I love her to death but I don't think she likes me and i'm kind of sad about it. so any suggestions to how i can create a closer bond with her?

Ok and my last question that I can think of. When i was doing research on hamsters before i bought mine i read that you shouldn't buy more than two or cage two together. And when i bought mine at petco i asked the associate if i should buy two, and she said no which is why i only got one.
But just recently i read that you could cage more than one dwarf hamster together and are very social together. So i was thinking is it too late for me to get another hamster and let it share the same cage? or should i even buy another hamster?

Wow, i'm sorry that i asked a lot of questions but i just want the best for my hamster.

Thanks
+_+ Aisha +_+

Answer
Hi Aisha,

Dont worry about asking me loads of questions, i love to help if i can!

Congratulations on your new pet!

Please make sure you definately have a dwarf - it is best to find out what kind of dwarf you have too.

If you are finding it hard to find out which one you have then you can send me a picture and i can see if i can see what kind it is.

Once you know you definately have a dwarf hamster then it will be fine to get him a friend.

You may have a problem introducing the two hamsters, even if you get one from the same litter.  Please make sure you get one of the same sex, because you do not want to breed two hamsters from the same litter.

To introduce the hamsters with the minimal amount of fighting please follow the instructions below exactly:

You must have a clean cage - completely disinfected and then washed out again so there is no trace of either hamster in it.

The bigger the cage the better - the best home for a dwarf is a large glass fish tank as it is impossible for them to escape as there are no bars.  Even though they are the smallest hamsters it does not mean they need a small home!

In the clean cage put a thick layer of sawdust but nothing else.  No toys, no wheels, nothing.  Make sure you put two water bottles in and make sure you put in two large piles of hamster food - it is best not to use dishes as it is easy for the hamsters to become possesive over a dish.

Place both hamsters in the cage together and watch them closeley for as long as possible - it is best to stay in and watch them all day if possible!

There might be some little fights or they may roll each other over and sniff each others staomachs but there shouldnt be much noise - if there is then it should only be for a few minutes.

If there is any violence such as biting or squeeling thatlasts for longer than the first few minutes then you must seperate them and try again about an hour later.

I have never had any problems introducing two dwarfs using my method above so please follow it carefully and they should be fine.

If they get along after the first day or two then you can slowly start introducing toys and tunnels but always try to introduce two at time - two tunnels, two cardboard tubes etc. and make sure you put in two wheels, this way there will be less chance of fighting.

Any kind of hamster food from a normal pet shop will be fine to feed them with and just give them small amounts of fresh fruit and veg every week, but not too much though!

As hamsters are nocturnal, unfortunately they do not come out until about 10pm and are usually asleep early in the morning.

Maybe you could wake up a little earlier and see if he would like to play then.

The more you play with a hamster, the tamer they become, and that is the best way to get them tame.

But please beaware that if you do get it a friend, it will probably be harder to tame the two of them because they will bond with each other more than you because they will be with each other more than they are with you.

I hope i have been helpful and please get back to me and tell me how you get on - also please let me know if you need any more information.

Kind Regards,

Tammy