chinese hamster info will be grate

[grayshark]

Hi

I went in to my LPS to buy a Syrian hamster but there were non left so I asked if I could have the 2 chinese ones she said yes you can have them both for £4 she rang the manager and he said Give them away so I got them for free.

I would like to know some hints and tips on how to keep them.
I have a wire gage

Thanks Grayshark

 

[OohFeeshy]

How many levels does it have? IME dwarf hamsters (well, small ones) often have trouble walking on wire, especially when they are older as they often have long claws. You will need to make sure the bars are close enough together so they don't escape. Beware, they are likely to chew the bars of the cage even if you give them a mineral stone. You will need to get them used to being handled from a young age, they are very fast and if they jump out your hand..... well, your not likely to find them again. Give them fresh once or twice a week, hamsters like anything, especially cabbage, banana (they don't always eat the skin), carrot, apple.... well, anything. They also like dried fruit occasionly. You can buy them a small plstic ball to run around the house in, basicly a mini hamster ball.

PS. Can we have pics?

 

[grayshark]

Hi agen

Thanks for the help

I have put cardboard on the 2nd floor so its easier for them to walk on I have 2 by the way.
They are about 1 month old
I have a ball yes that they run about in.
ill get pics now

I dont like it when I pick them up they allways look like they are going to bite me if I pick them up and stroke them now then when there like 3 months older they wont be as nervoius is this right?

Ill get some pics time posted 12:00pm ( midday) 18th febuary 2005

 

[grayshark]

sorry cant get pics now my dad has took them camera out with him I can get some later.

sorry

 

[plecoperson]

Chinese are my favourite hamsters! I look after them at work.

Chinese hamsters very rarely bite. Make sure your hands are clean and dont smell of food before you handle them. dont be nervous of them biting you, as they will! Especially NEVER drop them as it would prbably kill them. If you're nervous, begin by scooping them up from underneath or putting a little food on your hand and allow it to walk on. lift your hand a little bit and keep your hand over the cage. let it walk about until it's comfortable with you. Dont wait until they are 3 months to start picking them up or they will be impossible!

Chinese hamsters aren't as nervous or nippy as roborovskis and they arent as fast!

Beware of some squabbling as they mature especially if they're boys. if you have one of each beware of babies!!! why were they free? beware of a pet shop that gives their animals away!!!

hope this helps!

 

[OohFeeshy]

LOL, I got bitten a few times by my robrovskis. I don't think I'm goint to have dwarf hamsters again, and when one of our hamsters dies I probably won't get a 'replacement'. Its just a pain with two hamster cages in your room, 1 betta tank and a new 18 gallon....

 

[fisona]

Chinese are my favourite hamsters! I also look after them at work.
i've never been bitten by one of them before , not like the russains..
umm i wouldn't really trust a pet shop that gives away hamsters.. its a bit wierd.. i work in a pet shop.. and yes we do reduce animals when they are getting left behind cause they are getting older.. but never normally free unless they bite/evil. lol but we do tell the customer. yes make sure the bars are close togther as they can be very good at escaping!!!