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Adorable and miniature-sized, the Roborovski hamster is a fun furry friend to have around! When socialized from a young age, the Robo hamsters are comfortable around people and easily recognize their pet parents. Their active and mild nature makes them perfect pets if you are looking for hours of entertainment and cuteness.
However, the Robo hamster is not for everyone, as these seemingly nocturnal (actually crepuscular) creatures are full of energy and can be disruptive at night. Before bringing them home, you should understand their dietary and grooming needs to provide sufficient care. This blog covers the basics of caring for Robo dwarf hamsters so you can raise a happy and healthy pet! First, let’s jump in to know a little bit more about these fur babies.
Getting to know the Robos
Did you know that the Roborovski hamsters come from Russia and are the smallest species in the Phodopus subfamily? These cute and fluffy pets are also found in the regions of Tuva, Mongolia, and Xinjiang in China. Their natural habitat consists of desert areas, so they can survive pretty well on low water intake. This doesn’t necessarily imply that they are easy to care for. A robo dwarf hamster may be timid, but it is actually difficult to hand-tame. It is recommended that only experienced pet parents should take them home as it can be challenging to keep up with these curious and quick creatures!
With appropriate care, the Roborovski hamsters can live up to 4 years in captivity. These desert hamsters weigh only about 1 oz and can grow up to 2 inches in adulthood. Their fur is usually light brown with beige or gray, but there can be variations like platinum white and blotchy skin. Their small size is not the only distinct characteristic of their appearance. The white spots above their eyes that appear like eyebrows and the absence of stripes on the back make them easily distinguishable.
Their endearing presence makes it almost impossible to not take them home. However, it is important to understand how compatible they are and what environment is suitable to make the robo hamsters thrive. We have highlighted some key points about their temperament to make it less challenging for first-time pet parents!
Roboroski’s temperament
Are Robo dwarf hamsters good pets for all? Robo hamsters are most active at dawn and dusk, though some may have nocturnal tendencies, staying awake for most of the night. This can be a problem if you live in a shared space or for people who are light sleepers! You can keep their enclosure away from your room at night to have an undisturbed sleep.
The robo hamsters require particular care when it comes to their diet and living space, though their small size means they only need small amounts of food. We know cuddling these soft, furry creatures is irresistible, but these desert hamsters are not too fond of it! They may even bite if you startle or try to hold them, despite their meek disposition.
When raised in a social environment, the Roborovski hamsters do well in smaller groups or same-sex pairs. These little, super-active rodents are sociable and know how to have a great time with the right companion. However, it is recommended to keep them isolated from other pets or even other hamsters, if they’re not raised in groups. This is because such hamsters can get territorial. Look for well-socialized hamsters to avoid future problems.
Note: Not recommended for families with children. The robo dwarf hamsters tend to nip and can get seriously hurt if thrown or dropped by a child.
Caring for a Robo dwarf hamster
Relative to other small pets, the Robo dwarf hamsters require attention and care to stay healthy and happy. Though these furry pets are short-lived, you can enhance the quality of their life with the care essentials shared in this article.
Housing
Caring for the robo hamsters starts with providing them with an appropriately-sized space due to their highly active lifestyle. They are the rodent version of the Flash and need sufficient space to move about despite their small size. It is vital to invest in a spacious enclosure, at least 39x19x24 inches, but the bigger you get it, the better it is for your robo hamster’s health. Even for hamsters who spend plenty of time outside the cage, a large enclosure is essential.
You can choose from several options, including glass, plastic, and wire enclosures with ventilated, secure tops. If you opt for a wire cage, make sure the spacing is not too wide. Getting an exercise wheel and some chew toys is also vital to ensuring sufficient physical activity and mental stimulation. Other important accessories include a hut or nesting space for your furry hamster to rest.
Other than the size, the floor bedding is another important aspect to consider when setting up your robo hamster’s housing. These creatures love burrowing in the wild and require at least 6 to 8 inches of bedding to practice this innate behavior. Choose the right substrate for the bedding, including aspen shavings or shredded paper without chemicals or dyes.
Note: Make sure the substrate material is non-toxic and doesn’t include cedar or pine shavings and corncob byproducts. These can pose serious threats to your hamster’s health.
Nutrition
To meet your Roborovski’s nutritional requirements, the best thing is to consult your vet and get appropriate hamster food, specially formulated for your pet. This will ensure your furry friend’s health by providing balanced nutrients. Generally, robo hamsters can be fed every day, by filling their small dish and replacing the food every 224 hours.
Robo dwarf hamsters are omnivores in the wild, so you can also feed them plenty of human foods, like fruits, grains, and vegetables, as occasional treats. Only offer them these snacks in small amounts; up to half a teaspoon a couple of times a week works fine. Some options are:
- Oats
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Cucumber
- Broccoli
- Sunflower seed
- Walnut
Some foods are highly toxic for your robo hamster. Avoid ingredients rich in water content, like watermelon, as these can be harmful and cause health problems, like diarrhea. Here’s a list of foods you should never feed your robo-dwarf hamster:
- Almonds
- Avocado
- Apple seeds
- Chocolate
- Jam
- Onions
- Leeks
- Garlic
- Junk foods
- Rhubarb
- Pork
Keep fresh and clean water available, by either pouring it in a dish or using a bottle if your hamster is trained to use one.
Grooming and hygiene
The best part about keeping robo hamsters as pets is their low-maintenance grooming. These furballs self-groom, so keeping them clean is less challenging. You can use a damp cloth or unscented baby wipes to clean their fur every week or so.
You may need to pay extra attention to their teeth. Roborovski hamsters have teeth that keep growing. Chew sticks help keep them short, but you will still need to get them trimmed by your vet.
Maintaining cleanliness inside the cage is also important, as it is your dwarf hamster’s primary space. Use a non-toxic cleaner to clean the enclosure every month. Make sure to replace dirty bedding and bath sand 2 to 3 times a week.
Note: Do not bathe your robo hamster with water directly. This can be stressful for them and make their fur dry.
Exercise and training
Providing plenty of opportunities for physical activity and training your robo dwarf hamster are essential factors that influence your pet’s health and life in your home. These animals have little bodies but are extremely energetic. Not having exercise as a part of their daily routine or living in smaller enclosures negatively impacts their physical and mental health. To avoid obesity and other health issues, provide a large space with accessories like an exercise wheel to encourage movement and physical play.
Focus on training your robo-dwarf hamsters from a very young age. If you are getting an older hamster, make sure it has been hand-tamed from the beginning. However, keep in mind that most hamsters are difficult to hand-tame and may never be comfortable with the idea of being held by humans. Use positive reinforcement through your furry friend’s favorite treats to compel it to be held. Don’t try to forcefully hold or squeeze your hamster. Also, prioritize your hamster’s safety by holding it securely. Falling on the ground can cause serious injuries to your Roborovski.
Note: Immediately visit a vet if your robo hamster falls to the ground, even if it is just a few feet.
Health issues
A Roborovski hamster has a shorter life span, so you know its company is fleeting. As a pet parent, it is understandable that it compels you to enhance your hamster’s life quality and make sure there are no serious troubles. The most certain way to do that is through regular veterinary check-ups and knowing what to expect. Let’s dig into a few of the most common health issues of Roborovski hamsters.
Wet tail
This is a critical health condition commonly found in hamsters. Fortunately, it is not too prevalent in robo hamsters, though some may still be affected. Wet tail is a bacterial infection that targets the stomach, and stressed hamsters are more susceptible to this disease. It can be fatal if not treated appropriately. Immediately visit your vet if you see the following symptoms:
- Dirty, wet bottom
- Low water intake, refusal to drink water
Allergies and mites
Allergies are common in most pets, including your robo hamster. They are not life-threatening but can be a nuisance for your pet. Frequently changing your hamster’s bedding and cleaning the enclosure can prevent allergies. Signs that your Roborovski has an allergy are:
- Extremely dry skin
- Rashes and redness
- Greasy hair
- Hair loss
Mites are also prevalent in hamsters and can be remedied with prescribed drops by your veterinarian. Go for regular examinations to detect and treat issues timely.
Gastrointestinal issues
Robo dwarf hamsters come from desert regions, which means they require much less water than other pets. Too much water or wet food can lead to gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea.
Cancer or skin abscesses
These desert hamsters also tend to suffer from other serious ailments like skin abscesses or cancers. If you observe any lumps or bumps in your hamster’s skin, immediately visit a vet.
Having a Robo dwarf hamster as a pet is both tough and entertaining, especially for pet parents who have no experience dealing with hamsters. These timid, energetic, and curious creatures are fun to have around. When tamed, the robo hamsters are great furry companions that need a little extra care while handling. This guide will surely help you understand your pet hamster and care for it in the best possible way!
