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About Sheila Adby
Expertise
Syrian hamsters are my specialty, however, I have kept Campbells,Winter Whites and gerbils in the past. I can advise on most subjects associated with hamsters, including housing, bedding, feeding, handling, new borns and catching escapees. I have had some experience of various health problems with hamsters and can offer my opinion and advice on basic health issues, however I am not a qualified vet and therefore cannot recommend drugs etc. My website is www.thehamstersite.com

Experience
I have been keeping hamsters and other small animals for more than 12 years. My favourites are Syrian hamsters and I foster litters and 'difficult' hamsters for a rescue centre. My job is to tame hamsters ready for re-homing, which is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy looking after new litters and raising the pups. I have co-written a book on hamsters with my local vet and have a website: www.thehamstersite.com

Publications
Hamsters in Sickness and in Health - Sheila Adby and Dan O'Neill ISBN186163218-5 (Capall Bann Publishing)

Education/Credentials
Educated to A Level standard in the UK.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Gerbils & Hamsters > Dwarf Hamster

Gerbils & Hamsters - Dwarf Hamster

Expert: Sheila Adby - 10/26/2009

Question
Hi, I'm about to get two dwarf hamsters. I have read Q & A, so I know that two dwarf hamsters can live together if they still are young. But my question is, does all sorts of tree branches good as gnawing material? I have a pear and plum tree, will they work?

/Julia

Answer
Hi Julia

Dwarf hamsters can live together providing they have never been separated. Unfortunately,however, even with related dwarf hamsters there is never any guarantee that they will get along in the long term and sometimes you do have to separate them into their own cages if they start fighting seriously or bullying each other. Make sure they are definitely the same sex otherwise you could find a surprise litter waiting for you one day! As you want dwarf hamsters I would strongly advise avoiding Campbells as they can have personality changes when they reach adulthood (unless you know who bred them and can get some idea of the temperament of the other hamsters in the family). Winter Whites are more friendly in the long term, or there are the tiny robos. Chinese are small too but as with the other dwarfs they can start fighting amongst themselves.

Regarding gnawing - they don't need to have anything particularly special for this. Their teeth do continually grow and therefore it is important they have things to gnaw, but providing there are some hard biscuits in their food they should be OK. The hamster treats that are stuck to sticks are also good as they have to gnaw these off. A lot of people advise that you should really only give wooden chews that you find in pet shops - this is because they are safe for hamsters. It is OK to give other woods, but you must avoid any evergreen one, such as pine, cypressus etc. Also you must avoid any fruit trees that have been treated with pesticides as this can kill a hamster. Cherry should also be avoided as should be any other woods that produce fruit with a stone in the centre (I think this would include Plum). I have never found it necessary to worry about putting wood in a hamsters cage, but instead opt for natural wooden houses, tunnels etc that they can play in them and chew if they want to.

Hope this helps.

Regards

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