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Questions about Siberian Dwarf
Sent to Pet Experts April 10 04:24 PM

My daughter yesterday had her first hamster die- she did not do well.( this was a pet tht was left for died- in a rental house and she brought it back to be a healty hamster- till yesterday morning. She had been playing with it outside in the grass in a pet play pen- could this have caused his death?
We called around and we found a pet store that had 9 week old Siberian Dwarf Hamsters. We got her one- we think it is a male.
How Long do they live? Also what size will it be when it is an adult- do you recommend getting two- I hear some hamsters do not get along and do better alone.
And advice would be great- she was heart-broken after yesterday and we would like to ensure the best care for this new little one.

 

Optional Information:
Age: <1; Male; Breed: Siberian Dwarf Hamster

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
April 10 4:32 PM (7 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
could be lots or reason why the other one died. How long was it alone? It could have been old.
The average life span of a hamster is around 2 ½ to 3 years. Because these animals age so quickly any dwarf hamster over a year of age is considered to be old and may even show signs of aging. When this happens it's time to take things easy. Playtime should be kept short because they tire out quicker than when they were younger.

You can use pine shavings or even recycled newspaper bedding. Do not use cedar because it's toxic to most small animals. Make sure there is enough bedding for the dwarf hamster to make a nest. For exercise you can put a wheel in the cage for the dwarf hamster to run on. It's recommended cleaning the cage at least once a week. When cleaning, dispose of all the used bedding. Replace the bedding and add fresh food after cleaning the cage.
Dwarf hamsters eat grains, seeds, vegetables and nuts. You can purchase a mix especially formulated for a hamster's nutritional need. You can offer fresh fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, apples, grapes, carrots and very small amounts of lettuce to supplement their diets. Fruit should be kept to a minimum because it can cause diarrhea.
Dwarf hamsters do not need bathing or grooming because they clean and groom themselves. It isn't recommended to bathe them because the dwarf hamster could catch a chill and then get sick. You'll always want to keep your dwarf hamster warm and dry.
I hope this helps. If u agree please click accept button. Let me know how it goes..Jen
Jenny -- Veterinary AssistantNo feedback on 7 Pet accepts
veterinary office
Reply
April 10 4:39 PM (6 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
Reply to Jenny's Post: Jen,

When we took the one "Oreo" (that was left in the rental house)- the vet could not tell us how old he was. However we had it for 7 months till it passed away on Sunday AM- they reason I am asking about the outside play pen- is it is getting very nice out and was that just too much for this one- or did he eat some grass and did that cause his death- we stayed with her and he seem some excited and full of energy and that to find him died she thinks she did it, so if you could give your thoughts I can let her know i f this is, or is nto something she can do with the new little one, and do you encourage there to be two of them?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
April 10 4:46 PM (6 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Was it cold that day? Hamsters are not really an outside pet.. You could buy a ball that the hamster will get in and walk around in, my hamster loved it. He would roll every where. They do tire out very easily, so make sure she plays with them for a couple minutes at a time.
My daughter had 2 dwarf hamsters before and they did not get along. I would not suggest it, one had killed the other. If you do make sure they are the same sex...except for males, they do not get along.

Jenny -- Veterinary AssistantNo feedback on 7 Pet accepts
veterinary office
Reply
April 10 4:49 PM (3 minutes and 32 seconds later)
         
Reply to Jenny's Post: Jen,

It was 62 degrees out and she played with it in the pen and than let it climb all over her and in her clothes- like she normally does- he was even climbing up the walls of the play pen and kept doing this- she thought it was great- but I am wondering if it was too much, or she said he ate some died grass? could that have been it, or could it be he was just old?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
April 10 4:53 PM (3 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
i would say he was old..i am sorry for the lost of a pet for your child..it is very hard on the children...Hamsters should be were it is 70 degrees or more..they get cold very easy...i would not play with the hamster outside..let her put the pen in the house for awhile....just remember they tire real easy, so play for a few minutes at a time..

Hope this helps..still will be here if u need me.

jen
Jenny -- Veterinary AssistantNo feedback on 7 Pet accepts
veterinary office
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