Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters: Community

Diabetes is becoming a common problem in Robo Dwarf Hamsters and is an inherited problem. Unless an individual hamster's ancestry is known to be free of the illness, a Robo Dwarf Hamster should not be fed any sugary foods (including fruit, corn, peas, carrots, yogurt drops, and some mass-manufactured "treats"). You may find other websites or books that mention providing fruit to a Roborovski Dwarf Hamster as a treat is fine, but with the potential for diabetes and to prolong the life of your hamster, avoid all sweet snacks. Try a carrot instead. Be sure to remove any uneaten vegetables to prevent spoiled food from accumulating in your hamster's cage.

Besides carrots try a high-quality dog biscuit as another type of snack or treat. Like all hamsters, Robo Dwarfs are rodents and therefore must gnaw regularly to keep the incisors from growing into the skin of the mouth and causing health problems. Dog biscuits can help with the incisors as well along with being a healthy snack. Wooden chew toys should not be used with dwarf hamsters since there is a possibility of injury from a splinter. Teeth should be examined regularly to ensure they are not growing unchecked.

In the wild, Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters consume a variety of grains, seeds, and vegetables. For the pet hamster, commercial seed mixes and food pellets are available and should be augmented with occasional fresh vegetables. Care should be taken in selecting a seed mix that does not include harmful foods, some of which are suitable for other rodents (including other types of hamsters). As always, be sure to provide fresh clean water. The following food items should be avoided:

• garlic
• onions
• pork
• potato tops
• raw potatoes
• rhubarb
• rhubarb leaves
• tomato leaves
• anything sweet unless diabetes has been ruled out from a veterinarian

Last Updated: 30 May 2011