6 replies to this topic

[HammyMommy83]

I'm DIYing some cage accessories for my Chinese hamsters. (Don't worry they are housed separately on different floors of my home as they are a male and a female.) I'm getting a circle cutter to make door openings and I want to know what size to get for Chinese hamsters.

I feel like Chinese hamsters are often forgotten as they are not considered dwarves and most people classify hamsters as either Syrians or dwarves. My female is very, very small. She is the smallest Chinese I have ever owned and my husband thinks she must have been the runt, if that is even an issue with hamster litters I am not sure. My male is on the small side for a Chinese but he's a healthy weight and I do keep track of it.

Thank you for reading.

[lil BIG dwarf]

Chinese hamsters actually are dwarfs! Its debunked in both of these articles- http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/113328-chinese-hamster-myths/and http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/104161-hamster-myths-and-facts/

 

(more specifically)

Spoiler

 

MYTH: Chinese dwarf hamsters are not actually dwarfs, because they are in a different genus than Roborovski's, Campbell's, and Winter Whites.

FACT: Chinese dwarf hamsters are technically the only dwarf hamsters.  However, it is probably more practical to refer to all non-Syrian domestic hamsters as dwarfs due to their small size.

 

 

It is true that Chinese dwarf hamsters are in a different genus than Roborovski's, Winter Whites, and Campbell's.  Chinese dwarf hamsters belong to the genus Cricetulus, while the other species belong to the genus Phodopus. 

 

But technically speaking, Chinese hamsters are not only dwarf hamsters...but also the only dwarf hamsters kept as pets!  Taxonomically, members of the Cricetulus genus are considered dwarf hamsters.  Members of the Phodopus genus are not called dwarf hamsters, but are rather referred to as "small desert hamsters."  In reality, it's the opposite of what most people think.

 

However, it is still reasonable to use the term "dwarf hamster" in the casual sense of referring to a smaller species of hamster than the Syrian.  In that sense, Chinese hamsters, Robos, Campbell's, and Winter Whites may all be considered dwarf hamsters.

 

As well as

 

 

 

This is actually true.  Chinese hamsters are absolutely, 100% dwarf hamsters.  I don't know who decided that they aren't, but it simply isn't true.

 

The most common reason given is that they're in a different genus than the other dwarf hamsters.  Robos, Campbell's, and WWs are all in the Phodopus genus.  Chinese hamsters are in the Cricetulus genus.  So somehow this makes it so that Chinese hamsters aren't dwarfs because they aren't Phodopus?  But that doesn't make sense, because other animals don't have this restriction.  Boa constrictors and cobras are in totally different genera, but they're both considered snakes.  

 

Why is it that the term "dwarf hamster" has to be limited to one genus?   

 

 

Regardless, Maybe an inch minimum, but ideally an inch and a half.  

Edited by lil BIG dwarf, 27 February 2021 - 09:51 PM.

[nebit]

While most Chinese probably could navigate a 1" hole, I think at least 1.5" is going to be most comfortable for them.

[HammyMommy83]

Thank you, I think I'm going to go with 2 inches to be safe. Do you think that would be ok?
And, would you happen to know if PVC pipe is hamster safe? I was looking at hole cutters and I happened to see the pipe and I got curious. If for some reason it is safe what size opening do you think would be safe? (I was thinking 2 inches but not sure and I want everything as safe as I can make it.)
Thank you for your help. I'm so excited to get started on my projects and see my little guy in his new home!
I have had all types of hamsters over the past 15 years and my husband and I used to rescue them before our daughter was born in 2012. It amazes me how much we have learned about hamster care since then and how much things have changed. I am glad hamster care is getting better and I am open to learning anything I can to make my hammies happy.

[nebit]

PVC is safe, and 2" should be fine.

[Callum]

Uhh, I love hamsters.

[Callum]

Uhh, I love hamsters. We have two Syrian hamsters and a dog in our family. Recently my husband decided to make a redecoration. We changed the furniture and doors. I couldn’t pick out to my liking for a long. If anyone is interested, we ordered them at https://doordesignlab.com/interior-doors/.
I forgot to close the cage one day during the redecoration. I thought that this only happens in movies or cartoons. My dog brought this hamster in his mouth to me. It didn’t hurt the hamster itself. I was moved, when I saw. Dogs are clever.