The Chinese Dwarf hamster, Scientific Name Cricetus griseus, is one of the most popular pet pets in the world. They’re cute, playful, and don’t require a lot of space or care-they’re perfect for keeping your home clean and tidy.
In this article, we’ll explore what you need to know about Chinese hamsters-their size, lifespan, personality traits, and more.
Table of Contents
What is a Chinese Dwarf Hamster
Chinese hamsters are a small species of rodent from Asia. They have been domesticated and bred as pets since the 1980s. Chinese striped hamsters have many different coat colors, including white, cinnamon, black-eyed white, pygmy blue-eyed white, albino, and panda.
Alternative Names
- Chinese Hamster
- Chinese Striped Hamster
- Chinese Dwarf hamster Scientific Name : Cricetus griseus
Chines Dwarf Hamster Appearance
Chinese hamsters, sometimes called the Chinese striped hamster, have many different coat colors. Including white, cinnamon, black-eyed white, pygmy blue-eyed white, albino, and panda. Chinese hamsters look like a cross between a rat and a mouse.
They have short hairless tails, pointed snouts, oversized ears, and are covered in fur with unique color patterns.
Their eyes are large for their small head which gives them a curious look. Some have black rings around their eyes which adds to the look, while others have light rings.
They are typically 6-7 inches long including the tail and weigh an average of 1 ounce.
Although they are small, Chinese hamsters have a stocky build and thick fur. They look big for their size because of their long, fluffy tail.
Their eyesight is poor but their sense of smell and hearing is good.
How to care for your pet Chinese hamster
Your pet is another living being that needs your care, attention, and basic essentials to stay active, happy, and healthy. Chinese hamsters are very easy to care for pets.
Since they don’t require a lot of space like other hamster breeds, they are the perfect pet for people who don’t have lots of space.
Chinese hamsters are perfect for hamster owners with allergies because they produce little dust or dander when they groom themselves. They are also natural hoarders. So if you forget something in one room it will invariably show up in their cage!
If you’re not sure how to take care of your Chinese hamster then this article will help you find out how to keep your pet happy, healthy, and around for a long time.
Chinese hamster care – Diet
Dwarf hamsters are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and vegetables. As with most pets, Chinese hamster food is available in dry and wet options. The advantage of buying dry Chinese hamster food is that it’s an affordable and low mess.
However, many people think the food lacks flavor and can be hard on their teeth which leads to dental problems later in life.
Owners then tend to feed their pets alternate diets, such as soft fruits or cooked chicken breast, which can get expensive
A better choice for your hamster’s diet and your furry friend’s health (and happiness) is wet Chinese hamster food. This is because you only need to serve a small amount of the food. It provides your pet with the necessary nutrients, and they can’t hoard the food in their cheek pouches.
Since these hamsters are omnivores they need both vegetation and meat to stay healthy. These are the basics of Chinese hamster nutrition. The more you know about how to keep your pet healthy on a day-to-day basis the better!
Housing Requirements for Your Pet Hamster
Chinese hamsters are small creatures that only grow to be four inches long when fully grown. This makes them perfect pets for people who live in apartments or smaller homes that don’t have room for larger rodents like rabbits or guinea pigs.
When choosing the hamster cage for your Chinese hamster it’s important to know how much room you can dedicate to housing your pet.
The recommended size is 10 gallons. If you plan on having more than one Chinese hamster then the hamster cage should be at least 20 gallons.
If not, choose an enclosure that allows each animal enough space to move around freely and stay comfortable — remember that they are claustrophobic!
The next thing you need to look at when selecting a cage for your hamster is its depth. Don’t make the mistake of buying hamster cages with shallow bases because it will lead to injuries as these animals do like to dig in their habitats. It also leads to obesity because they are constantly trying to escape their enclosures and won’t be getting the exercise they need.
If you want to make sure your Chinese hamster has a happy and healthy home, then look for wire mesh cages that allow them to climb and play.
If you’re able, find an enclosure that is wider than it is tall so that your pet can stay active and entertained by running around.
Bedding material such as CareFresh will also give your furry friend something to do if they get bored. Which reduces their chances of acting out in annoying ways like bar chewing or excessive digging.
A nesting box would provide a safe space for your pet after a scary situation. say a loud noise or a trip to see the vet. Where it can hide until feels safe again. A plastic house would work best for this task because it’s easy to clean and disinfect if your hamster gets sick.
Once you’ve got the right Chinese hamster cage in place it’s time to look at toys!
Keep their habitat as natural as possible by adding a few wooden chew sticks or toilet paper rolls that will keep them busy for hours.
Chinese Hamster Exercise
Now that we’ve covered diet, housing, and playtime it’s time to discuss how much exercise these pets need on a daily basis. It seems like a common misconception is that since they are small animals they don’t require any exercise but this couldn’t be further from the truth. All mammals need some form of movement every day!
In order to stay healthy, these creatures need plenty of exercise.
For these little guys, two to three hours of exercise every day is recommended. When they are inside their cages, it’s important to make sure that their habitat has room for running and playing. Some people like to include a hamster wheel in the cage so that their pets can run around while inside (though if you do this please be aware that not all hamsters will take to use this).
Alternatively, you can provide them with an exercise ball or let them roam freely in an open area.
Be careful when using hamster balls and ensure there is a safe enclosure for your hamster to run around freely without topping off a table, or getting stuck in small spaces!
How Big Do They Get?
On average, Chinese hamster adults grow between two inches to four inches. So compared to most other breeds of hamsters they are on the smaller side.
However, keep in mind that their sizes depend mostly on genetic makeup and how well you look after your little friend. If you give them a healthy diet and plenty of exercises then your Chinese dwarf hammy will likely be larger than those who live in almost complete darkness and don’t get any exercise.
Chinese Dwarf Hamster Comparisons
There are several different types of small breed hamsters including Chinese Hamsters, Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters, Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamsters, Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamsters, Black Bear Hamsters, and the European Hamster.
Chinese hamsters are one of the two main types of dwarf hamsters-the other type being the Russian Dwarf hamster. Chinese and Russian dwarves have long been popular pets, in part due to their size, but also because they’re less demanding than many other pet rodents.
From an appearance standpoint, Chinese dwarfs aren’t different from other hamsters, but they tend to have a larger head-to-body ratio.
Although they’re considered “dwarf” hamsters, the size of a Chinese hamster is on par with most other types of dwarf hamsters-at about 2-4 inches long and weighing in at roughly 1 ounce. That said, because of their larger heads compared with their bodies, Chinese dwarfs can appear almost large by comparison.
Can they live together?
Unlike some other hamsters, Chinese hamsters are solitary creatures who don’t need interaction from humans in order to lead fulfilling lives.
You can house them together without an issue. However, Chinese hamsters can be somewhat territorial, so pay attention to behavior when introduced and ensure there is no fighting or aggression. Any signs of unhappiness, you should separate them immediately to prevent injury.
Try and introduce them slowly, for a few minutes at first, and carry on until they are used to each other. If the hamsters have been reared together, they tend to get on better and will make for better housemates.
Chinese Hamster as Pets
The most popular breed of hamster as a pet appears to be the Chinese Hamster, even though it is one of the smallest breeds. They are easy to care for, friendly, and they enjoy playing with their owners.
In fact, you don’t have to worry about them running away from you because they’re easy to hold in your hand or grasp on your lap.
If you have children, these animals would make great pets since they aren’t skittish around people and don’t nip easily. As with Other Hamsters, Be sure to monitor playtime with small children, as these little guys are fragile and require care when handling.
In general, expect a Chinese dwarf hammy to live anywhere from two years upwards to four years depending on how well you look after them. Even though they are small, good care goes a long way.
If you provide them with enough love and attention, your pet will happily return the favor by staying active and lively.
The lifespan of the Chinese dwarf hamster
On average, Chinese hamsters live 2-4 years. However, their lifespan varies depending on how well they are taken care of.
Personality traits of the Chinese hamsters
They are quite active but have a calm disposition. They are more inclined to hide or sleep most of the time during the day but will play at night. This is due to their nocturnal nature, which is common in small rodents and other nocturnal animals.
The Chinese hamsters are intelligent animals who are easy to tame with food or water. They are social, intelligent, curious, and enjoy interacting with humans or other pets.
Generally, they like to interact with people by nudging them for petting, then waiting patiently for attention. On the flip side though they can be very territorial and aggressive when they feel threatened.
These dwarf hamsters prefer living alone; however, it’s not uncommon for them to live together with another hamster.
Chinese Dwarf Hamster Health
Chinese hamsters are prone to health problems, like obesity. That’s why it’s important to put them on a diet if your Chinese Hamster is overweight. The best way to measure the weight of your Chinese Hamster is with a gram scale that can weigh in milligrams.
You should feed them high-quality hamster food that includes enough protein, fiber, and calcium for their diet. Give them bedding made from materials like corn cob bedding or wood chips. Corn cobs are good because they don’t smell or make dust like other types of beddings, such as wood chippings.
The cage should be kept clean at all times. You should wash the food dishes regularly and change the wood shavings or bedding every other day.
Other common health problems of the Chinese dwarf hamster include respiratory infections and dental problems. This can be avoided by keeping your hamster well-fed, providing it with enough exercise, and giving it a proper diet. A Hamster wheel is an ideal exercise tool if you are low on room for your hamster to explore.
Chinese Dwarf Hamster Toys
Chinese hamsters are very playful creatures that love to exercise, run on their hamster wheel, and play with toys. Their favorite type of toy is one that will challenge them or that they can hide in. If you find one of your Chinese Dwarf Hamster’s toys has become too boring for them, change it out for a new toy.
You should also check the toys every few days to make sure there are no sharp edges or pieces left behind. You never want to give your pet anything small enough to be swallowed because it could choke on it, so always check the toys before you let them use them!
It’s important to give your Chinese Dwarf Hamster more than one option of stimulation; this will help keep them entertained and provide them with enrichment.
Are Chinese Hamsters good pets for children?
Chinese hamsters are not recommended as pets for children under the age of 8 because they require a lot of care and supervision. For that reason, it’s best to wait until your child is around 8 years old before you adopt a Chinese hamster.
Breeding Chinese Dwarf Hamsters
Chinese dwarf hamster breeding is the process of pairing two Chinese hamsters together to produce baby hamsters.
This is usually preceded by a process called mating, where one male Chinese hamster is introduced to one female Chinese hamster for producing baby Chinese dwarfs. Mating enables the population of the animals to grow naturally.
Why breed Chinese Hamsters?
Breeding Chinese dwarves may be done for various reasons. Some of these are as follows:
– Breeding for profit.
– Keeping healthy bloodlines.
– Keeping track of genetic diseases in order to prevent or avoid them.
– When a baby hamster is orphaned and needs a companion (to avoid loneliness) or is in need of a friend (if it’s having problems with another Chinese hamster).
How to breed Chinese Dwarf Hamsters?
Breeding Chinese dwarves may begin by selecting the right animals for breeding. This usually means animals that are healthy and free from genetic diseases. Males should be castrated since unneutered males tend to be more aggressive than neutered ones.
Mating can then be done normally, but it must always be supervised. The male should never leave the female unattended as this may lead to tragedy or even death.
The female may eventually give birth after 21 days. After birth, the male should not be allowed near the babies at all because he will likely harm them.
The babies are born blind, toothless, and with thin hair. They need to stay with their mother for around 45 days at least in order to be safe from predators.
Chinese Hamster prices
They are relatively affordable pets ranging from around $12-$20 per hamster, depending on where you get them from. Pet stores are generally more expensive than rescue shelters or private breeders.
Final thoughts
Chinese hamsters are one of the most popular pets in the world. They’re small, social, and don’t require a lot of space or care-they’re perfect for keeping your home clean and tidy!
We hope you’ve learned some new information about these adorable creatures by reading this article on the Chinese hamster breed guide and care tips. If all of this sounds intimidating to you, let us know; our team is ready to help with any questions you may have about how to take care of them properly or what type will be best suited for your lifestyle.
