Doc

Name: Doc
Species: Dwarf Hybrid
Gender: Mal
Est. DOB: September 2025
Likes: Worms, nibbling fingers & getting your attention.
Dislikes: Being contained, busybodies & having air blown in his face.

Fosterer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deep.space.ham9/ 

Requirements:

Cage: Min. 90x50x50cm - As per HSS guidelines

  • Although at the moment he is in a 100x50x50cm acrylic cage. Please keep this in mind if you go with a 90cm long cage as he may have gotten used to a larger size. 

Wheel: Min. 21cm - As per HSS guidelines. 

  • PLEASE NOTE: He pees on his wheel a fair bit. You should wipe it down every other day. You will start to see it become opaque and nasty and you will know it’s cleaning time.

Bedding: 

I use a mixture of the following bedding, however you only need one (1) kind of any of the stated paper based beddings. I personally enjoy mixing textures as I have access to various types via donations. 

  • Oxbow Pure Comfort 

    • NOTE: it is important to manually crumble the compressed bedding when it is taken from the packaging while the hamster is NOT in the enclosure as this can create dust. Once this is done though, it will be fine for the hamster.

  • Teabag Bedding from FatPouches

  • Jonsanty Hamster Bedding

OPTIONAL: 

  • Timothy hay or Aspen shavings to provide texture and structure for tunnelling mixed into the paper bedding, or to place inside hideouts as extra texture.

    • Currently using Niteangel and Kaytee, but Oxbow is also ok.

      • ALTERNATIVE: Can also use the Marukan brand of Aspen shavings.

        • Optional: Shredded tissue paper for a pop of colour! Currently using IKEA brand coloured paper napkins.

    • I also have placed some Niteangel brand dry moss layered with other hamster safe wood substrates in a few hideouts for texture. Shout out to all the kind donors out there!

Food: 

Currently using a mixture of FatPouches Standard Hamster Seed Mix and Bunny Dream Expert Dwarf Hamster. 

  • I encourage you to also get a foraging mix from FatPouches such as the Foraging Seed Mix or Delight Mix! This can be sprinkled and lightly mixed into the bedding every few days. 

  • Alternative foraging choices can simply be another brand of HSS approved seed mix such as Rodipet brand to provide diversity in “healthy” feed/foraging.

I've also provided him with sprays like millet and flax. Millet sprays that are marketed towards pet birds are just as tasty for hamsters. 

Enrichment:

  • At least 3 hideouts 

    • Can be one large nesting area/chamber hideout and 2 smaller ceramic or cardboard hideouts.

      • A main nesting area can be made by connecting 2 hideouts with one tunnel (EG: plain tunnel with middle hole, or T shaped tunnel - DIY them with cardboard toilet tubes!)

  • It is recommended he has enough bedding to properly dig around in. Please refer to the HSS website for further advice.

    • OPTIONAL: Non perishable treats and food hidden in bedding.

  • OPTIONAL: A dig jar or box partially filled with coco peat and mixed with non-perishable (as in not too oily to attract ants) and dry treats and seeds, as well as some short stalks of sprays. 

    • The FÖRVAR jar from IKEA is a good choice for this kind of enrichment activity!

    • RAJTAN from IKEA is another alternative. 

    • As long as the jar or container is slightly tilted or easy for him to get in and out of it should be fine. 

Profile:

Part of a rescue of 7 dwarves, this lil’ guy has no Snow White to care for, so he’s going to keep his eyes on you instead! Always curious to see what’s going on, Doc will wake up during the day to get a snack or drink of water, and if he can tell you’re awake, he will start “‘washing windows” to get your attention! 

He’s a bit of a nibbler when it comes to fingers, so although it’s funny to see him grab your finger and drag it around, do be careful he doesn’t go TOO far and take a solid chomp. He’s never doing it out of anger or fear - he just REALLY loves snacks. 

Doc is a super soft, super cute and super silly little man, who will surely brighten up your day.