Small animal care guide

Species-specific care for the hamsters and mice people keep — pick an animal, then a breed

Choose an animal

Select a hamster breed

⚡

Roborovski Hamster

3–3.5 yrs lifespanSir Fluffington's breed ⭐

World's smallest hamster — lightning fast and endlessly curious

⚡ Quick Facts🏠 Housing🥗 Diet & Nutrition🎡 Exercise & Enrichment🩺 Health & Wellness🤲 Handling & Taming

📏

1.5–2 in

Adult body length

⚖️

20–25 g

Adult weight

❤️

3–3.5 yrs

Average lifespan

🌙

Nocturnal

Most active at night

👫

Pairs OK

Same-sex pairs possible

🏜️

Desert

Native habitat

  • ✓Minimum floor space: 450 sq inches — more is always better
  • ✓Bar spacing: Max ¼ inch — Robos can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps
  • ✓Bedding depth: 6–10 inches of paper-based or topsoil mix for burrowing
  • ✓Sand area: A large dish of children's play sand or reptile sand — essential for their desert heritage
  • ✓Avoid: Aquariums with slippery glass sides — they need grip and airflow
  • ✓Temperature: Keep at 65–75°F, away from drafts and direct sun
Pro tip: Bin cages work exceptionally well for Robos — lots of floor space, good ventilation, and no bar-spacing escapes. A 110L storage bin makes an ideal starter setup.

✅ Safe foods

  • High-quality seed and grain mix (millet, oats, wheat)
  • Small amounts of dried mealworms or crickets
  • Cucumber, broccoli, small pieces of carrot
  • Occasional small berry (blueberry, raspberry)
  • Egg white (tiny amount) for protein

🚫 Foods to avoid

  • Citrus fruits — too acidic for their small systems
  • Sugary fruits and treats (Robos are diabetes-prone)
  • Onion, garlic, leeks — toxic
  • Chocolate, candy, processed food
  • Iceberg lettuce — causes diarrhea

💧 Roborovskis come from dry desert environments — they get a lot of moisture from food. Use a small drip bottle and check it daily. Avoid over-watering food items.

  • ✓Wheel: 6–8 inch solid-surface silent spinner — never a runged wheel (breaks legs)
  • ✓Tunnels: Long winding tunnels with multiple exits — this is their absolute favorite
  • ✓Sand bath: Leave a sand dish in the enclosure at all times for self-grooming
  • ✓Foraging: Scatter feed in the bedding rather than using a bowl — keeps them mentally engaged
  • ✓Platforms: Low wooden platforms and climbing structures (keep them close to the ground)
Note: Robos are the marathon runners of the hamster world — they may run 5+ miles a night. A quality wheel is non-negotiable. Sir Fluffington has very strong opinions about tunnel design specifically.

💚 Signs of good health

  • Bright, dark, alert eyes
  • Thick, clean, sandy-colored coat
  • Active and extremely fast when awake
  • Regular sand bathing behavior
  • Healthy foraging and food storing

🚨 Warning signs

  • Lethargy or unusual stillness during evening hours
  • Wet or matted fur around the tail (wet tail)
  • Weight loss — hard to notice on such a small animal, handle gently to check
  • Labored breathing or wheezing
  • Excessive scratching (mites or skin issues)
Important: Robos are generally hardy but their small size means symptoms can escalate quickly. Find an exotic vet before you need one — not all vets treat small rodents.
  1. 1

    Set your expectations

    Roborovskis are not typically lap hamsters. They are fast, skittish, and prefer to be observed rather than held. That is completely normal and okay.

  2. 2

    Let them settle in

    Give your Robo 5–7 days to acclimate before attempting any handling. Moving is very stressful for them.

  3. 3

    Start with scent

    Place a worn piece of clothing near the cage so they learn your smell. Let them sniff your hand through the bars first.

  4. 4

    Scoop, never grab

    Use two cupped hands and let them walk onto you. Grabbing from above triggers their predator-escape instinct — and they are very, very fast.

  5. 5

    Sit on the floor

    Always handle over a surface low to the ground. A Robo falling from standing height can be seriously injured.

  6. 6

    Celebrate small wins

    If your Robo takes a treat from your hand, that is a win. Some Robos never become fully handleable, and that is a perfectly happy life for them.

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