The Chinese Dwarf Hamster is quite different from your typical hamster as a house pet. First of all, they are a rare find in the US because they are hard to breed when not in their original habitat which is in either China or Mongolia.
Their name is actually as misnomer as they constitute the rat-like hamster specie. The Chinese Dwarf Hamster has mousey features. A lengthy tail and body that measures around ten centimeters and their characteristic gray overcoat with a single black stripe, and white bellies. They can also have spotted fur or can be completely white with just a black eye.
Female Chinese Dwarf Hamsters are often feared by their male counterparts. In the struggle for dominancy, the male often ends up severely hurt or dead. Better to have a pair of just girls or boys instead.
But regardless of the sex, one Chinese Dwarf Hamster will always try to dominate the other, so it is wise to give them as much space apart as possible. The best choice of housing for them would be plastic tanks or aquariums. Cage bars just tempt them to get away. It is not rare to see the Chinese Dwarf Hamsters trapped between cage wires. It is also not a pretty sight.
Chinese Dwarf hamsters eat the way regular hamsters do. Typical meals consist of seeds, vegetables, sometimes even crickets or mealworms. Lots of fresh water is best too. Keep the fresh water in a water bottle instead of a water bowl. The latter often gets knocked over and spills on the substrate.
Expect your Chinese Dwarf Hamster to live for two to three years. Keep them under tight watch and do not expect kids below twelve to be able to handle them. These hamsters are very talented in climbing up walls, getting out of tight spaces, running away and disappearing. Glass tanks and aquariums are the best choice of cages for them as they are experts with getting out of wire cages.