It’s nearly hard to stroll past a pet store or scroll down a pet website without pausing to admire some hamsters if you’re a pet enthusiast. They’re adorable and full of personality, even while they’re asleep. They’re also simple to look after, making them ideal pets for novices.
Unsure on which hamster you want to take home with you? Worry not! Here we’ll share with you 5 different breeds of hamsters and their characteristics for you to see which one fits you best.
Syrian Hamster
- Also known as: Golden Hamster, Teddy Bear Hamster
- Lifespan: 2 to 3 years
- Size: 6 to 7 inches
The Features
- Golden brown fur and white bellies
- Long-coat variations also exist
The Personality Traits
- Easy breed to tame and handle
- Best housed alone
Syrians are lonely creatures who do best in their own company. When housed together, they are prone to fight and inflict injury on one another.
How to Care for Syrian Hamsters
- Require commodious space
Syrians, due to their size, require a larger hamster wheel and living space in order to get enough exercise.
- Daily brushing for long coat variants
- Prone to wet tail disease
This is a life-threatening disorder brought on by stress. When you first bring your hamster home, vets normally recommend using moist tail drops to avoid this.
- Suitable for: First-time pet owners.
Winter White Hamster
- Also known as: Striped Dwarf, Siberian Hamster, Djungarian Hamster
- Lifespan: 1.5 to 2 years
- Size: 3 to 4 inches
These hamsters originate from snowy regions and they are half the size of Syrian Hamsters.
The Features
- Brown or grey coats
In the winter, their coats turn white to protect them from predators.
- Solid black line along their backs and feet
They are identified by their fuzzy feet, although having a similar look to Campbell’s.
The Personality Traits
- Sweet, mellow, and social
The Winter White hamster, like many dwarf varieties, is readily tamed and prefers the company of a companion of the same gender.
- Easily startled
It’s advisable to keep their cage in a calm location due to their shy temperament.
How to Care for Winter White Hamsters
- A large pet cage with numerous levels and engaging hamster toys is required.
These characteristics will keep winter whites from being bored because they are incredibly active and enjoy climbing.
- Keep them in tanks or cages with little openings.
Because of their small size, they can get out of regular hamster cages.
- Not suitable for: Children without supervision
Their speed and size might become a challenge for children to handle
Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster
- Also known as: Russian Dwarf Hamster
- Lifespan: 1.5 to 2 years
- Size: 4 inches
These hamsters are commonly referred to as “Yellow Pudding,” “Blue Pudding,” or “Sapphire” at pet stores, although they’re really just Campbell’s hamsters with different coloured coats.
The Personality Traits
- Easily frightened
When startled, they can leave a nasty bite.
- Known to adjust their sleeping hours
Despite the fact that they are nocturnal, they stay up when they are the centre of attention.
How to Care for Campbell’s Dwarf Hamsters
- Diabetic susceptibility
A healthy diet should be heavy in protein and low in fruits.
- Prepare ventilated tanks to keep them from escaping
- Provide them with hideaways
Campbell’s Hamsters prefer sleeping in a safe contained place.
- Not suitable for: Young children who get easily excited
These small and quick hamsters may bite when they’re startled
Roborovski Hamster
- Also known as: Robo Dwarf Hamster
- Lifespan: 2.5 to 3 years
- Size: 2 to 3 inches
Roborovski hamsters, as the quickest dwarf breed, are nervous and will try to flee if handled.
The Personality Traits
- Animals that are extremely shy and dislike being touched.
- It’s impossible to tame, but it’s fascinating to watch.
These rodents are gregarious individuals who enjoy conversing with one another while you stand outside their homes watching.
How to Care for Roborovski Hamsters
- Require a large enclosed tank
They need ample space to run and play.
- Dislike sharing
To avoid fighting in a group, each hamster should have their own toys, bowls, and water bottles.
- Not especially prone to sickness
To keep your hamsters healthy, mix in little amounts of fresh food with their high-quality diet.
- Suitable for: Pet lovers who enjoy watching them run around
- Not suitable for: Those who want to handle them
Their incredible speed makes them hard to tame
Chinese Hamster
- Lifespan: 2.5 to 3 years
- Size: 3 to 4 inches
The Features
The Chinese Hamster is sometimes mistaken for a mouse due to its mouse-like characteristics and large tail.
The Personality
- Extremely quick on their feet
- Friendly and doesn’t nip
- Prone to behavioural problems without enough interaction
When bored, Chinese hamsters can become destructive and irritable. They’ll start chewing on anything that comes into contact with their teeth.
How to Care for Chinese Hamsters
- Provide lots of toys and stimulation
- Constant interaction
Taking care of them is often beneficial to their mental health.
- Separate them till you’re certain they won’t damage each other.
Females may grow hostile as they mature and need to be separated.
- Suitable for: Anyone who loves to handle pets often
- Not suitable for: Pet owners who are incapable of interacting with them
The Different Hamster Breeds
Each hamster breed has its own personality, but it’s vital to remember that temperaments can shift according to the surroundings and age.
No matter how cute they are, hamsters demand a three- to five-year commitment, so don’t get one on the spur of the moment! If you ever do decide to commit to taking care of one, visit any of the Pet Lovers Centre branches near you and we’ll gladly assist you in finding the right one for you!
