As pets, hamsters are fairly easy to care for. Hamsters do not require walking, are not particularly dirty or smelly, are small and do not take up a lot of space, and are generally inexpensive. Hamsters are also quite strong animals and can be a very good pet for a child or a family with several children. However, there are two distinct options when it comes to adopting a hamster for your family, and that is the dwarf hamster and the Syrian hamster. I spoke with Ken Brocx, the founder of Hamsterific.com, an authoritative hamster and small pet website about this question and what his recommendations would be for someone considering adopting a hamster but not exactly sure which route is best for their family. .

Andy Markison:

Thank you Ken for taking the time to speak with us. First, suppose a family

with a young child or children (let’s assume around seven or eight years of age to

this example) is considering adopting a hamster or hamsters for your home. would do

Do you personally recommend a dwarf hamster or a Syrian hamster in this case?

Ken Brox:

I would generally recommend a Syrian hamster for younger children. dwarf hamsters

they are smaller, which can make them more difficult to handle. Also, if a dwarf achieves

break free, they are faster than the Syrians and therefore more difficult to catch. Syrians tend to be

more docile if properly bred.

AM:

Syrian hamsters are supposed to be solitary once they are weaned, but that is not the

case with dwarf hamsters is?

KB:

No. Most dwarf hamsters prefer some company, but that means more space. What

can be a problem as many commercial cages are too small for more than one

hamster, even a dwarf hamster.

AM:

Is there any reason to buy a dwarf hamster alone? Or would it be better

adopt two dwarfs instead of one?

KB:

In the wild, dwarf hamsters live in colonies, so I prefer to keep them that way. ON

dwarf hamster alone you will need a lot attention to prevent

get depressed

AM:

If you initially purchase one dwarf hamster and later want to introduce a second (or

3rd) dwarf hamster, would that be possible or are you asking for conflicts with such

An introduction?

KB:

It depends on the particular dwarf hamster and how long they have been alone. Yew

a dwarf hamster has been alone for more than a month I find it very difficult

to introduce a new cage mate. Young dwarf hamsters will accept a new hamster

much more easily than an older dwarf hamster. Also dwarf hamsters tend to

socialize better with siblings than with strange or unknown hamsters.

AM:

Are dwarf hamsters generally less abundant creatures than Syrians?

KB:

Both dwarf and Syrian hamsters are very hardy creatures. Dwarf hamsters have been

domesticated for a much shorter time than the Syrians, and so it has

been a lesser opportunity for them to become inbred. Inbreeding can cause many

problems with the health of any breed of hamster. In Syrians this often results in a

hamster that is difficult to tame. In dwarf hamsters it is very common to see

diabetes in inbred puppies.

AM:

What type of kit would you recommend to someone who is about to adopt a hamster?

get for your hamster’s new home?

KB:

Hamsters need a constant supply of clean water, a food bowl that is heavy enough

won’t tip over when a hamster crawls on it, an exercise wheel and a

“nest” where they can feel safe. Wheels are not just toys. A hamster in the wild can

run several miles at night marking their territory and looking for food and the only way

we can duplicate that in a confined space there is a wheel. In the wild hamsters live in

underground burrows. To nest, a hamster needs a place where he feels he can

retreat from danger. A hamster without a nest will feel insecure and nervous.

AM:

What is the life expectancy of dwarfs and Syrian hamsters?

KB:

Dwarves typically live 2-4 years depending on race, living conditions, and genetics.

arrangement. Syrians live about 2-3 years.

AM:

What would you suggest someone look for when buying or adopting a hamster?

KB:

The most important things are the health and personality of the hamsters. color, long

pretty hair and eyes won’t matter much if you have a sick hamster. look clean

and dry fur, especially around the hamster’s butt, stressed hamsters can

Wet Tail, which is a deadly type of diarrhea. Wet Tail can spread to the surroundings

cages and it can be very difficult to sterilize an area after an outbreak. personality is

very important, too. If you choose an outgoing hamster who doesn’t mind being picked up

you will probably find it much easier to tame and befriend

he or she.

AM:

Is there any reason to adopt a hamster from a breeder instead of a pet store?

KB:

Professional breeders often take great care to ensure that their hamsters are not

innate. Inbreeding can result in many health and personality problems. many farts

stores buy from these same breeders, although some may let their hamsters

store-breeding leading to rampant inbreeding and unhealthy hamsters.

Also, the fact that a person has many hamsters and sells them does not mean that

We are a professional breeder of quality. Don’t forget to check local shelters as well.

Animal shelters often have hamsters that need good homes.

AM:

Is the Syrian’s diet significantly different from that of a dwarf? I know, for

example, that giving dwarf hamsters fruit that may be high in sugar could be

problematic because midgets may be more likely to become diabetic.

KB:

Other than that, Syrians and Dwarves have similar diets.

AM:

What is “heat” exactly? It’s related to nuts in some way, isn’t it, or is it related to others?

types of food too? And does “heat” affect a Syrian and a dwarf in the same way?

KB:

Well, there are two types of “heat”. “Heat” may be the term for when a woman

hamster comes into season, but you are talking about the condition that affects

hamsters that eat too much fatty food. That kind of “heat” is usually caused by a

owner who wants to feed his hamster a treat, usually sunflower seeds, and goes

the water. Too much oil, such as that from sunflower seeds, can make a hamster

metabolism to speed up and make them lose hair. That’s “heat” and I only have

I have seen it in dwarf hamsters.

AM:

Any final words, warnings, recommendations, or other general thoughts you want

I would like to share with someone who is interested in adopting a hamster?

KB:

Health and personality are the most important things when buying a new hamster, buying

the biggest home for your hamster you can, Never put two syrian hamsters

together and play with your hamster as often as you can.

Interview with Ken Brocx, founder of Hamsterific.com, an authoritative hamster website

and other small pets.