How To Choose A Pet Hamster

Once you have decided to get a hamster, it helps to do some research as well as visit pet stores, breeders of hamsters or an animal shelter to select the right one. Breeders would be the right choice if you want one with a specific coat or color type; your choice would be animal shelters if you want to give the hamster a new home, otherwise you could get one at a pet shop.

Adopting a healthy hamster means looking for one that is active, alert, awake, lively and curious. They should have clean and erect ears, clear and black eyes, healthy teeth, clean and dry fur (except for the scent glands on its thighs). The teeth should neither be overgrown nor curled upwards. A wet fur especially around the rump indicates wet tail, a disease that spreads easily to other hamsters housed with it. A good and practical suggestion would be to go to the pet shop later in the day or in the early evening; it is the right time to observe the hamster personality and ensure it is active.

Knowing the hamster’s age and adopting a young one is important as they are easily tamed; female hamsters get pregnant at the age of 8 weeks, so choose one that is about 4 weeks old. Select a Syrian hamster that is smaller than 5-7 inches, the size they are as adults. Select a Campbell's Russian hamster or Winter White Russian hamsters below the size of 3 inches; they are 3-4 inches as adults. Adopt a Chinese hamster smaller than 4 inches; they are adults at 4-5 inches and get a Roborovski hamster of 2 inches as they are adults at 3 inches.

Ensure that the enclosures where the hamsters are kept are clean and healthy for them; also ensure that males and females are kept separately. The staff should be able to guarantee the gender of the hamster and also guide you regarding their basic care. It is also necessary to ensure, especially in case of Dwarf hamsters, if they get along together.

Ask if you can place your hand on the enclosure; if the breeder or staff has any objection, suggest that they do so. Hamsters portray their true behavior with someone they are familiar with; avoid buying hamsters that bite, scratch aggressively, are extremely fearful, hide, darts or does not reappear. Your choice should fall on one that is extremely curious and sniffs or one that gently nips your hand to test it.

Ensure you ask the pet shop worker all about the hamster; PETCO and Petsmart stores may have some more information to offer than other local pet stores. It would also help to get a travel kit and improvise it with bedding, toys, some water as well as food while taking the hamster home.  

A last piece of advice; wanting a hamster that could be easily tamed, and handled as a novice makes a Syrian hamster is your best choice; Dwarf hamsters tend to be more flighty and quick by nature and are not as easily handled as Syrian hamsters.

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