By Callie
November 6th, 2024
Choosing the Right Hamster
Choosing the right hamster can be a bit of a puzzle. This article looks into the five different domesticated hamster species to help you find the best fit. We’ll see what makes each type of hamster different in terms of costs, care, and other pros and cons.
Syrian Hamsters
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Overview: The largest domesticated species. Known for their size and generally friendly temperament, though individual personalities can vary.
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Pros:
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They are less likely to be "ghost hamsters" and will tend to have more outgoing personalities compared to some other more recently domesticated species, especially when coming from an ethical breeder.
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They come in a variety of colors, types, and patterns, which is great if you have certain preferences for a specific coloration.
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Health-wise, Syrian hamsters also have a lower chance of developing diabetes compared to some smaller dwarf species.
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Cons:
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Syrian hamsters can be demanding in terms of care, as they need lots of enrichment to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
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They also need a large cage to thrive, ideally with 1,000 square inches or more, especially when it comes to female Syrians. Without enough enrichment or space, they can become bored or stressed, which may contribute to behavioral or health issues.
Hybrid Dwarf Hamsters
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Overview: Hybrid hamsters are a mix of Winter White and Campbell's dwarf hamsters. Since Winter Whites and Campbell's are quite similar, they are able to interbreed and create the hybrid. True purebred Winter Whites and Campbell's are quite rare in the commercial pet trade, while hybrids are extremely common among hamster owners.
Pros:
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Hybrid hamsters are very adorable and easy to find, which makes them a popular and affordable choice for hamster owners.
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They also tend to require less space than a Syrian hamster, as 800 square inches is the recommended minimum.
Cons:
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Hybrid hamsters are highly prone to health issues: they have higher risk of diabetes, neurological problems, and a shorter lifespan.
Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters​
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Overview: Roborovski hamsters are the smallest domesticated hamster species, known for their tiny size and high energy levels.
Pros:
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They are active and love to run on wheels, dig, and explore, offering plenty of interesting activities for owners to watch.
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Their small size makes them extra cute and charming – Robos are truly pocket pets!
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They don’t require as much space as Syrian hamsters, but a minimum of 800 square inches is still recommended.
Cons:
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Since Roborovski hamsters come from sandy desert environments in the wild, they should have a larger sand back in their cage to mimic their natural habitat.
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Roborovski hamsters can be more challenging to tame compared to Syrian hamsters because they haven’t been domesticated as long.
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They are smaller, faster, and often less comfortable with human interaction, which can make handling them tricky. However, the temperament of each hamster can vary, so some Roborovski hamsters might still be easier to handle than others.
Chinese Dwarf Hamsters​
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Overview: Chinese hamsters are recognized for their distinctive mouse-like appearance, unique long tails, and rarity.
Pros:
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Similar to Robo hamsters, Chinese hamsters are very active and fun to watch as they scurry around and explore their enclosure.
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Their long tails give them an advantage in climbing, which helps them explore enrichment accessories up to a few inches off of the ground.
Cons:
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Chinese hamsters tend to be more on the timid side, but keep in mind that personality varies with each individual hamster.
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They are prone to diabetes and are often used as a model for human diabetes in science research.
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Due to their rarity, finding ethical breeders will be more challenging and adopting may be a better option.
Further Reading
More resources on choosing a hamster species!​
