Help Choosing A Hamster?

I would recommend a Syrian hamster. They like to be alone in the cage (and I'm assuming you don't want more than 1), and they tend to sleep a lot in the day, and they're active at night. They like to cuddle a lot, and they don't make that much noise, and if they do, just take out the wheel (if you want to get one in the first place). They need big cages tho', because they can grow to be very big, and need space. You don't need more than 1 house in the cage (unless you want), a food bowl, a water container (i'm not sure how it's called), a running wheel, and well, that's pretty much the basic stuff. Later on you can buy some toys that you & your hamster will like. If you're buying a Syrian hamster, you can put some hamster food in their bowl, and give them some fruits / veggies every day or so. Don't give them orange, lemons (well, of course) or meat (and anything else that's like these tings). Also you need to buy wood shavings for the floor of the cage, and you don't have to put a lot of it in the cage, about 1 centimeter is enough. You can also buy bedding for them, like some cotton wool, or some paper towels (unless it's really hot, then they don't need bedding - they'll be just fine with the wood shavings). When you first buy a hamster, give him a week or so, to adjust to the new environment, and after that you can start with handling them, playing with them etc. You can start by putting some hamster food (or some sunflower seeds in the palm of your hand, and placing your hand in the cage. The hamster will, after some sniffing and looking, eventually climb up on your hand, and you can slowly take him out, and start playing with him. As for the hamster ball, that's pretty easy, just take him in your hand, slowly put him in the ball, close it, and let him run around (but make sure there are no stairs that he can fall of). Hamsters are very cute pets, and they don't take up a lot of space, and they're perfect if you're too lazy to take your pet out on walks. You also need to clean his cage every week-two weeks, so he can stay comfortable. And that's pretty much all the information you need to know about Syrian hamster.

I wouldn't recommend any other hamster, because others are mostly very small, and they tend to 'jump' out of your hand when you are holding them (I had a whole family of Russian Dwarf hamsters, and the mom escaped somewhere in my house, I couldn't find her for a week), except the Chinese hamsters, which are almost as big as the Syrian ones, but I wouldn't really buy them, 'cause they're kinda creepy looking (all white fur, red eyes) and I don't really know much about them, but I think that it's harder to handle them than Syrian hamsters.

I think I've told you everything you need to know, if you have any other questions e-mail me on arevne.mathers@hotmail.com ^^

Dwarf AND robo hansters are a bit ruder. You might happen to get a nice one, but they are not very social with human. They are also escape artists, so you might lose it. I'd say stay with a Syrian, like the teddy bear. They have a better temperment and prefer people. Also, when you get a dwarf hamster, you should get more then one. They live in herds. If you want a hamster to look at, the dwarf or robo is a good choice. If you want something to hold, get the teddy bear.

First of all,DWARF HAMSTERS do not make good starter hamster pets.Larger breeds like golden hamsters,panda hamsters or syrian hamsters(I recommend syrian).Many dwarfs do not like to be held and bite more often because they feel insecure.The other larger breeds rarely bite at all and many of the times let themselves to be handled often(especially if you start at a good age) or aquarium with a lid .Just get them a large cage(not with tubes because they eventually grow to a point were they don't fit :( )They are more territorial and like their space(were dwarfs like lots of tubes).The things you need to get a big hamster are :

~10 gallon aquarium

~Bedding

~a Home(sell plastic mini iglooor you can use a Kleenexbox)

~Hamster Food(I recomend Kaytee hamster food)

~Chew Sticks(to file their teeth,they never stop growing)

~Heavy Food Bowl(Hamster may push over light bowls)

~Water Bottle for hamster cages(bowls get to messy and may get you hamster sick because pee,poo,bedding,or food may get in it and get your hamster sick when you hamster drinks from it)

~Running Wheel(highly recommended

~Hamster Ball(highly recommended

~Treats(recomended)

~Hamster play pen(recomended)

Make sure if you do plan to get a wheel that it does not squeek

Do your research so you are prepared for anything.

Click on the link to find out how to make your hamster some treats if you do not want to buy them on my blog :) enjoy and hope I helpped

My pet hamster is a German Robodwarf. Probably one of the most adorable hamsters available, but it doesn't like to be handled or played with. It's perfect if you just need an extremely easy to take care of hamster that doesn't ever need to be played with (As long as you have a good hamster wheel for it to run on)

You should really consider getting a rat instead.

1. They live longer

2. They enjoy being handled

3. They are very clean

4. They are very friendly

5. They are NOT nocturnal and will NOT keep you up all night

Ok...I just have to say i love ur question!!! I am getting a roborovski hamster tomorrow (look them up on google...they are the MOST adorable little things in the world!!!!) they only get as big as your thumb! they live 3-4 years and i found a list of foods to give and not to give that i will post in the end! :) ok so the answer that said they shouldnt be handled isnt really true...it all depends on the personality of the hamster and how you treat it. My old hamster was a year and 8 months when it died (different breed...dont last as long :'( ) but yeah i got her when she was a baby and i treated her really nicely and gave her veggies and all that so whenever i went to the cage what you need to do is put ur hand in it and dont grab her until she gets used to u actually dont grab her ever just gently pick her up put wait till she gets used to u so back to my point just leave ur hand in the cage so she/he can come sniff it and recognize u by your scent so it wont be scared and than after that just let her walk onto ur hand. They like to climb all over you its so cute! :D also you want to give it fruits and vegetables once a week but not to much because a little bit of veggies and fruit is ALOT to a tiny hamster! also give her a treat bout once a week so u dont make it fat :P ok so here is that list of foods to avoid and foods to give i got this off of myroborovskihamster.com u should check it out! :)

Fruits

* Apple (seedless)

* Banana

* Blackberries

* Blueberries

* Cantaloupe.

* Cherries

* Cranberries

* Grapes(seedless)

* Lychee

* Mango

* Melon

* Peaches (no stone)

* Plums (no pits)

* Raspberries

* Raspberry Leaves (helpful for diarrhea)

* Strawberries

Veggies

* Asparagus

* Bean Sprouts

* Bok Choy

* Broccoli

* Cabbage (Limited amounts)

* Carrots

* Cauliflower

* Celery

* Chard

* Chestnuts

* Chickweed

* Chicory

* Clover

* Corn on the Cob

* Cucumbers

* Dandelion Leaves

* Endive

* Green Beans

* Kale

* Parsnips

* Peas

* Radicchio

* Romaine Lettuce

* Spinach

* Squash

* Sweet Potatoes

* Sweet bell Peppers

* Swiss Chard

* Turnip

* Water Chestnuts

* Water Cress

* Zucchini

Meats and Proteins foods

* Cooked Ground Beef (Rinse well in hot water to remove any grease)

* Cooked Chicken or Turkey (Steamed or baked)

* Low Fat Cottage Cheese

* Fish Cod (Cooked removing bones and skin)

* Grasshoppers (Pet Shop)

* Mealworms (Pet Shop)

* Crickets (Pet Shop)

* Bread(whole grain no white bread) soaked in milk ( Low Fat, Skim, Soy)

* Eggs ( boiled or scrambled)

* Plain Tofu

* Plain Low Fat Yogurt

* Dog Biscuits (No Garlic, onion, or onion powder)

* Monkey Chow

* Lab Blocks

Other foods

* Buckwheat

* Baby Food(low sugar and no onion or garlic)

* Cheese (mild cheeses in moderation)

* Cooked Plain Brown Rice

* Cooked Pasta(Wheat or Spinach would be better)

* Dry toast(Also helpful for diarrhea

* Flax seed

* Low or Sugarless Cereals

* Pumpkin Seeds (unsalted)

* Nuts (No almonds)

* Sesame Seeds

* Soybeans(Roasted no salt)

* Squash seeds

* Lentils

* Oatmeal(dry or soaked in skim, soy or lowfat milk)

* Nutritional Yeast

* Bran and Wheat Germ (Refrigerated goes bad fast)

* Peanuts (unsalted)

* Alfafa

* Unsalted Popcorn (no butter)

Foods To Avoid

* Almonds (Contains Cyanic Acid)

* Apple Seeds

* Canned food

* Chocolate

* Candies

* Chips and Junk food

* Pork Products

* Potatoes (Raw)

* Raw Kidney Beans

* Eggplant

* Fool's Parsley

* Grape Seeds

* Avocado (Contains Cardiac Glycosides)

* Raw Rhubarb

* Tomato leaves

* Oranges or Tangerines(no citrus fruits)

* No watermelon (the water content is high causes diarrhea)

* Cherry Stone

* Peach Stone & Leaves

* Apricot Stone

* Lemon or Lime

* Jams and jellies

* Spices

* Garlic

* Onions

* Leeks

* Scallions

* Chives

* Pickles

Hey I live in an apartment I suggest a campbell dwarf. I currently have 3 and their cage is in me and hubbys rm. They arnt to nosy. They like to be handled. You can get them ta learn their name and teach them tricks! Email me if you wanna know more shorti4ever88@yahoo.com

my advice to you is dont get one. it ate my cat and then chewed off all my fingers. i fed it to the neighbors then when they ate over at our house last night. so if you get one make sure you get a machine gun with it because those suckers are dangerous!