Winter Whites worst for allergies?

[tentoedsloth]

Hi.. I was considering getting a winter white hamster if I could find one, but then I read in a book that they were the worst kinds for setting off allergy attacks.

Does anyone have any personal experience with this? I couldn't find it mentioned anywhere else.

[LokiWolf]

Not sure where you read that, but all hamsters due carry a risk that someone could be allergic to them. However there is not a species that carries more risk than the other and it is extremely rare for someone to be allergic to the actual hamster. Most of the time, they are allergic to the bedding/substrate or something in the hamster's food or treats.

[Eriklover555]

My mother was allergic specifically to Syrian hamsters ... All my hams have the same bedding, and the same treats, but my mother will rash up when she comes in contact with Syrians.

[ILSMarki8]

My mum had thyroid gland problems few month ago and it turned out that was allergic reaction on hamsters. I am very sensitive when it comes to allergies, but never reacted to any of my hammies. So I guess it is pretty possible, but don't think that is in case only in WW. However, I do have most WW so I really can't tell.

[olga]

I know someone with severe allergies who got a winter white specifically because dwarf hamsters were the only species he could tolerate. That proved to be the case and the winter white happily lived there for 2 years with no allergy problems for the owner.

[Regalis]

I think it is somehow individual. I have always been allergic to hamsters (or, to be more accurate, mostly to their dirty bedding and a bit to the animal itself) and yet I am an active breeder and owner of 15 to 20 WW's and one syrian. I've noticed also that some of my WW's are more messy and these are also the worst ones for allergic human, too. I was getting some allergy symptoms from my first syrian but interestingly my tolerance increased and after a few weeks I didn't get any symptoms at all. I've also owned two roborovskis who were extremely neat and tidy and didn't cause any allergy symptoms. Although I do know that not all roborovskis are like that...

It is also worth noticing that the severity of one's allergy varies and mine is somewhat intermediate. I tend to keep good care of the tidiness of my hamstery, cleaning the cages before they are too unclean, and wash my hands after handling hamsters. The problem is that you can't be sure before you try owning a WW but you usually can't 'try' owning an animal, unless you can for example take care of a friend's WW during his or her holiday trip.

[Eriklover555]

A good idea would be to ask a breeder or pet shop to let you handle some of their hams. Then go about your day as usual. If you have a bad reaction, you know you wouldn't be able to handle it.