eeek - no idea how to go about buying new hamster!

[Honey Pot]

So having lost our little Honey this week, my 6 year old is very keen to get back on the horse so to speak and find a new hamster to love!

Really not many litters about this time of year, so I've ventured up to our local pet store this morning, and they have approx 20 male Syrian to choose from, which is what we're after!

I've had a good visual look at them all - they appear to be in lovely condition with no runny anything and no sneezing. Very small - only approx 7 weeks old.

I wanted to get some out, but every time I reached into the tank they all stood up on their hind legs as if to ward me off, and I lost my nerve! Think I'm going back after school with Jack, and a mug or jug to use as a scoop! I'd have preferred to have found a local breeder with babies that have regularly been handled, but haven't found any.

Any hints or tips much appreciated, as I've never had to buy from a store like like this before, or had such a young hammie. Is it right that I should leave him alone in his new home for 4 days before we begin interacting with him?

[racinghamster]

Hi Honey Pot. All those cute babies to choose from! If it`s a young Syrian your looking for then a pet shop is probably your best bet if you have no good breeders near you. Gumtree and sites like this tend to have hamsters for sale or free, but it depends how you feel about taking on a rescue hamster and whether it may or may not have behavioural issues. Most don`t, but you have to be prepared to be patient, as with all hamsters, young or old.

What you want is your cage all set up and choose your hamster. Keep things very gentle and allow him/her to explore and just leave things like that. A young hamsters being removed from siblings into a vast new home with such a change can be overwhelming for them and some Syrians can get wet tail (stress induced) if they have too much going on when they are used to being in a group situation and not really much else.

Look for a healthy, bright eyed, clean coat, no runny discharge from eyes/nose/bottom. Inquisitive and happy. Don`t be surprised for a character change but you can work on that. Being gentle and patient is the key always. Handle inside the cage and low down. Always on the hamster`s terms. Little sessions when hammie is awake.

Let us know how you get on and good luck. x

[Honey Pot]

Thank you for the reply racinghamster. Sorry - have only just found the 'user CP' link to keep track of my threads! I went back up the same afternoon with my little boy, and one of the 3 that had really caught my eye was sat by himself on top of the wooden house, as if to say 'I'm ready, off we go'! He was the first of the litter we saw, and it was love at first sight. Actually, made it much easier as we then didn't need to choose! Have posted one or two things about Frodo already