Which Hamster Species?

[Hammylove123]

Hi everyone
As most of you will know, there is more than one species of hamster. In the past, I have had Syrians. (If you're interested in there names, they were called Cleo and Lucky. Obviously they were not kept together, I had Cleo first, she then passed away and next had Lucky who was put down because of a tumour.) I'm not sure whether to go with what I know, Syrians, or explore and try a cute little dwarf. They both seem like very lovely species, and that's what makes it hard. Do I choose a small, cute dwarf or an adorable, fluffy Syrian? I'd love to know you're thoughts and which one you think I should choose.
~ Hammylove123

[Pebbles82]

It's difficult isn't it! It might help your cage choice as well The maxi duna multy you were looking at would be excellent for either a dwarf or a syrian hamster. The Alaska I think is better for a Syrian. I've only had Syrians. I think if you want a pet to cuddle more, and handle easily they are a good choice. Dwarf hamsters are so small - they have a reputation for being harder to tame but dwarf hammy owners often say they have a cuddly one - depends on the personality maybe. Roborovskis are the smallest and generally they are known for being fun to watch and hard to handle. Any of those species would do well in the maxi duna multy though

So if you want to go with getting a cage and then deciding on the hamster, the maxi duna may be the way to go. If you decide on a Syrian, the Alaska may be the way to go

Russian dwarf hamsters from pet shops are hybrids (they may say they are winter white or campbells but they are hybrids of the two) although you can get pure bred winter whites or campbells from breeders. Hybrids (and dwarf hamsters generally) can be prone to diabetes, so diet needs to be watched carefully. The general thought is a sugar-free diet I think.

[flowerfairy]

I have both syrians and roborovskis. I love them both for different reasons.

The syrians set ups take up more room and they need bigger toys/accessories.

The syrians are easier to handle (my robos are great to watch but are not fans of being held or even of hands in their cages).

Syrian cages are; barney 100 x 50cm and borneo xl 115 x 50cm my robo cages are; the alaska and the grosvenor large rat and hamster cage.

I havent had experience with any of the other dwarf species but the main thing for me is the cage size.

[Pebbles82]

Syrians do need bigger toys (rat sized toys are best). All species need plenty of floorspace. If you've had Syrians before you'll know what to expect Dwarf pairs can often need separating if they fall out so then you need to have a spare cage handy or easily available, so if space is an issue a single dwarf would be better than a pair. The Alaska is a good basic cage for a Syrian - you just need a wheel, house and some toys and plenty of substrate. It has a nice big front opening door as well which helps with taming and interaction with the hamster.

Personally I would worry about having a dwarf hammy in a tall-ish cage with 1cm bars - in case they tried to escape and got stuck in the bars, and it would need setting up very carefully to avoid fall risks and injuries, but some people have found it ok as Flower Fairy has. The tank style like the maxi duna multy is a safe option for a dwarf hammy and is popular. The bars on top are narrow 7mm bars.

[Hammylove123]

Hmm.. Well, I'm not sure to be honest. Syrians can be handled and are really cute, when dwarfs can be fun to watch and adorable. But I think I'd like a hamster that can be handled without high levels of stress or fear. Every hamster is stressed and fears you at first but I'd like to eventually, after taming, to handle it. Also, I finally managed to convince my parents a bigger cage than the minimum is necessary. That cage was the Alaska, but the Alaska has the bars too far apart for a dwarf and I also just made a perfect space for the cage. Although dwarfs are adorable, I think I'm gonna have to go for a Syrian - they're cute too. Thanks guys,
~ Hammylove123

[AmityvilleHams]

You'd be best off with a Russian of some sort then,or a Chinese from a breeder who has a good temperament and is used to handling.The Alaska's main bars would be fine for a dwarf by the way,and the corner bars(which are too big)could simply be zip tied together and would work just fine with that modification

Given the space you can offer,I'd go with a dwarf hamster.They're not any less handleable then a Syrian,and a Syrian is by no means a guarantee for a handleable hamster.That would be merely a stereotype,and an unfortunate one at that

[cypher]

If you're new to dwarf hams I would consider beginning with a Russian, I find them remarkably easy to tame & handle, most are very cuddly lovely little hams & they are quite easy to find toys & accessories for, they generally enjoy out of cage time just as much as syrian hamsters do & it's easier to set up a play pen that they can enjoy without escaping than it is with syrians too!
I've kept Chinese hams in the Alaska & they are slimmer than Russian hams but no one has escaped or even tried to, it is a simple job to add a few cable ties at the top & corners if you are concerned though.

[Hammylove123]

Thanks guys! If I do get a dwarf then I'll try using the ties on the corners. I think I'll decide what hamster I get on the day, if no Syrians catch my eye I'll get a dwarf. We'll have to wait and see. When I do get one I'll try and post a few photos of it - but I still have to wait a month for it. (It's gonna be a birthday present! )
~ Hammylove123

[cypher]

A dwarf or syrian would need very different set ups in the cage, house, wheel & other accessories, you can't really set up a cage to suit both & you would need to have everything ready when you bring your ham home so best to decide one way or the other beforehand.
If you can go & see & preferably handle some Russians before deciding it might help you make up you mind.

[Hammylove123]

Okay, I'll try that.
~ Hammylove123