Is 5 and 1/2 to young to get a hamster ??

[Willowknows]

Hey, so this Christmas I lost my beautiful willow at nearly 3 years old.... But two weeks ago I ended up falling in love with male syrian who was seperatedfrom siblings at around 5 1/2 weeks old( they were all fighting ) I ended up taking him, he still jumpy but let’s me pet him and takes treats. I just want to know could me taking him home so young have any affect behaviourally ? Or is that a common age just I got willow at 9 weeks so I’ve no idea he’s also my first male

[Vierville]

I'm not sure if it is good or not but I've heard of hamsters being separated and sold at three weeks old. My little Baldrick was one of them, for sale in a pet shop together with his siblings and no water at three weeks old.

He is a bit jumpy and nervous too but I have taken it very very slowly with handling him. He also does take treats but is very nervous and defensive when picked up.

They will come right once they realise that we are not a threat and that we only mean well.

[Dessi]

Around here russian dwarfs are sold at 25 days old. I don’t know about syrians but I would assume 35-40 days is fine.

[Jo 17]

I have mine from breeder since He was 4 weeks old as started fighting with siblings. He is now nearly 3 months old and He is so adorable and so wanting to spend time with me and my husband. I do not know is this normal to be so willing human contact, but He is just so brilliant with us and I do not want Him to change

[Fluffagrams]

Different countries have different rules about when hamsters can be rehomed and the youngest I've had a hamster come to me is four weeks. That being said though, some of the ones that have been rehomed at that sort of age have needed a bit more of a gentle transition into their permanant home. They usually benefit from being kept in a smaller cage than most people would consider using as permanant accommodation for a hamster for a couple of weeks whilst they settle in to independent life. I also wouldn't use a wheel at this stage as they should be using their energies for growing.

In terms of behaviour, the ones who have lived on their own at less than six weeks have needed a little bit more work with taming as they'll have missed out on the socialisation with other hamsters that basically teaches them 'how to hamster'. I recommend keeping taming sessions short but doing them frequently and you're better off doing these from a carrier or something smaller rather than a bathtub or a playpen.

[Ithuviel]

When i saw the title i tought you were going to give a 5 and 1/2 year old child a hamster. I was preparing a long post about how that is not a good idea.

Anyway, my country sells/rehomes hamsters at 4 weeks.

[Pebbles82]

They usually leave for their new homes after 6 weeks old in the Uk. I have had Pickle since 6 weeks old. So I would think 5 and a half weeks is ok. The thing to bear in mind is he is a baby and will be very skitty and get scared easily sometimes. Providing you let him have some peace to settle into his cage (ie don't clean it for the first two weeks or move things around or change things - unless there is a safety issue of course) he should start to settle in his cage. With taming, it is best to give them 2 or 3 days to adjust before handling. Regular handling will help him learn to trust you and become tame. Having said that, it's a bit of a balance if they're a bit scared. You don't want to scare him by chasing him round the cage to catch him to get him out and he may hide away a bit. Some of that depends on his personality.

Cage set up and cage accessibility can make a big difference with this. eg a cage with a big front opening door like the hamster heaven (without the tubes and penthouse), or the Alaska cage, can be a good starter cage for taming as it's easy to interact with them or put a tube or hamster ball in front of the house for them to walk into (a treat inside tempts them) and you can get them out for a taming session that way.

To start with just keep talking to him through the bars of the cage regularly (even if you don't see him!) and offering the odd treat through the bars when he's out. So he gets to know your voice and scent. If he shows he wants to come out, fine, but otherwise give him a week or so to get used to his cage and your voice. They can still be startled and scared quite easily.

The bathtub (dry) or a playpen can be a good place for taming sessions - so they can run around with a few toys and you can give the occasional stroke or even let them climb over you if you get in with them. Keep away from the edges so he doesn't run up your arm and try and jump out!

What cage have you got for him? I also thought you meant a hamster for a 5 1/2 year old child at first! I was going to say - constant supervision! We got one for stepson when he was 6.

[VOESSY]

The establishments I've been in touch with in Belgium tend to be sold/homed at 4-8 weeks.

[Willowknows]

Just want to thank you all for replying ❤️ He’s doing great now even sleeps on me ❤️❤️