Hmm... Male or Female Syrian?

[miiko]

So I've been doing loads of research lately about hamsters. I mostly watch Victoria Raechel and Erin's animals on youtube. There's one topic that I haven't really found common.

I wanted to know if I should get a female Syrian or male. Most people that I've talked to about hamsters prefer males because they're easier to tame or they don't get infections easily as females do.
But.. some people say that they don't' recommend female Syrians because they're more aggressive.
That's why I want to know from your guys' experiences and opinions about what you think. :-D
-Sincerely, Miiko

[cypher]

I don’t think females are aggressive, they may be a bit more territorial about their cage sometimes as they have that instinct more than males but it’s rarely a problem if you give them plenty of space, out of cage time & don’t over clean the cage.
Females do tend to be more active & demanding than males, needing lots to keep them busy & occupied but you can’t really generalise, all hamsters are very individual so no guarantees one way or the other.

[NibblesTheHam]

I've had one female, (but I was just taking care of her for a few months, so I didn't actually own her), and two males. Females do go into heat, which makes them smell, so I'd consider that a con of females. Females also do get infections that males don't, and from the one female then she was more active then the males, but that could have just been what she was like. For all these reasons, I'd go with male, but it's really up to you.

[flowerfairy]

My females have been massively more active and in need of a lot of enrichment. Fun though.

I generally go for the more laid back boys. Esp the fluffy ones x

[LunaTheHamster1]

I had 2 male syrians many years ago when I was a child, they were very laid back. This time around over the last few years I have had 3 'crazy' female syrians, and 1 Male Syrian. All have had their own different personalities and I have loved them all.

Females are typically harder to please, you need to keep them entertained, lots of enrichment going on in their enclosures/cages. When freeroaming all 3 of my females have tried to dig through the tiniest gap under doorways etc, which I ended up blocking off with cardboard/fleeces etc, but Twinkle my male syrian has a sniff and moves on.

I have never had an aggressive syrian regardless of gender.

My one advice re Syrians is if you go for a female, I would not go for a cage smaller than 100cm*50cm.

I do know 2 of my Syrian Girls got UTI's when they got older which I think can be common, but it can also be treated with baytrill, so I wouldn't let that put you off, any hamster can get any illness at any time, or not. It really is just the luck of the draw.

[Ruth Edwards]

When you put males on the floor they like to run and run and run like crazy, but put a girl on the floor and they destroy your sofa, your piano and your wiring.

[Shannonmcn]

When you put males on the floor they like to run and run and run like crazy, but put a girl on the floor and they destroy your sofa, your piano and your wiring.

Truth. But I always go for girls. They're just more fun!

I've had 7 lady syrians now and never an aggressive one and honestly never really noticed a smell when they were in heat either. I did notice a ruined carpet, peeled wallpaper and 5 dead phone chargers tho. They're fab! :D

[Ria P]

A female is likely to liven the place up. Our Syrian, who we nicknamed Glamour Boy because all he ever seemed to do was sit, pose and look good, has never been the same since the scent of a woman tantalized his nostrils.

Like with humans, a lot depends on personality. I did have a male Syrian who stripped wallpaper with a passion but was otherwise a very calm and rather reserved gent.

You could look into adopting from a rescue where the personality and habits of a hamster should already be known.

[Charlie Ping]

|Females are notorious for wanting way more space than males, so keep that in mind. However, both need spacious cages for natural behaviours to be exhibited such as foraging. Males are known to be calmer than females, but it all depends on the individual hamster and temperaments.

[Margaret the dwarf]

So I've been doing loads of research lately about hamsters. I mostly watch Victoria Raechel and Erin's animals on youtube. There's one topic that I haven't really found common.

I wanted to know if I should get a female Syrian or male. Most people that I've talked to about hamsters prefer males because they're easier to tame or they don't get infections easily as females do.
But.. some people say that they don't' recommend female Syrians because they're more aggressive.
That's why I want to know from your guys' experiences and opinions about what you think. :-D
-Sincerely, Miiko

Have a Female and she is the sweetest thing ever. No aggressiveness at all. True about them never having enough space. Everytime we leave her out, no matter how big the room is, she is always looking to get out. Lol. Its like all the space in the world is never enough. But the downside is we are currently going through the medical issues. Bleeding, infections etc etc. So that has been really tough. But would do it again in a heartbeat because she is the best hammie ever. Good luck in your choice.